Page 11 of Make Mine a Marquess

Even more fascinating, she was no wallflower, no simpering miss. Phoebe Dawson had backbone. She’d argued with him the previous evening and she had not disappointed in the gardens this afternoon.

A challenge. She was a worthy adversary.

“I like her,” Aram said before Landon could respond. “She was knowledgeable regarding the Egyptians’ use of slaves.”

“Now who’s being fooled by a pretty face?” Landon drawled.

“You cannot believe she had anything to do with Willard’s attempt on your life?”

“No. But what if she knows something? What if it was all her idea?”

Aram seemed to contemplate what he’d said. He nodded once. “It’s possible.”

“Either way, she’s my cousin’s betrothed. What better way to seek revenge than to seduce his lovely fiancée and steal her abundant dowry from beneath Willard’s nose?”

“What better way indeed. Only, as you say, she’s not a simpering miss. You may have a challenge on your hands, my friend.”

Landon smiled. “All the better the conquest.”

…

The next morning, purring woke Phoebe, followed by a nudge of a cat’s soft nose. Phoebe opened her eyes to find a pair of brilliant yellow eyes watching her.

“Well, good morning to you, too, Mimi.”

Phoebe scratched behind the cat’s ear, which resulted in more purring. Mimi looked like a little tiger with her yellow and black stripes and white paws. The feline was her beloved pet. Phoebe had found Mimi in the stables after the kitten had been abandoned by its mother.

She’d discovered the tiny kitten in the second-floor loft, alone and crying in a pile of straw. After Philip had left her and she’d been fearful of pregnancy, Phoebe had often climbed into the loft, curled into a ball, and cried. Phoebe firmly believed Mimi had saved her life.

Finding and caring for the kitten had helped ease her melancholy. Philip had abandoned her, and Mimi had been abandoned. The cat had provided affection and support when Phoebe was at her lowest, and she loved the cat with all her heart.

Her maid, Anne, entered the bedchamber to pull back the drapes. Sunlight flooded the room and lit the pale gold–painted walls. Her assigned room during the three week–long house party was lovely with delicate pearwood furniture, a bed with a yellow canopy and a malachite stone fireplace and coal brazier.

“Good morning, luv.” Anne held out her arms.

Phoebe knew she was speaking to the cat. Mimi leaped from the bed and into Anne’s arms. After more scratches behind the cat’s ear, the maid set her on the carpet.

“She’s an affectionate one,” Anne said. “I’ll instruct a footman to change the sawdust in the cat’s box.”

Mimi had her own box for her needs and the sawdust was changed daily. At home, Phoebe’s room was on the first floor and the cat was free to come and go through a window that was kept open during the warmer months. Here, Mimi had made friends with the French chef and kitchen maids, and they allowed the cat to come and go through the servants’ entrance.

Phoebe sat up in bed. “We are to go riding today, Anne.”

Anne smiled. “You should be pleased. I know how you love to ride. Which habit would you like?”

“The green one, please.”

Anne opened the wardrobe. “Will you be riding with your betrothed, Lord Willard?”

“No. The ladies are accompanying the men grouse hunting.” The denial came quick to her lips. Her longtime maid missed nothing.

“You do not like to hunt, miss,” Anne said.

“I love to ride,” Phoebe countered. “It’s one of the only times the ladies can be outdoors with the men. Now, please hurry! I don’t want to be late.”

Less than an hour later, all the women were mounted. Phoebe’s cousin, Beatrice, was accompanied by her widowed aunt and chaperone, Mrs. Edith Stirling. Lady Milton along with Lady Delmont were speaking with Phoebe’s mother. The two younger houseguests—closer in age to Phoebe and Beatrice—were the dark-haired twins, Clarice and Elaine Madison. The twins were accompanied by their parents.

Beatrice’s mount sidestepped, and a glimmer of panic flashed in her eyes. Phoebe immediately reached out to grasp the reins and calm the horse.