Nell by Elizabeth Bailey Read Free Book Online Page A

with her questions, Nell watched him in a good deal of distress. The fatal Beresford tendency! Free of the taint ? Heaven help her, there was some substance for Lord Jarrow’s fears.
    Even as she thought it, she became aware that the shrieking had ceased. How had it been managed? She recalled something her employer had said to her earlier, about the nurse only calling him if she could not manage on her own. Only she had not called him. He had chosen to go immediately upon the sound breaking out. Forgetting her resolve, she addressed Mr Beresford in urgent tones.
    ‘You think Henrietta is merely expressing her grief?Has no one sought to talk to her of her mama? Is it she whom you meant by Julietta?’
    He regarded her as if he had not understood. ‘Julietta? Talk of her to the child? No, no—what could you say? Too horrific by half! Frighten the girl into flinders, and for what? Best to say nothing. If you take my advice, ma’am, you’ll leave well alone on that score.’
    Before Nell could think how to reply to a speech that hinted at unknown horrors while giving nothing away, Lord Jarrow was re-entering the room. In silence, she watched him resume his seat. Was it the duller candlelight, or did he look worn?
    ‘Settled again, has she?’ enquired Mr Beresford sympathetically.
    ‘She is half asleep.’
    ‘Capital. Best thing for her. Duggan tends her, I expect?’
    Was that a narrow look Lord Jarrow gave him as he nodded? Or was she indulging her imagination again? She stiffened warily as his gaze came around to herself. His voice was curt.
    ‘I am sorry this should have happened on your first evening.’
    Irrationally, this remark annoyed Nell. It was not as if she were a guest.
    ‘It is as well, sir. I only wish you might be more forthcoming about what has occurred.’
    ‘Time enough for you to find out.’
    Nell resented the snap in his voice, but reminded herself that she had no right to do so. It was best that she made no reply if she could not school herself to talk to him with propriety. She was saved the trouble by the laughing intervention of Mr Beresford, once more adopting the teasing tone of his earlier remarks.
    ‘Plain as a pikestaff why he won’t talk, Miss Faraday. He’s in hopes that ignorance may induce you to remain above a few days.’ That irritating laugh came again.
    ‘Can’t blame the old fellow if he don’t want to put you off.’
    It was obvious that Lord Jarrow was in no humour for this type of thing. He threw his brother-in-law a look that caused Nell’s conscience to wriggle. It was not her place to be discussing her employer’s affairs. She’d had no business to ask questions of Mr Beresford. As well as gossip outright!
    To make things worse, the wretched man chose to take his lordship up.
    ‘I see what it is, Eden. Jealousy! While you’ve been off beating that brat into silence, I’ve been privileged to enjoy the sole company of the first interesting female to grace this disgracefully Gothic edifice of yours in months.’
    Nell heard only vaguely the rest of this nonsensical speech, for her attention had caught fatally on that one horrible word. Lord Jarrow beat his daughter? He could not have done so. Particularly if he suspected that her intellect was disordered. As well send the poor child to Bedlam!
    She became aware of his voice, clipped and cynical.
    ‘If you have designs upon the new governess, Toly, you had better leave. It must be terrifying enough for Miss Faraday without having her virtue endangered.’
    The other’s eyes glinted. ‘What, and leave you the field? I think not, old fellow.’
    Nell met Lord Jarrow’s icy gaze as it returned to rest on her face. ‘I beg you will ignore my brother-in-law. His notion of banter leaves a good deal to be desired.’ Turning back to the other man, his tone became acid.‘As for you, Toly, I wish you will hold your tongue before you give Miss Faraday an entirely false impression of my character as well as your