Page 12 of Wickeds Scandal
Alexandrabobbed her head, but Miranda caught her arm. “Please! Let us notstand on ceremony. I find that all tiresome.” She winked atAlexandra and laughed, a light tinkling sound which made Alexandra think ofbells. “I insist you call me Miranda. When people start saying“Lady Reynolds,” I get all flustered thinking they are speaking to my mother orGrandmother, but not to me. At least they don’t call meSatanReynolds– they reserve that for Cam.” She laughed again.
Alexandrawasn’t sure what to say. She expected that Miranda said the last bit toshock her, possibly even test her in some way.
“Cam is mybrother, Lord Reynolds. You’ll likely meet him. Most of hisfriends call him Cam – short for Cambourne, but his given name isSutton. Satan Reynolds is just a play on his firstname. I’m really not sure where the nickname came from.I mean, my brother has always been a bit wicked even as a child, but I don’tthink that’s it. It may be because he has a tattoo.” Miranda’s eyesblazed bright green.
Mirandais trying to scandalize me.“I believe I heard that.” Alexandra nodded wondering what sort of commentshe could make.Maybe I should shock Miranda and tell her that I mether brother in a dark library and he kissed me.Alexandra sat withher hands on her lap, composing her face into what she hoped was politeinterest as Miranda continued to chatter.
“I’m certainthose horrid boys at Eton started it. He had a terrible time of itthere. Or possibly thetonstarted calling him that when hereturned from Macao, no – that can’t be right because the Chinese alsocalled him ‘Satan’ in Macao.” She paused and lookedthoughtful. “I don’t know how you say ‘Satan’ in Chinese.Have you ever heard of Macao? I’ve read loads about it and I’ve asked Camto take me there but he says it’s much too wild and full of unsavorycharacters.” Miranda gave a careless shrug. “I think Macao soundspositively decadent! Cam had a monkey named Jonas when he lived there.Jonas wore a little red knit cap and smoked opium. Can youimagine? Oh, there’s the tea cart!”
Alexandra’shead was spinning. She wasn’t even sure Miranda Reynolds had taken abreath in the last ten minutes.
Miranda satback in a profusion of lavender silk making her look as if she were perched ina giant orchid. “Now what about you, Miss Dunforth? Grandmothersaid you were newly arrived to London, and that you areunhappilylooking for husband.” She gave Alexandra another sly look.
Alexandranearly laughed out loud. She could clearly see the Dowager’s strategy,sending in Miranda just to make sure Alexandra was worthy of tea. Shechose to be blunt and hoped the elderly woman was listening at the door.
“My unclehas engaged Lady Agnes Dobson to be my sponsor and has instructed her to findme a husband.” There was no need to relay her true circumstances to LadyReynolds. “I would prefer to simply return home and begin breeding mylivestock.” Alexandra decided to shock Miranda back. Young ladiesdid not discuss livestock or breeding, ever, and especially not in a parlorover tea. She waited for Miranda’s reaction.
Miranda’seyes widened, then she burst into charmed laughter. “Oh, Grandmother was sorightabout you, Alexandra! I may call you Alexandra?” She reached outand patted Alexandra’s knee. “I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“Not in theleast.” Alexandra’s gaze flicked to a book on the side table.LordThurston and the Wicked Countess.
Miranda sawher look and burst into a fit of giggles. “Yes, it’s mine. I do solove Lord Thurston. Have you read any of them?”
Alexandragave a nod of assent. “All but the last two.” The books were likely stillsitting in the study at Helmsby Abbey. She had forgotten to pack them inher distress over Odious Oliver summoning her to London.
“Oh, butthis is wonderful! The author of the Lord Thurston seriesquite intrigues me. The mysteriousJ. Cam has afriend, Lord Wently, who is one of the most arrogant men I’ve ever met.”Miranda’s mouth pursed. “He is part owner in the publishing house that printsthe Lord Thurston novels. I am quite sure he knows who the mysteriousJis but he refuses to tell. I keep asking Cam to pressure Lord Wently buthe refuses and –“
“Enough,Miranda! I can hear you chattering down the hall. Miss Dunforth hasnot said a word I will merit. She is likely to slash open the sofapillows and put the stuffing in her ears. Pray do quit talking.”The Dowager Marchioness strolled in, assisted by a young footman. Hersilver hair was piled high atop her head. She looked tired and walkedstiffly, but her eyes sparkled as she saw Alexandra.
Alexandrastood and curtsied. She wondered if she had passed the Dowager’s test.
“Oh, do sitdown, Miss Dunforth. I’m afraid the only one who demands all that pompand circumstance at home is my daughter-in-law.” She claspedAlexandra’s hands in her own and squeezed them. “Miranda, will you pleasepour?”
The Dowagerbegan asking questions. She wanted to know all about Alexandra’supbringing, what languages she spoke, what subjects she had studied, and whatshe knew about farming, of all things! She was rapt with attention asAlexandra explained how she managed Helmsby Abbey first for her aunt, then onher own. She spoke lovingly of Mrs. Cowries and Jameson. How Cook madethe best scones in England. The Dowager laughed and clapped herhands as Miranda related the ‘livestock breeding’ comment while Alexandrablushed in embarrassment. The older woman seemed inordinatelypleased to hear that not only was Alexandra a bluestocking, but also agentleman farmer, of a sort. When Alexandra told the Dowager she knew howto make an apple pie, the elderly woman insisted that Alexandra must make herone straightaway.
“Once youmarry, will you be bringing Cook and her excellent scones to your new home? Orare you planning on living at this Helmsby Abbey? I can tell you miss itterribly.” The Dowager’s brow wrinkled at the question.
Alexandratwisted her hands and tried to choose her words carefully. “It is my sinceresthope.”
The Dowagerwatched her with hooded eyes. “Indeed? “ She peered at Alexandraclosely, waiting to see if she would say more. When Alexandra stubbornlystayed silent she said, “I hope, Miss Dunforth, that you consider myself andMiranda to be –.”
The Dowagerwas interrupted by the appearance of the butler.
“Madam, theMarchioness of Cambourne.” The butler quietly opened the door to allow astunning blonde, dressed in ice blue silk to enter. The blonde looked atthe butler with disdain, and waved him away. She sauntered over to theDowager, leveling a look of muted distaste at Miranda.
“Well,well. Quite the little tea party you’re having Donata. I assume youjust neglected to tell me we were having guests.” She looked pointedly atAlexandra with a tiny sneer on her perfect pink lips.
Alexandra’sfirst thought was that she was seeing a fairy princess from a fable come tolife. The woman’s beauty was what poets wrote odes to, and menfought duels over. The Marchioness’s golden tresses, the color ofripened wheat, curled into an ornate coiffure that pulled artfully back fromher temples. Arrogance and entitlement dripped from her like the diamondsin her delicate ears. Alexandra couldn’t tell how old she was, forher face was as unlined as Alexandra’s own and her complexion reminded one offresh cream.Was no one in this family plain?Alexandralooked at Miranda and the still lovely Dowager.I am a ducklingamongst swans.
“Jeanette,dear,why don’t you join us for tea? I assumed you would be sleeping late. Youdanced so late into the night with our dear Herbert.” The Dowager’s voicedripped with sarcasm. Alexandra didn’t understand the suddentension in the air, but the parlor was rife with it.
Lady Reynoldsstiffened at the Dowager’s tone. Her lip curled into a sneering imitationof a smile. The two women reminded Alexandra of cats disputing territory.
The Dowagerlooked ready to hit her daughter-in-law with her cane. She stared downLady Reynolds.
LadyReynolds’s hands curled into themselves, giving her nails the appearance oftalons. The perfect features tightened. “Herbert’s a dear, isn’the?” Lady Reynolds’s cultured tones said politely. “Just imagine, if Roberthadn’t married that vicar’s daughter in thenick of time,” Lady Reynoldsput special emphasis on the words, “well…things would likely be muchdifferent. How fortunate, don’t you agree Donata?”
TheDowager’s lips tightened. “You overstep the bounds of politeness.”
