Page 32 of No Ordinary Lady

Her blonde hair shone in the morning light, and her soft pink lips were entirely too kissable.

He buried that thought deep as he stepped into the room. He could not kiss Marian here, or anywhere.

Granny spoke first. “My darling boy. I’m so glad you’re back. You’ll never believe who’s come to visit. It’s my old friend’s daughter, Miss Marian Trill, from Portishead.”

His step faltered a little and his tongue became unstuck. “Is that right? Portishead?”

“Oh yes, I had no time to tell you when you first came home that we’ve been corresponding for some months now. I said to Marian that since her parents have passed on, God rest their souls, she could come stay here as my new companion. It’s not what she’s used to, of course, but I’m sure she’ll settle in easily enough. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Marian didn’t so much as blink at all the lies spilling from Granny’s mouth. But he did. Several times. And his tongue froze over any sort of immediate response to her, too.

He closed his eyes briefly. Counting random numbers in his head until his throat relaxed. Marian could not remain as a companion here. Granny would take her everywhere, including to the upcoming celebration for his marriage to Amy!

He wet his lips and forced his tongue to cooperate as he spoke with greater focus. “I don’t believe you need a companion.”

“Oh, I certainly do. You don’t understand how often I’m bored here,” Granny told him, admiring her unfinished embroidery and then showing it to Marian. “Your mother will be much too busy with the wedding to keep me company. You know how she prefers me to keep my nose out of the estate business, and your affairs. I’ve let her run things as she sees fit, of course, but I have time to devote to our young friend. I want to do this.”

“My marriage is not anyone’s business but mine,” he protested, pointing out the first of her inaccuracies. “And I don’t think you’re as bored as you say you are.”

“I may as well be alone for the way your mother is always rushing hither and yon trying to please that foolish girl,” Granny grumbled. “Now, Miss Marian Trill, I have the pleasure of presenting my grandson, Jeremy Daniel Clifton Wallace, Earl of Scarsdale.”

Marian seemed taken aback by the introduction and gulped. “A pleasure, my lord?”

He nodded sharply. There was a reason he’d not told Marian of his title. Now, she would be my lording him as everyone else did. “How do you do?”

“Very well, thank you,” she said demurely, a frown marring her brow as she turned her gaze on Granny. Her frown only became more pronounced.

Granny nodded enthusiastically, but then looked past him to the open door at his back. “Ah, there they are, Lady Scarsdale. We were all wondering where you were.”

Daniel spun about. Mother stood behind him with Amy and an unfamiliar maid by her side, and mother did not look happy to see him, not that that was unusual at all.

He bowed to them all as they entered the drawing room. Daniel offered Amy a few extra words of greeting and then offered her a seat. Amy’s maid headed for a hard wooden chair some distance away by the door.

Mother remained on her feet longer, frowning at the unfamiliar face in the room. However, she had too many years of experience to show any great surprise over the sudden arrival of one of Granny’s friends and turned to sit, lips pursed tight.

Daniel sought to smooth things over in advance. “How are you today, Mama?”

“Very well, thank you, and all the better for having so many special guests, Lord Scarsdale,” she said, gesturing to Amy.

Amy blushed.

Thankfully, Granny performed the introductions between Mother, Amy, and Marian, the latter of whom uttered a softly voiced “how do you do” and then fell blessedly silent.

Daniel caught Amy’s gaze a few times and smiled, but was aware of everyone’s eyes on him. “Where are you coming from this morning?”

“The orangery. Your mother and I were just talking about the exciting new plans you have for the estate,” Amy answered.

Daniel glanced at his mother immediately. Since he’d mentioned no such plans, he was taken completely by surprise and did not know what to say in response. “My plans? Yes, indeed.”

Mother smiled slightly. “They are impressive, as all the other improvements have been. I cannot wait to see them completed.”

“Yes, terribly exciting changes,” he muttered, frowning still. Why was mother suddenly crediting him with the improvements she made to the estate?

And what was Mama doing to the place now, and why hadn’t she bothered to inform him already? This was hardly the time to embark on any new project at the same time as the expense of a wedding was in their future. Daniel wanted to focus on Amy and finding the right moment to propose to her.

Although now he had to get the ring back from Granny, instead of from Marian. Granny had refused his request last night for no good reason.

He stared at Granny, but she kept her attention on her embroidery and whispering with Marian. If that ring was in his pocket right now, he could propose to Amy and set his own plans in motion.