Seven Nights to Forever by Evangeline Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

weight, worry etched in his features, as if bracing for a reprimand.
    James couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the poor souls who labored under his roof. “There’s no need for such concern, Hiller. You are not to blame for my tardy appearance this morning. The fault lies with myself, therefore I am willing to bear the consequences.”
    The worry eased a bit from the servant’s features, but it didn’t disappear completely. “The morning post has arrived. Would you care to take it now, or would you prefer to have it delivered to your office?”
    “Might as well take it now and save you the ride to the docks.”
    Hiller practically scurried from the room. The man reappeared a moment later bearing a silver tray.
    James murmured his thanks and flicked through the stack, ignoring those addressed to Mr. and Mrs. James Archer. Judging by the crisp, white parchment, they were all invitations of some sort. Mixed in with the unwelcome reminders of the upcoming Season that was only two weeks away were a couple of obvious bills and a letter for him.
    Miss Rebecca Archer was written in precise script in the upper left-hand corner above the address of his father’s Somerset country estate. He tucked the bills in his coat pocket and opened the letter.
    My dearest brother James—I do hope this letter finds you well. The weather has been horribly gloomy in Somerset of late. I do not believe I have seen the sun in over a week. Father is unfortunately standing strong on his stance that I not come up to London until the sixth of April, but that is days and days away. And lest you believe the lure of balls filled with handsome, eligible lords is the sole source of my impatience, I must have you know that I miss you terribly. Therefore, I will not relent in my effort to depart the countryside ahead of schedule. I would also not be adverse if you wrote Father yourself, informing him that my imminent arrival in London is of the utmost importance.
    —Your loving sister, Rebecca
    A smile curved his mouth. He might be dreading the Season, but Rebecca certainly was not. Her excitement leapt from the page. If she showed up on his doorstep before the sixth, he would not be surprised. His father had spent years planning his only daughter’s debut into Society, but James did not doubt that his sweet, biddable sister could convince the old man that a slight alteration to his plan would be for the best. Nor did he doubt that her trunks, filled with the wardrobe she had commissioned two months ago when she had last been to Town, were already packed, just waiting to be loaded into the traveling carriage.
    A young lady with her sights set on her first Season in London would be a force impossible to resist. A letter from him would be entirely unnecessary, but he would pen it all the same.
    Hiller appeared once again at his elbow. “Your coffee, Mr. Archer.” Little wisps of steam rose from the rich, dark liquid as he poured a cup from the freshly brewed pot of coffee.
    “Thank you, Hiller.” James took a sip. Hot, but not so hot as to render it undrinkable. Perfect. “And please alert the household that Miss Archer may be joining us before Tuesday.”
    “Yes, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
    “No,” he replied, tucking Rebecca’s letter in with the bills in his coat pocket.
    With a short bow, Hiller left the dining room. James took a couple of moments to finish his coffee and then pushed from the table. Giving his coat a sharp tug to straighten it, he made his way to the front door.
    He enjoyed spending time with his only sibling. He adored her and would do anything to see her happy. To place in her small hands the opportunity she longed to have. Even the sacrifice of his own happiness had not been too great a price. But having her as a guest meant he would need to maintain the façade of domestic tranquility not only at various ton functions, but in his own home as well. The thought wiped all semblance of a smile from his