“Now, now,” Drake said. “Let’s not stand on formality. I’m trying, really, to grow accustomed to using titles, but, Miles, you and I are family.”
As much as he liked Burwood—that is Drake—Colin had difficulty addressing even his peers with such familiarity. Unlike his brother-in-law, proper comportment had been drilled into him from an early age. Titles and formality came second nature.
That was except for one petite hoyden. Try as he might, he could not bring himself to think of her as Miss Weatherby.
Drake handed him a snifter of brandy. Grateful, Colin took a sip, the amber liquid traveling down his throat in a satisfying burn.He would need the fortification before supper, where the Nymph of Nuisance would no doubt spill a tureen of soup all over him.
A brilliant idea popped into his head. One that might help him avoid the petite redhead. “Montgomery, is your sister, Lady Miranda, in attendance?”
Montgomery’s brows hitched. “She is, sir. Currently gathered with my wife and the other ladies in the library. Why do you ask?”
“With your permission, may I escort her to supper this evening? I presume she’s unwed, and there is no husband present to object.”
Mr. Weatherby’s smile disappeared, his mouth forming a moue of disappointment.
In contrast, from the grin on Montgomery’s face, one would have thought a host of angels had come down from the heavens and announced the birth of the savior right there and then. “You presume correctly. And since our father isn’t present, I can safely say that, acting in his stead, you have not only my permission but my blessing.”
Mr. Grey refilled his brandy snifter and downed it in one gulp. Colin hoped the man didn’t have a drinking problem. As his cousin, he put Drake at risk of scandal. And goodness knew, Drake and Honoria didn’t need any more spurious gossip.
Colin had never followed the scandal sheets, although Margery enjoyed them. But whenThe Muckrakerbesmirched Honoria’s name, Colin had made a point to keep up with the rag. Thankfully, the scurrilous paper’s vitriol had lessened over the last few years.
The men enjoyed their brandy, only exchanging snippets of conversation about the session in Parliament, expansion plans for Ashton’s clinic, Montgomery’s latest invention, and Pratt’s latest purchase at Tattersall’s for his wife’s horse breeding venture.
Yet another thing the gossip sheets typically would have latched onto with greedy fingers, and another thing Drake should have been concerned about considering Juliana, although now married to Pratt, was still his sister. However, the so-called paper had been ominously silent over Juliana’s endeavors. Small blessings for his sister andbrother-in-law.
At least Colin wouldn’t provide any fodder for the scandal sheets.
Colin was still nursing his brandy when Frampton, the butler, announced supper.
Drake set down his snifter, rose, and extended his arm toward the door. “Shall we venture into the library and retrieve the ladies?”
As Colin rose, Montgomery sidled up to him and leaned in to whisper. “If it matters to you, my father has increased Miranda’s dowry. Any encouragement I may offer, say the word.”
Colin rethought his brilliant idea. “It’s supper, Montgomery, not a proposal of marriage. To be honest”—he craned his neck to ensure Weatherby wasn’t nearby—“I wish to avoid Miss Weatherby. I have a suspicion my sister is matchmaking again.”
Montgomery’s smile vanished, much like Weatherby’s had earlier. “Can’t say I’m not disappointed. Miranda is well past a marriageable age. And forgive me for saying so, but you still need an heir.”
Don’t remind me.
Montgomery patted his shoulder. “Promise you’ll give Miranda a chance. She’s not so bad when you get to know her.”
A cough from behind drew both Colin’s and Montgomery’s attention as they met Mr. Grey’s somber expression. “I find your sister quite lovely, Lord Montgomery.” Grey’s gaze jerked toward Colin. “As is Miss Weatherby.”
If he weren’t a gentleman, Colin would have retorted,“Then you court her.”As it was, he merely nodded.
And yet, when they entered the library and Grey offered the Elfin Menace his arm, something in Colin’s chest thudded and a sour taste rose to his mouth.
The sprite’s gaze met his, and the termagant had the nerve to smirk.
CHAPTER 5
Anne refused to admit that Mr. Miles Grey terrified her. Dizziness threatened her when he approached and offered to escort her to supper, but she recovered the moment her gaze latched onto Lord Grumpy-Trousers. Disconcerting though it was, a strange evil satisfaction rose in her bosom at the dejected expression on his face.
“I would be delighted, Mr. Grey.” She slid her hand on top of Mr. Grey’s arm, sending Lord Moody-Manning what she hoped was a sweet smile.
But the smile slipped from her lips the moment the viscount bowed gracefully to Miranda and offered his arm.
Oh.
