Miranda had never danced so much in all of her seasons. She knew her reputation had risen in the past few weeks, but she never dreamt that attending a simple ball would result in such attention. It felt like that the moment she had stepped into the room, people were vying for introductions and placing their name on her dance card. She barely had time between sets to rest her feet.

Such an array of gentlemen asked her to dance that Miranda could hardly remember all of their names. Most seemed polite, offering small chatter while they danced. Others however were not as well-mannered, and had no qualms about raking their eyes up and down her figure. There had been a few times where she had to suppress a shudder at their ogling.

But even though some of the men she danced with were handsome and charming, none of them made her blush or got her heart to skip a beat. Only a certain Earl held that accomplishment. And so Miranda found herself constantly scanning the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lord Carlisle among the fringes of the crowd. She chastised herself for her negligence, for she was supposed to be finding a husband, not pining over one man who was decidedly not in the market for a wife.

As her last dance partner escorted her off the floor, Miranda opted to go find some lemonade before anyone could seize her for another set. Navigating through the crowd, she was able to reach the refreshment table without any hindrance. Taking a glass while trying to politely gulp it down to quench her parched throat, Miranda almost moaned in relief.

"I don't believe I've ever seen a lady down a drink so fast."

Spinning around with a gasp, some of Miranda's drink spilt on to her silk gloves. Lord Carlisle stood with his hands clasped behind his back, an amused expression on his face. Recovering, Miranda hastily dabbed at her glove before a stain could set in. "And I don't believe I've ever been snuck up on as many times, Lord Carlisle."

He chuckled at her response and warmth pooled in her belly at having made him laugh. She noticed that he wore the same evening attire from the Sheffield ball. Yet it had the same effect on her as it did that night. He looked so achingly handsome that she was sure every woman's eye in the room was following him.

Lord Carlisle smirked at her. "You appear to have been sufficiently occupied all evening, I wasn't sure I was going to get a moment to speak with you."

Miranda sighed. "I don't believe I have ever danced so much in my life. At this rate I fear I won't be able to walk home."

"Well I was hoping your feet had enough stamina left to save me a dance."

Her stomach did a tiny flip at the offer, but when she looked down at her dance card, her face fell. "It appears my card has gotten rather full."

Plucking it from her hand, Alex perused the card. Taking out his pencil, he started scratching off names.

Miranda gasped. "You can't do that! What do I say to the gentleman who comes looking for a dance?"

Lord Carlisle only tsked at her. "You have a lot to learn about being the belle of a ball. And," he said with a smirk, "Since I am an Earl, no one would dare try to reclaim his dance from me."

He handed her back the card. "Until then," he said with a bow, then walked away back in the crowd.

Miranda's heart felt like it was galloping inside her chest. When she finally looked down at her card to see what dance he claimed, she couldn't help but beam that he had jotted his name down for the waltz.

When the next gentleman came to claim his dance, Miranda tried to school her features, yet she was sure she smiled too widely or danced a little too eagerly. But she simply could not stop the jitters that seemed to have permeated every part of her body.

As she spun around to the steps of the dance, her eyes couldn't help but wander throughout the crowd, hoping to snag a glimpse of Lord Carlisle.

Miranda spied him standing by himself while a sea of people swam around him. She couldn't help but giggle at the grumpy countenance he emitted. Just as her heart sighed at the thought of him smiling at her only moments before, Miranda spotted William walking with a purposeful stride right toward him.

Trying to keep her feet focused on the steps, Miranda watched in trepidation as William stopped before Alex, bowed slightly, and then with his hands clasped behind his back, began speaking.

How Miranda wished she could be a fly on the wall at that moment to hear what they were saying. But it didn't take much imagination to know that it was probably about her.

Soon Miranda noticed that her partner was giving her inquisitive stares as to her inattention, and so had to apply herself fully back to the dance.

Once she was led off the floor, Miranda quickly looked at her dance card to remind herself of the name of her next partner. It read Harrison Archer. She tried to remember if she had been introduced to any of Lord Carlisle's relations but came up blank. Before she could ponder it further, the man himself appeared to claim his dance.

"Miss Edwards," he said with a bow, "I believe this is our dance."

Giving him a polite smile, Miranda allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. As they stood across from each other waiting for the music to start, she couldn't help but study Mr. Archer. Although his hair was darker with a slight curl to it, she could detect a slight family resemblance. Coming together in the promenade, Miranda thought it best just to ask. "Do you happen to be related to Lord Carlisle?"

Mr. Archer let out a bark of laughter but it sounded cold to Miranda's ears. "Yes I am. It's the one thing people always seem to want to know."

"Apologies," Miranda said. "I didn't mean to be insensitive, just wanting to make conversation."

"Are you sure it's not you wanting to get to know the Earl more? I've never seen him so captivated by a lady before."

Miranda felt her face grow warm. She didn't appreciate the candidness of Mr. Archer's comment and so chose to pretend that she hadn't heard him. Even if he was related to Lord Carlisle, there was something about Mr. Archer that felt off to Miranda. But she couldn't put her finger on what.

Thankfully the dance ended before anything else could be said.

As Mr. Archer led her to the edge of the floor he asked, "I would love to call on you next week. I can tell you more about my elusive cousin."

"I am out of town next week. I'll be attending a house party in Northumberland." Miranda was never so happy to have an excuse to get out of an invitation.

"Pity," Mr. Archer said but he looked anything but disappointed. "Another time then."

As Miranda watched Mr. Archer walk away, she tried to figure out what had just occurred. Before she could discover any answers, Lord Carlisle appeared and it felt as if all her worries had disappeared.

+++

When Alex hatched his plan of getting his mother off her match-making schemes, he didn't foresee how hard it would be to watch Miranda be paraded around the room from one gentleman to the next. His mother had definitely stopped meddling, and Miranda was reaping the benefits, as was evident by her many admirers. Then why did a pang of jealousy hit Alex everytime Miranda danced with a new partner? He had wanted to strangle the ones that had given her such lecherous looks. He was beginning to believe that there was more weight to what Harry said then Alex initially thought.

As Alex waited for his turn to dance with Miranda, he was inwardly elated at having the chance to be close to her, though his outward appearance depicted the opposite. When he had scanned her dance card, it was obvious what dance he would claim. Earl or not, he had no qualms whatsoever about taking another man's place.

Just when he thought he wouldn't be able to wait a moment longer for the dance to end, Alex spotted a figure coming right towards him. Standing a little straighter, Alex put on a mask of indifference as William Scovell stopped before him, offering a slight bow, though his face was stoic.

"Lord Carlisle," William said, "I wondered if I may have a word?"

Alex's eyes tightened in suspicion, but he was curious as to what would bring Mr. Scovell over. "You may."

"It concerns Miranda, I mean, that is to say, Miss Edwards."

Now Alex was definitely interested. Was Mr. Scovell here to tell him off? Did he have plans of wanting to marry Miranda? "I believe Miss Edwards said that there is no understanding between you, so I don't see what you could possibly have to say that concerns her."

"That's interesting," William retorted, "Because she said the same thing about you."

Alex's shoulders stiffened at the accusation. He wanted to rebuff the young whelp for his rebuke, except that he was correct in what he said. Alex had no designs to marry Miranda, he didn't have any designs on marriage period. The thought left a sour taste in his mouth at what it must look like from another's point of view. "Miss Edwards is completely aware of where I stand."

"That may be," William said, "But the appearance you're presenting is that Miranda is simply a distraction that you plan on abandoning by the end of the season. It is not right for you to string her along if you have no designs on her."

"Like you have done for the past three years?" Alex bit out. "It's a little late to be concerned for Miranda's welfare now. You're part of the reason she's in this predicament in the first place."

Mr. Scovell flinched at the allegations flung at him. But Alex didn't care. Scovell had no right to accuse him of wrongdoing to Miranda. Alex was trying to help Miranda out of the pit that Scovell had helped dig her into.

Looking slightly chagrined, Mr. Scovell gave a final bow. "Just promise me you won't hurt her. Miranda is too good of a person to deserve such treatment." And without another word he turned and left.

Alex watched him go. He didn't appreciate the hypocriticalness, but he could at least appreciate the standing up for Miranda.

As the orchestra played the final notes of the song, Alex looked for Miranda as she was led off to the side. His hackles suddenly rose when he saw it was Harrison who was leading her. Why did it seem that everywhere he looked, his cousin was there? It wasn't unusual to see him at social events, he did hold some standing in society, but why now? Alex would need to keep a closer eye on him.

Strutting over to claim his dance, Alex came upon Miranda with a look like she was trying to figure something out. When she finally noticed his presence, he was rewarded with a wide smile that reached all the way to her eyes. He didn't remember seeing her smile that much at any of her other admirers tonight.

Hand in hand they walked out together for their waltz. He knew by society's standards Miranda was considered "plain", yet as he stood across from her, his gaze couldn't leave her face. There was something about her that drew him in.

As the strings began their melody, Alex stepped forward and gently grasped one of Miranda's hands, while the other rested on the curve of her back. She gave a slight gasp as he pulled her close. A bit too close than was technically proper, but with Miranda, Alex never seemed to do anything by the book.

As they twirled among the other couples, Alex hardly paid them any heed. At that moment, he was caught up in the sway of the music. He never imagined he would enjoy dancing as much as he did right then.

"What were you and Mr. Scovell talking about earlier?"

Alex almost faltered a step at the abruptness of the question. He had hoped she hadn't seen them. Mr. Scovell's words hit a little too close to home and it had him second-guessing if Miranda was starting to feel the same way.

"You, naturally," Alex replied.

Miranda sighed. "I figured as much. Tell me, was William playing the role of a big older brother?"

Alex scoffed. "You could say that was what he was trying to do. Though in my opinion he's a little late in looking out for you."

Feeling Miranda stiffen in his arms, he heard her say quietly, "He's had his reasons."

Alex looked at her flabbergasted. "How can you defend him? After letting you believe for three seasons that he was going to propose?" He shook his head, trying to reign in his temper that was beginning to simmer below the surface.

"I don't pretend that what he did was right," Miranda said. "However, I also don't pretend that my situation would have been different anyway." Her eyes softened towards him. "Besides, I may not have met you if it weren't for William."

At those words, Alex's anger began to slip away. For Miranda was right. If she hadn't been holding out for a proposal that would never come, she may have never bumped into him that night, starting a domino of events. "And we all know you would be utterly lost without me now," he said with a smirk. "I see you met my cousin Harrison."

"Yes, he was...interesting," Miranda said.

"In what way?"

"He just seemed more concerned about our relationship than the dance itself."

"We have a relationship?" Alex couldn't help but ask with a grin.

Miranda's eyes suddenly went wide. "I meant our pretend relationship of course."

Alex chuckled inwardly at her blunder but he could never pass up on an opportunity to tease her. He could still detect the blush that graced her cheeks. "I should take you out on another carriage ride next week. But maybe not through Hyde Park again where people can gawk at us."

Miranda giggled but then her face turned somber. "I'm afraid I'm away next week. I'll be attending the Benson's house party out of town."

Alex drew his eyebrows together in concern. He knew the Benson's. They were neighbors to his own estate in Northumberland. "I wasn't aware that your parents knew the Benson's."

"They don't," Miranda said. "My good friend, Cecilia Benson, who is married to the eldest son, invited me to go with her."

Now Alex's mind was going into overdrive. Miranda at a house party where her only chaperone was a young married lady? Harry's words from yesterday came to the forefront. "Either married or ruined before the season is over." And not to mention Mr. Scovell's own warning of how society was beginning to view Miranda.

The thought left Alex feeling slightly sick to his stomach. It appeared he would be going home sooner than expected after all.