Free Love With the Proper Husband by Victoria Alexander Page B

Beyond that, Adrian is the head of the family and he considered it his duty, especially as no one seemed to know your whereabouts. He takes his responsibilities in a most serious manner.”
    She pursed her lips in a disapproving manner. “Of course, he was off on his travels by the time they arrived.”
    “But he does intend to offer them a permanent home at Townsend Park?”
    “I really cannot say,” she said primly. “I would encourage him to find them a suitable home elsewhere, and I daresay once he meets them he will agree. We are usually in accord on such matters.”
    “No doubt,” Gwen murmured. The image of Lord Townsend as a masculine version of his sister, complete with forbidding frown and petulant crease across his brow, intensified.
    “However, now that you have returned from your…travels”—once more Miss Hilliard sniffed disdainfully—“you will cer—”
    “Are you unwell?” Gwen said abruptly. “Are you chilled? Perhaps catching a cold?”
    Her cousin drew back in surprise. “Not at all. On the contrary, I feel quite”—her eyes narrowed in understanding—“well. Thank you for asking. Now then, I think—”
    “I should like to see my nieces.” Gwen adopted her best governess demeanor. “At once, if you would be so kind.”
    “Of course.” Miss Hilliard stepped to a bellpull and gave it a vicious yank. Her gaze stayed firmly on Gwen as if she was afraid the younger woman would steal the silver if not watched every minute. A leaden silence fell in the room. Gwen’s mind was far too occupied with the possible fate that had befallen her sister’s children at the hands of this most unpleasant creature to waste any efforts at polite conversation. While Gwen had never particularly liked children, at least not the children in her care, she did feel an odd sort of responsibility toward these girls. They were, after all, the only family she had, if one excluded Miss Hilliard and her brother.
    Still, the children were well taken care of here. Their wants and needs were attended to. No doubt the new Lord Townsend, regardless of his similarity in nature to his sister, would make certain they would be properly educated and provided with decent dowries when the time came. All things considered, this was the best place for them.
    “I warn you, cousin, regardless of what you expect you will not find it here,” Miss Hilliard said.
    “I scarcely need your warning, cousin .” Gwen met the other woman’s gaze firmly. “I expect nothing more than to make the acquaintance of my sister’s children.”
    “Well, I shall be most relieved to have these hellions off my hands. Ungrateful little beasts. Although how you, as an unmarried woman, intend to care for them is beyond me.”
    Gwen heaved an annoyed sigh. “I have no intention of caring for them. You have already provided them with an excellent home and I have no—”
    “We don’t want to go with you anyway.” A voice sounded from the doorway, and Gwen turned. Three pairs of accusing eyes glared at her. Gwen stared back, struck by the altogether startling sensation of looking at herself in various stages of childhood.
    They were stair steps of a fashion, ranging in height according to age. The three were remarkably similar in appearance, all with hair in varying shades of red, much like Gwen’s own. The tallest was obviously the oldest at fourteen. It was apparent from the look on her face that she was the one who had spoken, equally obvious that she had a great deal more to say, and not at all farfetched to assume what she had to say would not be the least bit pleasant. The next tallest, most likely the twelve-year-old, was in the middle, the youngest at age ten stood beside her. This would be much easier if Gwen could remember their names. They were all named for various Christian virtues but Gwen couldn’t remember which ones.
    Regardless of the nature of their names, there was scarcely a hint of anything even vaguely resembling