Bedding Lord Ned by Sally Mackenzie Read Free Book Online

condolences. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    â€œMy loss?” Mr. Humphrey blinked at her, his small mouth agape.
    â€œYour great aunt, sir. I’m sorry for her death.” Especially since it was the poor woman’s departure from the world that had caused Mr. Humphrey to be invited to this party.
    â€œOh.” He nodded, but failed to look at all sorrowful. “Yes, it was very sad, but she was quite old. She had over eighty years in her dish; everyone said it was just a matter of time.” He leaned close again; Ellie kept from leaning away only by the most determined exercise of will.
    â€œMany thought my cousin Theo would get her estate, since it was widely believed Aunt Theodora favored his mother over mine—Aunt Winifred even named Theo Theodore to curry favor—but all Theo got was a collection of china cats. I believe—and Mama agrees with me—that old Aunt Theodora finally got sick of Winifred toadying to her and hit on me because she hadn’t seen me or Mama in years, though of course if I’d known I’d have a chance at her estate I would have visited, but perhaps it all turned out for the best, don’t you think?”
    â€œEr, yes.” For Mr. Humphrey; not for poor cousin Theo.
    Perhaps Mr. Cox would appear in the drawing room soon; even a noble sprig would be better than this wretched weed.
    No, no, no! She could not rule out Mr. Humphrey so quickly. He might merely be an acquired taste. The house party was just beginning. She would reserve judgment—or at least try to.
    Mr. Humphrey tugged on his waistcoat. It was hard to imagine the man was only twenty-five; he was already going to fat. “So of course when the Duchess of Love extended this invitation, I accepted immediately. Her grace is such a successful matchmaker, you know, and it will be so much more efficient to obtain a wife now without having to waste time and money on a Season.” His nose twitched again, this time clearly in distaste. “Young girls can be so silly, having their heads turned with balls and fancy clothing, when their real duties in life are to bear children, keep their households running smoothly, and see that their husband is well cared for, don’t you agree?”
    â€œEr, yes.” Sadly, she did agree.
    Mr. Humphrey pushed his spectacles back to the bridge of his nose. “Splendid. I could tell you were a sensible woman the moment I saw you, Miss Bowman, and while I know it’s too early to speak—”
    Good God, the man wasn’t going to propose now, was he? It was one thing to admit to practicality, but quite another to dispense with even the slightest whiff of romance.
    â€œâ€”but I must say you’ve given me reason to hope—”
    â€œSir, we’ve just met!”
    â€œâ€”that you will make me the happiest of—”
    â€œMr. Humphrey!” He was like a runaway horse.
    â€œâ€”men”—Mr. Humphrey smiled—“shortly.”
    She must remember she couldn’t afford to be choosy. She wanted children; her window of opportunity was fast closing. Mr. Humphrey was willing and male.
    And she wasn’t that desperate. She hadn’t even met Mr. Cox. “Mr. Humphrey, you presume too much.”
    â€œAh, yes, I know. It’s early days yet.” He winked one of his squinty, little eyes at her. “As long as we understand each other.”
    â€œWe do not understand each other!” Ellie took a deep breath. She must remember she did not want to burn any bridges. Mr. Cox might be worse. “I mean it is indeed early days—far too early for me—or either of us—to have formed an opinion about ... anything.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know.” He gave her a very odd look which in another man she might describe as a leer. “I like what I see. And you?”
    â€œMe?”
    He pulled on his waistcoat again. “Do you like what you see?”
    â€œAh.