Redeeming Lord Ryder. Maggie Robinson
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Название: Redeeming Lord Ryder
Автор: Maggie Robinson
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Историческая литература
Серия: Cotswold Confidential
isbn: 9781516100026
isbn:
Why are you here?
Jack sat back on the bench and tugged up his collar against the chill. He was hatless, as usual. “What an excellent question. I guess I came to find some solace. Something bad, very bad, happened on my watch. And, no, I’m not in the military—at least I haven’t caused a war. Yet. Everyone tells me I’m not directly to blame, but I feel to blame anyway. I was hoping to learn how to work through the guilt. Sleep soundly again. So far, that hasn’t happened.”
The skin under his eyes was dark, his voice a bit bleak. Nicola gave his hand a squeeze.
“Thank you. I do feel a bit better having met a friend. A kissing friend. Maybe you can kiss me happy and I can kiss you into talking.”
We can try.
His lips quirked. “That will be fun, won’t it? If I’m not run out of town first. My time is up on January 9th. Yours?”
Nicola’s parents had spent a small fortune to enroll her in the Puddling Program, but now that she had money of her own, she could pay her way for a while.
I can stay as long as I like, I think.
“Won’t your family miss you?”
They know I’m safe here.
Was she? The man next to her had potential to upset her constrained world.
What did she know about him really, besides the fact that he was well barbered, rather gorgeous, and visibly well-to-do? She’d seen a heavy gold signet ring with an inscription in the onyx, and his clothes—when they weren’t slept in—were impeccably tailored. He appeared to be some sort of inventive engineer, which was unusual for a man of his class. Nicola suspected he was not a mere mister. Mrs. Grace had let something slip at the doorway the first day Jack had come to call. She’d said “milord.”
It was against the rules to inquire further. All Nicola knew was that she felt comfortable with him, and flattered by his concern and kisses, even if he might be a cad. She didn’t think so, however. There was just something about him that made her feel comfortable for the first time since the accident. Maybe even in years.
And playful. Nicola had never been a playful sort of person. Earnest, yes. Serious. Interested in doing good works, as long as they didn’t involve knitting. Once she was done with Puddling, she vowed never to pick up another knitting needle unless her life depended on skewering someone with it.
What about your family?
Jack made a face. “My mother is in France at the moment. It’s somewhat of a relief not to have to force myself to be jolly for the season with her. It’s difficult at any time of the year, in fact—the mater is not a warm and fuzzy creature at the best of times. She is unusually sharp-tongued, blunt, and far too honest for anyone’s good. Right now, I am in her little black book. Punishment is always nigh. If she was home for Christmas, I’d get a lump of coal.”
Why?
“I’m a disappointment to her, I suppose. In trade.” He exaggerated the word as if it were excrement. “She has an idea that I’ve betrayed my upbringing, disrespected my parents, although wolves would have been more sympathetic.” His mouth turned upward, but the smile was not real. “I’m sorry—it’s rather pathetic for a man my age to whine about the shortcomings of his family. I take it you are close to yours.”
Nicola nodded.
“Lucky you. Here, you look chilled to the bone. Shall I return you to your cottage?” He extended an elbow, and she took it. “I shall get the letters to our hiding spot first thing in the morning. Thank you very much for facilitating my rebellion.”
Nicola stood, planting her cane in the slush. She’d like to spend more time with Jack, but they had probably garnered too much notice already. Her afternoon was bound to be boring.
And kissless.
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