Page 83 of My Wicked Earl
Lord Cottingham said something to his wife and she nodded.
“You’ve known the Marquess of Cambourne for quite some time, haven’t you my lord?” Lady Helen’s fingertips stroked the top of her notebook, tracing the design that decorated the cover.
“We attended Eton together. I spent many summers at Gray Covington before leaving to live with my uncle in Ireland. I’ve known the Marquess and his family for many years.” Colin crossed his arms and wondered what Lady Helen’s parents were discussing.
“I had only met Lady Miranda before arriving here” Her mouth turned slightly as if the taste of something bitter happened upon her tongue. “But I understand Lord Cambourne has two sisters. The younger, I’m told, is at a convent in Scotland. Imagine, the sister of a marquess languishing in a convent.”
“Yes, Lady Elizabeth is Lord Cambourne’s younger sister.” He offered no more information. Lady Helen was not only spoiled, but ill-mannered to say such a thing.
Well, I was warned.
“No one speaks of her. It’s as if she were a ghost.” Lady Helen paused and put a finger to her lip. “Unlike Lady Miranda, whoeveryoneknows about.” The blue eyes grew wide and innocent. “Does Lady Elizabeth reside in Scotland so as not to be tainted by thescandal?”
Colin resisted the urge to take Lady Helen over his knee for saying such, though the little twit would probably imagine it as foreplay and not punishment.
“Perhaps it’s time we joined your parents.” He pushed away from the tree and nodded to the couple standing some distance away.
Lady Helen pretended not to hear and instead opened her sketch book. She took out a small charcoal pencil from a pocket in her skirt. Her hand hovered over a blank page before saying, “I’m given to understand that Lord Ridley and Lady Miranda will soon be wed. It’s fortunate, of course, that someone will offer for her. She’s nearly on the shelf. A spinster.”
“I would hardly call Lady Miranda a spinster.”
“Well, I certainly would.” She leafed through her journal. “How relieved her brother must be to know that Lord Ridley will save her from such an embarrassing fate. She had literally dozens of offers during her first Season and refused them all. Too picky.” The small shoulders shrugged. “At least, that’s what Lady Dobson says.”
“Perhaps Lady Miranda found no one to suit her.” Colin’s chest tightened, and breakfast soured in his stomach. He knew with certainty that had there actually been an engagement to St. Remy, Lady Dobson wouldn’t have resisted gossiping about its demise.
“I find it odd,” Lady Helen continued in a catty tone, “that the Marquess didn’t arrange a marriage for his sister before now, or at least,” she lowered her voice, “before thescandal.”
How many suitors had Miranda rejected before the death of Archie Runyon? His heart thudded dully.
I am your heiress, Colin. Me.
“Very tragic. I don’t know how Lady Miranda goes on. Why, if I were the subject of such conjecture, I’m not sure I could show my face in London. I fear I would retire to the country and give up all hope of marriage.”
“Indeed.” He needed to return to the house.Immediately.
“I find her incredibly brave,” Lady Helen continued, “to attend balls knowing that she will not be asked to dance. I’ve seen her,” Lady Helen shook her head as if saddened by Miranda’s fate, “standing with the other spinsters against the wall. Outside of Lord Hamill and Lord Ridley, I’ve only ever seen the heir to the Earl of Marsh dance with her. I can’t remember his name but he’s very handsome.”
“Lord Malden,” Colin said quietly.
An ugly snicker left Lady Helen’s pink lips. “You’ll forgive me for saying that Lady Miranda is a bluestocking as well and she’s—”
“Wonderful.” He watched, delighted, as Lady Helen’s nostrils flared in annoyance. “Educated. Amusing.”
Lady Helen’s lips thinned in disapproval. She carefully placed her charcoal into the sketch book and slapped it shut. “You deliberately provoke me, Lord Kilmaire. I realize you’ve known her since she was a child but how can you not be horrified by the shame she’s brought to her family?”
“She’s brought her family no shame. You are jealous of her because she is beautiful and intelligent.”
Lady Helen stood abruptly. She swatted at her skirts. “I don’t care for your tone.”
“Nor do I care for yours.”
That rebuttal earned him a curled lip from Lady Helen. She raised a gloved hand, summoning her parents. “Have a care, Lord Kilmaire, I have other suitors.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Colin did not offer Lady Helen his arm as they rejoined her parents.
19
CAMBOURNE HOUSE 1830
