Vincent’s morning ridewas pleasant, but not as exciting as seeing Ellie Middleton again after all these years. He could scarcely recall his conversation with Dominic, yet Vincent remembered every word, every movement, and every time Ellie’s eyes sparkled.
Confusion tugged him different ways inside his head. He couldn’t decide if she was the angel his best friend, Adam Haddington, had once claimed her to be, or if she was truly Satan’s own daughter and theIce Queenthat some men in Society had labeled her.
During their short conversation, he could see the haughty woman he’d always known her to be. He also detected a spark of fascination in her pretty brown eyes when she looked upon him. Being a rogue, his first reaction was to try to melt the Ice Queen to see if he could steal a kiss.
He’d been charming women since he was fourteen, so he knew when he had captivated a sweet maiden. From the rumors he’d heard, Ellie hadn’t even looked at another man since her beloved had died. Vincent grinned. That made her ripe for the picking.
But since he blamed himself for Ellie’s fiancé going off to battle and being killed, Vincent doubted she would want to have anything to do with him once she discovered the truth. Perhaps he just wouldn’t ever tell her the connection he had with Adam Haddington, and pray she never found out.
For five months, he’d been so involved in his father’s estate, and trying to repair the damages his parent had made before he died, that Vincent hadn’t the time or the energy to woo a lady. Now that he was nearly penniless, at least the estate was livable. Vincent needed to find a way to make more money so that he could give his sisters a sizable dowry, which would hopefully entice a man to ask for their hands in marriage. Thankfully, Dominic had good advice on where to invest in speculations.
Without money, Vincent feared that his sisters would end up working for a living. Their parents—God rest their souls—had tried to give their children the best of everything. Unfortunately, they had never taught Vincent how to be a responsible guardian for his sisters. Failure from his accomplishments left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He stopped his horse and dismounted at the stable. The only stable hand that Vincent could afford hurried out to take the horse. Without a word, Vincent handed the man the reins before turning toward the manor.
Gently, he slapped the riding crop against his leg as his mind wandered back to Ellie Middleton. He would have to watch himself around the brunette beauty. She wasn’t the type of woman he was used to charming, and because he was friends with her brother, that made her unattainable. And, of course, she was his friend’s fiancée, which should make her completely inaccessible.
However, that was three years ago, and as long as Vincent could just tease the lovely woman, he would definitely try to see how things turned out between them. He would only pour on his charm just enough to tempt her, as long as he didn’t completelyfulfillhis mission. At least it would bring some entertainment into his busy life of trying to make money and managing his sisters’ lives.
As he entered the manor, the uplifting voices of his sisters captured his attention as they chatted excitedly. Another female voice entered their chipper conversation. Who could possibly have come to visit them this afternoon?
He quickened his step toward the sound of the flighty females, which led him to the drawing room. His sisters sat sipping their tea, and their visitor, who daintily held her teacup, was faced the other way so he couldn’t ascertain her identity.
Laura saw him first. Her eyes widened, matching her smile. She stood and motioned for him to enter.
“Vincent, you’re back. You will never believe who has come to pay us a visit.”
The soft brunette ringlets framing the other woman’s head looked familiar, as did her straight frame. He walked further into the room, and their guest placed her teacup on the side table before turning his way.
Stunned, he halted, and his breath caught in his throat. What was Ellie Middleton doing here?
She stood and curtsied. “Lord Trenton, it is good to see you again.”
She wore a different dress this afternoon. The one she had on this morning gave her a more girlish appearance, but this one made her look like a desirable woman. The light green sensation with a white lace overlay covered her body and showed much more of her womanly figure. The bodice had a deeper square cut, giving him a glimpse of her ample bosom and the tops of her creamy shoulders.
“And it’s good to see you again,” he replied. He motioned to her chair. “Please sit and finish your tea with my sisters.”
“Will you not join us?” Ellie asked sweetly.
A nudge in the back of his mind told him to tread carefully. The woman before him now was acting so different than she had this morning. Earlier, she couldn’t wait to get out of his company, yet now she was practically begging him to stay.
“Regretfully, I must decline. I have budgets to add up in my books, and I just don’t have time for this social visit.”
Her bright smile dropped. Could she actually be disappointed that he was leaving?
“But please,” he continued, “stay and visit with my sisters. It has been quite a while since they have had such delightful company.”
Ellie nodded. “If you insist.”
“I do.” He glanced at his sisters. It was good to see happiness brightening their faces, especially given how forlorn their expressions had been of late. Although younger than Ellie by at least five years, Laura and Lilly still needed friends, no matter their age. Perhaps with Ellie’s help, she would be able to reform his sisters into women. Heaven knew they needed female companionship. They dressed as though they were still in the schoolroom, instead of women in their nineteenth year.
He moved his attention to Ellie. He prayed she would want to assist him with his sisters. According to Dominic, Ellie didn’t have much of a social life and spent most of her time in her room painting. That was probably why it surprised Vincent to see her at Trenton Hall. But he wouldn’t question fate.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He bowed to Ellie before leaving the room.
Conversation picked back up inside the sitting room, and the giggles from his sisters were heard all the way to his study. As he sat at his desk, he stared at the columns in the books, not seeing anything. Nothing registered in his head because his ears were fixed to listen to sounds of Ellie’s laughter. Surprisingly, every time he heard the musical lilt of her voice, he sighed and smiled. And each time, he tried shaking her from his head so he could concentrate on his task. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
Was she doing this for show? His friend, Adam, had thought the sun and moon set with Ellie, yet now most men didn’t want her to even look at her. Which woman was she really?
