Page 22 of My Wicked Earl
A maid followed behind Bevins and curtsied to the room before approaching Miranda’s overturned tea tray. Silently, she bent to her task, shooting Colin curious looks while she worked. Appreciation shown from the maid’s eyes as her glance ran discreetly over the Earl of Kilmaire.
Dipping again in a small curtsy, she left the room with Miranda’s tray.
“Shall I pour, Lady Cambourne?” Bevins trembled as he spoke.
Dear God, they would be here all afternoon if Bevins poured, or worse. She doubted he could be trusted to hold the teapot steady. “No, Bevins, that will be all.”
The elderly servant bowed, straightening himself carefully before turning toward the door. Donata watched patiently as he shuffled across the carpet, nearly tangling his feet in the deep pile of the rug before taking a firm grip on the knob.
A discreet click sounded as the heavy mahoghany closed.
Donata breathed a sigh of relief at the butler’s exit. “Now, where was I? Oh, yes, Lady Dobson’s niece.”
“Lady Cambourne, the girl’s aunt is Lady Dobson? She is—” Colin started.
Donata cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Wealthy. I know well that Lady Dobson has her faults. Too many for me to recite at one sitting. I am witness to them every time she calls on me. You would learn to tolerate Lady Dobson, for goodness sake. I have. There are times when I actually enjoy her company and you shall too.”
Enjoywas perhaps rather strong, but Lady Dobson wasuseful.
A snort of disbelief came from the couch.
“She is a reigning matron of theton,” Donata continued, ignoring Miranda’s rudeness. “Regardless of her pasterrorsin judgement, Lady Dobson has many useful connections and could be instrumental in paving your path through society. Besides, you would be marrying Miss Lainscott, not her aunt.”
Colin’s gaze searched the room, probably looking for something stronger than tea. Donata wasn’t surprised. The mere mention of the woman invoked fear and distaste in most everyone who knew of her.
“Are those my only choices?”
“Expediency, I believe, was one of your directives, Lord Kilmaire. Wealth, the other. We are at the end of the Season. The Cottinghams and Lady Dobson could both marry their girls to a lesser title but then you, anearl, fell into their laps. Lady Dobson is quite desperate, practically salivating at the thought of marrying you to her niece. I’ve never seen Lady Dobson exhibit joy. It was a sight I do not care to witness again. Quite alarming.”
Miranda poured a cup of tea for Donata and placed it on the table. “I did not realize she exhibited any emotion other than malice.” Miranda was not shy in expressing her distaste.
“Yes. Why she even tried to embrace me at Lady Hastings fete last week.” Donata reached for her tea.
“Whatever for?” Miranda appeared to have regained control of her emotions. She no longer looked so despondent. She poured and handed Colin his tea.
Elegant fingers deliberately brushed against Miranda’s as he took the cup.
The air fairly crackled about the two.
Donata pretended not to notice.
“I suppose it was because of the invitation to Gray Covington. She was quite beside herself at being a guest of the Marquess of Cambourne.” Donata gave a dramatic pause to allow that tidbit to sink in. “I assured her it was simply a little house party. Nothing to set herself in such a state. Only an opportunity for Miss Lainscott to better acquaint herself with Lord Kilmaire. Of course, I neglected to inform her that the Cottinghams would be attending as well. It’s always better not to allow Lady Dobson the upper hand.”
The pot of tea hovered over Miranda’s cup. “There’s to be a house party? At Gray Covington?”
Oh dear. She did hope Miranda didn’t spill the tea and cause another mess.
Colin placed his cup and saucer on the table without touching the steaming liquid. “You should not go to such lengths just for me, Lady Cambourne.”
“Oh,” Donata laughed lightly, “not just for you, mydearLord Kilmaire. But also for my granddaughter.”
A stricken look on her face, Miranda set down the teapot unsteadily, nearly upending the plate of scones.
“Have a care with the tea service, Miranda.” Donata flashed a brilliant smile at Colin. “In addition to the Cottinghams and Lady Dobson, I’ve taken the liberty of inviting Lord Ridley and Lord Hamill.”
The color leached from Miranda’s face.
“I’m sure Sutton’s told you, Lord Kilmaire, that Miranda must make a choice herself. A house party is the perfect opportunity for either one of her gentlemen to press his suit. Miranda is determined to marry. It will be a difficult decision, I’m sure.”
