by Gayle Buck
“Indeed, I am sleeping easier now. I think your teas have much to do with that. Oh, Miranda, I feel so much better. This morning Robert expressed his surprise and pleasure to see his mama sitting up. He is such a sensitive child. My illness has weighed heavily on him, I think. I am so pleased that you have taken my boy under your wing. He appears more content than he did before your arrival,” said Anne.
“I think that it is Constance’s influence more than mine. She is quite used to children, you know. Also, Robert feels usefully employed now that he is helping with the horses. And he seems very attached to his uncle,” said Miranda.
“Oh yes. Andrew has always been marvelous with him. One would not think it to look at him, but Andrew actually likes children. So many gentlemen do not, you know. They cannot stand to have the small ones fussing about them. But Andrew has never minded it when Robert nosed into his things or mussed up his cravat. It is really very odd since Viscount Wythe is known in London for such a smart. Richard is forever teasing Andrew for what he calls his brother’s dandyism, but for myself I hold a sneaking admiration for a gentleman who carries himself so well,” said Anne.
Miranda made a decided effort to change the subject. She thought she had heard enough about the viscount’s sterling qualities when she knew that his lordship was at heart a mere seeker of self-gratification. “But tell me, Anne, when does the doctor next visit?”
“Oh, such a boring topic. Very well! I can see that you will not leave it until I satisfy you. He is to come next week. My strength is still not quite up to what it should be, but each day I can feel myself gaining in vigor. It will be soon, I think, that the good doctor will allow me to return downstairs and begin resuming a normal existence. I shall ask him about it when he comes, believe me,” said Anne, laughing. She waved an encompassing hand at her bedroom. “I am so tired of these four walls. I think that I shall change the color as soon as I am up and about. In the past weeks I have learned to detest this particular shade of blue.”
“I can well imagine. Have you given any thought to what color you shall replace it with?” asked Miranda. The conversation turned to a lively discussion of shades of rose and damask draperies and upholstery.
When Miranda left her cousin some two hours later she was satisfied that Anne was truly on the mend. She had not tired so quickly during the visit and there was a definite glow in her face. As Miranda walked down the stairs, sliding her hand along the sleek banister, she heard a quick step on the marble tiles of the hall and the viscount came into view. “Good afternoon, my lord,” she called cheerfully.
Lord Townsend bowed. He stood waiting for her to finish her descent, his unfathomable gaze following her progress. When Miranda reached the bottom stair, she paused with her hand on the newel post to look at him with a cool air. With the advantage of the stair her eyes were nearly at a level with his. “Is there something the matter, my lord?” she asked.
“Not at all, Miss Wainwright. I have but this moment returned from a ride around the estate. I was not before aware of the extent of neglect that Willowswood has suffered. I have seen enough to suspect that my brother’s bailiff was either an incompetent fool or a scoundrel. I wish to thank you for reminding me so graphically this morning that in my brother’s absence the responsibility of the estate lies with myself,” said Lord Townsend gravely.
Miranda was thrown off guard. For some reason she had assumed the viscount would never acknowledge anything that might point to an error in his own judgment. But here he was offering her both apology and gratitude at one and the same time. For lack of anything to say, she inclined her head.
“I wish also to ask a favor of you, Miss Wainwright. I am lacking in experience in hiring a proper household, whereas I gather you are not,” said Lord Townsend, his brow rising in quizzical inquiry.
“I managed my father’s household after my mother’s death,” said Miranda in reply to his unspoken question.
The viscount nodded, satisfied. “Then may I call on your advice in this matter? It would be of immense help to me.”
“If that is what you wish, my lord. I shall be most happy to offer you whatever aid I can,” said Miranda, disconcerted further. It seemed that Lord Townsend was actually concerned about the state of Willowswood. That did not fit into her picture of him as a sybarite, a man too selfish to please anyone but himself. She wondered if she had misjudged him.
Lord Townsend smiled. “Thank you, Miss Wainwright. And I hope that you will not take it amiss if I observe that your appearance is vastly improved over what it was this morning,” he said.
Miranda colored faintly. She shook her head. “I am not at all offended, my ford. I own quite freely that I looked a perfect quiz. You must be famished after your ride. Shall I ring for Crumpet to serve you a late luncheon?”
“Thank you, Miss Wainwright. A plate of sandwiches in the study will be all that I require. I wish to begin going over the papers dealing with the estate this afternoon,” said Lord Townsend. He excused himself and started upstairs to change out of his riding attire.
Miranda watched his broad back for a few seconds before she went in search of Crumpet. After speaking to the butler, she made her way out of the house to the gardens. She thought it would be pleasant to stroll slowly among the beds and breathe the fresh spring air after playing all morning at parlor maid.
At dinner the viscount announced to Miranda that he had spoken with his sister-in-law about the neglect he had seen during his ride about Willows-wood and in the house itself. “I found also that my brother’s records are in a shambles. It will take weeks to make sense of them. In the meantime, Anne has given me carte blanche to hire a household staff and groundskeepers. I have already sent to my solicitor in London to begin screening appropriate persons for all positions except cook and butler. I am naturally more familiar with the duties of groundskeepers and such, so I must rely on you, Miss Wainwright, to guide me with the household staff,” said the viscount.
“Of course, my lord. After our conversation on this topic I mentioned the matter to Crumpet, hoping that we might draw on his experience. He gave me good advice about how large a staff to engage and I’ve made a list of the number of footmen, and so on, so that you may pass it on to your solicitor,” said Miranda. She took a neatly folded sheet of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Lord Townsend.
The viscount looked at her as he unfolded the sheet. He perused it quickly, then put it inside his coat pocket. “Quite comprehensive, Miss Wainwright,” he said. His tone was not markedly congratulatory. He was not certain that he cared for Miss Wainwright’s independence of action. He was bothered she had not waited for his guidance, but he was irritated more that he had not thought to speak to Crumpet himself before he had written his solicitor.
Miranda was quick to hear the reservation in his voice. She put up her brows. “I believe that you are not best pleased, my lord. Why is this?”
Lord Townsend smiled but his eyes remained somewhat cool. “I do not fault you, Miss Wainwright. Quite the contrary, your talk with Crumpet has yielded a goldmine of specific requirements.”
“But you disapprove that I should have acted on my own cognizance,” said Miranda with a flash of insight. She knew that she was right when she saw the slight stiffening in the viscount’s easy posture.
“Not at all. I wish only in future to be informed of your inspirations so that we do not duplicate our efforts,” said Lord Townsend.
“Certainly, my lord. Just as I shall wish to be informed of your notions,” said Miranda smoothly. She smiled when the viscount’s brows contracted. His gaze was frowning and she met it with friendly eyes.
“You are a devilish headstrong young woman,” said Lord Townsend irritably.
“So my brother often tells me. I consider it the highest compliment,” said Miranda, nodding agreeably. She laid aside her napkin and rose from the table, smiling again at the viscount. “Pray excuse me, my lord. I have several notions that I wish to put into commission. And
certainly I shall keep you informed of my progress.” With that she swept out of the dining room.
* * * *
As the days passed, Lord Townsend discovered that his irritation with Miss Wainwright only increased. He could not seem to put her out of his mind and when he thought of her, he almost audibly ground his teeth. It was not that she was openly defiant or antagonistic toward him. On the contrary, Miss Wainwright was always polite and cheerful, solicitously requesting his opinion on whatever matter she had in hand.
And that was the crux of the matter, he thought. Even as she spoke to him so civilly, laughter lurked in the depths of her eyes as though she was offering a sop to his ego. That was what galled him so, thought Lord Townsend. But still he could not put aside those feelings that he condemned as childish and unworthy of him. There was something about Miss Wainwright that at once put him off and yet drew him to her. She was a colonial nobody with little grace of manner toward her social superior.
Oh yes, Miss Wainwright, I have been made acutely aware that you are not impressed with me or my social status, thought the viscount, his gaze resting on Miss Wainwright’s profile as she pointed out to him the particulars of a list that she had drawn up. The sunlight coming in the study window highlighted the purity of her skin, the smooth curve of her cheek, the fullness of her rose lips. Lord Townsend’s gaze lingered on the sensuousness of her soft mouth. He wondered if she would be so indifferent to him if he were to take her in his arms. The stray thought startled him. Then the faintest of smiles crossed his face.
Miranda chanced to glance up at that moment. The pleasantness of his expression surprised her. When she had first come into the study, she had not thought Lord Townsend was in a particularly benevolent mood. “Do you not agree, my lord? Mrs. Crumpet assures me that these particular items are essential if we are to have a well-run house.”
“I bow to your judgment, Miss Wainwright. My only consideration would be to consult with Anne. She will have her own notions of what a well-run household should provide,” said Lord Townsend.
“Naturally I shall talk to my cousin. Do you know, I have a slight suspicion that Anne is actually relieved that someone other than herself is organizing her house. It is an attitude I cannot understand,” said Miranda.
“But my sister-in-law is not so self-sufficient as yourself, Miss Wainwright. She relies on my brother to guide and advise her,” said Lord Townsend.
Miranda wondered if the viscount was subtly pointing up what he considered a flaw in her feminine character. She was well aware of his arrogant assumption that he was entitled to preferential treatment, especially from any female who happened to cross his path. Certainly the way he carried himself made one instinctively defer to him. The faintly derisive light in his brown eyes and the mobility of his stern mouth but added to his dark good looks. Miranda was honest enough to admit to herself that she was intrigued by Lord Townsend, but she thought she had managed to resist succumbing to his attraction. She studied his face to see if he was throwing down yet another gauntlet, but his expression revealed nothing more than friendliness. “If Anne has no objections, I shall inform Mrs. Crumpet that she may purchase these necessary items when next she goes shopping in the village,” said Miranda, picking up her list.
* * * *
As a result of the earlier shopping trip undertaken by Mrs. Crumpet with Constance Graves and Robert, word had swiftly spread through the countryside that there was no danger of pox at Willowswood. The village doctor had been saying the same for weeks and he enjoyed needling those who had condemned him for treating Mrs. Townsend. At his suggestion, and much to his satisfaction, a very worthy woman of his acquaintance, named Grace Buffin, applied for the post of lady’s maid to Mrs. Townsend and was taken on.
When the doctor paid his looked-for visit to Willowswood, he was in the greatest of spirits as he told of the turn-around of opinion in the village and surrounding countryside. His ginger-colored brows wagged with his enthusiastic talk. “Aye, you should see their faces now, Mrs. Townsend. Your neighbors are shamefaced to have neglected you in the past weeks. Do not be surprised if you should receive a flurry of morning calls,” he said as he finished his examination.
“But shall I be up to receive visitors?” asked Anne.
“Indeed you shall, Mrs. Townsend. I perceive no reason why you cannot begin going downstairs again this very evening,” said the doctor expansively.
“There, Anne. We shall have you presiding at the dinner table at last,” said Miranda, pleased.
After a few more minutes, the doctor took leave of his patient and Miranda accompanied him downstairs to the door. She held out her hand to him. “I am so very glad for the news you have given my cousin, sir. She has been somewhat restless these last few days with just thinking about the possibility of leaving her room.”
The doctor bowed over Miranda’s hand. “I am happy to have been of service, Miss Wainwright. It always gratifies me to be able to relate good news. And may I say that I am most pleased to have made your acquaintance. Before you came upstairs, Mrs. Townsend was telling me how your presence had brought her greater peace of mind than she had at any other time during her illness. I believe that factor alone may have contributed a powerful positive influence and accelerated her recovery.”
“You flatter me, doctor, but I thank you,” said Miranda, smiling.
The doctor hitched himself up into his gig and shook out the reins. The horse between the traces started off docilely and the gig rolled smoothly away down the drive.
Miranda turned back into the house and Crumpet closed the door. She found that the viscount was regarding her from the doorway of the study.
“The sawbones seems a pleasant enough fellow,” he remarked.
“Quite. I was pleased both with his professional manner and his good nature. I can well understand the faith that Mrs. Townsend has in him,” said Miranda.
“I detected in his manner a strong hint of partiality for you, Miss Wainwright,” drawled the viscount.
“What utter nonsense. The doctor is merely kind to a stranger,” said Miranda.
“I bow to your superior judgment. Miss Wainwright,” said Lord Townsend. He was smiling as he reentered the study and softly closed the door.
“That is the most infuriating gentleman,” said Miranda under her breath.
“Beg your pardon, miss?”
She turned to the butler. With a shake of her head and a smile she dismissed Lord Townsend. “Crumpet, I know that you must have gathered that Mrs. Townsend will be able to leave her room now. I should like to celebrate at dinner tonight. Do you think that Mrs. Crumpet might whip up something special?”
“Of course, Miss Wainwright. I know that Mrs. Crumpet will be most pleased by the request. Is there anything else?” said Crumpet.
“Yes. We shall have Master Robert join us for dinner. I think it would be most appropriate and it will please his mother very much to think that her adored son has grown so in manners,” said Miranda with a chuckle. “I must warn Constance of the treat in store so that she may prepare my young cousin for his role of the tidy gentleman. And I shall do my best to awe the young rascal into dignity.”
Crumpet allowed himself a smile. “Yes, miss. I shall be certain to treat Master Robert with all the deference at my command.”
“That alone might serve to convince Master Robert of the importance of the moment. At least, I devoutly hope so,” said Miranda.
* * *
Chapter 10
That evening was a particularly nice one. Anne Townsend came downstairs leaning heavily on her brother-in-law’s arm, looking beautiful and frail, in a soft rose satin gown ruffed about the neck with Belgian lace. She was seated at the head of the candlelit table, flanked by her son and Miranda. Constance sat beside Robert in case he should begin to fidget. The viscount not unhappily found himself seated next to Miranda. Anne looked about the table with content. The only face missing was Richard’s, but even that could not dim her pleasure i
n being able to come downstairs and join her family, she thought.
Robert was thrilled to sit at dinner downstairs rather than being brought a tray in the nursery. Hoping that this evening would mark the end of his nursery days, he was mindful of both his manners and his deportment. His thick unruly hair was carefully combed and his attire clean and sharply pressed. He fairly glowed when his mother and his uncle complimented him for his gentlemanly conduct.
Miranda was pleased for the boy and she signaled her approval to him with a conspiratorial wink. She little knew that someone at the table noted her sparkling eyes and soft beauty with admiration. Miranda had chosen a deep blue gown that brought out the dark shade of her eyes and highlighted her fair skin. The square bodice was cut low across the bosom, to reveal a glimmer of shadow between her well-formed breasts. She wore her shining hair in a plaited chignon that set off her slender neck, adorned with a double string of pearls that matched the pearls gleaming in her ears.
Lord Townsend’s eyes often strayed to the tantalizing glimpse of Miss Wainwright’s shapely bosom and he was acutely aware of the warm feminine scent of her perfume. He found her vivacious speech pleasing to his ears. Idly, he contemplated her soft full lips, his thoughts wandering pleasantly from the conversation.
“And Andrew, I wish to see you enjoying yourself more as well.”
Lord Townsend dragged his attention back. “What, Anne?”
“Oh Andrew! Surely you are not woolgathering tonight over business. Miranda has told me how hard you are working with the estate and though I appreciate it, I do not want you to bury yourself in the study. It cannot be how you planned to entertain yourself at Willowswood,” said Anne.
“Anne, you know me better than that. If I did not enjoy it I should not do it,” said Lord Townsend. He intercepted a swift glance from Miss Wainwright and wondered at her expression. Surely he had not seen annoyance in her eyes. He looked at her more closely, but she had lowered her lashes and he could no longer read her expression. “Perhaps Miss Wainwright feels that entertainment is scarce at Willowswood, but I do not,” he said quietly.