“Can I speak with you alone for a moment?” Davy looked quickly around him, then escorted her into the library. When they walked into the room, he quickly closed the door behind them, neither wanting to sit.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to ask you something before I attend to Miranda. I know that you don’t want to talk about this, but I have to ask you. Have you heard from Stratton lately?” Davy shook his head as he folded his arms in front of his chest.
“No! We have not heard from him in a while.”
“Neither have I. I am concerned.” Madam Fairaday bowed her head toward the ground, her stare focusing on Davy’s feet.
“As are we, but there is no reason to worry yet.” Madam Fairaday returned her eyes to meet Davy’s and gave him a weak smile.
“There is one more thing. Does Miranda know about—?”
“No!” Davy quickly answered cutting her off. “And I don’t think she should, at least not yet.”
“But Davy, you are her guardian, how can you keep this from her?”
“And you, my dear woman, are Stratton’s new wife. It is not my responsibility to explain what happened between you or why.”
“But—”
“There are no exceptions!” shouted Davy angrily. “We all discussed this, remember?” Madam Fairaday gazed at Davy wide-eyed. “She should not know yet. Now is not the time to explain to her the relationship that you two have. She will not understand and will only feel hurt. Trust me on this. Stratton has to explain to her what is going on between you. I will not intervene on either of your behalves. It will only make the situation worse because I know of the deception. What you two did was spontaneously romantic, yet disgustingly deceptive. Both of you did not think of the consequences of your hastened marriage.” There was a long pause before he continued, “What of your son, has he found out? Is that why you are bringing this up?”
“Yes, I have told him.”
“And how did he take it?”
“Not well,” responded Madam Fairaday sadly. “He didn’t take it well at all, but we have talked and he now understands that my happiness is more important than his anger or surprise, though he’s still vexed with me. Actually, he has not gone out of his way to speak to me about it, and every time I bring it up, he avoids the topic. He says it does not bother him, but I know he’s lying. I know my son and when he first found out about my relationship with Stratton’s months ago, he was—well—crushed. Now that he knows that we are married, his anger knows no bounds.” Madam Fairaday paused before saying, “I cannot spend all this time with Miranda and not tell her the truth, too. I do not want to see that same expression on her face, that look of betrayal. No, I could not bear to see it from her. Seeing it from my son was painful enough.” Davy placed his large hands on Madam Fairaday’s shoulders and squeezed reassuringly.
“She will understand the feelings that you two have for each other but she will not understand anything else for her vision will only be filled with hurt. Her reaction will mirror your sons, I will guarantee it. No matter when you tell her, her reaction will still be the same.”
“Yes, all the more reason to tell her now and get it over with before the lie spitballs into something bigger and more unforgivable.”
“No, you are doing the right thing by keeping the truth from her, don’t doubt yourself. What you need to focus on is still befriending her. Then, once she knows the truth, her anger won’t be so terrible.” Madam Fairaday shook her head at such nonsense, wanting to change the topic. Before she did, she raised her eyebrows and clucked her tongue loudly.
“There is one more thing. I have friends who are wives of some of the queen’s most trusted advisors and chiefs of staff, and I have learned something very disturbing. You see, they said—” Before she could say anymore Miranda opened the library door and peaked inside. Davy instantly removed his hands from Madam Fairaday’s shoulders.
“Madam Fairaday, I thought I heard your voice.” Miranda gazed at Davy and then at Madam Fairaday curiously. “What are you doing in here?” Davy was about to speak but Madam Fairaday quickly interrupted.
“I was speaking with Davy about this evening’s event. Are you in need of my assistance, for if so, then I shall move with haste?” Miranda glanced one more time at Davy before she answered.
“Please, my gown is complicated to get into. Your help would be greatly appreciated.” Miranda smiled mischievously and winked at Davy as she turned around and left the room. Madam Fairaday stared at Davy as he shook his head slightly, again pleading with her to say nothing to Miranda. She didn’t respond, but only lifted her skirts as she exited the library, following Miranda up the stairs.
An hour had passed and Miranda and Madam Fairaday were in her bedchamber still working on her appearance. Miranda was glancing into a mirror at her hair when she saw Madam Fairaday sitting behind her deep in thought. She hastily turned around and smiled politely.
“What’s wrong? You are quiet today.” Madam Fairaday smiled briefly as she stood from her chair.
“I will get Davy to finish tying the lacings in the back. No matter how hard I pull them, they are still not tight enough.” Miranda stood from her chair. “You do look beautiful tonight.”
“As do you. In fact, I think that you already have an admirer.” Madam Fairaday stared at Miranda in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Davy! I think I know why you were alone with him.” Fear crept into Madam Fairaday’s chest.
“You do?”
“Yes, I think he has feelings for you, or you for him?” Madam Fairaday laughed loudly as she exhaled a breath of relief.
“No, dear child, that’s not the case.” She then walked up to Miranda and embraced her. “You know that I care for you as if you were my own daughter, don’t you?” Miranda nodded her head as she smiled brightly. “I have no daughter of my own so I’m blessed to be able to dote on you. It’s meant so much to me.” After squeezing Miranda again gently, Madam Fairaday pulled away. “If there’s nothing more, my dear, I will see you later at Lord Hammil’s?”
“Of course, if he will free me from his grasp long enough to talk with you.”
“Don’t worry. I will make sure he allows us time to talk. If he doesn’t I will make a scene. I know how much he would love that.” Both women laughed at the very thought of seeing Lord Hammil’s embarrassed cherry red face. Madam Fairaday then kissed Miranda’s cheek, walked to the door, opened it and left. Davy entered shortly afterward. He moved right toward Miranda’s unfinished laces and pulled on them.
“Davy, may I remind you that today you need to watch what you say instead of me when we are at Lord Hammil’s?” Miranda winked at her friend through the mirror. She then admired her appearance. She chose a brownish gold gown with gold underskirts. White lace wrapped around the bodice and sleeves. The color matched her eyes exactly and flattered her figure. The skirts flowed smoothly when she walked around the room. Miranda was thin with curvaceous hips and supple thighs, but neither assets could be seen by any man. Her breasts were full and round, her shoulders soft and narrow. When Davy pulled the last lace too tightly, she glared quickly back at him, knowing that he did it on purpose, though he apologized.
“Did you have a nice visit with Madam Fairaday?” asked Davy changing the topic.
“Yes! I always enjoy our visits. I almost wish we didn’t have to go to Lord Hammil’s so I could spend more time with her instead,” poured Miranda as she admired herself in the mirror again. “I know what I can do, I will invite her over for tea tomorrow. Then we can gossip properly when we are not so distracted.”