After The Storm by Kimberly Nee Page A

called away to Kent, where he has holdings. He is four years younger than Hugh, and Daniel, is not quite two years his junior. It is quite rare for us to be all in one place these days, but it does happen. Especially since my father…” Her voice trailed off, then surged back as she added, “It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but I think it hit Hugh the hardest. Not only did he miss the funeral, but he benefited from Father’s death as well.”
    “Benefited?”
    She nodded. “He was groomed most of his life to inherit the dukedom and his seat in Parliament. But I don’t think he expected it quite so abruptly. And he was in America when it happened, you know, lying abed, recovering after…well, after what happened to him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to return home in time for the burial. By the time he did make it back, it was all over and he was the new duke.”
    Sympathy welled in Miranda’s heart. “How awful for him. Was he not permitted to return home for such a thing?”
    A soft, sad sigh rose to Elyse’s lips. “I’m afraid it was a bit more complicated than that, as it has to do with the War. And, as Hugh is quite loath to discuss it, you can imagine how much he’s told me. But he was quite broken up when he did come home. It was fortunate Sally was here awaiting his return.”
    Elyse’s words were bitter and Miranda frowned. “You sound a bit, ah, displeased.”
    “I hope I’m wrong, but I think Sally is quite pleased with the thought of skipping Countess Stoneham and moving straight to Duchess of Thorpeton. I’d never say it to Hugh, but she does seem to be quite impatient for them to marry.”
    Having clapped eyes upon Hugh Thorpeton, Miranda understood. Since she couldn’t very well say so, she concurred, “She does seem to be very much anticipating it.”
    As they drew closer to the dining room, Elyse sniffed one last time and paused to face her. “Am I red-eyed?”
    She leaned in, her face close to Elyse’s, and shook her head. “No. Not at all.”
    “Good. I hate crying. I almost look forward to the day when memories of my father are more sweet than bitter, and my eyes don’t sting because of them. Shall we?”
    Miranda paused on the threshold and eyed the dining table for her seat. There it was, beside Sally and directly across from Hugh. Her stomach rumbled as she took her place, but she ignored it. When the first course was served, and she saw how Lady Sally pecked and poked at her plate of venison, she was relieved to see she’d chosen wisely. Though she was hungry it wouldn’t do to have Hugh or anyone else at the table for that matter, watch as she attacked her meal. So she did no more than nibble, even when the rich, heavenly aromas urged her to gobble.
    Halfway through the meal, Hugh lifted his crystal goblet. “So, Miss MacDonough, how long will you be staying in England?”
    Heat swept through her and her mind went blank. Completely blank. Her face grew hotter by the moment as she stared and scrambled for the correct answer. “I…I am not entirely certain, actually,” she finally stammered, mindful of the watchful eyes trained upon her. “I do believe my aunt has said I shall be here until she makes the most suitable match possible for me.”
    A grin tugged at Elyse’s lips. “Oh, I think you should stay here far longer, Miranda. Why, it will take no time at all to find you a husband. One look at you, and they’ll be beating down the door to get to you.”
    The duchess took a small sip of her wine, then lowered her goblet. “I trust you will find a suitable husband. When Elyse finishes with your lessons, one will never know you weren’t bred a lady.”
    Perhaps the duchess hadn’t meant it as an insult, but embarrassed heat filled Miranda’s cheeks. Elyse coughed softly, while Sally covered her smile with a slender hand.
    Lady Hevingford laughed as she drowned her venison in gravy. “Oh, come now, Duch. Plenty of suitable young men would gladly look