Never Love a Lord by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott [Scott, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, humor, mystery, Regency romance, reunion romance, romance clean and wholesome
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

It had been a calculated comment. Fortune had been approving, and Ash had humored her nieces. Tuny had a sudden longing to see how well he’d fare under forced proximity. Every lord seemed determined to have an heir, but, unlike the duke, many of the aristocracy she’d met had only one child. She certainly hoped for more. She’d grown up with two sisters and a brother, after all. She knew the love that could abound.

With every gaze on him, he might well have demurred, claiming the need to stay with the other guests, or a pressing engagement elsewhere. He didn’t hesitate. “I’d be delighted.”

“We can help as well,” Belle offered.

So kind, that Belle. But having her friends along wouldn’t help Tuny know Ash’s mind.

As if she thought as much, Larissa stood, head held high, forcing Ash to his feet as well.

“Actually, it’s time we took our leave,” her friend declared. “Thank you so much, Charlotte, for the lovely tea. Aunt Meredith, may we see you home?”

Their aunt coaxed Fortune out from under the sofa. “That would be delightful. Thank you for having us, Charlotte.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte said. “And Fortune.”

Fortune turned her head to eye Tuny before suffering herself to be carried to the door.

Larissa squeezed Tuny’s hand in passing, and Callie patted her shoulder.

Belle leaned closer. “I knew he’d pass muster.” She winked at Tuny before strolling after her sisters, pink skirts swaying.

“What is it about Fortune?” Ash murmured.

Tuny started, heat flushing up her. Then she lifted her chin. “Fortune has an uncanny ability to know a person’s worth.”

“I see.” He glanced after the retreating line of skirts. “Then should I take it every lady in this room doubted mine?”

“No!” Tuny waited for him to sit beside her, then swiveled to face him. “I’m sure none of us doubted you are a gentleman of the highest order. But it’s more than that. It’s kindness and honesty and valor and…”

“Trust,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes, trust.”

“And you trust the opinion of a cat more than my word.”

If it had been any other cat, she would have sounded mad indeed. But it was Fortune, who had never been mistaken. Though she had changed her mind, on occasion…

Tuny shook off the thought. “I trust Fortune implicitly, my lord. She approved of the Duke of Wey for his duchess, Matty for Charlotte. Why, she’s matched the Earl and Countess of Carrolton, Lord and Lady Worthington, and my sister and Lord Kendall. She certainly approved of Prince Otto Leopold, though I will own she took her time warming up to Count Montalban and Owen Canady.”

A chuckle popped out of him. “Then I suppose I am in good company.”

“Excellent company,” Tuny assured him.

Charlotte returned just then. “There. All settled. Are you certain you want to spend time with my daughters, my lord?”

“Very,” he said, rising. He held out his hand to Tuny. “Shall we?”

Relieved, Tuny nodded and took his arm.

Keller stood at attention as they came into the entry hall. “Lady Moselle. Do you require assistance?”

“No, thank you,” she told him, starting up the stairs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.