Page 12 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“I was a little girl then, but now I’m a woman. Things change.”
So much? Nash didn’t believe that his sister could change this much seemingly overnight. Something else had to be bothering her.
“Are you nervous about the wedding? About becoming David’s wife?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then what is it?”
Ellie tilted her head to look up at him. “I do not want to leave you alone, Nash. I was so caught up in my own happiness that I forgot you would be alone once I married David. Who will look after you?
Remind you to eat when you’re busy? Host your parties? Plan meals with Mrs Black? Who will do all these things when I’m gone?” She looked away, shaking her head. “I cannot leave you, not when you’ve been everything to me.”
He was a fool for not seeing it before. Ellie was protective over him and often teased him about his inability to run his own life. Nash had considered that he would be alone once she left, but it was for a good cause. Ellie deserved to have her own family, and he refused to stand in the way of that.
“You need not worry about me,” he insisted. “I still have all the servants to help me.”
“But it’s not the same,” she protested.
“Yes, I agree. No one can replace you, but you cannot stifle your own life for me, Ellie. Nothing would make me happier than seeing you settled and happy.”
“What about you? What about your happiness?”
“I’ve decided to look for a wife,” he announced. “That should put you at ease.”
“A wife? Indeed? You’re not just saying that?”
“I promise I’m not lying,” said Nash. “It’s time for me to settle down and provide the next Kensington heir.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” his sister replied, smiling. “But I insist on inspecting all your choices. I cannot have just any woman marry my brother.”
Nash returned her smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Ellie hugged his side and suggested they go back inside so she could apologise for her behaviour. He wholeheartedly agreed, relieved that he had his sister back. Now, he had to make good on his promise and find the perfect wife.
Chapter 3
“You have such lovely hair,” said Kersey, brushing through it. “What number are we on now?”
“Hmmm?”
“Have you fallen asleep again?”
Juliana smiled, cracking one eye open. “I cannot help it. I love it when you play with my hair. How much time do we have before dinner?”
“Hours,” her maid replied. “Why?”
“How long can you last brushing my hair? We can sit on the bed, and I’ll lay my head on your lap.”
The abigail chuckled. “It would be rather difficult to have access to only half your hair, Milady. Besides, I still have all your mending to do.”
“Do it all tomorrow,” Juliana begged. “This feels too heavenly to stop now.”
“Ten more minutes, Milady. Please.”
“One hour.”
“Will twenty minutes not suffice, Milady?”
