Miss Simpkins' School: Miranda by Raven McAllan Page A

that. She left the room in a hurry.
    ***
    Two hours later, Molly wondered just why Ash had driven his phaeton. The roads were abominable, and the lurching of the carriage made her ready to be sick. She was more than grateful to see how well their journey progressed. Two more hours, and if Ashley’s information to her was correct, they should then reach Addersley. Once there, she could curse phaetons, spirited horses, and unexpected excursions to hades. Until then, she needed to concentrate on breathing deeply and hope she wouldn’t have to ask Ashley to stop so she could be ill.
    “Lud, Ash, this is the most uncomfortable ride of my life. Why your phaeton?” She held on tightly as he negotiated a sharp bend at a spanking pace, and glanced in her direction. Darn the man. Couldn’t he keep his eyes on the road?
    “Adriana thought it would get us home faster, which is undoubtedly true, but also we decided ‘twas better to show the ton and the tabbies we were not doing anything underhand. She enjoys riding like this, and says if she is unable to do so at the moment, then you should stand it in her stead.”
    That she could understand. The gossips would have a field day if they thought there was any scandal, and frequently when there wasn’t.
    “Then I forgive you for making me feel as if I wish to lie down in a darkened room with a cold compress over my forehead.” She grinned. “And I will not suffer the ignominy of being ill.”
    Ash smiled back at her. As ever, it was friendly, non lover-like, but full of affection. Molly and Ashley had been good friends as well as lovers, and Adriana accepted that, as easily as she accepted they were lovers no more. As Adriana said on more than one occasion, anyone with half a brain could see there was no spark between Ashley and Molly. Whereas, Molly had retorted, there was an inferno between husband and wife.
    “Who else is to stand up for the babes?” Molly asked as they passed through a pretty hamlet. A long oval duck pond was on one side of the road, with several ducks either on the water or warming their feathers on the bank. To the other side, a corn mill stood next to a whitewashed inn. The area had a feel of gentle prosperity, and care.
    “Tilly, of course. Ivo Daranton and his ladies. Ranulph, Auberon, and Hermione, and my step-brother. And Miranda. The poor children will be inundated, but you are all the people who matter to us.” He swallowed and for one second Molly thought he might expand on his statement. Then she realized something that blew all other thoughts out of her mind.
    His step-brother. Oh lord, not Charles? That’s all I need.
    “Is this on your estate?” Molly changed the subject as fast as she could. A man stood outside the mill and doffed his cap, and Ash saluted him back.
    “Yes, on the boundary between Addersley and the old Countisberry Estate. The one Charles now has.”
    It got worse. So he’d be nearby? Molly bit her lip and nodded. She’d worry about Charles later. For now, she’d concentrate on staying upright. Although, once they left the village behind, the road narrowed to little more than a lane. It was in good shape. It was obvious Ashley took care over maintenance, and was able to spring his horses somewhat. Molly closed her eyes, and then opened them in a hurry. It was preferable to see what was going on rather than to wonder.
    “What the—” Ash pulled the horses down to a fast trot, and then even slower as he swerved around the gig in the middle of the road.
    The nag fastened to it snorted and shuffled uneasily, but other than that stood its ground. Molly gulped and surreptitiously wiped her clammy hands over her skirts. Only the most experienced of horsemen could have avoided the collision. Ash brought the sweating horses to a halt and threw the reins at Molly. “If I’m not back here within five minutes walk them. If I’m not mistaken, that’s Charles’ gig. He’s busy today, so Miranda is either up to mischief or