Bedding Lord Ned Read Free

N-Ned?”
    Damn, her voice cracked. Perhaps the duchess hadn’t noticed.
    And perhaps Reggie would leap upon the tea table and sing an aria.
    At least Ned’s mother didn’t comment beyond a raised eyebrow. “I’d originally had Miss Prudence Merriweather in mind for Jack,” she said, “however the girl eloped with Mr. Bamford three weeks ago. Quite a shock to everyone, but of course I must take it as a blessing. She clearly would not have done for Jack if she was in love with another man.”
    Her grace sent her a significant, if obscure, look. Ellie took another sip of tea.
    â€œI had to scramble a bit,” her grace continued somewhat dryly, “but I found Miss Isabelle Wharton to take her place. I’ve never actually met the girl, you understand, but my friend Lady Altman says she is quite striking. I imagine Jack would appreciate a lovely bride.” She shrugged slightly. “And if the match comes to nothing, well, Jack is only your age. He has plenty of time.”
    â€œYes.” Twenty-six was young for a man; it was firmly on the shelf for a woman.
    â€œAnd as for Ned”—her grace shot Ellie another indecipherable look—“I invited Lady Juliet Ramsbottom, the Duke of Extley’s youngest daughter, with him in mind.”
    A vise clamped around Ellie’s heart. Stupid. A duke’s daughter was an excellent choice for a duke’s son. She nodded and took a larger swallow of tea. If only there was some brandy at hand to flavor it.
    â€œFrankly, I hope to see you and Ned married this summer.”
    Ellie choked—and made the unpleasant discovery that it was possible to snort tea out one’s nose.
    â€œOh, dear.” The duchess leapt up and slapped her on the back. “Are you all right?”
    Ellie, gasping, fished her handkerchief out of her pocket and waved her hand, trying to get the duchess to stop pounding on her. She would be fine if she could just catch her breath.
    Of course Ned’s mother hadn’t meant she hoped to see Ellie married to Ned, only that she hoped both their nuptials would happen this summer.
    The duchess pounded harder.
    â€œPlease,” Ellie gasped, “don’t—”
    Through watery eyes, she watched Reggie abandon his ablutions and head toward ...
    â€œAh, ah, ah.”
    â€œWhat are you trying to say, dear?” The duchess paused in her pummeling. If she happened to glance in the direction Ellie’s horrified eyes were staring, she’d see Reggie sniffing a pair of red silk drawers.
    Ellie sprang to her feet. Panic miraculously cleared her throat. “I’m fine,” she croaked. “Wonderful. Fit as a fiddle.” She glanced over her shoulder. Now Reggie was batting at the drawers with one paw.
    She shifted her position to block the duchess’s view.
    â€œI shouldn’t tease you, I know,” her grace said. Her eyes dimmed and she sighed, shoulders drooping. She suddenly looked every one of her fifty years. “I’ve certainly learned harping on a subject doesn’t get results. If it did, my boys would all be happily married.”
    â€œI’m sure they will be, your grace.” Ellie impulsively laid her hand on the duchess’s arm. She hated to see her so blue-deviled. “Just give them time.”
    â€œTime.” The duchess bit her lip as if she’d like to say more on that head. She let out a short, sharp breath and shrugged, smiling a little. “It’s only ... well, I’m so happy with the duke. Is it wrong to want that happiness for my sons?”
    â€œOf course not, your grace, but your situation is rather extraordinary.” The duke and duchess had fallen in love at first sight when they were both very young. Even more unusual, they’d been happily married for over thirty years and, by all accounts, completely faithful to each other. There was probably not another couple like them in all the