Page 40 of Entwined By Error (Madcaps of Mayfair #1)
The Countess’s Little Secret
Myra held tightly to Daniel’s neck as he carried her down the stairs and to the parlor.
She’d been abed for a week due to her broken ankle.
There would be many more weeks spent in the privacy of her bedchamber, afternoons with her husband reading to her while she worked on her embroidery.
He’d even set up an easel so he could paint while keeping her company.
But the arrival of the Earl and Countess of Hastings was important enough for them to emerge from the privacy of her bedchamber.
As he placed her on the settee, the countess covered her with a blanket, tucking it around her to keep her warm. “We cannot have you taking a chill after all you have endured.”
“Thank you, my lady.” It was a nice change to leave her bed. She only hoped this morning’s visit would prove she was strong enough to leave her chambers more often, as long as Daniel agreed to carry her. She had no qualms enjoying his arms as he held her.
“A nasty business, this mess with Southwood.” The earl sat with a glass of brandy, slowly swirling the liquid as though it were out of habit and not as if he truly wanted the drink.
“Have you heard anything new?” Daniel asked as he sat in the armchair next to where Myra sat. She wished he could sit next to her, but her ankle required elevation, or so the bonesetter had said so when he’d wrapped her injury.
“He has left England. Sailed out of Liverpool, likely to the Americas or Barbados. We do not know his destination.” The earl continued to swirl his drink, his focus transfixed upon the liquid as the morning light reflected off its surface.
“With all the trouble he has caused, I cannot wish he had stayed.”
“Surely his troubles have not gone with him. What of his creditors?” Daniel sat forward, his attention on the earl and a little crease in his forehead that made Myra’s heart beat a bit faster. She loved his earnestness.
She knew that was only one of the questions plaguing her husband; there had been many sleepless nights as he’d paced the bedchamber worrying about the debts.
Myra reached out to touch his hand, and a flutter of happiness filled her stomach as he accepted her touch, lifting it to his lips so he could kiss her palm.
Oh, how she loved her husband. His gentle touch was more than enough to bring happiness into their lives every day for as long as they both lived.
The earl harrumphed. “The four men you wrote about have all visited Northcott Castle. I had the butler send them away without granting the requested audience.”
“Can we not speak of happier things?” the countess said as she smiled at Myra and then Daniel. “I wish to know everything about Blackbriar Hall and…this.” The countess pointed to Myra and Daniel’s joined hands.
A blush instantly crept into Myra’s neck and cheeks. She bit her lips together and then realized she had no reason to be bashful. It may not be the way of Society, but she hoped when people saw her with her husband, they would see how deeply she cherished the man he truly was.
“We are quite happy, my lady,” Myra said as she held Daniel’s gaze.
“Indeed,” the countess said. She turned to her husband. “Well, I believe we have worn out our welcome.”
Daniel and the earl both laughed.
Daniel kissed her hand again before looking at his mother. “We are most happy to play host for at least a day. Do not rush back to London unless you feel compelled to do so.”
“Then neither of you hold me accountable for my actions?”
“I have not revealed your dirty little scandal, Mama.”
Myra sat up. “Scandal?”
The countess took a dainty sip of tea as she composed her features. “I should have thought my actions would have been revealed by now. Daniel, whatever has delayed the confession?”
“I wished to keep your reputation untarnished.”
“Well, I hardly think it is necessary amongst family. Your father is wholly aware of my activities and supplied two bottles of strong drink for the blacksmith. More than enough to keep him from breaking the shackles.”
Myra’s eyes went wide as she looked to the earl. The mention of the inebriated blacksmith and shackles could only be in reference to the night they were wed. Goosepimples chilled the back of her neck as she looked from her husband to the countess. “Please, do confess all, my lady.”
Without any shame, the countess spoke of hiring the fortune teller and arranging the entire affair.
Myra’s thoughts drifted back to the afternoon she’d spent in the countess’s private sitting room.
Tears burned in the corners of her eyes as she remembered everything that had been said—the countess’s desire for Myra to find a different man to court.
Daniel squeezed her hand. “I am sorry, Myra. I should have told you long before now. Please do not cry.”
She hastily wiped the tears away, offering a little smile to her husband, hoping he would realize these tears were not for the viscount. Turning to the countess, she hesitated before asking, “Then you were in earnest when you declared that I was too good for Lord Southwood?”
“I most certainly was, my dear girl. I could not live with the knowledge of what my son had planned for you—a life of loneliness in a small village while he carried on with gambling and other pursuits which we shall not mention.”
Myra laughed as she shook her head, more tears spilling upon her cheeks. “I was convinced you disapproved of me, especially when I set Daniel a flame at the supper table.”
“Not at all.” The countess covered her mouth as she laughed.
“It was in that moment I knew what I had to do. I had already determined that Daniel admired you. My decision was a gamble, one that I took daring to hope that once you were out from under Southwood’s disingenuous declarations of love, you would realize there was a far worthier option.
Unfortunately, I had to act quickly, before Southwood requested your hand in marriage.
I do apologize for not trusting that you would discover his heart was in the wrong place. ”
“Do not apologize, my lady. I was blinded by fanciful dreams and well-placed compliments. You made a far superior choice for me, and for that, I shall forever consider you my benefactress.”
She turned to Daniel, needing him to know her tears were shed from pure relief. As she gazed into his blue eyes, she knew words were not necessary.