His Errant Ward (WICKED WINCHESTERS #4) by Celeste Jones EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Authors: Celeste Jones
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical Romance
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Slattery Hall
London
1814
“Oh, oh … I never … Heaven help us … Is that … a cigar?” Lady Pearl
Kucher reached for the back of the nearest chair to steady herself before she
collapsed onto a sofa.
I suppose that is why it is called a fainting couch, Lady Natalia
Waltham said to herself as she tapped off the ashes of her cigar. Resting the
length of tobacco on a brass ashtray, she stood and moved to her aunt’s side,
taking the woman’s quivering hand in her own.
“Auntie Pearl,” Natalia said as she patted the lady’s chilled hand. “Are
you unwell? Shall I call a doctor?”
Her esteemed aunt blinked at Natalia as though her eyes were fighting
to stay in focus.
“Here, have a sip of this,” Natalia said, reaching over for a tumbler of
dark liquid and holding it to her visitor’s lips.
Lady Kucher took more than a sip and then sat up straight gasping for
air, hands pawing at her throat. “What was that?” she cried out, eyes wide.
“Just a bit of rum. It works wonders, does it not?”
“Rum!” Lady Kucher screeched in a most unladylike manner. Partially
regaining her composure, she sat ramrod straight on the sofa. Her eyes
flashed as she took in her niece and then the rest of the sitting room of
Slattery Hall.
“Cigars? Alcohol?” She clenched her lips in a firm line, as though her
disapproval was not evident. And entirely expected.
Natalia watched as her aunt fought to calm her nerves and braced
herself for the censure which was a trademark of any visit by her father’s
younger sister.
With nothing to lose, Natalia attempted to redirect her aunt’s attention.
“It is a pleasant surprise to see you today, Auntie Pearl. I did not know that
you had returned from the country. What brings you to town?” Natalia
favored her guest with a smile which she had used many times to get herself
out of scrapes.
“Oh, do not seek to appease me with your faux smile and attempts at
civility. I am here because I have heard rumors about your behavior and the
goings on at this … this … this home,” she said with the same expression
one might use when coming upon a rat digging through rubbish.
“Auntie,” Natalia said. “I am shocked. I have behaved quite honorably
in all things. Any harsh reports you may have heard are nothing more than
evil-intended gossip. Who would even have an opportunity to say anything
about me? I have barely left the estate since I graduated from The
Hammersmith School eight weeks ago.”
“Precisely!” Aunt Pearl said. “You are of an age when you ought to be
seen out in society. The most important duty of a young lady is to secure a
marriage which is advantageous to herself and her family.”
But I already know the man I want to spend my life with.
Thankfully, Tallie kept her mouth closed. She had never said as much
aloud to anyone nor did she dare write it in her journal. Only rarely did she
allow herself to give full thought to her feelings for Zander Thwaite, her
guardian.
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