Miranda's Dilemma by Natasha Blackthorne

Author:Natasha Blackthorne [Blackthorne, Natasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hearts Aflame Press
Published: 2015-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

****

Adrian knocked on the door in the guest wing again, harder. Then, impatient to get this business done, he opened the door.

“Good evening, Lord Danvers,” Cassandra said, from her chair. Dressed in glittering evening finery, she sat with a glass of wine in her hands. “I’ve had a bit of a headache, and I despaired of being able to attend the midnight ball. However, your fine claret is helping immensely.”

He had no patience for their usual friendly pretense. “You struck your niece this evening, didn’t you?”

The barest flicker of surprise flared in her eyes. “She came to you, bearing tales?”

“No,” he said, firmly. “But I know that you did. I remember your ungovernable temper and your propensity to strike at those you believe are in a weaker state than yourself.”

She offered him a cool, steady stare. “This is a private matter, my lord.”

He motioned toward the open luggage on the bed. “So, you’re leaving?”

“I am afraid so. The whole purpose in attending this party was so Miranda could entertain the Duke of Froster. Now that business has called him back to London, there seems little point in our staying.”

“Yes, I think it best if you do leave, as soon as may be arranged.” He fixed her with a stern glance. “I also think it best if Miss Miranda Jones spends a few days here, recovering from her unexpected illness.”

“Ah, yes, her unexpected illness,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “I cannot believe she allowed herself to become attacked in that manner.” The woman cut him a sharp glance. “You understand how delicate such a matter is, how certain ladies of our acquaintance would love to hear a tale like that and twist it to suit their needs?”

“You have my word as a gentleman, I will tell no one.”

“But your valet?”

“He’s loyal and well paid.”

“Ah, well, I suppose that must suffice.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, Carrville’s death appears to have brought out a rather foolish and distasteful emotional streak in my niece. She has been acting most unwisely. I was forced to discipline her.”

“Perhaps she is merely growing into the woman she will be and becoming less the girl who obeyed your every dictate?”

Only by the sudden tensing of her jaw did he know that his barb had hit its mark.

“I have always helped Miranda and her mother. I know what family duty means.”

“Do you?”

“Is there any doubt?”

“I have you watched you since you launched your niece. You have taken increasingly younger and younger lovers. Boys who could never afford to support the style you must be accustomed to living.” He glanced down at her expensive leather gloves, dyed a rich green, then he let his gaze rest on the double string of pearls at her neck.

“What exactly are you saying?”

“I think you’re allowing your niece to subsidize your living.”

She tapped her fan against her hand. “I remember you as a much quieter, uninvolved young man.”

“Life has taught me to be less complacent.”

“This is a family matter. It is no business of yours.”

“I am making it my business.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.