They reached Adwick Castle before midnight and were shown to their rooms. Servants were quick about settling the guests with their belongings so that it wasn't long after arriving that Benjamin found himself climbing into bed, eagerly anticipating a peaceful sleep.
Suddenly he heard a creaking sound followed by, "Why hello! Imagine that, there's a secret door between our rooms," Miranda exclaimed. With a playful look, she continued, "That could prove to be useful. I can't wait to see more of this place, you must show me tomorrow."
Staring at her, he inwardly groaned. Could she make herself anymore tempting? With brown hair wildly cascading down her back, just as he'd imagined, she stood before him in nothing more than a white nightgown. Though simple in style, the gown's top three ties were undone, giving him an easy view to the beginning curves of her ample breasts. As if that wasn't enough, her nipples were clearly defined through the almost transparent material. She appeared to be completely oblivious, not only to her revealing sleepwear, but also any sense of impropriety at being unchaperoned in his room.
"Miranda, you shouldn't be in here," he chastised her.
"As if I don't trust you. Really Benjamin, the household's asleep, there's nothing to fear. Unless of course…" she glanced slyly at him, "you don't trust me?"
Chuckling, he replied, "I think I'm safe from you. Then again…maybe not. Regardless, it's late and time for bed for both of us." Thinking his quickest escape was to end the conversation, he yawned and said, "Goodnight, I hope you sleep well." With that, he pulled the sheets up and turned over.
Sighing, she answered, "Oh very well. Goodnight Benjamin."
Try as she might, Miranda's night proved restless. When the sun peeked through the window, she knew she didn't have to try quieting her whirling thoughts any longer. Sir Stuart had told her breakfast was to be at 8 o'clock, but that was still a ways off. Tempted to visit Benjamin, she quickly decided against that notion. He hadn't seemed particularly pleased to see her last evening, though she assumed it was due to fatigue.
No one had told her of any restrictions, so venturing through the castle, at least this wing, seemed like a capital idea. A collection of stately portraits and scenes hung along the corridor and after studying many, Miranda couldn't help but wonder at the lives these people led. After a little ways, she came across an open door, and upon further investigation, discovered a rather large library. Browsing through the titles, it didn't take long before she was completely absorbed in a novel.
"Find anything of interest?" a deep voice asked her.
With a guilty start, she looked up and found her eyes locked with a very handsome man. His light brown eyes held a hint of amusement and his tall frame leaned casually against one of the shelves. Arms crossed his broad chest as he waited for her answer. If Miranda were to dream up the perfect man, this was certainly him.
Blushing, she stammered, "I…I apologize. I wasn't able to sleep and needed to something to pass the time until breakfast."
"Why couldn't you sleep?" his tone had a rather suggestive note to it.
She was beginning to find the situation unsettling, especially as she couldn't refrain another blush. "Well, adjusting to a new setting is always a challenge and of course, thinking about the castle and its history…I suppose I was just too excited."
His smile lifted wickedly, "Excitement has a tendency to keep one up at night." Approaching her, he clasped her hand and brought it to his lips. "Please excuse the rudeness of withholding an introduction, m'lady. I am Eliot Lloyd and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Lowering her hand away from the kiss, he didn't let go.
It was an unfamiliar sensation, but she distinctly noted her heart was fluttering. "My name is Miranda Bailey. Are you Lady Constance's son?" she asked, trying to place him.
"Alas no, though she is like the mother I never had. I am her nephew," he smoothly replied.
"Ah, so you're Benjamin's cousin?"
"No again. My uncle married Lady Constance and she is Benjamin's true aunt. But how is it, if you'll indulge me with an answer, that you find yourself here?"
Cursing herself for the redness that would not leave her cheeks, Miranda responded, "I'm a good friend of Lady Francesca, Sir Stuart's wife…and a friend of Benjamin's as well."
"Then they are most fortunate." Straightening, he sighed, "I'd like nothing better than to stay here and keep you to myself, sadly however, it is now time for breakfast. Shall I escort you?"
Gladly assenting, she allowed Eliot to take her arm and with his other hand gently pressing her back, he led them to the dining chamber.
Benjamin's heart sank as soon as he saw Sebastian enter with Miranda, especially when he registered Eli's possessive hold and challenging stare sent his way. He knew without a doubt that Eliot was just the type of man to capture her fancy.
With a commanding air, Eliot said, "Miss Miranda Bailey, please meet my aunt, Lady Constance and my sister, Miss Cassandra Lloyd." Miranda politely curtsied to both women as the aunt bowed her head in acknowledgement and Cassandra returned the curtsy. Cassandra shared the fine features of her brother, but with raven black hair and large dark eyes. As a young beauty, she had an innocence about her.
"Thank you for having me, I've heard so many wonderful things about Adwick Castle, and of course about yourself," Miranda said, smiling at Lady Constance.
"It is a pleasure to have you, my dear. Any friend of Stuart's is most welcome," the lady answered. Addressing Sir Stuart and Francesca, she went on to ask of their trip to Bath taken right after the wedding.
Since the younger group was seated at the other end of the table, they struck up their own conversation. "Congratulations on your scholarship, Benjamin, Lady Constance said it was a great honor," Cassandra's quiet voice spoke as she peered up at him with bright eyes. "I do envy your freedom and experience with traveling; it must have been tremendously exciting."
"Thank you Miss Lloyd, it was more than I dared hope for, to work in the field with a professional like Dr. James," he explained, trying to inconspicuously monitor the conversation occurring across the table between Miranda and Eliot. Their bodies were leaning towards each other. With locked eyes and hushed voices they seemed to share a most intimate conversation.
His hands clenched, Benjamin resisted the urge to drag his "cousin" away, but he knew Miranda was already lost to him, maybe even as a friend. Despite the obviousness of their mutual interest, Benjamin suffered every time his eyes drifted towards the two.
Giggling, Cassandra pulled him from his reverie, "Please, you must stop calling me that. We've known each other since birth, I insist once and for all, you call me by my first name."
Glancing back at the raven-haired beauty he responded, "As you wish."