Page 85 of My Wicked Earl
“Bring me anything posted from Hartley or Runshaw Park. That is all.”
The footman stepped back out of the breakfast room. Paul would do as she asked. He didn’tdarenot to.
Someday Miranda would thank her, especially once she was safely married to St. Remy, or perhaps the Earl of Kent. Jeanette hadn’t really made up her mind who Miranda should marry, only who her daughter wouldnotmarry. Hartley.
20
GRAY COVINGTON, 1836
“Perhaps you are wrong.” Alex motioned for the servant to place the tea service on the table separating herself and Donata. “You could be, you know. You are not infallible.”
Donata declined to answer and instead turned towards the long windows that lined the family’s private drawing room at Gray Covington. The sky was rapidly darkening as the clouds again threatened rain. Even now, the servants moved through the room to stoke the fire and light the lamps littered about. She and Alex had fled to the drawing room earlier, seeking a welcome respite from their guests, who all reeked of desperation of one kind or another. That included poor Miss Lainscott who’d incurred her aunt’s wrath by not snaring the Earl of Kilmaire. Donata made herself a mental note to help the girl.
Alex raised a brow at her lack of response, her eyes as stormy gray as the threatening sky outside. The artful coiffure, designed to restrain the mass of curls atop her head, was no match for the dampening air. Several tendrils had already come lose and more would follow. “Perhaps your intuition has finally deserted you.” Absently she swatted a curl off her cheek.
“I am never wrong, Alex.Never.”
“There is a first time for everything, Grandmother.”
Donata snorted. Shewasbeginning to have her doubts, however, that the house party would force Colin to declare himself. He seemed intent on pursuing the obnoxious Lady Helen, even taking the chit and her parents for a bird watching expedition.
Miranda disappeared directly after Miss Lainscott’s slightly scandalous display on the piano and refused to leave her rooms. Even the threat of a physician could not budge her. Nor would she speak to anyone, including Donata. That had been two days ago.
Welles departed, looking vastly relieved that he would return to London on horseback and not share a carriage with Carstairs.
Carstairs remained to wander aimlessly about Gray Covington. She’d found him having tea with Lady Dobson in the conservatory, while Miss Lainscott embroidered and longed for the piano she was forced to look at but not permitted to play.
Agnes Dobson was a spiteful old bitch.
Lord Hamill could not be induced to leave even though he’d surmised that he would not be Miranda’s choice. Instead, the elderly rake seemed intent on consuming the entire contents of Sutton’s liquor cabinet. Last night, the old reprobate had to be carried to his room by two footmen.
Ridley casually asked Sutton for the use of a carriage citing an urgent business matter in the village. The viscount had yet to return. Whatever his “business” matter was, Donata thought it likely consisted of a woman of low morals and a pint of ale.
Unfortunately, she expected him to return at some point.
“She’s not sleeping.” Alex lifted her cup of tea to her lips.
Donata leaned forward hopefully. “You have spoken to her?”
“No.” Alex shook her head. “Her maid has imparted the information to me. Miranda sits in a chair, gazing into the fire. She barely touches the trays that Zander sends up, not even the raisin cakes. Only, tea, it seems.”
Donata pondered that bit of disturbing information. Things were far worse than she’d originally assumed if Miranda refused to touch a raisin cake.
“Something happened after Miss Lainscott’s rather scorching performance on the piano,” Alex informed her. “Miranda walked with Ridley into the garden.”
“Perhaps she found Ridley offensive. I know I do.”
“Followedby the Earl of Kilmaire, Grandmother. Ridley returned to the house, a short time later and retired immediately to his room. Lord Kilmaire, according to Zander, then appeared, asked for whiskey and closeted himself in the library. According to Sutton, Colin could only drink a thimbleful of liquor before becoming foxed while they were at Eton. It appears Colin’s tolerance has improved since then.”
Donata put her finger to her lip. “Well, Lord Kilmaire doesn’t care for wine.”
Alex frowned. “Miranda slipped back into the house and has remained in her rooms ever since. Zander caught sight of her and told me her eyes and cheeks were red. From crying, Grandmother.” A curl popped over her forehead and she puffed it away in annoyance.
Donata mulled that bit of information. “Are wecertainRidley did not say something cruel to her? He’s become quite impatient in his pursuit. He dares not return to London until Miranda accepts him. The duns beating on his door won’t allow him any peace.”
“I do not think Miranda is concerned with Ridley or anything he does. When I mentioned that he’d been seen with an actress from Covent Garden, Miranda didn’t so much as blink. I don’t care for the man. He is garish, boastful and,” Alex wrinkled her nose, “free with his hands.”
Donata lifted a brow in question. “Please tell me he has not made lewd advances.”
