Keepsake (The Distinguished Rogues Book 5) Read Free

than Miranda. But not for long. That would change. It would be her counsel and company Taverham sought after tomorrow’s wedding.
    Besides, she’d learned long ago not to believe what she didn’t see with her own eyes. Perhaps Taverham was planning a surprise for her.
    Cheered by that idea, she resolved to forget her nasty suspicions and look forward to tomorrow. Miranda rolled onto her side and stared at the darkened windows of her bedchamber. It was her last night as Miranda Birkenstock. Tomorrow she would become Lady Taverham, a marchioness no less, a pillar of society, and she would be the happiest bride that ever lived.

    ~ * ~

    After the Wedding

    Miranda stepped into the quiet garden and whispered, “Lady Taverham.”
    She was a marchioness now and married. She could barely contain her happiness and danced a few steps across the terrace to express the thrill gripping her.
    A male voice chuckled to her right, startling her.
    She spun in that direction. “Who is there? Taverham?”
    “An old fool.” Lord Applebee, one of her husband’s guardians, emerged from the shadows. “Your husband should not leave you to dance alone.”
    She smiled despite her disappointment that she’d been unable to convince Taverham that his conversation with Emily should wait until tomorrow. “Lord Applebee, forgive me. I didn’t see you there, and you certainly are not a fool. You see more clearly than anyone.”
    He smiled kindly. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
    Miranda glanced over her shoulder to the crowded room she’d just escaped. “I just wanted a moment to myself. I feel like I’ve been smiling for hours.”
    To prove her point, she brushed her fingers across her jaw because the strain of smiling at everyone had made her face ache. Her smiles now were for herself alone. She was a married woman and excited about her new life.
    “Then take in the air and return inside quickly.” He shifted to stand between her and the gardens she’d hoped to escape to. “A new bride should lap up every bit of attention she can on her special day. And you deserve it all and more.”
    “You’re too kind.”
    Applebee smiled and bowed. As he did, she saw the shape of two figures stumbling toward the relative privacy of the rose garden.
    Miranda chuckled softly. “Well, it seems I’m not the only one to have had the same idea of escaping the ballroom.”
    She wished her husband was done with Emily and would want to sneak away with her.
    Applebee glanced over his shoulder, then caught her arm. “Time to dance. Will you do this crusty old bachelor the honor of the next set, my lady?”
    Although her husband’s guardian wasn’t the partner she wanted, she nodded quickly, eager to stay on his good side. “I’d love to dance with you.”
    Applebee propelled her toward the open French doors rather quickly, and Miranda almost stumbled. As they reached the threshold, Lords Sorenson and Watts appeared, her father and Lord Louth trailing after in deep conversation.
    Of all of Taverham’s friends, Lord Louth had been the first to offer her friendship. He was a nice man, one of quiet wit and boundless faith that she would be an exceptional marchioness. She smiled at him in relief. She had no need to guard her words with Louth.
    “Now, my dear, do not be distressed,” Sorenson said soothingly, catching up her hands and squeezing them gently.
    “She’s not,” Applebee replied, his head tilting at an odd angle.
    “Oh, I thought…” Watts glanced into the garden beyond them and Miranda followed the direction of his gaze. She spied the pair in the rose garden again and noticed that they didn’t seem the least bit concerned about propriety. She frowned at that, trying to picture which of the wedding guests would behave in such a bold manner.
    She took a pace in that direction, but Applebee tugged her back. “Come dance with me.”
    “Why shouldn’t I know who they are?” A discomforting sensation filled her as no one answered. She