Regency Christmas Pact 02 - A Gentlemen's Pact by Jerrica Knight-Catania Page B

word. An invitation give s one the option of sending one’s regrets.”
    “Yet you’re here, not there.”
    Miriam’s grin spread slowly. “I outsmarted him. Jane had already invited me to visit, so I wrote grandfather to say I wouldn’t be able to go to Danby Castle. I waited to send the letter until the day I left to come here. As you see, it was quite convenient that Jane needed my companionship during her confinement.”
    “Yes, wasn’t it?” He let the subject drop. He shouldn’t be speaking of marriage to a young lady he had no intentions of asking to wed, but he couldn’t imagine spending the next three weeks trying to avoid her at every turn.
    He reined the horse onto the long drive to the house, where the Lumley twins stood outside with their brother. Northcotte helped Miriam from the sleigh and looked at the others. “Who is next?”
    “Joanna says it’s too cold to ride,” Lady Madeleine said.
    “And so we shall take a turn,” Lady Patience added.
    David motioned towards the door. “Jane has suggested we all play cards when the girls return. Come warm yourselves while we wait for them.”
    Northcotte followed the others inside. If he were a wagering man, he’d put money on the matchmaking continuing in spite of his protests.

    Miriam handed her cloak and gloves to the footman who waited at the entry. If she had any sense, she’d order her bags to be packed and brought down, and request Stephen’s carriage be readied to take her into the village where she might hire a post-chaise to return home.
    He blamed her for trying to entrap him in marriage. The nerve of the man. She was as much a victim of this as he was. To think she’d been afraid he might remember the letter she’d sent him. It might be best if he did recall it, so he would get angry and leave, rather than take the chance of being near her. Then she could relax and enjoy the remainder of her visit with Jane.
    Miriam entered the drawing room ahead of David and Northcotte. A maid and footman scurried about, putting tables and chairs in place.
    “Ah, there you are,” Jane called out from her seat near the fireplace. “Come join us.”
    Miriam resumed her seat with Jane and Joanna. Joanna eyed her with a curious lift to her brow. “Did you enjoy the sleigh ride?”
    “I did.” Miriam kept her voice even, so as not to betray her frustration at Northcotte’s accusations. “It was quite an adventure.”
    “You didn’t have an accident, did you?” Jane looked up from her needlework. “I wouldn’t have allowed you to venture out if I’d known the roads were in poor condition.”
    “They are safe enough. I’m assuming the Lumley sisters are experienced horsewomen.”
    Joanna laughed. “You can count on that. I think that family teethes their infants on horse reins.”
    They continued to chat until footsteps could be heard in the hallway announcing the return of the twins.
    “If you are warm enough, we shall all play cards,” Joanna said as the girls entered the drawing room.
    “I adore playing cards. ” Lady Patience spoke with the exuberance only a seventeen-year-old could display.
    “We ’ll have coffee and chocolate when we’re done.” Jane pushed to her feet.
    Miriam set aside her frustration with Lord Northcotte and offered her best smile . “Lovely. What shall we play?”
    “Commerce,” cried Lady Madeleine.
    “Whist,” said Lady Patience.
    Jane placed a finger on her chin. “Whist sounds perfect.”
    Perfect for what? Surely they weren’t going to continue their awkward scheming. Miriam learned the answer when Jane announced the partners for the game, putting her with Northcotte. She bit the inside of her lip as she took her seat at one of the small tables.
    The Lumley sisters played against them, if tossing down cards in the midst of their chatter could be considered playing. They spoke non-stop about their upcoming eighteenth birthday.
    La dy Patience’s pale curls bobbed when she slapped her card onto