Page 55 of My Wicked Earl
“Yes, Lord Ridley.” She cocked her head. “I supposed he’s handsome enough, but money seems to run through his fingers like sand. Horses, I believe.”
“Horses?” Colin replied mechanically, watching Ridley’s hand linger on Miranda’s trim waist as he led her to her seat.
“Yes. Not buying them, of course, not like your father. Ridley is always betting on the beasts, and he’s a poor judge of horseflesh. Very poor.” Her lips thinned. “And he’s rather extravagant, though I don’t suppose it will matter if he has Miranda’s dowry. Money will cease to be an issue for him.”
“I doubt it,” Colin hissed as he caught sight of Ridley’s fingers gliding up Miranda’s gloved hand. Then realizing the harshness of his reply he said, “Those who bet on horses rarely have money.”
“True, Lord Kilmaire. While part of Miranda’s appeal for Ridley is her dowry, I think he does bear her some affection. Enough so that she may be happy.”
A pain lodged and throbbed in Colin’s chest. How could any man want Miranda purely for her dowry? She was beautiful. Intelligent. Kind.Maddening.
“Perhaps,” he started, knowing how ridiculous he sounded, “they share an interest in Egypt.”
The Dowager said nothing for a moment. “I’d forgotten how much the ancient world intrigued her. I’m surprised you remember. At any rate, Ridley does indulge her visits to Thrumbadges, the bookseller. I believe she’s joined a small group of like-minded blue-stockings, women more interested in studying archeology than attending balls. I expect that should she and Ridley marry, he’ll allow her to continue to do so.”
Allow her?His eyes flew to the dandy next to Miranda.
“I must give Ridley credit. He has accompanied her to several lectures, more out of duty than interest, of course. Miranda tells me he tends to snore through most of them.”
The Dowager shrugged. “Sutton has given her leave to decide her own fate, so if it is to be Ridley, we must accept that choice. At least Lord Hamill can speak intelligently on many matters.” Her tone left no doubt that she assumed Ridley couldnot.
Colin gently eased the Dowager into her seat towards the head of the table, all the while contemplating how best Ridley could meet with an unfortunate accident. It would ruin the house party, of course, if Ridley were to perish at Gray Covington, but Colin was certain Cam would forgive him.
“Ah, and there’s Lord Hamill. Where you introduced?” The Dowager asked.
“In a manner of speaking.”
“I find him a bit tooelderlyfor my dear Miranda. After all Hamill was only a few years younger than my husband.” She laughed and shook her head. “He’s quite important in Parliament and is responsible for many crucial reforms. And as I mentioned, he is at least possessed of a more scholarly constitution.”
“So I’ve been given to understand.” Lord Hamill walked with an odd, sideways step, seeming to lean more on Lady Dobson than he should. He looked a bit addled, probably from imbibing too freely of his host’s brandy.
“An injury from the war I believe,” the Dowager whispered, noting his interest of Lord Hamill. “Miranda is most sympathetic. A politician’s lifestyle would suit her, for Hamill may travel to the continent to represent England’s interests. Miranda has always wished to travel abroad.”
Colin found he didn’t care for the idea of Miranda traveling abroad with Hamill.At all.
“There’s also Lord Carstairs and Lord Welles.” She nodded towards Welles who escorted Alex. “Lord Welles I fear is a bit of a rogue, though a rather handsome one at that. Carstairs would be an indulgent husband and make few demands on her, though I fear her mind would atrophy.”
“ONE OF THESEmen has Miranda’s affection?” Colin bit out before he could think better of it.
“Why yes, Lord Kilmaire, I do believe one of the men at this table is the man my granddaughter will marry. I thought for the longest time that she would become a spinster, but after the birth of her niece and nephew I believe she decided she would like a family of her own. Miranda is quite determined.”
“I wonder then that she did not marry Lord St. Remy.” He hated that the words left his mouth with a jealous edge to them.
“St. Remy?” The Dowager gave a short bark of laughter. “Why would you ever think she intended to marry Lord St. Remy, or rather the Duke of Langford? He’s inherited, you see. At any rate, Langford was never in contention for Miranda’s hand, except in her mother’s mind. Jeanette adored Langford.”
He nearly told the Dowager that her granddaughterhadintended to marry St. Remy, as she’d sent him a note. And returned his ring. But, just then, Ridley raised Miranda’s fingers to his lips and pressed a kiss upon her knuckles.
Mine.
“I do hope you enjoy dinner, Lord Kilmaire.” The Dowager bestowed a brilliant smile on him. She sounded amused.
His assumption about his seat location had been correct. Lady Helen sat to his left, Lady Dobson on his right. Much to his dismay, Miranda faced him across the table, flanked by Ridley and Hamill.
He couldn’t wait for this bloody meal to end and it hadn’t even begun.
COLIN UNFOLDEDhis napkin with a flick of his hand and tried to stem the rise of possessiveness at the sight of another manpawingMiranda.
Mine.
