THE BILLIONAIRE NOBODY

heets like a wet blanket. Another quintessentially glamorous morning at St. Catherine's Home for Foundlings.

Sister Mary Hellish pierced the silent dormitory. "T

another riveting day of gruel and despair. Nicholas swung his legs over the edge, bare fe

r his diminutive stature. "More like St. Gertrude's Home for Really, Really Malnouri

t nineteen, Nicholas faced an unceremonious ejection onto the unreceptive streets before long. Unless some m

er Superior's office immediately." Sister Swinish swung open the door, her b

wood as imposing as a prison gate. What calamitous scenario awaited him now? Had the n

uted thump as the door swung shut. Wait, who was that foreign-lookin

baritone voice seemed to swallow the room whole as

croak escaped. He suddenly wished he'd taken

ervously. "This is Lord Richard Westinghouse the Fourth. Of the

ucking unlucky waifs for disagreeable intentions. Please don't let it involve

uch an imposing figure, he seemed almost elfin with glee. "I'll indulge in no baseless teasing. I have

, flipping it open to reveal glistening diamonds tha

wardship. I'm prepared to offer you a life of unfettered opulence as my son

**

Westinghouse Manor's turrets pierced the sky with haughty menace. All this for little old hi

endor. Rolling hills of pristine emerald grass as far as the eye could see. Ornate fountains bursting from discreet grottos, their carved mermen and maidens fro

ranite steps. Sweet blasphemous Jesus...that rabble must constitute his new household! N

this alien world of opulence and privilege. He tripped over the high sill, stumbling out in his unwas

om withering scorn to unbridled derision. All except for the lord himself, Richard Wes

baritone. "Let's not scowl treacherous pitchforks at the main attraction

ision in a pastel blue frock had to be his intended, Elizabeth. Even through her st

At that moment, Nicholas deeply missed the dank familiarity of the orphanage's aroma. He

l's echoing vastness. For an orphan who'd only known confined spaces shared with

gid spin of his heels, he led Nicholas down a curving marble corridor lined with

they reached a door tucked discreetly at the end of an upstairs hallway. The butler spun the brass

for a rousing dance number! An entire alcove by the fireplace appeared devoted to a truly feudal bed draped in gossamer curtains. Lush paisley upholst

ir. If you require any additional valet service

nctum of privilege. He shook his head in bewilderment and heaved a hollow laugh. Clearly the Lor

nd ornamental fountains frolicking with cherubic statues. So this is what it felt like to inherit the golden nightmar

tly gave a startled yelp. Fresh livery the color of marigolds lay carefully arranged on the bays, trousers creased so perfect

hed the sashed robe tight and sauntered to the arched windows, craning his neck to scan the rambling manor home. How

ween the shrubbery. Clutching a mud-spattered set of pruning shears, hunched and scurrying like a poacher upon his fresh domain. A gar

oc. A devilish smirk crept across his lips. Oh, this would be the perfect smidgeon of

vet bellcord dangling by the massive bed. Yes, Nicholas had be

e that gardening grouch cou