One Whisper Away Read Free Page A

due to her reputation as a bluestocking of the first order. The combination of beauty and dowry has had a predictable impact on society. Lady Cecily is expected to make a very superior match.”
    Jonathan doubted with cynical practicality that he fell into that superior category. For all his fortune and the title he’d never wanted, he did have his mixed blood, and while he might be a novelty to certain English ladies, he was different in a society that celebrated conformity.
    Cecily. He thought it suited her. Very English, very delicate, very much reminiscent of rose blossoms in a verdant garden. Yet the very word match brought forth a heartfelt grimace. James was right. He wasn’t even sure why he’d asked. Even if her highbrow family approved of him—and he was skeptical that they would—he wasn’t in the market for a wife.
    Time to change the subject away from the duke’s delectable but untouchable daughter. He said coolly, “Tell me what you found out today about the mining interests.”
    He listened as his cousin explained that the records were sketchy and the estate manager had yet again hedged over the ineptitude in the bookkeeping. “Terminate Browne’s employment,” Jonathan instructed in concise decision. “It’s clear he’s worth nothing. We’ll start looking for a new man tomorrow. I’ll hire someone I trust and we can start with a fresh eye to what might have happened.”
    “I agree. I tried to tell your father a long time ago to reassign management of all of the properties, including the mines.”
    “And it took me nearly a year to come to England.” Jonathan acknowledged that by the time the news of his father’s death reached him and he had settled his business obligations in America enough to be able to sail for England, not to mention the length of the voyage, he hadn’t arrived to take charge of his inheritance in a timely fashion.
    Not to mention that there had been some legalities to handle, such as proving his parentage. To his extreme irritation, there was dissension over his right to inherit, but his father had anticipated the trouble and wisely made sure the right documents were all in place with his solicitor.
    Prejudice against half-breed offspring transcended wars and oceans apparently. There were times when he feared for his daughter’s future, for she had obstacles to surmount. At least he had legitimacy in his favor.
    Adela was the joy of his life.
    “But you came,” James said with equanimity. “And I, for one, am glad you are here. I wasn’t making much progress.”
    As next in line for the title, his cousin had not only handled affairs until Jonathan’s arrival, but he had done so knowing that someone else would inherit. It was a generous gesture, and Jonathan had persuaded him to continue to manage several of his various holdings. “I appreciate all your efforts.” Jonathan had to add, “I understand that my half sisters can be a challenge.”
    “You will find no argument here. Luckily for me,” James muttered, lifting his glass to his mouth, “they are your problem now.”

Chapter 2
    B y mere coincidence and through no fault of her own, she had set London on its ear.
    No, Cecily corrected silently, looking at the blocks of sunlight on the rich rug of her grandmother’s formal sitting room. Lord Augustine had caused this furor.
    She sat perched on the edge of her embroidered Louis Quatorze chair and said as politely as possible, “Cannot we change the subject?”
    Her grandmother, her spine as rigid as a spike, said in a chilly voice, “Did you know they are currently taking wagers in the gentlemen’s clubs over what it was he might have said to you?”
    The answer to her question was yes, she’d heard—of course, since Eleanor had warned her in a very concise way—but it was clear her grandmother was scandalized at the idea of one of her family being the subject of tawdry betting between young men with too much money and not enough