Forever My Love (Berkeley-Faulkner #2)(20)

“But you had more of a liking for Lord Falkner?”

“Didn’t like either of them at first. Holt preferred chasing women over hunting game. And Alec and I began an argument the first day of the hunt, about whether a double-barreled Westley Richards or a Joe Manton is more effective. We started a bet to see which one would bring down a greater number of birds with his respective firearm.”

Mira smiled, picturing a much younger Alec in the middle of a quarrel with Sackville. “Who won?” she asked.

“We compared tallies at the end of the hunt and found that we were exactly even. That was when the friendship began. I discovered soon afterward that he is a talented architect—he redesigned part of the manor for me, did you know that?”

Mira was fascinated by the revelation. An architect… did Alec possess a more fanciful nature than she had originally thought? Did his tastes in design run to classical Palladian or picturesque Gothic? When she had pressed for more details about it, Sackville gave her an odd look before murmuring something noncommittal about Falkner’s designs, causing Mira to wince in the realization that her interest was becoming far too obvious. She was not aware that she had mentioned his name so often in the most casual of conversations. But this disturbing fact was pointed out to her one day while she was taking tea in the kitchen with Mrs. Comfit and two of the housemaids, Lizzie and Tessie.

“This is the randiest group o’ gentlemen Lord Sackville’s ever ‘ad over to the manor,” Lizzie exclaimed, her bright red curls bobbing emphatically as she spoke. “Another one tried to ‘ave ‘is way with me this morning, ‘e did!”

“Wa’d ‘e do?” Tessie, a timid girl of seventeen, inquired in fascination.

“Looked me up and down as I was carryin’ a tray by ‘is room—pinched me on the be’ind, ‘e did, and chased me down the ‘all!”

“Goo!” Tessie exclaimed.

“That’s the third one this week,” Mira said dryly to Mrs. Comfit, who shook her head with resignation. Mrs. Comfit was a wise and cheery figure, her body solid and round, her expression perpetually elfin, her appearance resembling that of a friendly forest gnome.

“Yes, but that’s men for you, Mira,” the cook said. “After a week of good food, spirits, and fine hunting, each one starts to feel like twice the man he was when he got here. But I’ll agree with Lizzie, this is a randier lot than usual.”

“Lizzie,” Mira inquired a little too casually, “do you remember which man in particular it was who pinched you this morning?”

“Lor”, why d’you ask that, Mira?” The housemaid stuffed half a buttered scone into her mouth and chewed appreciatively.

“Well, just… so that I will know which ones to avoid,” Mira said. “Was one of the men who… made advances to you… young and… well, large and rather good-looking? Maybe with dark hair?”

“Lor’, no… would I complain about that! No… just the old goats as soft and white as snow, and old enow to be me father.”

“Mira,” Mrs. Comfit inquired gently, “who in particular are you thinking of?”

“Oh…” Mira flushed crimson and took a sip of freshly steeped tea, which nearly burned the roof of her mouth. “Well, one can’t help but notice the Duke of Hamilton… Lord Falkner… he’s got a roving eye if I’ve ever seen one. I thought it might be him. You watch out for him, Lizzie, and you too, Tessie! He is not a very safe kind of man to be around, if you know what I—”

“Goo, if you want ‘enr fer yourself, just say so,” Lizzie said generously, reaching for another scone.

“No, that’s not what I mean at all!”

“You’ve mentioned him many times before, Mira,” Mrs. Comfit remarked with a thoughtful smile.

“No, I haven’t!” Mira denied the accusation, setting down her teacup and regarding them all indignantly. “I haven’t…” Her voice became smaller as she looked at the three placid countenances on the other side of the table. “... have I?”

“You ‘ave,” Lizzie said flatly, and immediately Tessie chimed in, “Mira’s gone sweet on ‘im, Mira’s got a eye for the Duke—”

“You just close your mouth!” Mira snapped, her eyes gleaming with sudden anger. “I couldn’t care less about the conceited wretch! Why don’t you both stick your noses in someone else’s affairs and leave me alone?” She stopped and clapped a hand to her mouth as she stared at the two startled housemaids. “Oh, I’msorry… what a temper I’m developing. Please forget what I just said.” She pressed her fingertips on her temples and closed her eyes. “It’s this bloody headache—”

“Girls,” Mrs. Comfit said calmly, “it’s time for you to enamel the floors for the dancing this evening. Run along while I have a chat with Mira.”

Grabbing the last of the scones and stuffing them into their pockets, Lizzie and Tessie threw Mira forgiving glances and flew out of the room with giggles and whispers.

“Now,” Mrs. Comfit said, “Mira, I think you need a talk. I know you usually go to Mrs. Daniel when you need to talk, but she’s too busy and I’m near as good at ” at

“There’s no need for a talk,” Mira said, dropping her head wearily into the crook of her arms. Her voice was muffled as she continued. “You’d think the very worst of me if I told you.”