She would have to thank him for it later.
When they were once more left to themselves, Miranda listened as Solway made suggestions and recommendations on the food choices. Gwenys settled on roast duck and creamed potatoes. Miranda chose the same but did not eat much of it. Her ribs were still aching, and running into the Lawsons had further unsettled her.
However, Gwenys was her typically effervescent self.
Miranda wished she could be so bubbly.
Upon finishing their dessert course, they ambled over to greet Gwenys’s father and the ladies. Her father rose and gave his daughter a warm hug. Miranda could not fault him for loving Gwenys, but he was so useless in taking command of his household and putting his wife and Louisa firmly in their place whenever they were mean to Gwenys.
And they often were.
Not that Miranda wanted them to be held lesser in his affection, but Gwenys was his blood daughter, and he had allowed those wretched ladies to treat her as though she were something he ought to discard.
But this was his nature, allowing others to push him about like a leaf tossed in the wind. In this way, he avoided his duties in the House of Lords and his duties to his own family.
Hewantedto be led about by the nose.
Indeed, he found it a relief to hand over all responsibility to his controlling wife.
Solway quickly set matters straight, taking immediate command of the conversation and making certain Lord Lowery was aware just how much he and his Lanark kinsmen admired Gwenys. “It eases my mind to know she’ll be our belovedduchessonce I am gone and Douglas inherits.”
Miranda loved that Solway was shoving his exalted title in their faces. It certainly won her over, for he was being so protective of the sweet girl.
He did the same with her when Lady Lowery snidely remarked, “Of course, poor Miranda will be quite alone. But this is what comes of—”
“Ye are wrong, Lady Lowery,” Solway said in a voice of authority. “Miranda has captured our hearts just as Gwenys has. She shall always have a place within our family. Indeed, we Lanarks would like nothing better than to welcome both of these lovely ladies into our fold.”
“Lanark Castle is quite beautiful, and the Lanark family has made us feel very much at home,” Gwenys said.
“Yes,His Gracehas treated us like royalty.” Miranda smiled with a sweetness she did not feel toward the Lawson family. Of course, she would have to repent in confession, but it felt so good to lord it over these irritating in-laws.
Louisa stared at Gwenys with beady eyes. “Why did you not tell us Solway’s heir was courting you?”
“He only declared himself recently,” Miranda interjected before Gwenys told them the truth. “Of course, I suspected it from the moment they met. But dearest Gwenys did not wish her happy news to overshadow your special day, Louisa. We are delighted in your choice of husband, of course. Baron Montrose is much admired byHis Grace.”
Yes, she was going to keep shoving Solway’s exalted title in their faces every chance she got. It was a small snub compared to how badly they had damaged her.
She nodded toward Solway, who was looking particularly ducal and authoritative just now, and then turned back to Lady Lowery. “We know how important and admired the Lanarks are in Scotland. Everyone would have made such a fuss over Gwenys and completely ignored your poor daughter.”
Oh, that was an uncalled for swipe at the girl, even if she were almost as odious and obnoxious as her mother.
Well, Miranda would simply add that sin to her confession, too.
Gwenys merely smiled sweetly. Montrose shot her a grin.
Yes, the poor fellow had definitely been fortune hunting when courting Louisa. It struck Miranda that Montrose would have set his cap for Gwenys for a certainty, had she been out in Society.
He seemed a nice enough fellow, but Gwenys deserved better than to be wanted primarily for her dowry. Even nice fellows took on mistresses, albeit more discreetly than her own wretched husband had done.
She shook out of her sullen thoughts.
Gwenys took another moment to remain by her father’s table to bid them and Montrose a good journey back to London.
Miranda took the opportunity to walk out of the dining room with Solway. She thanked him. “You were very kind to Gwenys and me, although I surely did not deserve it.”
“Ye deserve it more than anyone,” he insisted. “Aye, ye got in a few low blows, but I expect they deserved it. Do ye think I am blind to how Lord Lowery is neglecting his own daughter? Nor am I blind to why ye took her in. Ye’re determined to save the lass from those wasps. Ye’ve a good heart, Miranda.”
“So have you,” she admitted, and that earned an arched eyebrow and a soft smile from him.
