Free A Visit From Sir Nicholas by Victoria Alexander

suspected Nick's long-ago feelings for Elizabeth. Still, Charles had given him no indication of that in his infrequent correspondence through the years.
    "Regardless of Charles's reasons, Jonathon is her brother and I am little more than a stranger." Nick shrugged. "It's best to leave things as they are."
    "Still, you speak of being unwilling to betray his memory, yet you are more than willing to ignore his final wishes on a matter that I know was of the utmost importance to him."
    "It's two entirely different things, Uncle." Nick shook his head and without thinking moved to stand before a painting of hounds and horses and red-coated riders. He stared at it as if he had not seen it countless times before. "However, I am not unaware of my responsibilities, especially as Jonathon's last letter to me reiterated them. It was he who suggested I visit London to make certain for myself that all is well." In truth, Nick had jumped at the excuse to return home. He had been away far too long. "I plan to meet with Jonathon tomorrow to ascertain precisely the state of Charles's estate."
    "It's the least you can do," Frederick murmured.
    "It's the best I can do," Nick said sharply, then sighed and cast his uncle an apologetic smile. "I simply don't think there will be a need for me to do anything beyond confirming that the finances of Charles's wife and sons are in good hands. I could be wrong, of course, but I doubt it. Forgive me for snapping at you, Uncle. I am obviously still fatigued from my long journey home."
    "Yes, of course. Precisely my thought." Frederick puffed his cigar. "I didn't for a moment think it was the subject of Lady Langley that caused your irritation because you still harbor a certain amount of affection for her."
    Nick scoffed. "As I have never harbored any affection whatsoever for Lady Langley save that of friendship, that would indeed be ridiculous."
    Frederick nodded. "Ludicrous."
    "Absolutely," Nick said staunchly.
    "Preposterous."
    "Most certainly."
    "Or possibly most perceptive on my part."
    Nick glared. "Or possibly simply a case of you seeing only what you wish to see."
    "Come now, my boy. In spite of your protests I know you cared for her ten years ago when you left London. I know you avoided her and virtually everyone who knew her—or you, for that matter—on your lone visit home. And I am firmly convinced your feelings have not changed."
    "Regardless of whether or not I cared for Elizabeth when I left England, which I will say for the last time I did not , that was a lifetime ago. She is most certainly different, as am I."
    "You said yourself some things do not change."
    "My point exactly." Nick nodded. "There was no future to be had between the two of us then, and that has not changed now."
    "Nonsense." Frederick snorted. "Everything has changed regarding the two of you. Life has moved on and pulled you both in its wake. You were barely more than children a decade ago. She is not the same woman who wed Viscount Langley, and you are not the same man who left to make his own way in the world. You have both grown, and while much of the rest of the world hasn't changed, you and she have."
    "Indeed, Uncle, I am not a child. I know my own mind and—"
    "Do you know your heart as well?"
    "Yes," Nick snapped.
    "Do you?" Frederick raised a brow. "I doubt it."
    Nick heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Why?"
    "For one thing, there's a look in your eye whenever Elizabeth's name is mentioned." Nick snorted. "Don't be absurd."
    "For another." Frederick blew a perfect ring of blue smoke, drew on the cigar again, and puffed a second

    ring that sailed through the first, suspiciously reminiscent of an arrow piercing a heart. "Your restlessness is back. I'd say the demon that has haunted you has returned. Or perhaps," he flashed his nephew a knowing grin, "she never left."

Chapter 5
    Ellizabeth, Lady Langley, slammed open the door of the Effington house library and noted with satisfaction how it smacked against the wall