Chapter Six #3
“I have no idea,” Gwenys said, her composure suddenly seeming to crumble. “But I would guess it was because of the generous dowry my father provided for her. Your Grace, I have no idea if he will be anywhere near as generous with me.”
The poor girl now looked humiliated, and it tore at Miranda’s heart, for she had felt a similar humiliation when her deceitful husband was alive.
“Gwenys, neither I nor Douglas care what yer father will provide ye should ye marry him,” Solway said, sounding wonderfully protective. “Ye are the treasure, and make no mistake about that.”
Gwenys released a tremulous breath and smiled at him. “Thank you.”
At this moment, Miranda was never happier to be in the company of Solway.
It was not long before Montrose noticed them and broke away from his in-laws to approach.
“Solway! I had no idea you were acquainted with my new family,” he said, casting a sincere smile at Gwenys and Miranda.
“This is a lovely surprise. My apologies for any embarrassment Lady Lowery might have caused with her complaints.”
Solway rose and responded politely, “I’ll have the steward send over a bottle of their best wine by way of my apology for any misunderstanding.”
“That is very kind of you, but it is I who must give the apology to you,” Montrose insisted. “Ah…erm, may I introduce you to my wife and her parents? Not now, since I do not wish to disturb your supper. But I would be honored if you would stop by our table on your way out.”
“Yes, of course. It is only fitting that I meet Lady Gwenys’s father.”
Montrose’s eyes rounded. “Fitting?”
“Och, aye. Gwenys has quite charmed all of us.”
“I am not surprised,” he said with a gracious smile toward Gwenys.
He and Solway exchanged some more pleasantries before Montrose excused himself to return to his party.
“Will you convey my greetings to Douglas? We were at Oxford together. He was easily the brightest in the class, which galled the dons to no end, since they are of the mistaken belief that the English are smarter than us,” he joked, for although Montrose’s mother was English and he had been sent to the finest English schools, his father was Scottish.
Montrose clearly felt more of a kinship to his father’s side of the family, even though his accent was English, with only a hint of the Scottish brogue.
Miranda would not be surprised if his English accent was put on in order to fit more easily into Society. With his having now gained his heiress and secured her fortune for his rundown estate, she expected his true brogue would reveal itself shortly.
That he would have preferred to court Gwenys was evident in the glances he kept casting her.
Poor fellow, it was hard to hide his yearning, much as he tried to be discreet about it.
He also appeared quite alert to Gwenys’s feelings.
Something in the way she responded to his mention of Douglas must have given her away, for Montrose now cast her a speculative glance before turning back to Solway.
“Well, I’ll be… Is it Douglas who is sweet on Lady Gwenys? ”
Gwenys blushed and began to stammer a denial, but Solway placed a gentle hand over hers. “Lass, I’ll answer for ye.”
Miranda breathed a sigh of relief, for Solway had such a protective look about him. He must have noted the waspish looks Louisa and Lady Lowery were tossing at Gwenys, and this big bear of a man was not going to allow the dear girl to be shamed or ridiculed in any way.
“Aye, Douglas wishes to court Lady Gwenys, and I heartily approve. He could no’ have chosen a finer lass for himself.” Solway raised his voice as he spoke the last, making certain Louisa and Lady Lowery heard the comment.
Miranda pinched her lips to suppress her smile, but she loved that Solway was astute enough to understand the venom these Lawson ladies held in their hearts for Gwenys. This proud duke was not going to let them diminish her niece in any way.
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.
He wanted to 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 beloved duchess once 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 Grace has 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 by His 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.
He leaned forward. “Eh? What’s that ye said?”
She laughed. “I won’t deny that you were magnificent and chivalrous tonight, or that you have been wonderful to us on our journey home.”
“But?” His grin faded because he obviously knew she was not ready to admit stronger feelings for him. “Nay, dinna answer that. I know ye are still struggling with yer feelings about me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I, but it is no’ yer fault. Ah, Gwenys is returning. I’ll escort ye to yer room. Do ye need anything before ye retire for the evening?”
A kiss from you.
“No, Gwenys and I will be fine.”
He led them to their chamber.
“Good night, Your Grace,” Gwenys said.
“Sweet dreams, Gwenys.”
But Solway held Miranda back when she bade him a good evening and was about to follow Gwenys into their chamber. “Miranda, I dinna trust these Lawsons. Pound on the wall between our rooms if ye need any assistance from me.”
She smiled. “I’ve handled that family quite ably since becoming a widow fifteen years ago. They won’t give us a problem. Lady Lowery will never dare offend you because she is all about elevating her status. Do not be surprised if she seeks you out and flatters you to the point of nausea.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said with a deep, rumbling chuckle. “Sweet dreams, Miranda.”
He marched the few steps to his chamber and entered without looking back at her.
She found herself still smiling even though he had shut his door. It had felt so good being in his company tonight. Not only for Gwenys’s sake, although that was very important. But he had behaved as she’d always dreamed a husband ought to behave. Protective. Supportive. Attentive when necessary.
Her heart wanted to open up to him so badly.
Dare she take the risk?