Read Murder at the Mikado for Free Online

compromising situations?”
    “Partly, love.”
    “And the rest of it? Is it because I’m not as irresistible as she was?”
    He looked deeply into her eyes. “It’s not because you’re not driving me mad every moment I’m with you, and even when I’m not. It’s just I don’t want us to have any regrets. If I resist you, it’s because I’m trying my best to do what is right, not at all because it’s easy. I’ve told you before, it’s because I love you even more than I want you. And that, Madeline, is much more than I could ever put into words.”
    She tightened her hold on his hand.
    “Maybe . . .” he began. “Maybe if I had loved Fleur, if I had really loved her instead of just wanting her, I wouldn’t have let things go too far.”
    “And if she had cared anything for you, she would have let you alone in the first place.” There was a touch of wryness in Madeline’s expression. “Charming way for her to amuse herself.”
    “She has an interesting sense of fun, does Mrs. Landis, but I realized long ago that I don’t care to play along.”
    She twined her fingers into his and tilted her head to one side. “Shall we talk about something a little more pleasant, Drew?”
    “Brilliant idea, darling. What did you have in mind?”
    She gave him that pert look of hers. “Would you like to know who I’ve invited to come help me with the wedding plans?”
    “Very much. Anyone I know? King George? Mrs. Hoover?”
    “Don’t be silly. George is one of your friends, not mine.And from what I hear, Mrs. Hoover is packing her things and preparing to move out of the White House.”
    “Very well, that leaves us with just the population of the world minus two. How about a hint of some variety?”
    “Hmm, let me see.” She pursed her lips for a moment. “Well, if I were Yum-Yum, they would be Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing.”
    “Ah, I see. ‘Three Little Maids from School,’ eh? Well, then who could it possibly be but the delightful Miss Holland and, ahem, Miss Brower.”
    “And I’m sure they’re just perishing to see Adorable Drew again.”
    Drew pretended to scowl. “Oh, joy unbounded.”
    “You love it and you know it,” Madeline said with a giggle. “Anyway, you know Nick has been pining for Carrie for months now.”
    “Has he been? Pining? I hadn’t noticed any pining.”
    She shook her head, looking faintly disgusted. “You men never notice anything. All right, maybe pining isn’t quite the word, but they got along very well when she was here this summer, and she didn’t end up marrying any English lords before she went home, so I think that’s pretty significant.”
    He laughed. “If you say so, darling. And, yes, I expect Nick will be quite pleased to see her. She seems an awfully nice girl, and I’d like Nick to find someone who suits him. At least better than Barbie Chalfont.” He pulled her a bit closer. “I’d like him to be as happy as I am, though I don’t know how he could possibly manage it.”
    He brought her hand to his lips and was puzzled to see something like wariness in her eyes. In another instant it was gone and she was all smiles again.
    “And what if he decides to move to America to be near her?”
    Drew’s eyes widened. “Nick? In America? For good?” He shook his head. “No, no. That would never do. That wouldn’t do at all.”
    “My father did it. He was English, but he seemed pretty happy living in America.”
    Drew looked at her, incredulous. “My girl, your father was not heir presumptive to the office of Estate Manager of Farthering Place. Nick is as much a part of Farthering as . . . as Denny! If he decides he cannot manage without Miss Holland, then she shall simply have to come here. We’ve plenty of room and a perfectly good auntie to chaperone until they decide whether or not to marry.”
    Madeline laughed. “You know Aunt Ruth isn’t going to live here, either. Not permanently.”
    “Why not? The more the merrier, I say. We have acres of