Page 86 of My Wicked Earl
“A maid has complained, and Zander has given the girl duties in another part of the house. I believe he has assigned a much older woman to freshen the linens in Ridley’s chambers.”
“He should be horsewhipped. We do not tolerate such behavior at Gray Covington.”
“Indeed not.” Alex nibbled at a scone. “At any rate, I have been adamant with Sutton. Even though,” she hesitated, “I fear that Miranda is determined to marry the dandy anyway.”
Sighing, Donata turned her attention back to the windows. Green, rolling hills tapering off into dense woods filled the panes. How lovely the wildflowers were at this time of year, like a brightly colored blanket. She could still see Robert as the child he’d once been, marching toward the house, his small bag of toy soldiers clutched tightly in his hands. The image faded to be replaced with Robert and Madeline, his beloved first wife, Sutton’s mother. Robert would swing his new bride up in the air, the love he felt for the vicar’s daughter so apparent that Donata’s breath caught as she watched. Having been forced to give up such a love herself for the sake of a suitable marriage, Donata did not want the same for her son. She’d been adamant that her husband, Lord Cambourne, give his blessing to Robert and Madeline’s marriage.
Sutton had followed in his father’s footsteps, marrying for love. Was it so wrong that she wished the same for Miranda? And dear sweet Elizabeth?
How she missed her son. Terribly so. Eyes misting over, she blinked to stay the tears that threatened to fall and brought the steaming cup of tea to her mouth. She had failed Robert, miserably, by not recognizing the danger that Jeanette Runyon Reynolds posed, but she would not fail his children.
Alex, seeing her mood, clasped Donata’s hand, her fingers tightening around Donata’s. “Grandmother, are you well? ”
“Don’t fuss at me so, Alex. I’m quite all right.,” she responded, more curtly than she meant. “Am I not allowed a moment to think?”
A wisp of a smile danced around Alex’s lips. She wasn’t at all put off by Donata’s curt reply.
Donata sipped her tea to keep from smiling in return. How grateful she was for thisdarlinggirl that Sutton married. Her grandson, the former rake, brought to heel by one tiny spinster, whom the Marquess of Cambourne adored. Women still threw themselves at Sutton, they probably always would. But, much like his father, Sutton would never stray because he loved his wife. As Robert had loved Madeline.
Alex shifted, putting down the scone she’d been nibbling. One of her hands fluttered down to touch her stomach.
Donata caught the movement but said nothing, even though she was delighted. Alex would make the announcement she was with child again in her own time.
Turning back to the large window Donata spotted a group leaving the woods and enter the path back to the house. . The Cottinghams appeared. Even from this distance Donata could see that Lord Cottingham was puffing and red-faced. Lady Cottingham looked stricken. Lady Helen resembled a small child about to throw a tantrum.
The tall, broad shouldered form of Lord Kilmaire strode out of the woods, his agitation apparent as his large form paced back and forth while speaking to the Cottinghams. His head turned abruptly in the direction of Gray Covington, specifically to a particular row of windows.
“Grandmother, perhaps—”
“Not now, Alex.” Donata sat up taller, her gaze riveted at the sight of Colin who continued to pace while speaking to Lord Cottingham. “How interesting.” She pointed, directing Alex’s attention to the scene unfolding outside.
Colin bowed stiffly and turned away, leaving the Cottinghams open mouthed. They resembled a trio of owls, blinking in confusion.
“Watch closely, Alex. I believe you are about to see just how right I am.”
Colin strode towards the house, his long legs making haste across the manicured grounds. Honey colored hair fluttered about the scar as he moved purposefully towards Gray Covington.
“What in the world are you talking about?” Alex’s eyes widened as she regarded the figure of the Earl of Kilmaire, marching with determination towards the house. “Lord Kilmaire seems in a bit of a hurry. Why—”
Her words were interrupted by the Earl of Kilmaire himself, flinging open the door to the drawing room without being announced.
“My lord,” Zander sputtered. “You cannot just march in.” Zander bowed to Donata and Alex. “My lady, I apologize.”
Colin waved his hand at the butler. “Yes, yes. I’m lacking manners. I must speak to Lady Cambourne.” The chocolate-colored eyes landed on Donata. The scar slashed dark pink across his cheek as he moved closer, like a stalking panther.
Goodness, Colin was veryintenton speaking to her, wasn’t he? Well, she had no intention of making this easy for the Earl of Kilmaire. From his manner, Donata surmised that Colin had experienced something of an epiphany during his walk with the Cottinghams.
“My goodness, Lord Kilmaire,” she said, welcoming him, “you look as if your little excursion was most taxing. All that running about in the bush chasing Lady Helen’s ruby throated thrush.”
Big, angry man that he was, Colin scowled at her.
“Would you like some tea? You seem distressed.”
The elegant hands, free of gloves as usual, clenched and unclenched in agitation at his sides. “No, thank you.” A tic appeared in his cheek.
“Perhaps you’d like something stronger? It’s a bit early in the day, however I’m sure we could have some whiskey brought. You certainly look as if you could use it. Perhaps it wasn’t the ruby throated thrush that you found taxing but the company of Lady Helen.”
“If she was once betrothed to St. Remy, why didn’t she marry him?”
