London, England, 1887

"The green dress? Have you lost your marbles?"

Miranda shot an annoyed look at the servant. "Yes Bridget, the green dress," she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"Your parents sacrificed a great deal to purchase this dress for you, and should not be worn at just any willy-nilly ball," Bridget admonished in her cockney accent.

Miranda let out a small huff. She knew what her parents had to sacrifice to purchase her such a dress. But the pale green suited perfectly with her mousey brown hair, bringing out its natural highlights. And tonight she needed to look her absolute best.

"The Sheffield ball is one of the most prestigious events of the season, and is hardly 'willy-nilly'," Miranda calmly replied.

Bridget narrowed her eyes at her. "Do you know about something tonight Miss Miranda?" she asked.

Miranda couldn't help but slightly blush under Bridget's scrutiny. Bridget had been with the Edwards family for years and had always been more family than servant but right now Miranda wished she was more the latter. "If you must know, William had been very inquisitive about whether or not I would be attending the ball tonight."

Bridget humphed in disbelief but at least she went to the wardrobe to pull out her gown. "Is he finally going to propose to you then?"

Miranda's face reddened further in embarrassment. It was no secret that she had been waiting on a proposal. In all honesty, she wasn't entirely sure if William was going to propose tonight. But now with her entering into her third season, Miranda couldn't afford to wait any longer. It was time she started taking matters into her own hands.

William Scovell was the third son of an esteemed Baron. Miranda was first introduced to him at a garden party during her first season. William was attending Cambridge at the time in the hopes of entering a profession in law.

Bridget snorted at her silence. "Kept you waiting long enough he has. You're going to be twenty-one in a few months. Practically an old maid!"

"You know William has had his reasons!" Miranda protested. "As a third son, it is hard for him to marry someone without a large dowry. And besides he's been away at school these past few years. He could hardly propose to me then." What Miranda didn't say was that William had graduated months ago and thus had no more of an excuse.

Bridget didn't immediately respond. "I know you fancy yourself in love," she said, "But if you're not careful you'll end up working at that London school instead of just volunteering."

Looking down abashed, Miranda couldn't admit that she had that exact same thought. Two years ago she began by volunteering at a local charity school, St. Mary's, by helping young boys and girls who struggled to read. What was supposed to be a means to pass the time during the season, became a much look forward to endeavor. So much so in fact, that she was considering applying for a teaching position that would be coming available soon. That is if William didn't follow through on a proposal.

Miranda huffed and turned back to her vanity. She pinched her cheeks and bit her lip trying to bring out as much color as possible. Figuring it was a hopeless matter, Miranda studied her reflection. "Isn't love supposed to be enough?"

"Humph! Easy to say now when you're all star struck for the man, but wait till you're married and trying to make ends meet. Then see how far love gets you."

Miranda smiled wistfully to herself. Why couldn't Bridget see that love was enough? Who needed riches when you could have each other? But it appeared that William was going to wait until he could support them. If only Papa had been able to save some money from his father's fortune. But grandfather had not been a frugal man, and very little was left as an inheritance for his only son. What grandfather did leave for Papa was a mountain of debt. Much of the estate's holdings had to be sold in order to satisfy impatient creditors. It left very little behind for her family.

Bridget then came over carrying the pale green gown to where Miranda was sitting. Miranda stroked it, feeling its softness. This dress had come at a great cost to her parents. But Miranda knew that it was just the right shade to bring out the color in her hazel eyes that they looked almost golden.

"Do you think you could come up with something different for my hair Bridget?" asked Miranda. "For once I want to be able to dazzle the room, instead of evaporating in it."

"Don't you worry a thing, when I'm done, Mr. Scovell will have no choice but to propose to you."

Miranda gave a small laugh. "Thank you for the encouragement." And she desperately needed encouragement. As much as she loved helping out at the school, she knew it would be a degrading situation indeed for her family if she were to take employment. Bridget was right about one thing though; at almost twenty-one and no dowry, Miranda's marriage prospects were not looking good.

"I won't think about that," Miranda chided herself. "William loves me and he will marry me." She hoped her words sounded more true than they felt.

+++

After Miranda was ready, she headed toward the stairs in order to meet her parents in the front foyer. As she descended, she saw her father and mother already donning their hats and gloves for their evening out.

Thomas and Olivia Edwards were both getting on in their age, as Miranda was daily reminded by her father's graying mustache, and her mother's streaks of white throughout her brown hair. Miranda always felt a pang of sadness when she thought about how marriage to William would not improve their situation.

Putting on her sweetest smile, Miranda stepped down the remainder of the stairs and joined her parents. When her mother turned to look at her, admiration and sentiment shone in her blue eyes.

"You look beautiful my dear," she said, grabbing her hands and placing a kiss upon her cheek. "You shall be the belle of the ball tonight."

Miranda gave a shaky laugh, only her mother would ever say something so foolish yet mean every word of it.

"You're mother is right, tonight you'll be the brightest star in the room," her father echoed.

Feeling tears beginning to prick behind her eyes at their kind words, Miranda feigned indifference. Rolling her eyes she tried to act as if their words didn't affect her. "You have to say those things, you're my parents." She grabbed her cape to wrap around her shoulders. "Now let's be off before we're late."

The Edwards exchanged a smile and followed her out the door.

The carriage ride to the Sheffields was short. But even in that time, Miranda's parents still sat close with their hands clasped together. Miranda looked on in longing at their companionship. How desperately she wanted what they had. They had no riches, yet Miranda never knew of any other couple who were so much in love. Weren't they the proof that you didn't need money in order to have a successful marriage?

Miranda inwardly sighed. If only William saw it the same way she did. She could still remember their first meeting three summers ago. It was one of Miranda's first outings in society and thus had been too nervous and shy to mingle among the guests. But just when she thought she was going to have to spend the afternoon hiding behind a rosebush, William appeared.

Through his gentle nature, he was able to coax her out of her shell and a friendship had formed. It had been a balm to Miranda's soul to know that at each event she attended, William would always be there to offer a dance, or his arm on a leisurely stroll.

Miranda wasn't sure when their relationship turned into something more, but it seemed they had made a silent agreement during her second season. William never pursued any other young ladies and so Miranda never encouraged other gentlemen. To say she had been disappointed when William still hadn't proposed by the end of her second season was an understatement. But she figured it was because he was waiting to finish his education at school.

Miranda glanced once more at her parents, an ache growing in her chest at not having found what they had. Her mother always said that it was God who brought them together, and it was God who made their marriage strong. But if that was true, why hadn't God led her into marriage? If William was the man He chose, why was he taking so long to marry her?

Miranda didn't have any answers to these questions, which was a usual occurrence when it came to God. How was anyone to understand the plans of the Almighty?

Fortunately Miranda didn't have time to ponder these elusive questions anymore as the carriage had pulled up to the grand front doors of the Sheffield estate. Her father climbed down the steps first and then turned to hand her mother and her down. Miranda paused to stare up at the magnificent building. Every lantern was lit, making the entire outside glow brightly, even in the darkness of night.

Upon entering the ballroom, Miranda took in the magnificent sights that beheld her. It is said that London's social season didn't begin until the Sheffield Ball was held. Anybody who was anybody vied for an invitation. It was not lost on Miranda how honoring it was that her parents still received an invitation every year. Even with their lack of wealth, her parents were viewed in very high esteem. Her father was a man whom you could always count on for aid. And was much sought after for his wise advice and godly guidance.

Usually at events this crowded, Miranda rarely mingled among the crowd, choosing to instead find a quiet corner and observe the evening from afar. Sometimes, if she felt brave enough, she would sneak away to the library and peruse through books for an hour. On nights when William was present, he would claim his customary two dances, never more. Miranda had always secretly hoped that William would offer for a third dance, cementing their relationship in front of everyone. But alas, it was not meant to be.

After her family had been announced, Miranda immediately began scanning the ballroom for William. She always thought he looked handsome in formal attire. She was sure tonight would be no exception.

Not seeing him on the dance floor, Miranda began searching the crowds along the edge of the room. Just when she thought she caught a glimpse of his golden hair, the crush of people would snag him out of her sight. She continued around the ballroom, nodding in greeting to people as she passed but never stopping to engage in conversation. She was on a mission and was determined to accomplish it.

How she wished her good friend Cissy was there to offer some encouragement. But after getting married during her first season to a wealthy gentleman, she was now at home with her newborn daughter and unable to attend functions just then.

Just as Miranda was about to take another turn around the room, she finally spotted William exiting out the doors that lead onto the veranda. Smiling at her fortune of being able to speak to him alone, she immediately followed him out.

The cool night air felt good on her skin after being inside a hot and stuffy room. A few couples were already milling about, some taking turns around the garden together. Miranda didn't see anyone that was standing by themselves.

Walking out a little further, Miranda strained her eyes trying to see into the dark where the light of the candles couldn't reach. And that was when she saw him. At first her heart leapt for joy at the sight, but it was quickly trampled when she saw that he wasn't alone.

Off into the shadows, William stood, his head bent low. In front of him a woman of petite size and blonde hair that matched his own, stared down at the ground, a smile on her face. Miranda's heart began to beat faster, her breathing became labored. She tried to explain away what she was seeing. That he was only talking to a family friend or a relative. But then his hand came up to brush against her cheek, so softly as if she was made of glass.

Miranda couldn't stand to see anymore. Turning around she fled back into the ballroom, wishing she could forget what she had just witnessed.