Bedding Lord Ned Read Free Page A

English nobility.
    Ellie glanced at Reggie again. Damn it. Now the drawers were over his head. If he got caught in them ...
    â€œI know,” her grace said. “When I look around the ton , I see so many unpleasant unions.” She shook her head. “Well, just consider Ash and Jess. They’ve been separated for eight years now.”
    Ellie wrenched her gaze away from Reggie’s activities. “I’m certain they will reconcile eventually.”
    â€œBut when?” The duchess’s voice was tight with frustration. “Ash will be the duke; the duchy needs an heir, and neither he nor Jess is getting any younger.” She frowned. “And I want a grandchild or two before I’m completely in my dotage.”
    Damnation. Reggie was now coming their way, the silk drawers in his mouth. Ellie took the duchess’s arm and started to walk toward the door with her.
    â€œAsh—and Ned and Jack—can manage their own lives, your grace. You must know you’ve raised them well.”
    The duchess sighed. “And there’s nothing I can do about it anyway, is there?” She paused and glanced around. “Where has Reggie got to?”
    â€œLikely he finished his cream and left,” Ellie said. The blasted cat had just passed behind the duchess’s skirts and out the door. Where the hell was he going? Certainly not ... last year he had ... but he wouldn’t this year, would he? “Has Ned”—Ellie caught herself—“and Jack arrived yet?”
    â€œOh, no. I don’t expect them for a while.”
    Ellie almost collapsed with relief. If Reggie was taking her undergarment to Ned’s room, she’d have time to get it back before anyone—especially Ned—found it. “I hope they reach the castle before the storm. Mrs. Dalton was just saying her rheumatism is acting up.”
    â€œOh, dear. Mrs. Dalton’s rheumatism never lies.” The duchess stopped on the threshold and smiled, her good spirits returning. “Just think! You young people can go on sleigh rides.”
    â€œI’m hardly young.” At the moment she just wanted to chase down one misbehaving cat.
    â€œOh, don’t be such a wet rag; you’ll freeze stiff in this weather.” The duchess laughed. “You can make snow angels, and I’m sure the men will get into a snowball battle.”
    â€œEveryone will be cold and wet.” Ellie did not want to play in the snow. Such activities were for children.
    â€œAnd there are ever so many games and things we can do inside.” Her grace clapped her hands. “You know, I have the greatest hope this will be a wonderful party.”
    â€œEr, yes.” Just wonderful, though perhaps snow would be better than rain or general February dreariness.
    The duchess patted her arm. “And I have great hopes for you as well, dear.” She stepped into the corridor. “I’ll expect you downstairs in the blue drawing room before dinner. Don’t be late.”
    â€œI won’t.”
    Ellie watched the duchess walk down the passage—and the moment she turned the corner, she bolted for Ned’s room.

Chapter 2
    A little dissembling is a good thing.
    â€”Venus’s Love Notes
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    Damn, he was tired, and the blasted house party hadn’t even started. Lord Edward Valentine dropped his portmanteau in the entry to Greycliffe Castle and removed his hat.
    â€œDid you have a pleasant trip, my lord?” Dalton, the butler, asked as he shut the front door.
    â€œTolerable. It looks like snow.” And he was getting a headache. He unwound his muffler.
    â€œThat’s what Mrs. Dalton said this morning, my lord, when she woke with her rheumatism bothering her something fierce. Mark my words, she says, we are going to have a storm. I just hope all the guests arrive before the roads get bad.”
    â€œEr, yes. I do hope Mrs. Dalton is feeling more the thing.” Ned