He could not declare anything like that until he was out from under Miss Waltham’s threat and until he knew whether Miranda’s father would give his permission. After their tumultuous conversation in the magistrate’s court chamber, Philip thought that would be the hardest challenge of all.
In any case, the pretty minx looked unmoved. “I am happily visiting my cousins. Your problems, even as they relate to my father, are entirely your own responsibility.”
He knew that to be true, but he had no intention of returning to London without her. He must give her a hint of his feelings.
“You mentioned my usual course of action, but I prefer anunusualone with you.”
She hesitated. “You were upset overThe Times,” she reminded him. “Unlike other nobility, you don’t seem to care for having your name in the newspapers, poorly disguised or not.”
What was the chit on about?“No one I know cares for it, but that’s not the point. Your father read the gossip rag and now believes you left London under hint of scandal and is blaming me. That’s unfair, is it not?”
Miranda was frowning, biting her luscious lower lip, and more than one disturbing thought seemed to be in her lovely head. But she expressed only puzzlement.
“I am surprised my father read that section.”
“Someone sent it to him so he would.”
Her shocked expression confirmed it hadn’t been her doing. For Philip had wondered if she hadn’t sent it to spite him. Plainly, such was not the case.
“Regardless, you told me you no longer wish to escort me,” she recalled. “And your name was mentioned as well as Lord Lowry’s, intimating I might be allowing you to take liberties. Which I have,” she pointed out. “You are, as you imagined, a terrible influence upon me. Therefore, the blame is not entirely unjustified even if another man was also at fault.”
With that, she turned and walked farther into the tall tangle of flower stalks and shrubs. Philip felt rightly chastised.
“I promise I thought only to launch you into society so you could find a husband. That reminds me, your father said you have had suitors leaving posies.”
She still didn’t face him but merely shrugged.
“Miss Bright, I apologize for snapping at you because ofThe Times. It was wrong of me, and you are correct that I was partially to blame. I should have discovered Lowry’s dubious character earlier. My only defense is that I have never had to watch over a young woman before. I’ve always been on the other side of things, trying to breach a female’s defenses, not help shore them up, if you take my meaning.”
“I do.” She sounded sad.
Philip wished he knew how to make her happy again.
“If you come back with me, you can ask me anything you like, and I shall tell you. That is, if you’re still interested.”
She sighed and turned to face him. “I am here with my cousins. Thus, I have no need to write letters of interest.”
“Wasn’t there something else you were writing, something like Miss Austen’s novels, except with fewer lessons in manners?”
“I finished that,” she said quickly. “All done and dusted.”
“I see. And are your cousins reading that, too?”
Her cheeks pinkened, and Philip wondered if he had made it into her little tale.
“Not yet, but they will. Why did you say your fellow nobility do not like to be mentioned in the society pages? I thought it gave them fame and notoriety, both desirable for those who like to be seen.”
“On the contrary, I have never met a single person who cared for it. It is nearly always false or embellished or, when true, printed only to embarrass, humiliate, and do damage. Unquestionably, it is written solely to sell papers, without regard to the suffering it may cause.”
“What kind of damage and suffering?” Miranda asked, looking at him with wide eyes.
“As you know one’s reputation is a precious commodity, and many treasure and protect it, not only for themselves but for their families and their children. For example, Lady Sarah, whom you saw with Pastille. She is commonly known to be in a loveless marriage and also known to have loved Lord Pastille since they were young. Her parents forbade her to marry him. That wouldn’t be terrible except the man she did marry is also well known to be an arse, and a vicious, miserly one at that.”
Philip plucked a flower from the nearest plant. “He would cut her off without a penny if he had cause, and he would keep her from her children. Hostesses like Lady Hartwell allow her to meet safely with Pastille at their homes. It’s the least one can do, as she cannot possibly obtain a divorce and keep her children.”
Miranda had paled during all this. She was not of his set, and probably this seemed like a lot of machinations and intrigue.
“Does Lady Harriet know all this, about Lady Sarah, I mean?”
