Page 61 of My Wicked Earl
Colin sipped his whiskey and declined to comment. Lady Helen’s humble beginnings, he feared, were the least of her flaws.
“She needs only a firm hand,” Ridley continued, “to lead her into society, a society that will welcome her with open arms if she has the proper patronage.”
Much as he hated to agree with Ridley, Lady Helen would get nowhere unless she married well.That’s where I come in. The Cursed Earl, but still an earl.
“I alas, have a much more difficult path ahead of me.” The last word slurred just a bit.
The pompous dandywas already foxed. Colin found it incredibly annoying that while he declined to engage in conversation, Ridley continued to talk to him. The Dowager would label the viscount, oblivious. Obtuse.
“I fear that the Marquess of Cambourne does not hold me in the highest regard, through no fault of my own, of course.”
Colin really wasn’t sure where the conversation was headed, though he was rather certain that he wasn’t going to like it. “I’ve no doubt.”
“Surely, he realizes that I am Lady Miranda’sbestchoice. Goodness she’s been out for quite some time and is rapidly approaching spinsterhood. One leg on the shelf and all that,” he chuckled.
Colin said nothing, he simply allowed the raw anger he felt towards Ridley to rush unchecked through his veins. The manactuallybelieved he was doing Miranda a favor? This insipid twit?
“And of course with theincident, and the resultingscandal,” his words trailed off to hang in the air between them. “You would think Lord Cambourne would be more welcoming of my suit. Hamill is far too old even though he’s a well connected and respected in Parliament.”
“Yes, theincident.” Colin would rather hear about this mysterious incident from Cam, but Ridley would have to do.
Ridley smiled, showing a flash of crooked teeth. “I had a feeling that you would agree. Lady Miranda is lovely, of course,” he lifted his glass to Colin, “quite lovely, though a bit more rounded than I prefer. Beautiful eyes.”
Miranda was perfection.Could he quietly bloody Ridley’s nose without causing too much of a scene?
“And regardless of theincident, she is from one of the best families in England. The Cambourne family has a long and ancient lineage. Her bloodline is impeccable.”
I will do more than bloody his nose. He’s describing Miranda as if she were one of the horses on which this idiot gambles.
“It’s a pity that even the Dowager cannot make the scandal go away. That would be preferable. Lady Miranda is still receivedeverywhereof course, for no one would dare cut her, but it will be rather difficult to have my wife continually gossiped about.” Ridley gave a put-upon sigh.
Colin’s hands clenched into fists.
“Rather like her friend, Lady Arabella, although Lady Arabella’s disposition does not lend itself to being welcomed.” A hiccup escaped Ridley. “She will undoubtedly stayveryfirmly on the shelf.”
“Perhaps.” Nick’s sister was at best considered prickly. It was the only thing Colin found he could agree with Ridley on.
“The lack of suitors does help clear the field for my suit. I’ve even been told I’m considered brave for courting her. After all, what man wishes to marry a woman who might very well shoot him over breakfast one day? Can you imagine?” Ridley chuckled as a bit of whiskey dripped down his chin. “The gossip,” Ridley lowered his voice to a whisper, “that she killed her mother’s cousin is ridiculous, of course.” He looked at Colin for confirmation.
“Of, course.” Colin replied numbly. He’d gone cold at the information Ridley so nonchalantly relayed. MirandakilledArchie Ruynon? This was theincident? Impossible. Runyon was shot by a tenant farmer at Helmsby Abbey, the estate Alex inherited from her aunt. Cam awarded the man a large sum of money as a reward for saving the lives of the Marquess and Marchioness of Cambourne.
“There are many in thetonwho believe the rumors, of course. Rather silly if you ask me. I find the whole of the tale to be pure fiction. Lady Miranda is simply not capable of such a feat.”
Colin’s mouth went dry. He struggled to recall the letter he’d received from Nick with the details of Archie Runyon’s death.
‘A farmer was hunting for one of his calves that had wandered away from the herd. He was searching for it in the woods when he chanced upon Archie Runyon threatening Cam and his wife. The farmer, luckily, carried a weapon. I heard the story from Cam myself.
Why hadn’t his friend told Colin the truth?
Because I told Nick six years ago that I never wished to hear her name nor ever see her again. That I wanted to forget Miranda ever existed.
“What makes you think,” Colin said quietly, “Lady Miranda incapable of such an act?”
“She’s a bit empty-headed. Even if she had the intelligence to learn to load a pistol, I can’t imagine she’d have the presence of mind to actually shoot someone. No matter what the gossips claim.”
Colin disagreed. Miranda was nothing if not determined and her intellect far exceeded that of Lord Ridley. He looked over at Cam who was laughing at something Welles said. How much money had he paid that farmer to take the blame for shooting Runyon? Miranda’s scandal was much more serious than being jilted by St. Remy. No wonder theincidentpained Cam so. His sister killed Runyon in an effort to protect Cam and Alex.
And it ruined her reputation.
