Not Wicked Enough Read Online Free

the impression she had been struggling to hide her emotion. She hadn’t entirely succeeded. Her smile was brittle, and it made him want to take her in his arms and promise no one would ever again make her sad. Such was the effect of that angelic face of hers. She hugged a book to her chest. “My father went bankrupt, you see; that was nearly two years ago now. He hasn’t a penny left. If he had not come to live with me at Syton House, he’d not have a roof over his head.”
     
    “I should think he’d be grateful.”
     
    “He resents his circumstances extremely. Indeed, it’s whyI have so little time here. I had to promise the servants I would be home before May or I own they would have refused to look after him. I fear he’s a difficult man to like. I don’t like to have the staff abused, you understand.” She opened her book, stared at the pages, then closed it with a sigh. “I can make an excuse, your grace, before Ginny knows I have arrived, if you would rather not have me in your home. I would appreciate, however, the recommendation of a nearby inn. It’s far too late to think of driving all the way back to Sheffield.”
     
    He considered her offer. He liked an orderly household, and it was plain as anything that Miss Wellstone would disrupt his peaceful country existence. This was not a woman who would sweetly make herself invisible. There was also the fact that she was quite beautiful and an accomplished flirt. He was not impervious to any part of that.
     
    “Your grace?”
     
    “No,” he said. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “I won’t deny my sister the company of someone she recalls so fondly and likes so well as she likes you.” This was true. Eugenia had been looking forward to Miss Wellstone’s arrival since the day two months ago when the visit had been agreed to. His gaze traveled the length of her, from head to toe. He did like a tall woman. “Nor myself the pleasure of learning why she adores you so unreservedly.” His mouth twitched. “Despite everything.”
     
    She pulled his greatcoat tighter around her. “My dear duke,” she said in a voice of mock sorrow. “It is my sad duty to tell you that I am reformed.”
     
    Her smile was an invitation to sin, and he was feeling very much inclined to sin right now. Unthinkable, of course. But knowing all the reasons he should not act on his impulses didn’t divert the direction of his thoughts. Not in the least. “That, Miss Wellstone,” he said, “is a very great pity.”
     

Chapter Three
     

     
    L ATE THE NEXT MORNING LILY STOOD IN THE ENTRY -way of Bitterward and slid the rest of the way out of her cloak. She was aware the duke himself had arrived at the door moments after she had and that he now stood behind her. Doyle, the duke’s butler, stepped away from her with her cloak in hand. Already, he was reaching to take Mountjoy’s gloves, hat, and greatcoat.
    She exchanged a glance with Mountjoy. He nodded at her. Say what you would about his grace’s undistinguished manner of dress, his servants were efficient and meticulous in their duties.
     
    “Lily!”
     
    Lily looked away from the duke and saw Ginny hurrying down the stairs to the entryway. “Ginny.”
     
    “Lily, you’re here. Doyle! You should have sent someone to fetch me the instant she arrived.” She came down the last steps. “Oh, hullo, Mountjoy. When did you arrive?”
     
    “Last night,” the duke said.
     
    “I meant Lily, not you.”
     
    “Never mind that,” Lily said to her friend. “Let me see you.” She raised her hands so that Ginny would stop, which she did. She was not pleased with what she saw. She had expected to see Ginny recovering from the loss of her husband. She wasn’t. Sadness inhabited her eyes, and she was too thin in a gown black as night and drab beyond words. “You should be glad no one woke you when I arrived,” she said to cover her shock. “It was well after midnight.”
     
    “Last night?” Ginny