Miranda by Leonora Blythe

Author:Leonora Blythe [Blythe, Leonora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2014-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

By the time Lord Romford returned to the gallery, the visitors had departed.

“Rodney said he would ride over this afternoon to inquire after Miranda’s health,” Anita remarked, “and…and if you don’t need me for anything I’ll go and see if she is comfortable before I have a rest myself.”

Lord Romford put a restraining hand on her arm.”Let her be, Anita. I think your observation was correct. All she needs is sleep.” For a moment he was tempted to tell her what was really happening and seek her advice, but something held him back. Instead, he smiled at her reassuringly and said that Miranda would be down later.

“It’s quite obvious,” he said to Felix later, “that Anita has formed a tendre for Rodney. I noticed how studiously she ignored him this morning. And a few days ago she informed me she wanted to return to her sister.”

“Anita and Rodney!” Felix laughed. “I think you have been smitten with Miranda’s disease and are allowing your imagination too much leeway.” Lord Romford refrained from further comment as he deftly shuffled a pack of cards with one hand. They were seated at a table in the library, the ring on the table between them, once again playing around with the theory that the cards their ancestor had in his hand were of significance. “I hope you are right, Felix,” he commented finally, “for it would give me no satisfaction to see Anita breaking her heart over a scoundrel.”

“The thing I don’t understand is why Miranda is being so obstinate about sticking with the engagement. She must have her reasons, but I’m damned if I know what they are. Thank goodness I don’t have to marry and produce an heir. I swear, the idea of being tied to one woman for the rest of my life isn’t an enjoyable thought.”

Lord Romford laughed. “Are you trying to tell me it’s about time I settled down?” he inquired.

“Good heavens, no!” Felix exclaimed. “Wouldn’t dream of telling you how to run your life, Hugo.” He paused thoughtfully for a moment as though struck by a strange notion. “Thing is, I suppose you will have to one day, won’t you?”

“One day,” Lord Romford agreed with a smile. It was a sobering thought and one he didn’t want to pursue. “Do you want to sort the cards?” he asked of his brother as he casually picked up the ring. “I believe the old man was holding the eight of hearts, the nine and Jack of clubs, and the ten of diamonds.”

Felix proceeded to pull out the cards from the deck and placed them in front of him.

“I told Miranda that I think the time has come to force Walter’s hand,” Lord Romford said. “Should the opportunity present itself, I’m going to tell him we’ve found the ring.”

“A good idea,” Felix responded enthusiastically. “I think we have gotten ourselves into a corner and playing around with these cards isn’t helping a bit. I’m convinced they were only painted in to confuse the issue.

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