Lying in a deep soft bed, Alex's eyes slowly fluttered open. Turning his eyes towards the bay window, he cringed at the brightness of the sun filtering through. Realizing that he must have overslept, he sat up to clear the grogginess of sleep that clouded his mind.

As the fogginess cleared, last night's events came to the forefront of his mind. It all seemed so surreal now that he thought for a moment that it must have been a dream. Alex fell back onto his pillow with a small huff. He knew it was no dream. Although he was elated that Noah was unharmed in the fire, watching Miranda run into a burning building was something that he never wanted to experience again.

Alex cared for Miranda, he couldn't deny that now. The relief he felt at seeing her exit the stable was beyond measure. He didn't know whether to kiss or shake her for such reckless behavior. And that thought brought Alex to the issue at hand.

There is no mistaking that his conduct towards Miranda was inappropriate in the eyes of society. He had no doubt that the gossip would be running completely unrestrained this morning among the house guests. And because of Miranda's increased popularity, her reputation would now be in shreds. The higher you are in society's eyes, the harder you fall.

Alex closed his eyes in shame. For this was all his doing. If he hadn't entered into Miranda's life, she could have possibly been engaged to Mr. Scovell by now and none of these problems would have arisen. So that left Alex with only one option left. He had to marry Miranda.

Hoisting himself out of bed, Alex rang for his valet to help ready him for the day. Alex needed to act quickly before the rumors started spreading. They may even be able to insinuate that the engagement had happened before the incident with the fire, saving Miranda some honor.

As Alex dressed, he was surprised to find that he felt excited at the prospect of marrying. He had no doubt that Miranda would accept his proposal, for there were simply no other options left for her. To refuse meant that her and her family would have to live as outcasts from society for the rest of their lives. Alex knew that he may never be able to share his affliction, but at least their marriage can be one of respect and admiration.

Finally presentable, Alex made his way downstairs. He may have missed morning breakfast, but he figured people would be milling about in the parlor or outside in the gardens. Choosing to try the parlor first, Alex felt a tiny bit of nervousness settle in his gut. He was sure Miranda harbored some feelings towards him. She did risk her life for his horse after all. But the thought that she would be accepting his proposal solely for saving her reputation did not sit completely well with Alex.

Entering the front parlor, Alex was surprised to see it mostly empty. Except for the younger Mrs. Benson, who stood facing out the window. Although unable to see her face, Alex could detect in her countenance that something was distressing her.

"Mrs. Benson?" Alex asked with concern. "Is everything alright?"

At first Mrs. Benson didn't move, making Alex wonder if she had even heard him. Then she said softly, "She's gone."

Alex felt like the floor had just been pulled out from under him. "What do you mean by 'gone'?"

Turning towards him, Alex could see now that her eyes were red and her face splotchy as if she had just been crying. "My mother-in-law went to her room first thing this morning. She told her to pack her things and to leave Grayside immediately for her incorrigible behavior with the Earl."

Staggering forward to an armchair, Alex gripped its backside for support. It appeared that he was too late. It saddened him to know the degradation Miranda had to endure because of him.

"Why so suddenly?" Alex asked. "For all your mother-in-law knew there could have already been an understanding between us."

Mrs. Benson clenched her hands. "Someone told her that they saw Miranda enter your bedchamber."

"But that's preposterous!" Alex said, "Who would tell such a vicious lie?"

"She didn't say," Mrs. Benson said flatly. "The only person I could think of is Miss Chism. Her jealousy of Miranda was obvious." Mrs. Benson paused. "But that hardly matters now, the question is, are you going to do anything about it?"

Frustrated, Alex pushed away from the chair, angry that his integrity was put into question. "Of course I'm going to do something about it!" he practically shouted. "Miranda risked her life last night and not even for me, but for my horse." Running his hands through his hair, Alex tugged on the ends to try and regain some composure. Miranda had performed a noble act last night. Had probably even saved most of the Benson's horses. But how was she repaid? By being thrown out of their home in utter humiliation.

Alex dispelled a breath of air. "I need to pack and leave right away."

Mrs. Benson wordlessly walked over to the cord and rang for the footman. "If you do not make this right Lord Carlisle, I will not be afraid to publicly cut you among society. No matter what my in-laws might say."

If her expression had not been so serious, Alex would have laughed out loud at her vivacity. "Miranda is extremely fortunate to have you as a friend Mrs. Benson. But I have every intention of salvaging Miranda's reputation. Mark my words, by the end of the season, your friend will be the new Countess of Carlisle."

+++

It was the most dreadful carriage ride Miranda had ever been on. To have to sit with nothing but the echoing words of Mrs. Benson, telling her to pack her things and leave for participating in such scandalous behavior. Miranda can still see Cissy standing behind her mother-in-law sobbing, as she begged her not to do this, that it was all a misunderstanding.

But Mrs. Benson was not to be moved. She said she would not have unmarried ladies in her home sneak into a gentleman's bedchamber at night. The accusation was so unfounded that Miranda had wondered how Mrs. Benson had come to such a conclusion. Either rumors had already begun to spread and grow or Mrs. Benson assumed that an Earl would never show interest in someone as impoverished as Miranda unless it was for nefarious reasons.

Miranda had hoped to at least have seen Alex before she left. After what had transpired between them last night, she needed to know how he truly felt. Surely he would hear about her ejection from the house. But what Miranda was not entirely sure of, is if he would seek her out to rectify the situation. If she knew Alex, his sense of honor would forbid him from not taking action. And although Miranda felt excitement at receiving a proposal from Alex, a part of her was uneasy that it would come from a place of obligation and not love.

All too soon, the carriage was rolling through the streets of London. Trepidation grew in Miranda at having to face her parents. She had already decided to come forward and tell them everything that had transpired since the night of the Sheffield Ball. With her reputation now in shreds, Miranda would not be able to hide the truth even if she wanted to.

Coming to a halt in front of the townhouse, there wasn't even a footman to assist her out of the carriage. The shame Mrs. Benson bestowed on her was now complete. The driver unloaded her trunks and leaving them on the side of the road, climbed back onto his perch and drove away without a word.

Her feet dragging, Miranda slowly walked up to the house and into the foyer. Placing her bonnet and gloves on a table, she waited for someone to greet her. All too soon her mother's face appeared from down the hall.

"Miranda, is that you?" she asked upon seeing her. "We were not expecting you until Sunday. Did something come up to change your plans?"

Tears began to fill Miranda's eyes and unable to control herself any longer, Miranda threw herself into her mother's arms and sobbed.

"My dear, what has happened?"

Before Miranda could answer, her father came out of his study. He looked on in silence, concern etched into his face. "I think we better all sit down in the drawing room. I'll ring for tea."

With her mother's arm around her, Miranda was led into the next room and settled on the couch. A servant carried in a tray shortly after and taking a few sips of hot tea, Miranda began to feel a little better.

During this time her parents never pushed her to talk or peppered her with questions. Instead they sat quietly and patiently for Miranda to begin speaking. Miranda never knew how she came to be so blessed with such a wonderful mother and father. They deserved the truth and she intended to hold nothing back.

Never once looking up from her teacup, Miranda began by telling what she had witnessed with William at the Sheffield Ball and how that same night she had unknowingly met the Earl of Carlisle. When she recounted overhearing their conversation regarding the failed investment, Miranda could feel the tension in the air tighten. But she refused to stop for fear that she wouldn't be able to continue.

Thankfully her parents never said a word but listened with quiet civility. Miranda's throat thickened with emotion when she got to the part about saving Alex's horse and then subsequently kicked out of the Benson's house. The only thing Miranda did not share was Alex's inability to read. It was not her secret to share and she wanted to respect his privacy.

Jumping up from her seat, Mrs. Edwards began pacing the room while wringing her hands. "To think that you were facing such hardship and we had no idea about it." Sitting down on the couch, her mother grabbed both of Miranda's hands and looked her in the eye. "To hear that you risked your life one moment and then were completely humiliated the next grieves me Miranda, because your father and I were not there to help you through it."

Fresh tears rolled down Miranda's cheeks. Here she was ashamed at the dishonor she had brought upon her family name, and yet her mother was the one apologizing.

Joining them on the couch, Miranda's father placed her hand on his shoulder. "Your mother is right. We have both failed you. If we had revealed our struggles to you, it may have prevented you taking on the responsibility to fix our mistakes."

"I just couldn't bear to see you and Mama suffer so. And when the expected proposal from William fell through, I felt I was an even bigger burden."

"Never say that darling," her mother said. "One thing your father and I have learned through all of this, is that God is ultimately our provider."

"Miranda," her father said gravely, "Do you believe that Lord Carlisle will make you an offer of marriage?"

Miranda paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "I believe Lord Carlisle to be a man of honor. And though I cannot say for sure, I have reason to believe that he will offer for me." This was the one point that Miranda hoped would give her parents some comfort. That all of their problems could be remedied.

"Now I want you to listen very carefully Miranda," her father said seriously. "I believe it would be in your best interest to refuse the Earl if he does come seeking your hand."

Miranda stared at her father as if he had just grown three heads. "But why?" she sputtered. "When marrying him will solve all of our problems. I can finally provide for you and Mama."

Her father shook his head. "Don't you see that is what put us into this situation in the first place? When we use our own strength to overcome adversity, we are likely to fail. But if we let God guide our steps, then we will not stumble."

"But Papa, what of my reputation? If I refuse the Earl, our family will no longer be accepted among society. We will forever be outsiders."

Her father smiled. "It is not society that dictates our standing. If we are right with God then others' opinions will not matter."

Miranda was stunned. Is this what God was really calling her to do?

"My dear," her mother said, "We want you to have a marriage where your husband loves you wholeheartedly and you do for him. Don't marry Lord Carlisle just because you believe he can provide for us."

"I have a feeling," Mr. Edwards said with a twinkle in his eye, "That some of those feelings have already occurred. Do you love Lord Carlisle Miranda?"

"I do," Miranda said with a sob. For she couldn't deny it but she couldn't say if Alex reciprocated those feelings.

"Then I challenge you," her father said softly, "To love God more. If you believe God is leading you to accept Lord Carlisle then we will not stand in your way."

Miranda heard his words but to live them out was another matter entirely. Was God really asking her to turn down the man who could save her family from financial and social ruin?