Miranda noticed as they continued in the curricle toward Hyde Park, that Lord Carlisle's demeanor suddenly felt off. She didn't know what she could have said to upset his warm, jovial mood just moments prior. They had only been talking about Henry. Was he upset that a gentlewoman would lower herself to help out at a charity school?

But as soon as the thought entered Miranda's mind, it quickly fled. She may not have known Lord Carlisle long, but she could tell enough that he wasn't disgusted by her volunteer work. He seemed almost impressed. And when he called Henry a rascal, Miranda could almost see another sandy haired troublemaker who knew what it was like to vex his teachers.

As they entered into the park, Lord Carlisle slowed the horses down to a walk with a gentle "woah". Taking in her surroundings, Miranda breathed in the fresh air. Never in a million years did she think she would be riding in a fashionable carriage with an Earl. But a lot of things have happened in the past week that she didn't think possible. Most, if not all, due to the man sitting beside her.

Which brought back to mind why she agreed to this ride in the first place. Alex was still an enigma to her. She couldn't figure out why he would show such an interest in her when he had basically shunned society for the past five years. Well, this time she was going to get some answers.

"I believe you have some questions to answer," Miranda said, looking forward. Boldness was never her forte, and right now she was quaking inside at being so direct.

"You're quite right," Lord Carlisle responded, his somber mood presumably forgotten, "But in order to give you a full explanation, you need to do some explaining yourself."

"Me?"

"Starting with Mr. Scovell," Lord Carlisle said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Miranda felt her face go warm and quickly ducked her head to hide her embarrassment. "I am sorry about that. I had no idea he was going to call."

"I realize now that he was the one you had been running from at the ball."

Miranda nodded. Taking a deep breath, she figured she may as well tell him the whole story. She started hesitantly, for she felt foolish that she had been waiting three years for a proposal. When she got to the part about seeing William with another woman on the veranda, Lord Carlisle's eyes widened slightly but he did not interrupt.

Once Miranda had finished retelling the events of that night, it felt like a burden had been lifted. "This morning was the first time I've spoken with Will- that is to say, Mr. Scovell, since that night."

Lord Carlisle sat quietly, his thoughts hidden from his face. They continued circulating throughout the park, nodding in greeting to various passersby. Miranda almost wanted to shrink back in her seat at some of the blatant stares she received. She wasn't sure if she would ever get used to the excessive attention.

Lord Carlisle finally let out a grunt while shaking his head. "I should have given him a wallop upside the head for treating you so abominably. To string you along for three years, then drop you like a sack of potatoes." He snorted in derision. "It's unforgivable."

Warmth swelled in Miranda's chest on hearing a gentleman be so protective of her. But although she appreciated his defending of her, she wouldn't let him continue thinking the worst of William.

"Although Mr. Scovell did act dishonestly," Miranda began, "I'm not entirely sure about his intentions."

Lord Carlisle swiveled towards her. "What do you mean?"

"He said he had no understanding with the lady on the balcony." Miranda hesitated about telling Lord Carlisle the next part, but maybe he could help sort it out. "And I think he was going to offer for my hand."

If it wasn't for Lord Carlisle holding the reins, Miranda would have thought he was made of stone.

"Would you have said yes?" he asked.

Miranda churned the question around in her mind. Wasn't it her whole objective to find a husband? So that she would no longer be a burden to her parents and wouldn't have to work to make a living? Miranda found it ironic that she had waited so long for a proposal from William and now the idea felt distasteful.

How could she marry a man that was in love with another? Even though William said there was no engagement, the image of him looking on with such longing at the mysterious woman will forever be imprinted on Miranda's mind.

But being in the predicament she was, Miranda didn't have many options. And at least with William, she knew their marriage would be mutually respected. Even if it lacked true love.

"I'm not sure," Miranda answered honestly. "I've known Mr. Scovell a long time, but I'll admit a marriage of pure convenience doesn't appeal to me." She sighed dejectedly. "Of course though I hardly have the means to be so particular."

A slow grin spread across Lord Carlisle's face. "And that my dear, is where I come in."

+++

Miranda shot Alex a bewildered look. "How so?" she asked.

Giving the reins a quick flick to keep the horses moving steadily, Alex chose his next words carefully. "When you bumped into me, the first time," he said with a wink, "you looked very...distressed. And since you were fleeing away from the gardens, I was concerned that you had an unpleasant altercation with someone."

Miranda let out a small laugh.

Alex's eyes furrowed. "You find that amusing?"

Miranda shook her head. "Not in the least. It's just that my father was concerned about your intentions towards me. He thought they were bent toward being dishonorable," she said with a teasing grin.

Alex grinned back. "And what do you think?"

Miranda suddenly sobered, "I could sense your concern during our dance. And although you were quite bold," she said with a pointed look, "you hardly acted the rake."

Alex feigned a hurt look. "Better not spread that gossip, you'll harm my reputation."

Miranda laughed out loud and Alex couldn't help but smile in return. He couldn't remember the last time he made someone laugh. And Miranda's sounded so lovely to his ears.

"So that explains why you asked me to dance," Miranda continued, "But why the invite to the dinner party? Or any of these outings for that matter?"

"Ah," Alex said, "That's because I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition," she said, concern in her voice.

Alex hid a laugh behind a cough at her expression. "Don't worry, it's nothing reprehensible, I assure you. What I want to offer you, is an arrangement that I believe will help both our situations."

Alex watched out of the corner of his eye as Miranda mulled over his words. "Okay," she said slowly, "But I'm not exactly sure how I can help you, especially when you're an Earl."

Alex chuckled. "It's because I'm an Earl that I need your help. I was forced out of 'hiding' by Evelyn's season debut, and now that my mother has me in London, she is determined to throw every eligible young lady at my feet." He gave an exaggerated shudder. "It's absolutely loathsome. But," he said mischievously, "if I show partiality toward a young marriageable lady, she may back off, giving me some breathing room."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "That is a completely absurd plan. And even if your mother were to stop her matchmaking, it will not stop all the eligible ladies from falling all over you."

Alex gave a half-hearted shrug. "Maybe, but at least I won't have to worry about hosting dinner parties twice a week where I'm forced to mingle. At a ball I can somewhat hide away from the husband hunters."

"And what am I supposed to gain in return?"

Alex bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn't sure how to explain her benefit without insulting the lady herself. "It is no secret," he began, "that you are running out of time to find a husband."

Miranda quickly turned her face away but not before Alex saw her cheeks flush. "Which is not your fault," he hastily continued. "No, I place that blame solely on Mr. Scovell's shoulders."

Miranda grimaced. "It wasn't entirely his fault. I was the one who believed we were in love, when in truth we were no more than good friends."

Alex hated to see her so forlorn but he hoped he would be able to change that. "If society starts seeing us together, it could greatly increase your marriage prospects." Alex held his breath while he waited to see what Miranda's reaction would be.

Miranda pursed her lips in amusement. "Yes, I heard that our dance was already circulating among the gossips."

"Trust me, at the next ball, every young man in attendance will be vying for a dance with you."

Miranda gave him a confused look. "But I don't understand how that elevates my marriageability. I still have almost no dowry and no connections." She snorted. "And no beauty," she mumbled under breath that Alex almost missed it.

"Believe it or not," he said, "Not every man is looking for a wife with wealth and status. I'm just the means to gain you more attention in the hopes that someone will notice you."

"But surely when they see you with me, it will frighten off all the other suitors."

Alex barked out a laugh. "I'm flattered that you think me so intimidating, but when it comes to men they love to rise to a challenge." He grinned at her. "Take Mr. Scovell for instance. He positively loathed me when I called on you. If he wasn't going to propose, he'll definitely be by the end of the season." Alex felt a little pang at the thought of Miranda marrying him, but wasn't that the whole point? To find Miranda a husband?

Silence ensued as Alex left Miranda to her thoughts. He knew he was asking a lot of her, but surely she could see how they would both greatly benefit from the arrangement.

As the carriage came back around to the entrance, Alex turned the horses to exit the park. "I should get you back before your father starts questioning my intentions again," he teased.

Miranda rolled her eyes but Alex could detect a small smile on her face.

Pulling the horses up when they reached the townhouse, Alex hopped out to assist Miranda down. When her feet touched the ground, Alex tightened his grip on her hand to get her to look at him. "Promise me that you'll think about what I said. I like you Miranda, and don't want to see you forsaken to a life of unhappiness."

"I don't remember giving you permission Lord Carlisle to use my Christian name." Miranda appeared serious but Alex could detect a slight sparkle in her eyes that belied her tone.

"As I recall, you didn't have a problem with it at the Sheffield Ball." And giving her another audacious wink, Alex hopped back into his curricle and drove off before she could respond.