Page 58 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Juliana almost regretted reading the book, but Honoria encouraged her to continue, promising the ending was well worth it. However, when Marianne became deathly ill, Juliana put the book down. She needed a pleasant diversion and some laughter.

Little Kitty’s soft cries drifted from the large parlor, and Juliana rushed in to see if she could offer assistance. Lady Charlotte was doing her best to calm the infant, but her frantic expression had Simon hurrying to her side and lifting the baby from Charlotte’s arms.

“I don’t think she likes me,” Charlotte muttered.

“Nonsense, pudding cup. Just pretend she’s Trifle.” Simon kissed his wife on the cheek.

Honoria raised a hand to stifle a laugh, but Juliana had no such compunction and giggled at Simon’s odd endearment.

Juliana took a seat next to Honoria. “Do you allow him to call you such ridiculous names, Lady Charlotte?”

“I would gladly show him my displeasure if he weren’t holding an innocent babe.”

A wide grin spread across Simon’s face. “There is method to my madness, my darling.”

Within moments, Simon had calmed Kitty, and the child stared up at him in wonder.

Charlotte shot her husband a murderous look. “I think I hate you.”

Simon snorted a laugh, disturbing Kitty, who began to wail again.

Frampton appeared at the door. “Your Grace, Lord and Lady Nash Talbot are here to see Lady Charlotte.”

“Nash!” Charlotte’s surprised expression was almost comical.

Honoria rose and straightened her skirts. “Please show them in, Frampton.”

A knot formed in Juliana’s stomach. According to Honoria, Adalyn had married Lord Nash. Why were they in England?

On legs that felt as numb as if she’d been riding Sunshine all day, Juliana forced herself to rise. With less than a week until her wedding, the timing couldn’t be worse for the previous object of Victor’s affections to appear.

A tall, dark-haired man entered the room. He had a dangerous appearance, with his slightly hooked nose and brooding features. In his arms, he held a small child, not much older than little Kitty. His gaze immediately landed on Simon, and his eyebrows quirked over his almost black eyes.

Close behind, a woman and a young girl followed. Both blonde, the woman was taller than most, while the girl was diminutive in stature. Unlike her husband, the woman—Adalyn—smiled warmly as she approached, arms extended toward Honoria.

“My dear friend. How good it is to see you again. You look wonderful. Motherhood suits you, as I knew it would.”

Lord Nash glared at Simon, who wore his usual broad smile. “Is this him? The duke?” Lord Nash’s gaze never left Simon. “I don’t care what your rank is, you had better treat Honoria with love and kindness or you will answer to me.”

The grin instantly fading from his face, Simon paled and took a step back.

“No, brother,” Lady Charlotte said. “That fine specimen unfortunately belongs to me.”

Simon’s grin returned. “Oh, buttercup, you called me a fine specimen.”

“Did you miss theunfortunately?” Although Charlotte’s tone was sarcastic, her lips twitched. “Nash, allow me to introduce my husband, Mr. Simon Beckham. Simon, my brother, Lord Nash Talbot.”

Lord Nash threw his head back and laughed, the reaction not one Juliana expected given the glares and scowls the man demonstrated so far. “Oh, Lottie. He’s perfect for you. But,” he said, his glower returning as he nodded toward Kitty in Simon’s arms, “it appears the scandalous reports leading to your marriage might have had some bite. Weren’t you just married several months ago?”

Honoria released Adalyn’s hands and rushed forward. “Lord Nash, this ismydaughter, Kitty.”

“Can I hold her?” the young girl asked.

“MayI hold her?” Adalyn corrected. “That’s up to the duchess.”

Feeling superfluous in the midst of the reunion, Juliana wanted to slink away. However, as she muttered an apology and moved toward the door, Honoria, being Honoria, stopped her. “Goodness, where are my manners? Lord Nash Talbot, Lady Nash Talbot, allow me to introduce Drake’s sister, Miss Juliana Merrick.”

Lord Nash bowed. “Lady Juliana. A pleasure.”

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