Page 67 of A Scot on Duchess Square
“Chains? Fears?” Bromleigh set his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “Was she treated badly when young? Or saw her parents in a bad marriage?”
“That was Eden’s situation,” Lynton confessed. “Her parents were a disaster, and she never wanted to repeat their mistake.”
“How did ye win her over?” Solway asked, for this was information he needed.
“Time and a deepening friendship,” Lynton replied. “Flattery did not win her heart. In fact, I think she would have refused me had I come at her with flowers, gifts, and glib compliments. Truth, caring, and genuine friendship is what won the day.”
Camborne nodded. “Be yerself, Solway. If she is skittish about marriage, then I hope yer patience will be rewarded. Are ye sure about her? Is she worth the waiting? There may be other fine ladies who would no’ be so difficult.”
Bram tensed. “Would ye have given up on yer Jocelyn?”
Camborne shook his head. “No, I dinna suppose I would have. No’ after two days of knowing her. In truth, no’ even after an hour of knowing her.”
Bram could not say he’d got the information he wanted out of his companions, for his conclusion was that, despite their Silver Duke reputations, they had not done anything special or even anythingrightin wooing these ladies who had captured their hearts.
But this gave him hope that he could win over Miranda even if he had no flowery words and made no grand gestures. Perhaps the grandest gesture of all was to simply love her and remain true to her. And then hope she would grow to trust in his love.
The conversation shifted to governmental matters, and Bram spent the next few hours drinking and talking about the most urgent issues that needed addressing in this parliamentary session.
He left the three dukes as they were conspiring to open a betting book on another Scottish duke, one he knew quite well by reputation. And it was a bad reputation by Sassenach standards.
Of course, he and Camborne could not help but admire a Scot who spoke the truth, was arrogantly sure of himself, and was not afraid to engage in fisticuffs if the situation called for it.
Bram returned home, tossed off his clothes, and fell into bed just as the clock in the hallway struck midnight.
It was still early by Society standards, but Miranda was tugging at his soul and the heartache of it was wearing him out.
He was going to miss encountering her smiling face tomorrow morning. He already missed her so much.
What would tomorrow bring?
Chapter Thirteen
Alight rainfell upon the cobblestone street as Bram strode to Miranda’s residence in the late afternoon, frustrated that his morning meetings had taken so long. He was running late on all his commitments, the most important of all being his promise to visit Miranda.
He was over an hour late and she could not be happy about it. Nor was this helping his cause in proving she could rely on him.
Upon his arrival, he was surprised to find other gentlemen callers in the parlor. Well, he supposed most of the gentlemen were there for Miranda’s niece, since she was the one making her debut.
But several of these men who appeared to be about his age, and some, even older, were engaged in conversation with Miranda. They seemed interested inherand not her niece.
Did he have competition for Miranda’s hand?
“Your Grace,” she said, smiling as he approached her after being announced by her butler, “it is good to see you.”
He bowed over her hand, wishing he could take her in his arms and kiss her with all the ardor that he felt in his now-pounding heart. “My apologies for the late arrival. My meetings took much longer than expected.”
“I understand.”
He hoped so, but he wasn’t certain because she seemed tense.
He wasn’t feeling comfortable, either. His afternoons were usually taken up on Lanark business matters or urgent matters of politics, not genteel visits for afternoon tea.
Miranda looked as pretty as a dream in a lavender silk gown with lace of a matching color at the bodice. Of course, the delicate lacework across her bosom drew his eye straight there.
Mercy.
He lifted his gaze to her face, hoping she had not noticed his discreet gawking. But he also noticed she was still wearing the silver heart he’d purchased for her in York. His tension eased.
