“You should mind your manners and not use such words in the presence of ladies,” Miranda scolded lightly. “You will never get a wife that way. Speaking of which, you might not get one at all should word of your family’s humble, even distasteful origins get out. A few too many babes on the wrong side of the blanket.Tsk, tsk,” she added. “One might conclude you’re not even in line for a legitimate title.”
Lord Beaumont looked confused, but Lady Harriet seemed to know exactly what she was talking about.
“And to think your great-grandfather wasn’t even English.”
Lady Harriet paled.
Miranda pressed home her advantage. “The strange thing is, upon my first entering society, everyone told me your family members werela crème de la crèmeof English bloodlines. You can only imagine my surprise, nay, my shock to find out that is a lie. A lie!” she repeated for emphasis. “Egregious flim-flam with more fiction than my own little book.”
“What are you going to do?” Lady Harriet asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I am going straight to every editor of every London paper with this little sheet.” With that, she rolled it up again. “You did tell me once that all the nobility likes to see their names in the gossip rags.”
“Why would you tell her that?” Lord Beaumont demanded of his sister.
“If you would prefer, I’ll keep this to myself,” Miranda said.
Lady Harriet’s gaze darted to her brother then back to Miranda.
“Yes, I would prefer, as would my parents.”
“Then I shall do exactly that,” Miranda said, sending her another smile before standing. This time, she stared hard at Lord Beaumont.
Finally, his sister said, “You’re being rude, brother. You must stand when a lady stands.”
“But you said—”
“Shut your cake-hole!” Lady Harriet snapped.
Miranda laughed as if they were all three good friends. Touching her bonnet to make sure it was straight, she added, “You shall deliver any copies of my book in your possession as well as those still at the printers directly to my new home on Cavendish Square, along with the manuscript, too.”
“Yes, of course.” Lady Harriet looked positively ill but compliant.
“Then we have finished our brief association as writer and patron. I wish you good-day.”
Miranda walked to the door, and without turning, she added, “By this afternoon, mind you. If there’s any delay, I shall be visiting the various offices of all the papers for their evening edition.”
And she strode out and down the stairs, feeling as if she’d finally mastered the business of being one of the quality folk.
IN HIS STUDY, LORD Perrin looked grim, and Philip girded himself for battle.
“She’s gone,” the viscount said.
“Your daughter?” Philip guessed, having only just been ushered in, not yet offered a chair or coffee.
“Yes!” The older man folded his arms. “Her mother is beside herself with worry, even though our girl has only gone as far as our country estate in Kent.”
“I take it Miss Waltham received a copy of a certain scandal-filled book.”
“No,Idid,” Perrin ground out. “I would have spared her, but I thought it important she read it. She ought to learn that her actions have consequences.” Then he put his fisted hands on his waist. “You should have well understood thatbeforeplaying games with her.”
Philip shook his head. “As you must have read in the book, which in some instances is quite close to factual, I did nothing more than kiss your daughter, and for that I am beyond apologetic, I assure you.”
“I don’t care for your apology. I want you to go after her and marry her.”
Perrin hadn’t heard the news, and Philip was certain the man wouldn’t be overjoyed to learn the truth. Yet there was no other recourse except to tell him at once.
“I cannot marry your daughter because I am already married.”
