Miss Foster’s Folly Read Online Free PDF Page B

of her own, or she must fiercely care for neither. That way, I know she hasn’t married me for mine.”
    “So, that’s why you came to New York?”
    “I’ve heard people are absurdly wealthy here,” he said. “And, with Americans’ love for equality, no one requires a title to rise in status.”
    “Wise choice.”
    “Then, the last,” he said. “She needs to have as many or more tricks than I do. I’m not completely sure what that one means.”
    He returned to the letter.
    Do come soon, my sweet Bump, but bring the lady with you. I hope to see your wife and child while there’s still time.
    Love, Harry.
    He folded the letter, slipped it into the envelope and put it back on the table beside his bed. “No, I don’t like the tone of that at all.”
    “Though Lady Derrington left the manor long ago, it would be odd to think of her never presiding there again,” James said.
    Derrington undid his neck cloth and handed it to his valet. “We all have to meet our Maker sometime, but harps and serenity aren’t Harry’s cup of tea. She’d drive St. Peter to distraction within a week.”
    “I’m sure she would, sir.”
    “No, I’m not ready to give her up yet.” He sighed. “Instead, I’ll do what she’s asked…marry. But only to the right woman.”
    “I’m sure you’ll be very happy, my lord.”
    He sat for a moment. “I wonder if I could ask you a favor.”
    “Anything, my lord,” James answered.
    “Do you suppose you could forge an alliance with someone in the Foster household?”
    “Already done, sir.”
    “I should have known.” Derrington removed the diamond studs from his dress shirt and handed them to James. “I hope your connection is a talkative creature.”
    “Very much so, sir.” James put the studs into their box. “She’s seldom quiet, even during…”
    “That must make things difficult.”
    “She has other advantages that make up for it,” James said. “Your sleeve buttons, my lord.”
    “Ah, yes.” He removed them and handed them to his man. He took off his shirt and set it on the bed. “Does she talk about her employers?”
    “Constantly.”
    “Tell me, are they as rich as they seem?”
    “That and more so,” James answered. “The Foster fortune is one of the greatest in the United States.”
    Derrington whistled softly through his teeth. “That must be a tremendous amount of money.”
    James picked up the shirt from the bed. “If my connection is right, they could probably buy a shire or two.”
    Derrington removed his shoes and socks. “Did she mention how much of that the youngest daughter controls?”
    “Oh yes, sir. That’s the hottest talk among the staff. Her father left a curious will.”
    Derrington stopped undressing and stared up at his valet. “Go on.”
    “Well, it seems he left no money to his son but just control of his companies.”
    “That’s not so unusual.”
    “There’s more,” James said. “The elder daughter only inherited two of his estates and her mother’s jewels.”
    “That’s worth a lot of money.”
    “True, sir. And they’re all rich from their late mother’s trust and the older two married within their class.”
    “And, so…”
    “The rest went to the younger daughter, Miss Juliet.” James paused for emphasis. “All of it.”
    It took a few seconds for the significance of James’s information to hit home. “Good Lord, she’s as rich as Croesus.”
    “Nearly so, my lord.”
    “Well, that certainly takes care of the third requirement. She’d never have to marry me for my money.” And she didn’t act as if his station in society mattered to her. In fact, if anything, she didn’t even seem to approve of him. He hadn’t had a chance to assess her mind in that brief encounter, but she’d managed a few jabs in a limited amount of time. Her eyes had a light of intelligence to them. He’d have to assess her tricks once he figured out what that meant.
    She’d managed his loins well enough. No more than the