Page 7 of Glimmer and Burn (Unity #1)

Lady Wilde’s sharp eyes snapped to Miranda, but she would not scold her daughter in company, that would come later. Miranda resisted swiping at her lips and picked up a napkin to blot the corners of her mouth.

“Since I am here, Lady Wilde, and the weather is unaccountably fair, might I take a turn about the garden with Miss Wilde? I feel we’ve hardly had a moment to talk since the engagement.”

Miranda leapt to her feet. “No.”

“Miranda?” Her mother awaited an explanation for the outburst with drawn lips and wide, accusing eyes.

“I mean…it’s just…” Miranda was breathing too quickly to speak clearly. “I only…”

“My dear, please sit down.” Her mother spoke with calm authority. Her mother was furious. Miranda would not live down this afternoon quickly. “I do apologize, Lord Graves, my eldest does let her actions run away from her sometimes.”

“Oh, I don’t mind.” He smiled at Miranda, in appearance a show of friendly understanding, but to her something much more sinister. “The young are always given to flights of passion. I was no different once, I’m sure.”

Miranda’s jaw locked as she lowered herself back into her seat. She wanted to punch that fake smile off his face.

“Might the younger Miss Wilde and I take our walk?” He held out a hand to Cordelia, who eyed it like it was made of snakes.

Her mother had to say no, but why would she? There was no reason to deny his request unless one knew all the facts and her mother didn’t.

“Oh, I’m afraid that won’t be possible today, Lord Graves,” her mother said, taking Cordelia’s hand and pulling her youngest daughter close.

If Miranda didn’t know better, she’d mistake the gesture as protective.

Graves frowned, visibly. He had not anticipated being denied.

Why did he want to walk with Cordelia? Did he want her alone to…

Miranda closed her eyes as she attempted to fight the panic in her chest. Her mother had denied him. There was no further cause for alarm. She may not have done it for the right reasons, but her mother had saved the day.

“Cordelia has a previous appointment that I cannot cancel. We were just finishing our tea when you arrived and I’m afraid are already running behind.

” Her mother stood and Lord Graves was forced to rise as well.

His grip on his hat kept shifting, and though he smiled, it was strained.

He was short for a fae, matching her mother in height and losing an inch on Miranda.

She could easily beat him in a fight. It was an option that her dreams had indulged, more often than her waking mind.

He was too well positioned to be attacked.

Even now, completely unarmed and vulnerable in their parlor, he was protected by the conventions that frowned upon murder.

If she were to strike him, the ramifications would be too perilous to navigate and would only create more problems. Still, it was a satisfying fantasy.

“Of course, Lady Wilde, I’m so sorry to have kept you.”

“Not at all, Lord Graves. You are to be family soon. You must stop by whenever you wish.”

He set his hat on his perfectly styled hair. “I may take you up on that, Lady Wilde.”

Miranda’s gaze did not leave him until he disappeared under the watchful eye of Martin. Only then did Miranda’s chest ease enough for her to catch her breath.

“But, mama, what app—”

“Come now, Cordelia, surely I told you about the appointment with the…milliner.” Her mother turned on her, “Do not think you have escaped, Miranda. We will talk later.”

As the women quit the room, Miranda sprinted for her bedchamber.

“Miranda Olivia Wilde you will walk like a lady in this house. Unless you are hiding a uniform under that dress.” Her mother’s voice carried after her and Miranda adopted a controlled walk until she was far enough away that her mother wouldn’t hear the thump of her feet.

She slammed her door shut and tucked her trembling hands into her chest. She itched to break something, to fight.

Her breathing hefted her shoulders as she tried to calm herself for the grueling task ahead.

If she wanted to be rid of Graves, she couldn’t rely on her fists.

A level of tactics was needed that she had never excelled at, despite years of training.

Still shaken, Miranda prepared to head out under the excuse of taking a turn in Legacy Park. It was still before noon and she hoped to catch Drake during luncheon.

She would have to tread carefully to get what she wanted.

Drake was a known flirt and could be dangerous to her goals.

After meeting him last night, she had witnessed how he might draw you in.

That dangerous air about him that breathed of adventure and life.

He was entirely too handsome, and there was something in the way his eyes locked with hers, that called to the part of her that craved challenge.

And he could challenge her, she was sure.

If she could just avoid being drawn in by his charm, his flaws would surely keep her senses in check.

His reek of alcohol and exceedingly annoying banter.

It would be easy to keep him at a distance if she just focused on his flaws.