Page 38 of No Ordinary Lady

It was so clear that Lady Scarsdale was fonder of Miss Wilson than Miss Wilson was of the countess. The affection and consideration weren’t returned in equal measure by Miss Wilson.

There was no one thing she could put her finger on that suggested a ruse or scam underway by the young woman, though. She seemed the sort who expected love and praise but gave none out. But if one wished to gain all of this, a title and untold wealth, along with Danny as a husband, then Marian could understand Amy’s motivations.

Not that anyone should need to feign delight at having Danny court them. Titled or not, wealthy or not, he was a very appealing man to look at. Funny and of largely sober habits, he was a man who knew how to love and respect the wishes of women. Though obviously he was a disappointment to his mother—which many young men often were.

She turned back to Mrs. Nolan to ask about the source of the strife between mother and son, only to discover the older woman gone from the room. Marian cursed softly. Granny was always doing that. Disappearing without warning. No wonder past companions had never stayed in her position long. She was a difficult woman to keep up with.

“I wonder what is keeping your son from joining us,” Amy murmured. “He said he would be right back.”

“I’m sure he’ll be along at any moment now,” Lady Scarsdale answered, and then her foot tapped beneath her gown.

Marian shook her head. Danny drove his mother to distraction without even trying very hard. Even from here, she could sense the tension in the lady was increasing because of the lack of marriage proposal and his absence.

Yet if he was truly in earnest about marrying Amy Wilson, surely, he ought to be trying harder to court the young woman. It was obvious his mother wouldn’t stand in his way, though his granny just might.

Marian would rather not bear witness to his proposal, and after a few minutes of indecision, turned away from the gossiping ladies and went looking for Mrs. Nolan instead.

There was no sign of Mrs. Nolan in any of the lower rooms, and Marian hurried up the main staircase toward the woman’s bedchamber, hoping to find her resting there despite the early hour.

The old woman had said she didn’t normally sleep during the day, but Marian was coming to realize the old woman lied as routinely as Marian had once stolen.

As she raised a hand to the door, she heard Danny talking within the room and froze with her knuckles inches from striking the wood.

“This is a bad idea, Granny,” Scarsdale said. “Mama will throw a fit once she learns the truth.”

“You leave my daughter to me. I told her everything she needs to know about Marian for now. Besides, your mother is more astute than you give her credit for. Look how well she does, ignoring Amy and her meddling father.”

“I don’t want Mama lying to anyone about anything,” Scarsdale complained. “What’s this about Mr. Wilson meddling, though?”

“He’s always coming round, making snide comments about your absence, and attempting to undermine her confidence and authority over the servants. I think he’s been trying to take over these past years. All because everyone knows you’ll marry his daughter, and you’d need his blessing for the match. My daughter has worked diligently to keep this place running while you’ve been thoroughly enjoying yourself in London.”

“I know that. The ledgers tell me she has done extremely well without me. I’ve no complaints.”

“You ought to tell her you’re proud of her,” Granny suggested. “Before it’s too late.”

“Mother has never been comfortable with compliments from me,” Danny complained. “I wouldn’t know what to say that would please her.”

“Reminds me of someone else we both know,” Granny mused.

“Amy is always flattered by praise.”

“Of course she is. Everyone has complimented Amy Wilson on her looks, her manners, and her great many accomplishments. I meant you should offer compliments to the other lady in need of a little flattery,” Granny said with a soft laugh. “Practice on Marian.”

“I wouldn’t like her to get the wrong impression.”

“You can’t just ignore her, or do you want your mother to suspect there is something going on between you? She’s pretty, and you are a virile young man. And there still is something between you both. I know what you’re thinking when you look at her, and what she hopes for most when your eyes meet. You’re wondering if you can do your duty and continue an affair, but that would not be wise,” Granny cautioned. “She deserves better. Marian, I mean.”

“For the last time, nothing serious happened between us,” he protested. “But tell me why you’ve spread so elaborate a tale about Marian coming from Portishead.”

“She does,” Granny said.

“Yes, but why say you know her family? I’ve never heard of them before.”

“You’d have to ask your mother about that.”

“Mother dislikes discussing the past,” Daniel grumbled. “If I ask her, she’d tell me it’s not important, like she always does.”

“It’s not really so farfetched that we know each other. I’ve merely embellished the tale a little to explain how Marian came to be here. We’ve helped many acquaintances from Portishead, even those of low rank, like her family. Are you ashamed of such connections?”