Lady Gone Wicked (Wicked Secrets)(43)

Nick knew better than to believe the sincerity in Nate’s voice. No doubt his brother meant every word—today. But what of tomorrow? He had proven weak and false, allowing their parents to send him away, never demanding his return, even in adulthood. It had been a hard lesson, but Nick had learned it well.

How could he ever forgive their unhappy past? He had told Adelaide he did not forgive even the slightest of slights, and he’d meant it. Yet somehow she expected him to forgive the one person who had wronged him the most.

The remarkable thing was…perhaps he could. Just to make her happy. If she could be kind to him in spite of everything she’d suffered because of him, could he not do the same for his brother?

Well. At least he could try.

“Perhaps,” Nick said, “you could have two attendants at your wedding. I will be there, anyway, so I might as well stand with you.”

For a long moment, Nathaniel said nothing. Then he swallowed hard and nodded. “I… All right. Thank you.”

The words were nothing. But his face—

With a start, Nick realized that Adelaide had been right. His brother did love him.

Nathaniel turned away quickly. “I shall see you tomorrow, then?”

Nick nodded. “Tomorrow.”

And tomorrow he would see Adelaide.





Chapter Thirty-One


Adelaide stepped into the Eastwood home and realized instantly that Lady Wintham was no longer in possession of all her faculties.

The hallway had been cleared of all furniture, save three rectangular tables, each longer than a man. Everything else was cake. Cake, neatly cut into bite-size squares and arranged on platters, row after row of them. There was white cake and chocolate cake and—good heavens—pink cake.

Were they really to eat all of this?

“Good gracious,” Adelaide’s mother whispered, looking rather cowed.

Indeed.

“You have arrived!” Lady Wintham spread her arms wide as though to embrace them all. “Welcome. Abingdon and Wintham are in their studies, and I expect Nicholas to be along any moment. Alice, will you please fetch Lady Freesia from her rooms?”

“Of course.”

Adelaide felt a strange pang as she watched her sister move up the stairs with the air of one who had done so many times. She had not realized Alice was already on such familiar terms with the Eastwood family. And Lady Freesia was to be Alice’s sister! Lady Freesia, who was so lovely and elegant, the toast of the ton. Together, they would be the most celebrated sisters in all London.

Adelaide’s heart squeezed.

“Shall we take tea in the parlor while we wait for Wintham and my sons?” Lady Wintham asked.

“Tea would be delightful,” Adelaide’s mother said.

“Wonderful! This way, if you please.”

Adelaide stepped after her parents but halted when she heard a hissing sound from the stairs. She craned her neck to see—and there was Lady Freesia, beckoning to her. She glanced to her parents, who were oblivious, and darted up the stairs.

“Is all well, Lady Freesia?” she asked. “Where is my sister?”

“Oh.” Lady Freesia blinked her blue eyes innocently. “I daresay she was waylaid by my brother.”

“Should we not find them?” Adelaide asked. “Before someone else does?”

Lady Freesia laughed. “Heavens, no. That’s part of the excitement.”

Adelaide saw nothing exciting in being caught. Humiliation and anguish were more likely.

“Then why did you summon me?” she asked.

“I thought we should get to know each other better, as we are to be sisters, of a kind. Won’t that be wonderful?” She gestured for Adelaide to follow her. “Will you come to my room?”

Adelaide followed, despite her growing feeling of trepidation. Where were Alice and Abingdon? Why had none of the chaperones noticed their charges had dispersed? Most important, what was Lady Freesia up to? It was gratifying that she had called Adelaide her sister, and yet Adelaide could not help but wonder why. The lady had never shown any interest in her before, though she had always been polite.

“Now, then.” Lady Freesia beamed a beatific smile. “Are you going to marry my brother, Miss Bursnell?”

Taken aback, Adelaide considered her options.

“Not if I can help it” was a wholly inappropriate response, particularly since her heart was aching to say yes.

Perhaps she ought to flee.

But Lady Freesia seemed to anticipate that response, for she moved quickly to block her path.

Adelaide sighed resignedly. “Have you discussed this with your brother?”

Lady Freesia sent her a look of shock. “Of course not! Could you imagine?”

Yes, Adelaide could very well imagine. Nick was a secretive man, both by nature and profession, and would not care for even his beloved sister prying into his affairs.

“We are not engaged. If that ever changes, I am sure he will tell you so himself.”

“If,” Lady Freesia repeated thoughtfully. “So, there is a chance, then.”

Adelaide nearly groaned aloud. “There is a chance the earth will plow into the sun, but we can all hope for the best.”

Lady Freesia laughed. “Oh, I like you, Miss Bursnell. I do hope we’ll be sisters.”