The Earl and His Virgin Countess(25)
The sounds of finger-snapping beside her ear drew her attention. “Miranda, would you listen to me, please? This is damned important, and your daydreaming is not helping the matter.”
“As it happens, I was in the middle of actually dreaming when you dragged me from my bed, Daniel. That I am unable to focus lies on your shoulders.” So she lied. Thinking about doing some of the things in that book with Andrew had her unable to pay attention, but Daniel didn’t need to know that. “Besides, this can wait ’til morning.”
“I will get your agreement to call it off whatever agreement you have with this new man, or you shall not sleep at all.”
“Why are you so worried about this? The man in question has agreed to pay off any amount we would owe the earl.” Consider that for a moment, dear Brother.
“We have a contract.”
“Yes, you do,” the familiar, sensual voice of Andrew said. He stood with his shoulder pressed against the door frame. How long has he been there? “Of course, it wouldn’t matter if the earl in question had no idea he was betrothed, now, would it?”
Daniel’s eyes got so wide, Miranda feared they might pop from their sockets and roll across the floor. “Lord Windenshire.”
Ignoring Daniel, Andrew picked up a pillow from one of the chairs, dragged a foot stool over, placed the pillow on top, then lifted her ankle to elevate it. “How is this feeling?”
“It throbs.”
“How in heavens did you get down here?” His concern warmed her.
“Two footmen assisted me.”
“You should have remained up in bed, resting.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.
“What happened to your ankle, Miranda?” Daniel asked, if only just taking in the state of things.
“She was involved in a carriage accident and lucky this is the only injury she sustained. I am surprised that you are only now getting around to asking about it.”
No one but Aunt Sarah had ever stood up for her. Andrew gave her a wink before turning back to her idiot brother. “So, when were you planning on telling me about the contract, Daniel? Perhaps a better question would be, when did you realize that if you never let me in on the secret, the money would keep rolling in?”
“Our father informed me shortly before he died that I needed to contact you when Miranda came of age to make sure you presented her to the Regent for her coming out. When I came to town to do that, your lawyers informed me your mother wished for you not to be told until such a time as you were ready to wed. Or when you reached twenty-one.”
A chill ran down her spine as she watched Andrew clench a fist. “So you saw the golden opportunity and couldn’t pass it up.”
“The estate needed a large and immediate influx of cash. Miranda had all the dresses she needed, yet I was unable to keep servants employed or the roof from rotting over my damned head,” the ever-indignant Daniel dared to announce, his chin held high. Miranda feared he might find a set of knuckles making contact with that very chin any moment.
“I would have given you the money,” Miranda said in hope of easing some of the hostility.
“As would I,” Andrew agreed.
She observed his proud face, and her heart filled. He would have given her brother money, and she believed him as much as she knew the sun would rise in a few hours. She wanted to reach up and kiss him, tell him how much that meant to her, but knew the opportunity would come later.
“How could I have been sure? And if you think I spent a penny of that money on myself, I didn’t. It went to crops and improvements. Father didn’t understand the first thing about money or running an estate, which is why everything needed attention.”
Some of the tension left Andrew’s shoulders, enough she no longer feared he would punch Daniel. But, just in case, she took his hand in hers and urged him to sit next to her. That he did so showed the power she wielded. She needn’t fear he wouldn’t respect her wishes.
“So this other suitor story was just a ruse to get me here?”
“As it happens, Miranda and I met by chance last evening. She knew who I was, but for reasons we all know, I had no earthly clue who she was. That being rectified, I have every intention of marrying your sister. Not because of a stupid agreement on a piece paper between two old men but because I seem to see what no one else has; the genuine, amazing beauty of this woman, both inside and out.”
Aunt Sarah cleared her throat.
“Of course, Sarah knew her worth as well,” he added. “Which is why I hope she will spend a great deal of time with us. But this is what I want you to hear, Daniel; it is completely within Miranda’s right to reject my suit.”