Page 34 of Wickeds Scandal
“No.”
“No? No you don’t wish to wakeup?” Miranda giggled. “You must wake up. This is anadventure. I don’t believe I’ve ever kidnapped anyone, although of coursemy grandmother is quite good at it.”
The last hour came back to Alexandra.The Dowager and Miranda unexpectedly appeared for tea. The two kidnapped herfrom her uncle’s home for an excursion to the Royal Exhibition. Well, nottruly a kidnapping. Alexandra went willingly. Oliver Burke would likelyhave a fit, but Alexandra didn’t care. She felt good. Not wonderfulbut good. The nap restored her.
“I like ‘shanghaied’ much better.It gives the impression I am dangerous and exciting.” Alexandra grinnedback at Miranda. The green gaze, so like her brother’s, gave Alexandrapause. All of her dreams of late featured Lord Reynolds and the dragontattoo. Quickly she looked out the window so Miranda wouldn’t see themoisture in her eyes. In spite of everything, Lord Reynolds held a wickedfascination for her. She imagined him seducing various widows andtorturing other virgins with his handsome face and teasing demeanor.Cutting a swath with a bevy of beautiful women. Lord Reynolds only thoughther good enough to be his mistress. She must remember he was a cad.A rake. But still she craved him desperately.
“I find you terribly exciting, eventhough you breed livestock and speak Latin. I’ve never managed to masterthat particular language myself. Or, anything other than English.French, I’m passable in. Grandmother says a proper lady must speakFrench.”
Alexandra smiled. Miranda was thefirst real friend Alexandra ever had. Except for Mrs. Cowries, thehousekeeper at Helmsby Abbey. But Mrs. Cowries was at least sixty andmore mother than friend.
“You will enjoy Lord Bishop’spresentation very much,” Miranda enthused. “He’s traveled all over theworld and brought dozens of exotic animals back with him. Mybrother knows Lord Bishop quite well. Though I’m not surprised that mygrandmother deserted us. She detests these type of things, but she knowshow Cam and I love them.”
Alexandra’s heart leapt at the mention ofLord Reynolds. She folded her hands sedately in her lap and pretended tobe engrossed in a fight outside the carriage between an orange girl and acustomer.
“I told Cam to be late. LordTasterly is expected to be in attendance. He is absolutely terrified ofmy brother.” Miranda smoothed her skirts.
Lord Reynolds is attending the lecture?Not usually a fainter, Alexandra wished she could faint now and avoid seeingLord Reynolds. Her glance flew to her friend’s reticule and wondered if therewere smelling salts hidden in its depths. She may need them.
“I was unaware that your brother would beattending.”
Miranda cocked her head and gave a sillylaugh. Her eyes, like bits of emerald glass, bored into Alexandra.
“Cam will likely see us home aswell. I do so hope he doesn’t scare away Lord Tasterly. I must confess toa fondness for Lord Tasterly, though Cam finds him a bore and a fortunehunter.”
Alexandra’s stomach fluttereduncomfortably. The feeling was like being at the edge of a precipice andwanting to jump. But, afraid to take the plunge.
“May I ask you something, Alexandra?”
The fear of seeing Lord Reynolds warredwith a light giddiness at the thought of seeing him. She couldn’tbreathe. “Yes!” The word snapped at Miranda like a whip.
Miranda sat back and raised oneperfectly shaped dark brow. “I hope that you don’t mind me asking,but I am curious about your association with Mr. Runyon. Did he explainhis relationship to my family?”
“Yes.” Cautiously, she took abreath, waiting for Miranda to continue. Alexandra hoped she and Mirandacould enjoy the outing without the subject of Mr. Runyon popping up, but shesaw that was not to be the case. Her hand trembled in her lap. Howto explain the situation in such a way that Miranda would understand? Herstomach contracted and not with excitement. The slow hum of a headachemade its way through her temples. Would she understand the need Alexandra hadto keep Helmsby Abbey safe? Her betrothal could not be kept a secretforever. Mr. Runyon intended to announce the betrothal to everyone at theMarchioness’s birthday ball at Gray Covington, the Cambourne estate, next week.
Miranda, beautiful, titled, andloved. She had a family. Miranda possessed several homes. Thedesperation Alexandra felt would be foreign to her friend. She stifledthe bit of jealousy rearing its ugly head as she looked at Miranda.Sutton’s sister was a vision in light yellow with tiny peridots dangling fromher ears. Did Miranda ever want for anything?
Alexandra cleared her throat and saidsofty, “Mr. Runyon is courting me.”
Miranda sat back in a whoosh against thesquabs. Abruptly, she turned her head to gaze out the coach's window.Gloved hands twisted the reticule in her lap as if she were trying to strangleit.
“Miranda,” Alexandra spoke haltingly, “hehas been unfailingly kind to me. My uncle supports the match. Iknow that there is a….a difference of opinion between him and yourfamily. I truly hope –“
“While I do not know the exact nature ofmy brother’s dislike, my father shared the feeling. Grandmother forbids Mr.Runyon’s presence at Cambourne House. Over Mother’s objections.
“Your father and he disagreed, that muchI know. I’m sure if Mr. Runyon and your brother sat down.–“
Miranda held up her hand, effectivelysilencing Alexandra. “I wish to hear no more. “ Miranda’s expressionbecame thoughtful. “My mother and Archie were raised together – likesiblings – even though they are cousins. Ten years separatesthem. They are much alike. Two peas in a pod.” Mirandastared at Alexandra. “Ask yourself, Miss Dunforth, how you candislike my mother and not see her in Archie? ” At Alexandra’s murmured protest,Miranda shook her head. “Something happened to make Cam hate him.There are rumors about Archie. Where there is smoke, there is often fire.”
“What are you saying? He has beennothing but kind to me. A friend where others have not been. Whatwould you have me do?” Alexandra almost revealed that he would returnHelmsby Abbey to her.
Miranda, as sharp as the Dowager said,“What has he promised you?”
Alexandra looked away. Miranda’sguess at the truth made her squirm. “Nothing. He is a decent man.”Alexandra looked down into her lap. “I am very sorry you do not approvemy choice, Miranda. Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but I am not exactlyinundated with offers for my hand. You wouldn’t understand. You who havebeen given everything.” Alexandra wished the words back the moment theyleft her lips.
Miranda reacted as if she’d beenslapped. Her face became carefully composed, a look no doubt cultivated bythe nobility for just such an occasion as this.
“You are right. I do notunderstand. I would ask you to consider one thing – and this is noreflection on you or your social standing. But, ask yourself, Alexandra,why the cousin ofthe Marchioness of Cambournecannot find a woman ofhis class to marry him.Heshould be inundated with girls eagerfor a match. Yet, he is not. “
