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Ace stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, his massive shoulders in a relaxed pose as he cocked a brow.
“You’ve improved, Mirabelle,” he called to his sister.
“Where is Emily?” Mirabelle asked, stepping from Ken’s arms, folding her hands together in front of her stomach.
That was his question as well. Where was his sister and how did she fare after yesterday? His stomach clenched in worry when he remembered how distraught she’d been before the ceremony.
“Sleeping. Yesterday wore her out I think,” he said as he pushed off the door jamb and entered the room.
“Still planning to leave tomorrow?”
“Yes.” He and Emily would return to London with the rest of the family, stay for a fortnight and then travel to the north to visit Ace’s new estate. The old marquess’s staff had been retired with pensions and new servants had been hired.
And then Ken could leave on his tour, knowing that his sister felt comfortable in her new husband’s care.
They’d only return in time for the Christmastide holiday just as he’d be returning from his three-month tour.
Mirabelle’s gaze darted quickly to Ken. “Lord Boxby was kind enough to…”
Ace waved his hand. “I see you are chaperoned with the door open. And we all know you could use some tutelage beyond what I have provided.”
Mirabelle rushed to her brother’s side then, her hand linking in his. “You did a wonderful job.”
He shook his head. “There are still customs I don’t understand, not having grown up among them.” His gaze lifted to Ken’s. “Among you.”
Ken winced. He understood.
“I’ll change that,” Mirabelle said, so quietly he might have missed it. But the words made him straighten. She didn’t wish to be the belle of the ball because she sought more friends—
she wanted to elevate her family.
But Ace only laughed. “Not even you can force our brothers to behave.”
Mirabelle looked back at Ken then, her eyes sparkling again. “No. But I can help dispel the rumors that we’re not legitimate. If I shine brightly enough…”
Ken sucked in his breath. “Oh, Mirabelle.” He hadn’t meant to speak out loud. But her words made him ache.
He’d thought them alike but that sentence cast all her actions in a different light. She was not just pursuing fun, friends, or even glory…
Ace gave him a long stare at the use of Mirabelle’s name but he cleared his throat as he started toward them.
He didn’t know if what Mirabelle wished for was attainable. Even among the most elite girls there were only a few who shone the way she hoped. And all women seemed to cut one another when they were competing for the same prize.
But he also understood that he might be able to help her. And she—she could help him too.
All he needed to do was ask.
But wouldn’t it be more fun to win her aid with another wager?
Then again, perhaps that was a fool’s errand. He’d try, but in this regard, the Smiths possessed skills so far beyond his own. Still, he’d continue to play her game. He’d not seen Emily this morning, but he’d gotten a nice update and he was encouraged by Ace’s words about Emily.
So…he’d enter another wager with Mirabelle. Because they were both winning.
CHAPTERFIVE
The afternoon had turnedgrey but the sky had yet to open up and rain, so Mirabelle stood with Anna, Lord Boxby, and Lord Somersworth, croquet bats in hand.
It had been Boxby who suggested the activity, claiming that the girls ought to have a bit of fun before they all returned to London.
