Miss Simpkins' School: Miranda by Raven McAllan

Chapter One
    “Why?” Molly Simpkins looked up at the tall and more than handsome man, who lounged in a most elegant manner against her mantle. “And seriously, Ash, one day you’ll burn your backside leaning over the fire in that way. What would Adriana say about that?”
    Ashley, the Earl of Addersley, straightened up, moved all of six inches away from the glowing coals, and laughed. “That it served me right, and as well it wasn’t my bollocks, I would imagine. As for why? Because Adriana demands it. There will be no dissembling, Molly. I am commanded not to return without you. You will stay for at least a sennight and you will be godmother. Towse has arranged for your maid to pack your clothes, and she has already departed to Addersley. We’ll leave as soon as you change into the pretty garnet-colored traveling dress. And furthermore,”—he held his hand up to stop her speaking—”if my lady cares not that we are seen together, and I am honored by both her decision, and by having you as such a great friend to us both, why should you worry?”
    Put like that she couldn’t. “I just don’t want to cause trouble,” she said lamely. “Heavens, Ash, don’t you think the three of us have given enough tittle-tattle to the ton already? I care for you both, and am truly honored to be Godmama to your children, but you don’t have to alienate your peers in such an obvious manner. I have my school. I’m semi—” She laughed suddenly. “Semi-respectable. Although, if my pupils talked, I am sure I’d be unacceptable once more.”
    Ash grinned. “Not to your pupils or their partners, you wouldn’t. They, I suspect, will be eternally grateful.”
    The surge of pleasure that spread through her was unexpected. Oh, she accepted that her School for Seduction was a success. Mainly due to Ash and Adriana, who were her sponsors and backers. Something that still amazed her.
    Molly was once Ashley’s mistress before his marriage, and Adriana, his affianced, stumbled upon them in the act of making love. Rather than berate them, Adriana declared she would accept no less than the delights a mistress experienced and intended to eschew the mundane coupling of a wife.
    Adriana had, Molly recollected, led Ashley a merry dance until he agreed to her stipulations. Although, as Adriana had confided to her later, he had more than given as good as he got. It seemed both enjoyed their exchanges and both emerged triumphant. Now with the birth of Harry, their heir, and Mary, his younger—by six minutes—sister, and Molly’s namesake, their happiness was palpable.
    Molly couldn’t help but experience a pang of envy. Children weren’t likely on her horizon. You needed a man for that, and since Ashley, there had been no one. Oh, there had been offers. All of the sort she didn’t want. Once Ashley had let it known Molly was under the protection of him and Adriana, the unwanted advances had ceased, and she showed young ladies how to succeed in seduction instead.
    She loved her work, and if the one man she really wanted—and it wasn’t Ashley—couldn’t be for her, then so be it. She was luckier than most. Through Ash and Adriana, she had met prospective pupils, and also people to help educate them. Even more unusual, Molly discovered herself to be welcomed in many a house as a member of the ton.
    However, actually standing up at a christening and promising to look after the spiritual and moral welfare of an heir to an Earldom and his sister, might be one step too far for some people to accept.
    “Stop worrying,” Ash said as he propelled her out the door and patted her arse. “I can see the wheels in your mind turning apace. Go upstairs, change, and be down here in twenty minutes. We need to leave to get home—my home—at a sensible time. Adriana needs to see both of us, and the twins need to meet their godmama. So, please move.”
    It was the godmama that did it. In all truth, she couldn’t be anything but pleased about