Page 74 of My Wicked Earl
Lady Helen would no doubt thrive on Colin’s infamy. Who wouldn’t wish to dine with the Cursed Earl’s wife? Or pay a call on the Countess of Kilmaire?
“I’m sure you will manage,” Miranda replied wondering how much longer Lady Helen would feel the need to engage her in conversation.
“I shall tell you a secret,” Lady Helen giggled. “I’mcertaina proposal is forthcoming. Why, he’s even told me that I may call him Colin.” She pressed a gloved hand to her lips. “It’s rather exciting.”
Miranda again resisted the urge to bat Lady Helen away as one would do an annoying gnat.
“I do hope he won’t try to steal a kiss.” She looked sideways at Miranda.
Of course, Lady Helen wished Colinwouldsteal a kiss.
“Lord Kilmaire will make an excellent tour guide,” Miranda murmured, allowing her disinterest to show. “I daresay he knows the woods around Gray Covington as well as any member of our family. He visited often during holidays from Eton with my brother, Lord Cambourne. I’m sure you will enjoy your outing together immensely.”
“Oh, I amcertainof it.” Lady Helen waited for Miranda to say more, snapping her fan impatiently when Miranda turned her attention back to Miss Lainscott.
If Lady Helen sought to intimidate Miranda, the girl would need to do better than that. Miranda had years of experience dealing with vain, cruel women who felt they were superior to others. Mother had been an excellent teacher.
Lady Helen’s perfect pink lips pursed together. She didn’t care at all for being ignored.
“I do hope you’ll forgive me, but I quite admire you.” Lady Helen’s face took on a look of innocence.
Miranda turned, knowing what would come next.
“I apologize if I speak out of turn, for I havenothingbut admiration for the way in which you have handled,” she hesitated as if it pained her to continue, “thecircumstancesthat surround you. Gossip and rumor do such terrible things to a lady’s reputation.”
Miranda clasped her hands in her lap and waited politely for Lady Helen to continue. If the girl thought she could ruffle Miranda with a mention of the scandal, she was sadly mistaken.
“Why it’sterrible.” Her pretty face appeared mournful. “Mother and I have spoken at length about it. We nearly did not accept the Dowager Marchioness’s invitation.”
Miranda wanted to laugh at the blatant lie. No one declined an invitation from the Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne, especially a social climbing harridan like Lady Cottingham.
“You understand, with it being my first season and my father’s title fairly recent, that we cannot have anounceof scandal attached to us.”
“Of course.” Miranda replied. “One wonders then, why you would entertain the suit of the Cursed Earl.”
Lady Helen’s perfect brow wrinkled as if she were wrestling with some inner dilemma. “Well it’s quite different for a gentleman, obviously. Scandal only makes some men, like Lord Kilmaire, that much more attractive. Women, however, become unsuitable. I’ve often thought it unfair. You’re so terribly brave to withstand such talk and still go about in society.”
What a littlebitchLady Helen was. “What makes you so certain,” Miranda said softly, “thatyouare not considered unsuitable?”
Lady Helen’s perfect composure faltered. She reddened, rather unattractively. “You are—”
Miranda turned in her seat abruptly and leaned forward, her nose nearly touching Lady Helen’s. “I am thesisterof the Marquess of Cambourne,yourhost. My lineage and that of my family would never be in dispute, nor would I need to marry to gain social standing.”
Lady Helen fell back as if slapped.
“I would consider what you say next, Lady Helen,verycarefully. My circumstances, of which you have verykindlyoffered your sympathy, will benothingcompared to the circumstances you will find yourself in should this conversation continue further. I would beg you to remember who my grandmother is and the damage she can inflict with only a few, well placed words. I fear neither you nor your family could withstand such an assault.”
Lady Jeanette Cambourne had not been much of a mother to Miranda, but she had imparted some useful lessons to her daughter. Namely, how to give aset downto a malicious little bitch.
Lady Helen’s lips moved as if she would speak but could not. She now resembled a sputtering tomato with an atrocious hair ornament.
“And since you are soterriblyfond of gossip, I would remind you that there is always a grain of truth in every rumor.” Miranda straightened her gloves. “Most of it is conjecture, of course, except the part in which I am acrackshot. I often practice in the woods. Pray be careful as you walk.” She stood and looked down her nose at the younger girl. “I’ve enjoyed our conversation, Lady Helen, but if you will excuse me, there are other guests who I must attend to.”
Standing, she strolled away from Lady Helen, listening to the poofs and squeaks of outrage the girl made. How dare that social climbing little twit insult her.
Everyone’s attention, thankfully, remained on Miss Lainscott. Miranda doubted anyone had seen the exchange between she and Lady Helen. Still smarting from the girl’s snide remarks, Miranda took a deep breath. She needed a moment alone to get her wits back and the conservatory was not the place to do it.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Zander who nodded back, seeming to understand Miranda’s unspoken request.
