Page 58 of An Innocent Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

Seeing that she was taken care of for the moment, Miles turned to speak to the maid. “Ensure that the physician is sent for Miss Stillwater and that someone is stationed at her chamber door at all times.”

She immediately scurried off.

Miles continued on to his mother’s rooms and knocked on the door. She was sitting up in bed taking a tea tray, but the expression on his face must have told her something was amiss, for she set down her cup. “What is it?”

Instead of replying, he handed her the contract he’d found in the safe.

It didn’t take long for her to put a hand to her breast, her face paling slightly. “Can this be… true, Miles?”

“It’s all right there, Mother.” He waved a hand to indicate the information he’d handed to her. “It’s difficult to dispute fact when it’s written in stark black and white. And after my recent exchange with Miss Stillwater in the hall, I would say it’s a certainty.”

She allowed her hand to fall to her lap. “Oh, my. Whatever shall we do?”

Miles took the papers back from her. “I’m going back to London and straighten this mess out.” He started to depart, but at the door, he paused and looked back at her. “And then I’m going to claim my wife.”

* * *

Miles didn’t feelthe cold, nor any discomfort as he pushed himself, and Gladiator, to reach London in record time. Anticipation coursed through his veins because he was about to put an end to this debacle once and for all.

He thought of the conversation he’d had with Lady Araminta and Grey before he’d left. He apprised them of what he’d found and the reason that the doctor had been summoned.

“We will stay here with the duchess and Miss Stillwater until you return.” Araminta said softly, and the earl had slipped an arm around his future bride. Miles’s throat had almost closed up, because he missed the closeness that he’d shared with Olivia, but he vowed he would regain it if it was the last thing he did.

When he said those very words, Araminta had attempted to reassure him. “She is not an unforgiving person. All will be well.”

He started to leave, but then he paused, because something needed to be said. Although he never spoke of Marian, he knew it was time to lay the past, and her memory, to rest. He looked at Araminta. “I don’t think I ever told you why I was so determined to ensure that your sister survived her fall through the ice.” She waited patiently for him to continue. He did, but not without effort. “It wasn’t because I was instantly besotted with her, although I can’t deny that I was struck by her beauty.” He smiled tightly. “It was because I had failed to save my sister when the same happened to her. I wasn’t yet eleven at the time, but I shall never forget the terror of seeing her smiling face disappearing beneath the surface of that frozen pond. She screamed my name, and it was the last thing I would ever hear from her.”

Miles closed his eyes, lost to the day that had haunted him for so long. “Marian died when she was three, despite all of my best efforts. I was told I nearly perished from fever myself, and there were many times I wish I had.” He opened his eyes again and focused on the floor because it was easier to do so. “I joined the army and volunteered for the Forlorn Hope because I honestly didn’t think I would live through it. I nearly didn’t, but for some reason, my life was spared. Again, I was upset that I survived and yet, I still had Marian’s death there to remind me of my failings.” His voice was little more than a raspy whisper. “The day I heard Olivia scream, I saw Marian in my mind, and I knew that I couldn’t let her die too. I would have given my life to save her.” He paused. “I still would.”

He heard a gentle sniff and glanced up to see that Araminta’s cheeks were streaked with tears. The earl’s face was dry, but his expression was solemn.

“I’m glad you trusted me enough to confide such a painful memory, Your Grace,” Araminta said sincerely. “Rest assured that I will never forget your kind consideration toward my sister that day. You also don’t have to keep punishing yourself for your sister’s death. You were only a child yourself at the time. While we can’t predict the future, we cannot allow the past to keep us from our future happiness.” She glanced at Lord Somers. “It almost took me too long to realize that I was deserving of it, that I didn’t have to do everything on my own, even though that is what I thought I wanted.”

Miles hoped that Olivia would realize thathewas what she truly wanted.

If not, he intended to convince her that it was.

As he reigned in his horse at Lord Rundale’s townhouse, he was brought back to the present as he walked up the steps purposefully.

Even though the conversation ahead might very well get confrontational, his steps were light, because he had finally learned that he didn’t have to hold on to the guilt that had plagued him for so long. It took Lady Araminta’s assurances, and her obvious adoration for the earl to make Miles realize that he, too, was deserving of love. All these years he’d never allowed himself to break down the walls surrounding his cold heart, preferring to live the lonely life of a recluse. He’d yearned for a wife and children, but he never thought it was fair that he might be able to enjoy what Marian had been denied. The truth was that he needed to live, because he would be doing itforher, not in spite of her loss.

He grabbed the door knocker and hit it against the wood grain three times and then stood back and waited for it to open. The butler answered the door and looked at him expectantly. Miles brushed past him, ignoring the affronted look on the servant’s face. “Please inform the viscount that the Duke of Marlington is requesting an audience with him, and it is most urgent.”

The butler’s face paled and he immediately set into action. He appeared flustered, as if he didn’t know what to do first. There weren’t many times that Miles used his title, but in this case, it served him well when it came to getting what he wanted. “Of course, Your Grace. Right away. I’ll be glad to show you to the parlor so you can wait there. Would you like for me to ring for tea?”

“No, thank you.” Miles remained standing in the foyer. “Just the viscount, if you please.”

* * *

Miles didn’t haveto wait long before Lord Rundale was walking across the foyer. He looked a bit more harried than the last time they’d met. Miles wondered if it was because he’d misplaced his daughter. “Your Grace. I daresay this is a surprise. I—”

“Before you go any further, I should alert you that Miss Stillwater is at Marlington Hall.”

The viscount blinked. “She—” He said no more as he put a hand to his chest, while his expression flooded with relief. “Thank God.” As Miles remained silent, the gentleman recovered soon enough. He waved a hand. “Perhaps we might talk privately in my study?” he suggested.

Miles agreed, because he knew that servants were inclined to talk, and he doubted the viscount wanted everyone to know what Miles had to say.

Lord Rundale shut the door as they entered the room. He walked over to the sideboard and poured a drink with a shaking hand. “Can I get you a brandy?” He threw the offer over his shoulder as he tossed back his own glass.

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