Mally : Signet Regency Romance (9781101568057) Read Online Free PDF

indeed that he had married! Forgive me, Mrs. St. Aubrey, but what happened?”
    She glanced unhappily at Chris, but surely this was none of her fault, this twist of the conversation? “Mr. Vallender, Daniel was wounded at Vimiero two years ago and died of those wounds.”
    Chris still held her hand. “Richard, you left our circle a long time ago indeed—even I had forgotten it was that long!”
    Richard grinned. “A mere lad I was, and all innocence.”
    â€œIn a pig’s eye!” Chris pushed his shoulder fondly.
    Richard took Mally’s other hand and raised it to his lips. “I take my hat off to you, madam, for to have nailed Chris’s hide to the wall is quite an achievement.”
    Chris sat back. “Take your lecherous eyes away, Richard, for she’s mine—you must find your own lady. Unless, of course, you already have.”
    Richard’s smile faded. “I did, Chris, I did. But she died.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Richard, truly I am.”
    The quicksilver smile was there again as Richard tapped his hat back on his head again. “Well, Mrs. St. Aubrey, you and I may commiserate, may we not? That will surely drive Chris here to distraction, for he does fear my spellbinding charm with the fair sex, no matter what he may say to the contrary!”
    She smiled, but was glad as he remounted his restless horse. Had she engineered it the conversation could not have taken a more delicate turn.
    Chris looked up at him. “Where
have
you been anyway?”
    â€œAmerica. But I am back for good now. As a matter of fact, Mrs. St. Aubrey, I am back in Daniel’s neck of the woods. Llanglyn.”
    She stared at him. “Does Llanglyn know?” she asked with a laugh.
    â€œOh, yes. It is perfectly well aware of me, I do assure you!” He smiled at her, but a strange expression passed through his dark eyes. “It was a coincidence really. I intended coming back to England when Gillian died, there seemed no reason to stay over there. I picked up a journal in New York, in a hotel smoking room. And there it was. An advertisement for a castle in Wales, and in a town I had actually heard of, having known Daniel came from there.”
    Her eyes widened. “So
you
are the new owner of Castell Melyn?”
    â€œI have that honor. But I suppose, being Daniel’s wife, you would be bound to have heard of it, wouldn’t you?”
    â€œMr. Vallender, I was born and brought up in Llanglyn too. But surely there is much needed to be done to the castle to make it habitable?”
    â€œEnough.” He nodded. “Enough indeed. But it’s done now and I’m penniless again. You must come and visit my new domain. I have always wanted to behave like a medieval baron and have feasts in a great hall.”
    Chris laughed. “And toss bones to the hounds on the rushes?”
    â€œSomething like that. Baron Vallender of Castell Melyn. I have a notion for a title.” Richard looked at Mally again. “You must come to the castle, Mrs. St. Aubrey, and see for yourself how excellently it has been done up.”
    â€œIf Chris agrees, then of course I’d be delighted to come.” She smiled at him, liking him for his impetuosity.
    â€œChris?” Richard grinned wickedly. “Oh, him—yes, I suppose he’ll have to be included, won’t he?”
    Chris leaned out to close the door as the crush began to sort itself out. “Old Nick is alive and well—and living in Llanglyn!”
    Richard soothed the restless horse again. “Alive and well and impoverished. Where shall I find you, Chris?”
    â€œPendleton Square. Number four.”
    â€œNob territory. Will I be shot on sight?”
    â€œNo, you’re not in season. Call on me, Richard.”
    â€œI will, you may depend upon it. Good day to you, Mrs. St. Aubrey.”
    Chris closed the door as the carriage began to move, and already Richard Vallender