Page 30 of The Major's Mistake
“Oh dear, I’m never such a water pot,” she said rather shakily. Essaying a weak smile, she added, “I fear your coat, sir, will soon be in ruins, what with the ill-treatment it has seen of late.”
“The devil take my coat.” He regarded her with concern. “Better?”
Miranda took a deep breath. “Yes, thank you.”
“You know,” he said after a brief hesitation. “There is no need for you to face all of these things on your own anymore.”
Her head came up sharply. “No?”
“What I mean is, you may count on my support from now on. Together we may?—”
“Don’t be absurd!” she cried unsteadily, turning away. “Why, even if we weren’t—” She stopped to search for words. “That is, it is quite absurd to suggest that I might come to depend on your help. Just how long will it be before you return to London?”
When he didn’t answer, her mouth twitched in a grim smile. “So, there. You see.”
Julian jammed his hands into his coat pockets and stared out at the setting sun. It was some time before he finally spoke again. “I’ll have you know I have already sent word to my man of affairs to have the papers drawn up recognizing Justin as my legal heir.”
“That is certainly … magnanimous of you, sir.”
“Magnanimous?” he repeated incredulously. “Why, it is the only right thing to do! He is my son.” His eyes flicked towards her. “Of that, I have no doubt.”
Some flash of emotion crossed her face. “It may be, as you say, the right thing, but have you truly considered the ramifications of such action?”
He looked at her in confusion.
She drew in a deep breath. “When you remarry sir, your new wife will not be best pleased to learn that her firstborn son will not be the future Marquess of Sterling. It is a serious matter and one that your man of affairs will no doubt suggest you think about very carefully. I imagine his advice—and that of many of your friends—will be to leave things as they are.”
“You think me so easily led by the nose that I should choose that which is expedient rather than that which is right?” he asked with a touch of bitterness.
She avoided his eyes..
“Besides,” he added in a low voice. “I have no plans to remarry.”
“But what about the incomparable Miss Wiltshire? I had thought thetonexpected an announcement of the upcoming nuptials any day now.”
Julian inhaled sharply.
“Aunt Sophia receives the London papers,” she said in response to the sound. She colored. “I may have lost my name and my looks but I have not lost my ability to read.”
Julian hesitated a moment before replying. “There is no understanding between the young lady and myself,” he growled. “Regardless of what the gossips may speculate.”
Miranda’s hands remained clasped tightly in her lap. “It is said the young lady is beyond beautiful,” she said softly. “And entirely beyond reproach, which must be an even greater attraction for you, considering … the past.”
Julian’s brow creased momentarily at her words. He shifted his seat uncomfortably. “I have made no offer—to Miss Wiltshire or to anyone.” For a moment, his gaze seemed to linger on the tips of his polished Hessians. “What of you, Miranda?” he asked in a halting voice.” Have you no plans to remarry?”
A harsh laugh burst from her lips. “I imagine it is very gratifying to be able to mock me thus, milord. Rest assured I need no reminder from you of the differences in our future prospects.”
“Mock?” he repeated slowly. “Is that what you think I was doing?”
Her profile was to him, her eyes intent on following the peregrinations of the distant hawk. “No doubt you wish tobe paid back for the humiliation you suffered because of the scandal.” She raised her chin a fraction. “I am well aware of the fact that no man would waste a glance at me?—”
Julian felt his chest constrict. Reaching out his hand, he touched her wrist. “Of that you are very wrong,” he whispered. “You have, if anything, grown even more beautiful, Miranda.”
She pulled away from him in some confusion. “You may cease such teasing, sir. I look in the mirror each day and have no illusions of how I appear. Not that it matters, for I have no intention of putting myself at the mercy of some man’s whim ever again.
Julian opened his mouth as if to speak.
“And even if I did, what man on earth would wish to offer for a female thrown off as a … whore?” There was a catch in her voice as she spoke the last, awful word. With a jerk of her skirts, she jumped to her feet and hurried away back down the path .
