Page 34 of Entwined By Error (Madcaps of Mayfair #1)

One Kiss, Being Entirely Insufficient

Myra nodded to the footman who opened the front door of Blackbriar while pulling at the strings of her bonnet as she stepped into the vestibule.

She had only just reached up to pull the pins out of her hair when Daniel surprised her by lifting her from the floor and placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Breathless, she pulled away and then demurred, worried about the spectacle they were making in front of the servants. “I take this to mean you are no longer in pain.”

Daniel pulled the pin out of her bonnet as he lifted it from her head. “I missed you.”

“Careful with this one, you never know what creature is lurking about ready to wage a battle to steal my bonnet.”

He laughed as he placed her on the floor once more. “Your aunt and uncle, are they well?”

“Quite so,” she said as she removed her gloves. She took her bonnet from him and then placed her items on a side table. “They are quite concerned for your welfare; my uncle is ready to help you hunt the goose. He claims a triumph of serving the winged fiend at a supper party would do you good.”

“We shall have to wait for that. Southwood may need to use the goose as an alibi before long.”

“Oh?” She pursed her lips at the mention of his brother. “How was your visit with Lord Southwood?”

“Like fencing with a mirror. He reflects all my irritation and none of my wit.” Daniel took her hand, pulling her toward the study.

“Forgive me for leaving you with him. I had hoped after all these months a bit of time together would have been enjoyable.”

Daniel closed the door to the study and leaned down and kissed her on the spot between her eyes, just above her nose. “The conversation was inevitable, given his circumstances. I must confess the whole of it to you.”

“But not now…” She loved the way his lips explored her face, moving across her cheek and down to her neck. Her aunt had been right. As regular as the tide, although she was certain the tide was a happenstance morning and night, not mid-day.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling closer to him as he lifted her and carried her to the sofa. He mumbled something in her ear, completely incomprehensible, as he began to nibble. She gasped, loving the tenderness and the attention.

“Pardon me, I seem to be intruding once more.”

Myra instantly pulled away from her husband, stumbling from him so she could stand for the intruder. Summoning her composure, she turned to find Lord Southwood with the door to the hallway cracked open enough for his head to peek through.

She turned to Daniel. “I did not realize he was still in residence.”

Daniel stood, clearing his throat as he addressed the viscount. “Do you not understand the purpose of a closed door?”

“Every door in this house is closed, Daniel. Shall I knock on them all before entering?”

“Yes!” Myra said as she rubbed a hand along her neck, attempting to rid herself of the lingering heat from Daniel’s kisses. How she wished she hadn’t left her reticule in the hall. She needed her fan.

Without excusing herself, Myra walked to the door and curtsied to both her husband and Lord Southwood before making her escape.

She’d been in her bedchamber for less than five minutes before a knock sounded on the door that led to the hall.

“Enter.”

She’d expected to find her maid, but instead Daniel stood in the doorway, his eyes cast down as though he were repentant. “Are you certain I am allowed entry?”

Myra frowned at him as she paced the length of her bedchamber. “Why did you not tell me he was still here? And how long does he plan to stay?”

“I tried to tell you, but you said we could speak of it later.”

“Only because you were kissing me.”

“My dear Myra. You cannot present such an irresistible neck and expect me to behave like a gentleman.”

She turned to glare at him, hoping it would make him take the situation seriously, but when she saw his little pout, she nearly swooned. “Stop looking at me as though you were a sad little puppy in need of affection.”

“How shall I look at you?”

She crossed the room and placed her hands on his cheeks, gently squishing them as if she might knead contrition into his features. “I would very much like a husband who is more repentant.”

When she stepped back to inspect her handiwork, his face was askew. The bruises from the previous day were still in full bloom like tragic violets, one eye squinting, and his mouth twisted into a crooked grimace. She let out a laugh. “You resemble a pirate who has lost a duel and his dignity.”

“Aye, well, me lady, shall we parley about the matter of me treacherous brother?”

“Very well.” Myra took a seat near the hearth, pointing to the armchair opposite her.

She left the settee on the opposite side of the room in full view, not ready to sit too close to her husband for fear that he would kiss away her anger.

She would keep him at a distance until he had made full amends for not letting her know Lord Southwood had not vacated the estate.

She listened until he talked himself into silence.

She’d suspected Southwood had undesirable habits, but to find out he suffered from both the bottle and the gaming table was a shock.

Daniel had made the right decision, but she certainly didn’t have to be happy about it.

“How long do you think he will live here?”

“I hope to convince my father to take him back. Perhaps he could hide in one of the estates less frequented by the earl.” Daniel sat back, crossing one leg over the other. “If you wish me to send him away, I shall do so immediately.”

Forgiving him, she crossed the distance, making herself welcome on his lap. She draped her arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek. “I must admit,” she murmured as she kissed him again, “I may owe that fortune teller an apology.”

Daniel laughed, his crooked smile making her heart skip a beat. “That charlatan? She knew absolutely nothing.”

“I scoffed at her declaration that you were my future. How wrong I was.”

“Wrong, indeed. Shall we send our gratitude to the true culprit?”

Myra kissed him again. “Not yet. I am still trying to decide if this is all real or if your affections for me are a result of an addled brain from your tangle with the goose.”

“I shall never live to forget that fight…”

“Never.” She tilted her head back as he kissed her neck. “I shall endeavor to remind you of it for as long as I can remember.”

Daniel slowly pulled away from her. “I must see to arrangements. It is imperative that no one discovers Southwood is staying at Blackbriar; he is rather frightened of the men to whom he is indebted.”

“Tell me what I can do to make this easier on you.” She smoothed his hair back, admiring the love she saw in his eyes.

“Your support means everything to me. Thank you for not asking me to send him away. I know it cannot be easy.”

She bent down, catching his gaze and holding it as she whispered, “With all my heart, I wish you to know, my support will never waver.”

* * *

Myra held her head high as she sat at the supper table on the right side of her husband, her brother-in-law across from her.

It pained her to know that their first informal meal as husband and wife was to be shared with Lord Southwood, but as hostess, she couldn’t ask him to take his meal in his bedchamber.

They ate in silence, Lord Southwood disapproving heartily with loud sighs and harrumphs each time Daniel smiled in her direction. Myra placed her knife on the table, reaching for Daniel’s hand. He took it, lifting it to his lips as he placed a kiss on her knuckles.

“Marriage suits you,” Lord Southwood said as he looked at Daniel. “One would think you would grasp the chance to accept my earlier offer.”

Daniel kept his eyes on her as he spoke to his brother. “We have already decided your future.”

“You decided.” Lord Southwood lifted his empty wine glass. “I am convinced abstinence will be the death of me.”

“It may give you new opportunities.” Daniel turned to his brother. “Mayhap you could find a wife, not for her dowry but for her heart.”

Lord Southwood smirked. “Love may be your desire, Daniel, but it certainly is not mine. I wish only for a way to free myself from a mountain of debt.”

Myra cast a baleful glance at Lord Southwood.

It was likely she would never forgive him for courting her dowry instead of her.

It pained her to know how blind she had been to his true motives.

“I seem to remember you accused Daniel of being a fortune hunter the night I met him. How strange to find you were speaking of yourself.”

He leaned forward as though he were bowing. “You have caught me out. I am a fortune hunter. It should relieve you to know I never cared a whit for you; now you are free to love my brother.”

“Have you no shame?” Myra asked.

Lord Southwood barked out a laugh. “Have a care, Daniel. Your wife could freeze the Thames with those glacial irises.”

Daniel kicked him under the table. “Do hush. Your wit is like a second helping of pudding: unnecessary and poorly timed.”

“My apologies, Mrs. Northcott.” Lord Southwood winked at her, his charm every bit as stale as a year-old tart. “I spoke out of turn.”

She nodded, accepting his apology. As long as he was at Blackbriar, she would be civil, but accepting his presence didn’t mean she had to like him. His unabashed confession regarding her dowry made her even more thankful for the fortune teller’s shackles.

Lord Southwood continued. “I only wanted to make my offer in front of your wife so you could discuss the matter.” He lifted his glass of lemonade, frowned at it, and then placed it back on the table without taking a sip.

“After all, Mr. Astley pulled me aside long before I invited her to Northcott Castle, offering a tidy sum if I would give his daughter a title. I imagine he would be quite happy to finally purchase his way into the upper echelons.”

“What are you inferring?” Myra asked.

“Upon my death, Daniel would become my father’s heir. You, a countess. My brother has the power to make that happen.”

Myra burst into laughter, her hand tightening around Daniel’s. “Though he looks fit for a fight with his blackened eyes, my husband prefers finely tuned remarks over duels.”

“I do wish you would consider my offer, Daniel. I shall leave it to you to speak with your wife upon the matter.” With that, Lord Southwood stood and left the dining room.

Daniel let out a slow breath and then turned to smile at her. “I do think an informal supper is quite lovely. Shall we agree to eat in this manner from this day forward?”

“Indeed. Although,” Myra said as she released his hand, “we shall have to figure out how to eat properly while holding hands. Elsewise, we shall both starve.”

“Interesting,” Daniel said as he went back to his fork and knife. “I dare say we should have been more contrite and taken the time to discover the trick to it when we were shackled.”

They finished their supper, both focused more upon each other than the food, and then to her surprise, Daniel skipped his regular glass of port, and instead of spending the night in his study, he joined her in the drawing room.

They sat in silence, exchanging glances, she over her embroidery and he over a book. As the clock struck the hour, Myra stood. “I shall be off to bed now.”

“I will walk with you.”

Daniel held his arm out, tucking hers under his as though they were at a formal party. He escorted her up to her bedchamber and then left her at her door. Myra didn’t have to ring for her maid; Lucy had already set out her white cotton night rail and quilted plush bedgown.

Myra hesitated for only a moment before she crossed to her dressing table and sat. “I should like to wear the cream silk night dress, the one with embroidered hearts.”

“Oh, that one is lovely,” Lucy said as she rushed to the wardrobe. “What about the sheer bedgown, please tell me you wish to use that as well?”

Excitement brewed in her stomach as she nodded her head. Her aunt had been clear upon the matter; she needed to dress in a most impressive manner. Her hands shook as she dressed, her head getting caught in the fabric, and then her hands in the sleeves.

“I am a bundle of nerves,” Myra whispered as she held her hand over her stomach. A mess of butterflies flapped their beautiful wings, flying all about as she waited, wondering if he would want to spend the night with her.

When Lucy had finally finished weaving the last strands into the plait, Myra gave a grateful smile and then excused her maid for the night. Lucy curtsied, placed the brush and ribbons on the dressing table, and then turned to leave as a gentle knock sounded on the adjoining door.

Her breath caught, the kaleidoscope of butterflies she’d noticed earlier taking flight once more. “Oh dear!” Myra said as she took one last look in the mirror.

She waited for Lucy to close the door behind her before stepping to the adjoining door where Daniel had knocked.

She placed her hand upon the knob, taking a moment to gather her composure.

Hesitating for only a heartbeat longer, with a steady breath and trembling fingers, she welcomed Daniel into the room.