Miriam Croome, dowager of the Lofton estate, nearly salivated at the sight of the elder Mr. Radcliff. She’d seen him in the past but hadn’t exchanged more than a few words. Why hadn’t she noticed his appeal before? The man had an almost feral quality about him, as if he were one with nature.
Heat crept up her face. What are you thinking? One with nature? You despise nature. Hadn’t she always tried to keep her son Conrad from any outdoor activities? Demanded that he stay clean and tidy, having nothing to do with dirt and animals? Not that it mattered now, as his wife, Amelia, had put a stop to that.
Still, she was inexplicably drawn to Mr. Radcliff. How extraordinary. She hadn’t wanted to be with a man since the one who had actually fathered Conrad a few months before she married Lord Lofton. And that had been…
Well never mind how long ago. Parts of her person that she’d thought dead and buried were suddenly springing to life. But that woman, the one who had accompanied him. She was quite attached to the man. Literally. She seemed to not want to stand apart from him.
Can I blame her? Surely she senses the masculine sexual attraction rolling off of Mr. Radcliff?
Blast it all. Why did that Lady Ollerton have to be here anyway? Miriam, aghast at the way her body was reacting to the man yet loath to part with the sensation, was sure she could come up with some way to get to know him better. They’d been previously introduced, so that wasn’t an issue. But simply talking to the man wasn’t really what she had in mind anyway.
Miriam! What has come over you?
She tamped down her conscience, something she’d never let interfere in what she wanted to do in the past. Now was not the time to start listening to it whine and wheedle. No, there had to be a way, some way, that she could get Mr. Radcliff to notice her. But what?
After having words with the simpering Lady Ollerton, Amelia had hurriedly called for food to be brought out. Had she been hoping to diffuse the tension between the two women? Everyone had gathered around the tables, waiting for their meal.
Impatient at having to wait to eat, Miriam wandered away from the group and returned to the bench to sit and gaze at her new obsession. She eyed the seat carefully first, making sure not to sit on anything unmentionable or disgusting that might have been left by that bird. Why did these people always long to spend time out-of-doors, anyway?
Sitting in the shadows as she was, Miriam was somewhat hidden from view of anyone coming from the house. Two maids walked past, each carrying a tray of food. Miriam, seeing servants as lazy and mostly worthless, did however perk up her ears when she heard her own name.
“Why is that awful dowager Croome even here?” asked one. “She is so unpleasant.”
“I agree,” said the other. “A maid in her employ told me how disagreeable she is to work for.”
The two young women reached the table and set down their trays.
Miriam’s blood boiled. One of her own servants badmouthed her to another maid? The gall! Too bad Miriam didn’t know which servant, then she could merrily torment the girl and make her life miserable for spouting off.
Mr. Radcliff laughed from across the yard, drawing Miriam’s attention from the stupid maids. She gritted her teeth together when Percy took hold of Lady Ollerton’s hand and placed it on his arm.
Why can’t that be me? Though if she was close enough to him to do that, she’d want to do more. So much more. Her fingers ran a circle around her knee, imagining it was his knee instead.
The maids, now empty-handed after delivering the trays, passed by Miriam’s hiding place once more. Though Miriam didn’t believe they were right, that she was so disagreeable, was that what Mr. Radcliff would think? If a maid in his household had heard the lies, it was entirely possible that he’d heard something of the like too.
That wouldn’t do. Not at all.
How could she convince him otherwise?
She still couldn’t believe she was actually considering all of this. What was it about the man that beckoned to her? Caused her to think thoughts she’d not had since she was a girl of seventeen?
She hadn’t a clue. All Miriam knew was she didn’t want to let it, let him slip away. The rush of physical sensations was too wonderful to let go.
Glaring through narrowed eyes at Lady Ollerton, Miriam almost wished some harm would come to the woman. Then there wouldn’t be an obstacle to the dashing Mr. Radcliff. As she watched, Lady Ollerton stumbled. Mr. Radcliff quickly came to her aid, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders. And pulling her much too close.
That’s it!
Miriam could stage some sort of accident while in Mr. Radcliff’s presence. Of course, she’d have to tag along with her son and daughter-in-law once more, but it would be worth it. Mr. Radcliff seemed the sort to come to someone’s rescue. She’d just have to convince him that she wasn’t as bad as others made her out to be. A bump on the head from a faked fall and temporary amnesia just might do the trick. After that, she’d make sure to get him in her clutches.