Page 21 of A Scot on Duchess Square
He shrugged. “I have a big mouth.”
“Oh, I think it is your intelligence that impresses.” She took another sip of her tea and set down her cup. “My aunt thinks I am a bit of a featherhead, but I really am not. I noticed immediately the respect you and Douglas command around here. It isn’t merely that you are a duke. People may fawn over you because you are a powerful man, but having their respect is another matter altogether. No one around here looks upon you with disdain when your back is turned.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Well, that is good to know.”
“Oh, I think you are aware.”
“Actually, I am never sure what others think of me. Most greedy people are fairly obvious, for there is a certain calculating look in their eyes that they canno’ hide from me. But some, albeit few in number, are very good at masking their true purpose. I expect Miranda’s husband was that sort of man and had her fooled completely.”
“I don’t think he was all that smart,” she said, once more pursing her lips. “How could he choose that harlot of a mistress over my aunt? What’s worse is that Miranda blames herself. This rankles me so much. She is being so unfair to herself.”
That Miranda should feel any responsibility for her husband’s heinous conduct caught Bram by surprise. “Why does she blame herself?”
“She believes that she was so caught up inwantingto be in love that shechoseto ignore the warning signs and allowed herself to be swept up by my uncle’s courtship. He was Lord Lawson until shortly before they married. Then he became Earl of Lowery upon his father’s death, and that wily old man put conditions on the bulk of his son’s inheritance.”
“Conditions? I assume one of them was the requirement of marriage to a lady of a certain stature?”
“Yes, exactly. My father, who was the younger brother, has since inherited the title and the entailed assets that came with it. My stepmother resents that Miranda got a good deal of the unentailed assets because of the excellent marriage settlement negotiated by Miranda’s own father. That woman is so greedy and intolerant, and her daughter is little better. But I’ve digressed. The fact is, Miranda blames herself for allowing her husband to make a fool of her.”
“That is no’ right,” Bram muttered. “She was young and innocent. Her husband knew what he was doing, lying to her, purposely waging his campaign to win her heart when he knew all along he would betray her. It is a foul fiend who makes promises that he never intends to keep.”
“I agree, and so do her friends. We have a lovely circle of friends on Duchess Square. They adore Miranda.”
“But it seems she values herself less than her friends do. Poor thing. And because of this, she’ll never allow anyone close enough to risk opening her heart again.”
“Precisely,” Gwenys said with a nod. “Gaining her trust might be an impossible task.”
“Aye, lass. It seems so. But I’d still like to give it a try. She’s worth the effort.”
“Your Grace, she is worth the effort.” But she suddenly frowned again, as though she was not happy with his intention to woo Miranda.
Did she doubt he was honorable?
“Gwenys, do ye disapprove of me?”
Her eyes rounded as she stared at him in obvious surprise. “Oh, not at all. But this cannot be a game for you. I beg you, if it is merely the challenge that attracts you to her, then leave it be. You’ll only hurt her worse, and I will never forgive you.”
Bram considered her words with a heavy heart. “I would never do this to her. If I were to pledge my heart to Miranda, she would have it to love and hold forever. I promise ye, I’ll tread very carefully. Have I not made it obvious that I like her? Indeed, very much.”
“I sensed this,” she said, now letting out a soft breath as she cast him a sweet smile. “I hope you are a patient man, because it will take quite some effort. She’ll look for every reason to dismiss you because it is easier to push you away than ever allow you close.”
He finished the last of his ale, pleased that he would have Gwenys as an ally in his courtship campaign.
Then he noticed Lady Wharton entering the common room.
“Blessed saints,” he whispered, and then groaned.
There was no way Gwenys would ever admire or support him if that spoiled, vengeful woman chose to approach them.
But it appeared she was about to do just that, for she had now spotted him seated with Gwenys and no doubt leaped to the wrong conclusion.
Her expression immediately turned vindictive.
“Och, Gwenys. Trouble’s coming.”
“What do you mean? That lady? Oh, she does not look happy.”
“This is no’ going to turn out well, lass. I’m so sorry. I’m only glad Miranda is no’ here to see what is about to unfold. She’ll want nothing to do with me after this, and I fear ye may no’ either.”
