Free Bedding Lord Ned by Sally Mackenzie Page B

daughter with daughter-in-law in her private thoughts—but now that she knew Ned looked on her as a sister, the idea was far less appealing. “I was often underfoot. As you must have gathered, we all played together as children.”
    He stopped in front of a sketch of the castle with the gardens in bloom—it was one of Ash’s—and pulled out his quizzing glass to examine it. “So you know Lord Ashton, Lord Edward, and Lord Jack well.”
    â€œI suppose so”— like brothers, damn it —“though Ash is the only one who lives here now. Lord Jack is mostly in London, and Lord Edward has his own estate.”
    Mr. Cox nodded and put his quizzing glass back in his pocket. “Ashton and Lord Edward never come to Town, do they?”
    â€œNo, neither of them cares for London.”
    â€œPerhaps they went more frequently when they were married?”
    Ellie frowned at Mr. Cox. “Ash is married.”
    â€œYes, well, I meant when they were with their wives—did they make a practice of taking their ladies to Town?”
    Why was Mr. Cox interested in this topic? Ash and Jess had separated the day they wed, but if Mr. Cox didn’t know that, Ellie wasn’t about to tell him. And Cicely had been with child by the time she and Ned came home from their honeymoon. “No, but I don’t believe Jess or Cicely cared about going to London. They never talked about wanting to visit Town when we were growing up.”
    â€œThey didn’t dream about their Seasons?”
    â€œI think they were quite content to be here in the country.” Which is exactly where she wouldn’t be once she wed. Well, she might be in the country, but not this part of it. She would have to leave to go to her husband’s house and live among strangers. A whisper of panic brushed down her spine.
    But there would be children—her children. She must focus on that.
    â€œTell me about your home, sir.” If she knew a few details, perhaps she could persuade herself that moving would be an adventure.
    â€œI don’t really have a home, Miss Bowman. I have bachelor’s lodgings in Town, but as the fifth son I am very much on my own.”
    â€œThe duchess said you were to enter the Church.”
    Mr. Cox smiled, but his eyes were decidedly bleak. “That’s certainly what my mother wishes. I wanted to enlist in the army, but my father refused to buy me my colors, and now that Boney’s no longer a threat ...” He shrugged. “Perhaps I will join the clergy.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t do so if you can’t like the idea.” It was not her place to say anything, of course, but Ellie had listened too many times to Papa complain about disinterested clergymen to keep silent.
    â€œI have to do something, Miss Bowman. I’m not a wealthy man.” He hesitated, and then said, his voice a bit harsh, “I’ll confess to you that I am very interested in steam locomotives, but some people feel any involvement in such enterprises stinks of trade.” He looked at Lady Juliet again—
    Good heavens, Lady Juliet was glaring at her . And Ned was frowning at her as well. What on earth was the matter with them? She hadn’t exchanged two words with Lady Juliet, and she’d been doing exactly what Ned had suggested, behaving in a perfectly unobjectionable manner with a possible suitor. She frowned back at Ned. “Many things are changing in today’s world, Mr. Cox.”
    â€œMay I have your attention, please?” the duchess said, clapping her hands. She’d joined the group with Ash and Jack, leaving the duke, trying unsuccessfully to hide his yawns, with Mr. Humphrey and Miss Mosely. “Miss Wharton has offered to sing for us, and as I’m sure there must be others of you who are willing to do so as well, we are going to adjourn to the music room.”
    The duke leapt to his feet to escort his wife—and escape Mr.