The Young and the Ruined - Annabelle Anders Page 0,4

for a title or money, she hadn’t. She’d married for family, and she’d paid the ultimate price. “My sister would have...” Her voice broke, and she swallowed the shame and the lost dreams that were her due.

All those years, she’d protected the family’s secrets, and she wouldn’t let them escape today, no matter how much she longed to tell him the truth. Mayhap then, the slight sneer would disappear from his face.

But it wouldn’t help either of them, if she stated her reasons. He hated her and would for the rest of their lives. She forced her gaze to his. The pain and humiliation from all those years ago stung like tears falling in an open wound. “I apologize for interrupting your party.” She tightened her gloves. “Mr. Tipton said he’d have one of the footmen see how the repairs on our carriage are coming along. I should inquire then collect Christa. We’ll be on our way then.”

She walked toward him, hoping he’d step out of her way, but James held his ground. In order not to collide with him, she stopped abruptly. Meer inches separated them.

Unhurried in his movement, James lifted his hand to stroke her cheek like he’d done hundreds of times before. Her eyes fluttered twice of their own volition as she prepared for the touch of his skin against hers. She shouldn’t let it happen. Yet in that moment, it was everything she craved.

Instead, he lowered his hand to his side. “I don’t know why I did that.” He looked away, understandably embarrassed, and cleared his throat. Somehow, he composed himself. “Shall we find Mr. Tipton?”

If only she could recapture her poise as easily. Her body trembled as if she were the remaining leaf on an aspen tree tickled by an autumn wind.

Nell nodded not acknowledging there were things that had been left unsaid. It was best for both of them not to stoke the flames of animosity that swirled around them.

James opened the door and motioned for her to precede him.

As she passed, he spoke once again. “You’re wrong about me.”

“How so?”

“I’m not simply shopping for a wife. I’m marrying for love.”

Chapter Three

As James guided Nell through the throng of guests, he was dumbfounded to find his wayward hand pressed possessively against Nell’s lower back. Many of the ladies who had recently arrived for the house party smiled. As soon as they saw the location of his hand, frowns appeared. Of course, they were fleeting. No one wanted to be labeled an angry puss at this event.

James dropped his hand, then tilted his head and stared at the domed ceiling for a moment. It was the only way he could keep himself from roaring. Why did Nell have to suddenly appear here of all days?

More importantly, why had Valentina immediately proclaimed that Nell was her first choice for a mother? It was as if heaven and hell had aligned to make his life miserable. The only way out of this fiasco was for Nell to leave quickly. While his heart lurched at the thought, he pursed his lips. There was no conceivable way that he’d allow his heart, his brain, or his body to be charmed by the lady. It had happened once before, and he’d been left with the remains of a wounded pride and a broken heart to match.

He slid a side-eyed glance her way. The years had been kind to her. Nell’s auburn hair still glistened as if the sunlight had kissed her head. The blue of her eyes still reminded him of turquoise. Her heart-shaped face only enhanced her delicate brows and her slight, upturned nose. He’d always thought her attractive, but as a mature woman, she was stunning. He hadn’t seen her in over eight years, three months, and five days. Damned fool that he was, James still remembered that fateful day and the exact hour that she’d left Redmond Hall. He’d fully expected them to call the banns starting the following week.

Instead, he’d been jilted within two days.

He let out a silent breath. That was his past. Now, he needed to concentrate on his and Valentina’s future.

Finally, they had woven their way through the crowd to reach the butler’s side.

“Mr. Tipton, has there been any word on my carriage?” Nell asked.

The huskiness of her voice sank into his chest and squeezed his heart in a death grip. He was not going to survive if he didn’t get her to leave within the hour.

“Yes, my lady.” Tipton bowed, then motioned