Trouble at the Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page B

this hour of the morning?”
    â€œIt’s not morning,” she informed him as she gave his shoulder another rousing shake. “It’s afternoon, and I can’t believe you’ve come to New York without even letting me know. And to arrive the day before I’m leaving for home? What’s in the wind?”
    He wasn’t quite awake, and he had no intention of satisfying his sister’s curiosity right now. He shrugged off her hand and worked to hold on to sleep.
    â€œAnd why this decision to stay at the Waldorf?” she asked. “You could have stayed at the Windermeres’ house on Park Avenue as I’ve been. I could have arranged it before I leave, if only you’d written and told me you were coming. I’m sure Delores Windermere would have been delighted to have you. And her daughters would have been over the moon!”
    â€œExactly.” He moved to pull the covers over his head, but he’d barely grasped the edge of the counterpane before she spoke again, her voice a soft murmur close to his ear.
    â€œIf you don’t rise and attend me at once, dear brother, the headline across the next issue of Town Topics shall read, ‘Newest Duke of Scarborough Ready to Marry Again. But Which Lucky Girl Shall Be His Bride?’ ”
    â€œGood God.” He sat up so quickly that Sylvia had to jump back to avoid being bumped in the nose. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    â€œWouldn’t I?” She sat down in the nearest chair, settling her black crepe skirts around her and giving him a smile he knew well. It was the same smile she’d given him when he was ten and she was eight and she’d given his beloved puppy to the children of the local orphanage. He’d had the devil of a time getting old Scruff back again. This occasion, he feared, would be no different.
    â€œAll right, all right,” he said, giving up on sleep altogether since he was now fully awake. “I don’t know what’s so damned important, but whatever it is, I have no intention of discussing anything with you without being dressed first. Have McIntyre ring for tea, then tell him to come and help me dress.”
    Fifteen minutes later, clad in black trousers, white shirt, and black smoking jacket, Christian entered the sitting room of his suite, where he found his sister seated on one of the two facing settees, pouring tea. He crossed the room, taking the cup she held out to him as he passed. “All right, Sylvia,” he said as he sat down opposite her, “now that you’ve invaded my rooms, bullied your way past my valet, and dragged me out of bed, what the devil is so important?”
    â€œHow can you even ask me that? You’ve come to New York! And I had to learn this through gossip?”
    â€œI only arrived yesterday, and you’re leaving tonight, so I hardly thought it necessary to inform you, especially since I saw you at Andrew’s funeral scarcely three months ago, and I shall see you again at Scarborough Park during Whitsuntide.”
    â€œOh, Christian! Didn’t it occur to you that after nearly three months here in New York, I might be missing you? Although why I should feel that way escapes me now,” she added, frowning. “You weren’t intending to see me at all before I left, were you?”
    He shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I would have called on you later at Park Avenue, as I said.”
    â€œAfter I’d already departed for the pier! Don’t deny it; that was your plan.”
    He took a sip of tea, meeting her eyes over the rim of the cup. “I haven’t the least idea what you’re talking about.”
    â€œReally, Christian, it never works with me, you know.”
    â€œWhat never works?”
    â€œThat innocent I’m-not-trying-to-pull-the-wool-over-your-eyes look. Other women may be fooled by it, but I know you too well. Whenever I see that look, I feel as if we’re children