Page 69 of So Wild A Heart

“You don’t know. You don’t know him!”

“Neither do you,” Miranda pointed out. “Besides, I think I know him much better than you realize.”

“I knew you wouldn’t listen.” Elizabeth sank her face onto her hands.

“Of course I am listening to you,” Miranda insisted. “I understand that you are very upset, and I am sorry for that. But there is nothing to fear. Really. Both those events were accidents. I know it is a trifle odd for two accidents to happen in a row like that, but such things do occur. Haven’t you ever noticed how you will seem accident prone for several days in a row? I am that way. The railing was old, and we all know that much of the wood at Darkwater was infested with woodworm. There is nothing odd about it breaking under pressure. And limestone rock breaks off and falls frequently. Everyone who lives here says so. Neither incident was unusual.”

“Yes, he is clever.” Elizabeth sighed, looking weary.

“Besides, Devin could not have pushed the rock down on me. He was riding with us.”

“He could easily have had a cohort at the top of the cliff to dislodge the stone and push it down.”

“Endangering him, too?”

“Was he riding beside you?”

Miranda paused, thinking. “Well, no, he was a few yards ahead, talking to his uncle.”

“You see?” Elizabeth exclaimed triumphantly. “It was you and Joseph who were almost killed, while Ravenscar was far from the danger.”

“Elizabeth, please, I don’t know why you dislike Devin so. You hardly know him. You should come down to dinner more often, sit with us after the meal. Talk to him. I think you would find that he is a much nicer person than anything you have heard about him.”

“Oh, I know he is charming. That is not the issue.” Elizabeth yawned, covering her mouth politely. “I’m sorry. I just…suddenly I feel very tired.”

“Yes, no doubt you need to rest,” Miranda agreed.

“No. Not until you understand…” Her words were interrupted by another yawn. “Oh, dear me.”

“Please, why don’t you go up to your room and sleep?” Miranda suggested, eager to get her stepmother out of there. “You will feel much better when you wake up. You will see that you have gotten worried over the merest trifle.”

“No, I won’t.” Elizabeth rubbed her hand across her face, looking confused.

Miranda frowned in concern. “Are you feeling all right, Elizabeth? Are you ill? Let me ring for a maid to help you up to your room.”

“Oh, no, dear, don’t be silly. I don’t need help.”

At that moment a footman entered the room, coughed politely to draw their attention, and announced, “Lady Vesey and Miss Vesey to see you, my lady.”

“Lady Vesey?” Miranda looked up, surprised.

“Leona!” Elizabeth exclaimed. It was clear from her face, Miranda thought, that someone had informed her stepmother of what Lady Vesey was to Lord Ravenscar.

The servant came forward with the small silver tray, on which sat two calling cards, one for the spinster aunt and one for Leona. A faint smile touched Miranda’s lips. She was never one to turn down a challenge.

“Why, yes,” she told the servant. “Show Lady Vesey into the drawing room.”

When the servant had bowed out of the room, Elizabeth turned toward Miranda, her eyes huge. “My dear, do you think you should? I understand from Lady Ravenscar that she is, well, not usually admitted into the best circles.”

“Yes, Elizabeth, I know. However, I have an interest in talking to Lady Vesey. I feel sure that it will not tarnish my reputation to receive her. Do you wish to come?”

“I believe that I will go upstairs and lie down, as you suggested,” Elizabeth said quickly. “I hate to think what Lady Ravenscar will say about this….”

“Don’t worry,” Miranda assured her. “It won’t be anything I cannot handle.”

Her stepmother rose and started out of the room, then paused, looking back at Miranda. “Dear…please, you will be careful, won’t you? Promise me?”

“Yes, of course I will.”