Tori Phillips Read Online Free Page B

of them! They love you too much, my lady. They have all agreed to this...this folly of yours. When the king’s man comes to court you, we are all to call Mistress Miranda by Lady Katherine’s name, and Lady Katherine will become Mistress Miranda. What will the poor man do when he learns the truth? How long do you intend to keep him hoodwinked? ‘Tis against nature. I am sure ’tis a sin.”
    Kat tickled him behind his ear. “No doubt, Montjoy, so storm heaven with your prayers for us. In the meantime, we shall make merry sport with this youthful bridegroom of mine. Only for a day or two, until I can spy out his true nature. He will not put on a false front with the poor cousin of Lady Katherine.”
    “Only a day or two?” Miranda asked a little too brightly. She had hoped for a week, at least. A week of sweet love words whispered in her ear, of flowers and poetry, and perhaps even a song sung just for her.
    Kat crossed around Montjoy’s spare form and hugged Miranda. “Mayhap a week then, if ’twill please you, Miranda. I am in no hurry. Midsummer’s Day lies three weeks away.”
    “It does not please me—not one hour of it!” Montjoy moaned.
    “But you will play the part, won’t you, dearest, sweet Montjoy?” Kat wheedled with a smile.
    The older man sighed as if he balanced the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Aye, my lady. You know that I will, as long as I do not have to tell the lie direct.”
    “We will pray most earnestly that the occasion will never arise,” Kat soothed him, with a wink to Miranda over the steward’s gray head.
    Miranda managed to smother her giggle. She would never offend Montjoy’s dignity for all the world, but he was such fun to gently tease.
    Outside, the blare of a hunting horn trembled through the warm forenoon. For a moment, maid, mistress and man gaped at one another with wordless wonderment. Then all three rushed to the window and stared out across the moat toward the fields beyond.
    “By our larkin! ’Tis the lusty youth come to woo at last, or else, I am much mistaken. That was Granger’s horn. I stationed him in the high meadow to give us fair warning.”
    Miranda crumpled her embroidery in her hands. Her mouth went dry and her heart began to beat faster. Despite the sweet breeze coming through the open window she felt very light-headed. “Now? This minute?” Leaping trout! She was about to become the lady of the manor and she had yet to decide what to wear.
    “’Tis the knell that summons us down the primrose path of perdition,” Montjoy predicted in an ominous tone.
    Kat smiled, though Miranda saw the corners of her mouth tremble. Good! I am glad that Kat is as nervous as I.
    “I am filled with much good cheer that you are so happy, Montjoy.” Kat clapped her hands. “Quickly! Let us be about our preparations. Montjoy, receive our guest, and conduct him to the hall. Have Columbine take her place in the minstrel’s box, and tell her to play something soft on her lute. Miranda, do not stand there like a goose—hurry! Put on my pale green silk at once!”
    Miranda blinked. “Why your green? Mine is of the same material.”
    “Aye, but mine is richer trimmed as befits a lady of my station. ’Tis only right and proper for the Lady Katherine to receive her betrothed in one of her best gowns. So be about it! Montjoy, send us Laurel to help my cousin dress. Oh, do hurry, everyone! They shall be upon us at any moment.” Kat shooed the reluctant steward out of the room, then started to unlace Miranda’s brown woolen day gown.
    “M...my betrothed.” Miranda’s hand fluttered to her throat. Even if this masque lasted only a day, she would remember it for the rest of her life. All her dreams were coming true—a silken gown with gold lace and seed pearls—and a real live suitor to charm.
    The horn sounded again. Miranda swallowed hard. Kat swore under her breath when she tore a nail on one of Miranda’s points. Laurel, a short, dimpled girl of