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her nightgown over her head, and tucking her up in
bed as if she were a little child again.
At last she was alone. All she could think of was
that she had had a chance to marry Kolya and had
rejected it. She loved him and wanted him, but she
could not bear that he should be forced to wed her.
Chapter 18
None the worse for wear, Nick thudded into Ned s
chamber at noon, set a steaming pitcher on the
washstand, and flung back the curtains to reveal the
first wet day in months.
I ve come to lend a hand, he announced. How are
you feeling?
In prime twig. Despite the throbbing ache in his
shoulder and the dismal weather outside, Ned was
filled with joyful anticipation.
You re to breakfast in bed. Mother s orders.
As Nick helped him wash his face and hands and
comb his hair, Ned tried to subdue his hopes. Lady
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Sylvia had been grateful for his rescue of Winnie and
solicitous of the injury received in her service, but he
must certainly have imagined anything more. A gently
bred, bashful young widow could not have kissed his
cheek, let alone called him her dear.
All his tender thoughts vanished when Nick
approached him with shaving brush and razor.
Not on your life!
I shaved the fellows I fagged for at Winchester,
said Nick, injured. I ll be shaving myself soon. He
dabbed hopefully at his upper lip.
Send for a barber. He ll be here by the time I m
ready to dress.
All right, but you re going to regret it. Grinning
mischievously, he opened the door, stepped outside,
and said, He s decent, sort of. I ll take that teapot, it s
heavy.
Bearing a tray, Lady Sylvia glided into the room, her
eyes lowered, a faint blush tingeing her cheeks with
rose. Ned felt his stubbled chin and silently cursed his
brother for not warning him. Still grinning, Nick set
the teapot on a small table, took the tray from her
ladyship and set it on Ned s lap, and moved a straight
chair to the bedside.
Pray be seated, ma am, he requested with a
sweeping bow, then headed for the door, which he
closed firmly behind him.
Ned s gaze was on her face, but he had a distinct
impression that his wretched younger brother had
glanced back and winked on his way out of the room.
I ll pour you some tea, said Sylvia hurriedly, taking
the cup and saucer from the tray. At the table, her
back to him, she added, I...I thought you might need
some help eating.
I do, he said softly, though he hadn t looked to see
what was on his plate.
Still not meeting his eyes, she brought the cup of
tea and set it on his tray. She sat down in the chair
Nick had placed for her and leaned forward to cut up
the cold sirloin. The tray wobbled.
You can t do it from there. Come and sit here. Ned
patted the side of the bed.
Fiery faced she obeyed, but he caught her hand
before she could return to knife and fork.
I m not really hungry. Sylvia, tell me if I am
presuming I can t help myself. Our stations are so
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very unequal, but I have never met another woman
like you. I love you, and I want to take care of you. Will
you be my wife?
At last she met his urgent gaze and he read love and
need glowing in her brown eyes. Modest, bashful Lady
Sylvia leaned forward and kissed him full on the
mouth.
The tray tilted, the tea spilled, and a steady drip
soaked the sheets. Neither Sylvia nor Ned noticed.
~ ~ ~
Some time later, a soft but determined tapping on
the door recalled them to the world. Sylvia jumped up,
snatched up her cap and sped to the mirror on the
dresser to smooth her hair.
Who is there? Ned called.
It s just us, sir. Winnie tugged Annette into the
room. Have you finished your breakfast? Nick said
you re going to marry Mama. She marched to the
bedside and confronted him. What we want to know
is, will you please be our papa, too?
If you think I shall suit, I shall be delighted, he
said gravely.
Oh yes, you will suit. We like you, don t we,
Annette?
Her solemn sister nodded.
Then come and give me a kiss, girls, to seal the
bargain. Beaming, Winnie started to scramble onto
the bed, then stopped with a gasp. You ve spilled your
tea, she whispered. Mama will be cross.
Then don t let s tell her, he whispered back. Over
the two small, golden heads, he saw his beloved
examining a wet patch on her gown in dismay.
Catching her eye, he blew her a kiss. She returned it
with a blush as she hurried off to change out of the
incriminating garment.
Ned leaned back against his pillows with a sigh of
contentment and allowed his two new daughters to
feed him his breakfast.
When Nick came to help him dress, he was too
happy to issue a stern reprimand at the premature
disclosure to Winnie and Annette, though he did
grumble.
Nick grinned. I reckoned it would give you a shove
in the right direction if you hadn t yet got down to
business.
I trust you said nothing to Mother and Polly!
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Do you take me for a complete buffle-head? I even
swore the girls to secrecy, he said virtuously.
Besides, Polly s still a-bed. Mother says she s to stay
there all day to recover from her ordeal.
Poor Poll. I ll break the news to Mother and then I ll
go and see her.
The barber came to shave him, then Ned went
downstairs. Mrs. Howard was aux anges when she
heard of his betrothal.
An earl s daughter! she marvelled. And such a
dear girl. Why, she could not have been kinder last
night, when we were so worried, if I had been her own
mother. She carried on in this vein for some time,
then changed course. Ned, what is this I hear about
Mr. Volkov turning out to
be a prince? If he has been trifling with our Polly s
affections, you must call him to account.
It s true he is a prince, Mother, but he is still
penniless.
Oh dear, what a dreadful coil! They were locked in
together all night. What will people say?
We must hope they will say that the king was saved
from a horrid fate and forget the manner of his rescue.
Have you talked to Polly about it?
I tried, but all she will say is that the prince
behaved with perfect propriety and that she wants to
go home. But I cannot go home now, indeed I cannot,
or people will think I am snubbing dear Sylvia.
Ned soothed her and went up to see Polly in her
green-and-white chamber. She was sitting up in bed,
looking perfectly healthy and perfectly miserable. For
want of any better subject, she was sketching the
candlestick and pile of books on her bedside table.
Seeing his sling, she said, Is your shoulder still
painful? Poor Ned.
I don t need sympathy. He could not help beaming
with joy as he perched on the edge of her bed. Sylvia
has consented to marry me.
My dear, I m delighted! Her pleasure was
unfeigned, but he noticed a wistful look in her eyes.
You could not have chosen better, and I know you will
make her happy.
I mean to, I promise you. I wish I knew a way to do
the same for you. I fear you have set your heart on the
unattainable.
Her lips quivered but she spoke with tolerable
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composure. I want to go home. I know you will not
wish to leave Sylvia so soon, but surely Mama can go
with me.
He explained their mother s fear of appearing to
slight his betrothed. Besides, if you both leave I
cannot stay in the house, and Sylvia needs my
support. We must inform her family, and she dreads
their reaction.
Yet she s willing to face it for your sake. You have
won a true treasure. Very well, I ll stay, but please,
Ned, I cannot see him!
Of course you need not. Ned s suspicions were
aroused. Despite what she had told Mrs. Howard, was
it possible Kolya had made improper advances? Do
you want to tell me why? You re the most independent
of sisters, but I m still responsible for you. I hope you
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