Paradise for a Sinner Read Free Page A

paparazzi trick.”
    The bell chimed again almost apologetically. “Please, sir, call off your hounds and allow us to enter. I have grave news to relate,” a very proper British voice implored on the other side of the heavy, dark oak door.
    “He thinks our mixed breed Texas cur is hounds,” Joe snickered. He raised his voice and asked, “What do you want here?”
    A tall, long-faced form with an impressively large nose placed itself before the sidelight. His hands rested on the shoulders of a beautiful female child. Nell took a peek.
    “Good Lord, I think that’s my niece. At least, she looks like the picture on the Christmas card Emily sent last year. Open the door.”
    Joe did. The odd pair entered. Nell held out her hands immediately in greeting. “I know you must be Anastasia. That would make you Prince Stefan. Where is my sister?”
    “No, madam, I am not the prince. So sorry to confuse you. This, however, is the Princess Anastasia Marya Polasky, his daughter. I am Clive Brinsley. I served the prince as both valet and butler.”
    “So happy to have you both here. I’ve asked Emily to send Anastasia to visit her cousins often, but I wish she had let us know you were coming. We would have met you at the airport.”
    The child declined to step into Nell’s embrace. Instead she stared at her aunt with blue eyes like Teddy’s, but hers were narrowed, sharp and bright as broken bottle glass. A pert nose and pouty lips made up the rest of her face. Dark blonde curls held back by a pink ribbon cascaded around her thin shoulders and down her back nearly to her waist. She wore a pair of tan suede boots with fringe around the top, pink leggings, and a short pink and white polka-dotted dress belted low on her childish hips. The twins would be envious of the clothes their cousin sported, hipshot like a model poised at the end of a runway.
    “What a pretty outfit,” Nell said. Still trying to lure the child closer for some affection, she stepped toward her. The girl put her off with a remark.
    “Mommy said you didn’t know how to dress. I can see that is true.” Anastasia eyed the yoga pants and flip-flops.
    Behind Nell, Adam Malala sucked in his breath and issued a rebuke. “You do not talk to your elders that way.”
    “Golly, yes. That woulda got my mouth washed out with soap or a pretty good slap from Newt,” Teddy chimed in.
    “Is this one of my cousins? Mommy said they were backwater Cajun hicks with a rich daddy who got lucky playing American football.”
    Nell reined in her outrage for her children. A cruel statement like that defined Emily’s personality. No matter that her sister had put the moves on Joe more than once and would gladly have married him or anyone else on the Sinners team. Joe placed his hands on her shoulders and both looked out at the limo where the driver unloaded a pyramid of pink luggage with a tan leather trim and one large, black suitcase. A small curly heap of a dog pressed its nose to the door of its carrier on top of the baggage and yapped in sharp, little barks.
    Joe’s fingers dug into Nell’s flesh. “Compared to a smart-mouthed brat like you, my kids are angels. Since we’re so basse classe, why don’t the two of you get back in the limo and return to Italy and mommy dearest right now. I’ll pay your way with some of my lucky money.”
    The butler’s long, serious face became grim as his thin lips turned downward. “Please, sir, allow me to address the situation.” He bent over Anastasia. “Princess, a cultured person does not repeat what they have overheard, especially if hurtful and rude. I cannot remain in the service of one who does.”
    Instantly, the superior blue eyes released a waterfall of tears that cascaded down the dimpled cheeks and onto the dress to mingle with the polka dots. Anastasia buried her face in the dark pants leg of the servant and cried as if her world had come to an end.
    Joe shifted with discomfort. Nell knew he had a weakness for crying