Duke of Wicked Intentions by Harriet Caves

Chapter Seventeen

The night of the dinner party, Miranda was a nervous wreck. As she was getting ready for the night, she could hardly stop fidgeting, which made it rather difficult for her lady’s maid to dress her.

“Your Grace, I’m so sorry, but could you hold still?” the poor woman asked in a nervous voice.

Miranda glanced down to her. “I apologize. I’m just so anxious…I don’t know what is the matter with me.”

The maid gave her a sympathetic smile. “You shouldn’t be worried, Your Grace. Cook has prepared a feast of delicacies for the evening, and the rest of the staff has made certain that the Manor is spotless. Your guests will no doubt be impressed with you tonight.”

Miranda released a breath. “You are so kind, thank you. I really shouldn’t be this worked up. It’s not as if the royal family is dining with us. It’s going to be friends and family.”

“Exactly, Your Grace,” the maid nodded as she straightened Miranda’s skirt hem. “There is really nothing to be concerned with. Your friends and family will be supportive, I’m sure.”

Everyone except the Dowager.

She kept that thought to herself, however. It was one thing for her to complain to Benedict about his mother’s behavior, but it would be wildly inappropriate if she started disparaging the Dowager to the staff. “You’re very likely right,” she said instead, making sure her voice was cheery.

Still, she struggled to stop fidgeting, and when a knock sounded on the door, it was a relief to both her and her maid who quickly moved to answer it. When the door swung open, Rowena swept into the room, looking beautiful in a dark-blue gown with her hair swept up in a stylish chignon.

“Are you still getting ready? Goodness, Miranda, you’re not usually so finicky with your appearance.” Rowena came to a stop next to Miranda where she stood in front of a large mirror. Her friend tilted her head and studied Miranda’s reflection. “My, but you do look lovely.”

Miranda saw her reflection blush at Rowena’s compliment. “Thank you,” she said, feeling suddenly bashful. “You look gorgeous as well.”

Rowena grinned at her. “Do you think so? I must admit, I did take some extra care myself with my appearance.”

“Is that so? That couldn’t possibly be because Lord Dunlop will be in attendance tonight, could it?”

Now it was Rowena’s reflection blushing furiously. “That…that hardly matters. I did not dress up for him if that is what you are suggesting.”

Miranda shrugged with a teasing smile. “I’m not suggesting anything, My Dear. Your mind appears eager to jump to conclusions, however, that I have not voiced out loud.”

Rowena scowled at her. “You find this all very amusing, don’t you?”

Miranda cheekily shrugged. “I do, as a matter of fact.”

In truth, it was kind of nice to have a distraction from her own unfortunate relationship. She had more hope for Rowena and Lord Dunlop, though she still wasn’t all that certain of his character. She knew he cavorted about just as much as Benedict did, but she hoped that such behavior would be quelled if he took a real interest in Rowena.

I suppose we shall have a better idea of how that might play out after tonight.

“Your Grace, I believe it is about time for you to go down,” the lady’s maid said, coming up behind Miranda to straighten out her skirts one last time.

Miranda nodded and glanced toward Rowena, who gave her a look of encouragement. Checking her reflection one more time, she raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. “Then I shouldn’t keep my guests waiting.”

* * *

When Miranda and Rowena reached the drawing room, they found Benedict and Lord Dunlop already inside, pre-dinner brandies in hand. The gentleman turned to the ladies as they walked through the door, and Miranda didn’t miss how Lord Dunlop’s eyes latched on to Rowena. When she glanced at Benedict, she was surprised to find he appeared just as focused on her.

“Your Grace. My Lord,” she said, dropping into a curtsy. Rowena greeted the men and curtsied as well, and they bowed to them in return.

When Benedict straightened, he cleared his throat and said, “You look stunning, Wife. Green certainly suits you.”

Miranda couldn’t help her small grin, though she told herself such compliments from him shouldn’t matter. “Thank you, Your Grace. You look quite dashing yourself.”

He did look very fine in his black coat and tails, his perfectly white collar starched and stiff, and his cravat tucked neatly with a sapphire pin keeping it in place. Realizing she was staring at him, Miranda glanced around and furrowed her brow.

“Has Aunt Pam not joined us yet? I was hoping to see her right away.”

Benedict shook his head. “No, we are still waiting on her as well as mother.”

Miranda felt a small stab of disappointment. Aunt Pam had arrived at the house earlier that day for the first day of her week-long stay, but Miranda had been so busy with preparations for the dinner, she hadn’t been able to greet her herself. She’d been told by Mr. Bevens, though, that her aunt had been taken to her room to rest and refresh herself, and she hadn’t wished to disturb her.

She had invited her father, but he had had business in town that he simply couldn’t get away from. A disappointment, to be sure, but not wholly unexpected. Her father was a very busy man, much like Benedict was. At least she had Aunt Pam.

It also hadn’t escaped her notice that the Dowager was not there yet either, but she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it. No doubt the woman was being intentionally tardy to try and sabotage the night, at least in some small way.

“Would either of you Ladies like a drink?” Lord Dunlop asked, drawing Miranda’s attention back to those in the room around her.

“Yes, that would be lovely, thank you,” Rowena quickly replied, making Miranda cough into her hand to hide her knowing giggle.

“I would take a drink as well, My Lord,” she said when she recovered herself enough that she could talk without giving away her amusement.

Lord Dunlop turned to fetch them each wine, and when Rowena followed under the pretense of helping him, once again, Miranda found herself face-to-face with her husband.

She gave him a small, shy smile. “So far, the evening seems to be going all right…apart from Aunt Pam and your mother being late.”

Benedict nodded with an encouraging grin. “I’d say if their inability to be prompt is the worst thing that occurs tonight, you have done more than succeeded.”

A soft laughed escaped her lips, taking her by surprise. The man could be rather funny when he wanted to be. Charming as well. It sometimes made it hard to remember why she couldn’t let herself fall for him.

Because you did that once before, and it nearly destroyed you.

It was an unfortunate thought that she couldn’t let herself forget. Thankfully, before Miranda needed to come up with something else to say to him, she heard someone entering the room behind her. Turning, she was thrilled to see her Aunt Pam strolling through the doorway. Barely able to contain herself, she hurried over to the woman and pulled her into a tight hug.

Her aunt released a breathless laugh as she returned the embrace. “My goodness, you make it seem as if I’ve come back from war or something as equally drastic.”

Realizing she was putting on an overly emotional display that likely wasn’t appropriate, Miranda reluctantly released her aunt, but she kept her hands clasped around her fingers.

“I’m just so happy to see you,” she said. Tears prickled at the back of her eyes as it settled on her just how badly she had been in need of a familiar face. “How is Papa? Is he well?”

Aunt Pam smiled gently and nodded. “Your father is doing quite well. You can rest easy with that knowledge. It took him a bit to adjust to you not being around anymore, but I think he is beginning to get used to the way things are now.”

It was a bittersweet thing to hear. Of course she wanted her father to be happy and to be able to go on with his life, but it saddened her a bit that he was growing used to not having her around. It felt as though she were losing her home, in a way, which she supposed was true if she was meant to make Morgan Manor her real home.

Releasing a sigh, she said, “I’m glad. I must visit him soon.”

“Indeed, you must,” Aunt Pam affirmed. “He would be delighted to see you. To see you both, in truth.”

Her aunt glanced over Miranda’s shoulder and she turned to find Benedict’s eyes on her, though he kept enough of a distance between them that she was able to have some modicum of privacy with her aunt. He appeared startled to have been caught staring and quickly diverted his gaze from her. Miranda frowned at the heat that pooled in her belly, knowing he’d been looking at her.

At that moment, she had a flash of memory from their encounter in the study, when he’d had his hand between her legs as he’d kissed her fiercely. She jerked, shocked by the sudden image in her mind and quickly turned back to face her aunt, barely swallowing down a gasp.

“Miranda? Are you all right, Dear?” her aunt asked, her tone concerned. “You’re suddenly very flushed.”

“I’m quite all right, I assure you,” she quickly replied even as she felt her cheeks grow hotter. “It’s likely just the anticipation of the evening going to my head.”

Her aunt regarded her carefully for several moments, and Miranda could almost see her working through the situation in her mind. She held her gaze and tried to appear as cool and collected as she could. At length, her aunt thankfully relaxed and nodded her head.

“That is likely true. It’s no small thing to host such an event. Given it’s your first one, you must be quite nervous.”

Miranda forced a smile. “Yes, indeed I am, Aunt Pam. I wish for everything to go perfectly tonight.”

Now if only the Dowager would make her appearance. Dinner will be ready before she’d even come downstairs.

Lord Dunlop suddenly appeared at her side, holding out a cup of wine for her. “Your Grace,” he said to get her attention.

She gave him a grateful smile as she took the drink. “Thank you, My Lord. That’s very kind of you.”

He gave her a grin, and it was easily the warmest expression he’d offered her since they’d officially met. It surprised her, but pleased her immensely as well. Perhaps she was winning him over at long last.

Miranda and her aunt moved to join the others, and they all conversed rather easily as they waited for dinner to be announced. Miranda was exceedingly pleased with how the night was progressing, even if they were down one member.

Perhaps it would be better if she didn’t show up at all. The company we currently have is agreeable and entertaining, and she will no doubt ruin it all.

Such a hope was not to come to pass, however, for within moments of Miranda thinking that, the Dowager arrived at long last. She swept into the drawing room in a flurry of black silk and pearls. Miranda and the others turned at her entrance, and she swept them all a shallow curtsy. “Welcome,” she said, as though she were the hostess greeting her guests and not Miranda’s. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”

No attempt at an apology really shouldn’t have surprised Miranda, but it irritated her all the same. She had to literally bite into her tongue to keep from snapping at the woman for her rudeness in being so late. No doubt the Dowager was hoping for some explosive reaction from Miranda, but she wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“I believe you’re just in time for us to be called to dinner,” she said instead, deciding to try and sweep the mess away and not engage in her mother-in-law’s childish games.

The Dowager arched a brow and Miranda wondered if she could see through to her true feelings. She kept her expression impassive, however, refusing to give anything away too easily.

“We’re glad you’ve finally joined us, Mother,” Benedict said in a tight voice. “Though I was beginning to worry that you might not be feeling well.”

Once more, Benedict was defending Miranda, though in a less direct way than when he’d confronted his mother in the garden. She couldn’t help the warmth that began to spread through her, relaxing her and pushing back her worries and fears. Miranda knew she was being foolish again, and she needed to remember why falling for this man was not a good idea.

Yet, when he showed her such loyalty and protection, it became very difficult to view him as the cowardly scoundrel she’d come to believe him to be. “Oh, you needn’t have worried for my sake,” the Dowager replied to Benedict’s comments. “You know how I just love to make an entrance.”

“Indeed,” Aunt Pam said with a notable bite in her voice. “It’s unfortunate your entrance came at the cost of my niece’s peace of mind.”

Miranda blinked at her aunt, surprised. She appreciated Aunt Pam defending her, but she had never heard the woman speak so sharply to anyone before. It seemed rather out of character for her, and especially given the fact that she was speaking in such a way to the Dowager.

Miranda’s mother-in-law narrowed her eyes at Aunt Pam and Miranda braced herself for what she was certain would be a vicious tongue-lashing. To her surprise, however, the Dowager seemed to make an effort to keep hold of her tongue, pressing her lips tight together.

That was almost more shocking to Miranda than her aunt’s sharp words.

“Well,” the Dowager finally snapped. “That was certainly not my intention.”

It was almost an apology, Miranda thought. Almost.

Miranda felt a pounding headache slowly begin to thrum behind her eyes. It was a blessed relief when Mr. Bevens appeared in the doorway to announce that dinner was ready to be served.

Smiling at him in thanks, Miranda turned to her guests and asked, “Shall we make our way to the dining room?”

Everyone quickly agreed, and Miranda watched as Lord Dunlop offered Rowena his arm to escort her. Her friend accepted it with a shy smile that made Miranda grin. “Your Grace, shall we?”

She turned to find Benedict extending his arm to her, and couldn’t hide her surprise. “Should you not escort your mother?” she blurted.

He furrowed his brow and shook his head. “I think it would be better that I escort my wife this night, don’t you?”

Did he have any idea the torment he was putting her through? He wasn’t supposed to be considerate and charming. He wasn’t supposed to make her heart flutter, or that spot between her legs ache. She wasn’t supposed to want anything to do with him, but he was breaking down the defenses around her heart piece by piece this night, and she wasn’t certain she could stop him.

A small part of her also wasn’t certain that she wanted to. Slipping her hand around his elbow, she said, “Well, I suppose it would be a good showing of unity. To keep up the façade, that is.”

A flicker of something she couldn’t name crossed his face, but it was there one moment and gone the next, leaving his cordial expression in its place. Miranda had a moment of doubt that she’d seen anything at all.

“Indeed. The façade.” His tone was gruff, but before she could dig too deeply into that, he was leading her forward and out into the hall. Together, they made their way toward the dining room, their guests trailing close behind them.