Incomparable Lord Meath: A Rebellious Sons NOVELLA by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rice Enterprises

* * *

Honora couldn’t control her tears as Lady Isabell waved farewell to her very young sisters. Everyone wept, except Lord Meath. He simply looked grim.

“I had thought your sisters would be older,” she murmured as Lord Meath turned the gig back toward the manor.

“They’re my half sisters. My mother died giving birth to me when Da was quite young. His mother raised me for a while, then she died of a bilious fever. So I mostly raised myself until Da found my stepmother, Fiona. The girls came along after that, but about five years ago, Fiona passed, and it’s been just us ever since. They’re old enough to look after each other. They’ll be fine now that da is back on his feet again. He’s already found a governess to see to them, and he’s promised to give up the drinking once they take ship to the Americas.”

The girl sounded very certain, and Honora didn’t wish to disillusion her. Perhaps Wexford would turn a new leaf. It happened, sometimes. And it wasn’t as if Lady Isabell had any other choice. Once she was a wealthy marchioness, she could always rescue her sisters if they needed it.

Honora dried her eyes telling herself that, but envisioning the lonely holiday ahead for the little family broke her heart. Belden didn’t waste time or coins celebrating Christmas, so Lady Isabell would have a bleak day unless Honora risked her uncle’s wrath by adding a little cheer. She almost felt a tiny bit better thinking of the ribbons and candles and evergreen boughs she’d had as a child.

When they returned to the manor, all the lanterns along the front were lit and horses were being hastily saddled for a search party. Meath groaned and steered the gig to the front steps rather than around to the stable. “Prepare yourselves for the whirlwind, ladies.”

“Is someone ill?” Lady Isabell asked in puzzlement at all the activity.

“No, this is what happens when someone you care about disappears without warning,” Honora said tartly. “Sally no doubt discovered your empty bed and feared you’d been abducted or worse. You will need to learn to enlist the servants in your escapades in the future.”

“I’ve never had servants,” the lady said faintly. “Or anyone who feared for me. I had no notion. . .”

Meath overrode the confession by drawing the horses to a halt and shouting jovially, “Ahoy, me lads, nice evening for a hunt, is it now?”

Honora pinched her nose as Belden stormed down the steps.

“What is the meaning of this, Meath?” the marquess bellowed. “Had you wanted the gal for yourself, you should have said so.” He turned an angry gaze on Lady Isabell. “And what have you to say for yourself, leaving us all wondering if you ran away with this rake?”

Honora noticed her uncle not only didn’t see her now, but hadn’t worried about her earlier, probably hadn’t even known she wasn’t in her room—or cared.

She really ought to let Meath and Bell take the blow for their unseemly behavior.

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