When he’d suddenly appeared, like an apparition, she had hoped he would express his jealous rage over another man touching her, but he’d scolded her instead. She’d lain awake most of the night wondering how she’d stupidly given her heart away to the man from whom she ought only to have gathered interesting stories.
An unsuitable man.
Soon after her father left for his courtroom, Lady Harriet arrived with her maid. With an expression of wonder, Eliza held the embossed calling card and forgot her duties.
“Come in,” Miranda had to invite her friend into the parlor herself, while Lady Harriet’s maid went down the passageway with Eliza to see about preparing tea precisely as her mistress enjoyed it.
Miranda understood how her maid might feel overcome, sharing the sentiment at seeing an earl’s daughter in her home, and even more astonished when Lady Harriet unexpectedly took hold of both her hands.
Miranda expected either condemnation or pity.
“I readThe Times. How wonderful for you!”
Stunned, Miranda repeated, “Wonderful? Whatever can you mean?”
Lady Harriet tilted her head. “Do you not realize? You have made it into the ranks of those discussed in the gossip columns. Youarea somebody!” Her laugh was light. “The editors ofThe Timesdo not waste space on nobodies.”
Miranda paused, considering. “But to be discussed in such a fashion with an implication of impropriety could cause me and my father grievous harm.”
Lady Harriet shrugged. “Most likely not. I’m sure Lowry and Mercer are not wringing their hands this morning. Anyway, it’s another juicy story for you to write about in our marvelous project.”
“You mean my book?” Miranda asked. “I would never record what happened.”
“Oh, but you must,” Lady Harriet said. “You should see it as an indication of having displaced thebon tonfrom their throne in the newspapers. You really should. By your association with Mercer, you have become someone of interest. Write about it. It may be the most amusing thing you ever do. Let everyone know fromyourpoint of view, as Miss Blaze of course! Tell everything Lowry did, as well as anything Mercer did, too. It shall be most popular.”
Miranda nodded. “I will think on it.”
“I can see you’re doubtful. Putting it in your book is the best way to reclaim your power, even take a little revenge, since you can describe these men any way you wish. Let me ask you this, is your father likely ever to read your story?”
Miranda laughed. “Certainly not.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about. Honestly, I imagine the only one who might complain is Mercer. It shows him in a bad light, as if Lowry stole you from him. As you know, Mercer hates to be viewed as anything but the most dash-fire man about town. Rumor has it last night he was prowling in the garden in order to meet with another young lady. Unless that was you, too?”
“Absolutely not.” Miranda wished it had been. She would far rather have been in the garden with Philip than upstairs being pawed by Lord Lowry.
As Lady Harriet predicted, after she left Miranda’s next visitor was Lord Mercer, and he was in a foul mood.
“I half expected to receive a noon visit from Lord Lowry, even though I pushed him away to halt his kiss.”
Philip scowled. “He shall not bother you again.”
The baron had been surly since Eliza had shown him in, and Miranda hoped to get to the bottom of his thunderous countenance.
“How do you know Lord Lowry will leave me alone?”
“Because I told him not to darken your doorstep, nor ever to lay hand nor lip upon you in the future, not even for a dance.” Philip was pacing in what she’d come to think of as his brooding move.
“And he agreed, just like that?”
Philip walked to the window and looked out, then returned to where she stood in front of her father’s comfortable chair.
“He did agreeafterI held his head under the water of the nearest marble fountain for a thrashing good minute. When he came up spluttering and gasping, Lowry was most amenable to my request. If he hadn’t been, I would have held him under a great deal longer the second time.”
Miranda closed her mouth that had fallen open imagining the scene.Gracious!Philip had protected her honor in his own fashion.
“Thank you,” she said. “I also believe I should offer my gratitude for your sitting with me at dinner when I believe you would have preferred to be seated with another woman.”
He blinked at her. “You are as good company as any other.”
