Page 58 of A Scot on Duchess Square
The innkeeper took it upon himself to lead them to the best table. He then offered them the finest champagne and made certain they lacked for nothing before he handed them over to his servers.
“This is lovely,” Gwenys said, brightening the room with her smile and the sparkle in her eyes. She looked lovely in her peach silk, and Miranda was not surprised that every man in the room was gawking and smiling at her niece.
As for her, she hoped to make an impression in the dark-red silk she now wore. It was a bold color she could get away with wearing, since she was a wealthy widow in her mid-thirties and could do whatever she pleased.
In a nod to Solway, she had worn the silver heart necklace he’d purchased for her earlier in the day at the market square. It was perhaps too simple for this gown, since there were no diamonds or sapphires embedded in the silver, but the point was to show her appreciation of his gift. She had no doubt the two witches staring at her knew exactly why she had worn it and who had given it to her.
True to form, Gwenys’s father was oblivious to all the undercurrents. Montrose, Louisa’s new husband, was smirking and appeared to be quietly enjoying the set-down his overbearing mother-in-law and her malicious friend, Lady Trowbridge, were receiving.
As for Louisa, her eyes were beady with jealousy. This gave Miranda great satisfaction. If only Douglas Lanark could have been here for Gwenys. Then the night would have been perfect.
Once seated, Miranda tried not to stare at those two crones, Lady Lowery and Lady Trowbridge. However, it was hard to resist because this was such a rare moment of triumph for her.
The pair looked so unhappy and were obviously seething with frustration. Their cat claws were unsheathed, and Miranda knew they would take the first opportunity to scratch her eyes out if they could.
Perhaps they would try another time.
Not tonight, though. Tonight they were outranked and outmaneuvered by Solway, who also had his eyes on them discreetly while doing his best to regale her and Gwenys.
She was so grateful to him.
“This is the best night I’ve ever had,” she admitted as they were finishing their meal with a delicious lemon syllabub.
Solway nodded. “I’m glad. I hope we’ll have many more nights like this.”
Gwenys squealed. “Yes, Your Grace. I hope so too.”
Their supper soon came to an end. As they were preparing to leave, Montrose rose from his seat at the Lawson table and strode to theirs. “Pleasant journey, Solway. We’ll be staying on another day or two, so you are likely to reach London before us.”
“Dinna take offense, Montrose. Much as I like ye, I hope our paths never cross again on the road.”
He nodded. “I know. Lady Lowery and her unpleasant friend are unbearable, and a bad influence on Louisa. I hope to keepher away from those two once we are settled in our own home. She can be pleasant when outside their company. But right now, they are two hissing snakes whispering all sorts of bad advice in her ear.”
Miranda was surprised he spoke so openly in front of her and Gwenys. Those two vindictive crones must have been too much even for him to bear. Also, being no fool, he was not about to enrage Solway by siding with the Lawson family.
“Watch over these lovely ladies,” Montrose said, shaking Solway’s hand.
His words ran like a shiver through Miranda, for they sounded more like a caution than a casual farewell.
She turned to Solway once Montrose had left their side. “What do you think he meant by that?”
“I dinna know.” His frown encompassed her and Gwenys. “But the two of ye will be sleeping in my bed tonight.”
Miranda’s eyes widened. “What?”
Solway groaned. “Och, dinna make a thing of it. What I mean is that we’re going to switch rooms. If anyone attempts to break in and cause ye mischief, they’ll find themselves dealing with me.”
“An excellent idea,” Gwenys said, nodding.
Miranda did not think so, but she voiced no protest, since she would have been outvoted anyway. Solway had a point, for the two ladies were vicious and truly hated her. But would they be so foolish as to attempt something underhanded when they knew she and Gwenys were under Solway’s protection?
Better safe than sorry, she supposed.
She and Gwenys returned to their quarters, her niece all the while chattering excitedly about this bit of intrigue while the two of them changed into their nightclothes. “Just leave everything here,” Miranda told her. “We are merely going to switch beds.No need to move everything around just for one night. We’ll come back in here to wash and dress in the morning.”
“All right, Aunt Miranda.”
Solway knocked at their door a moment later. Miranda hurried to open it, surprised to find him still wearing his trousers and shirt. “Are you going to sleep in your clothes?”
