After her walk with Cissy, Miranda departed to her room to get changed for dinner. But instead of picking out her evening attire, Miranda paced the length of the room, her mind racing with what she had just discovered. It seemed so utterly preposterous for a man like Alex to be plagued by word blindness. Yet in every angle she looked at it, it all fit together.

Alex had been hiding away at his estate for five years, until this season when Lady Evelyn made her debut. Everyone assumed he was simply avoiding society, but what if there was a deeper reason? What if he was avoiding people in general so that they would not find out his secret?

Although there was some merit to the theory, Miranda knew it was a slight stretch. It was what Alex had shared with her in the study that brought everything together. Books that were just for show. Not attending university. It was all very peculiar behavior. It wasn't until Cissy mentioned the hurdles that Henry would face with his cognitive impairment, that it tied it all together for Miranda.

If society had ever found out that Alex was illiterate, the social repercussions would be severe indeed. And with that knowledge, Miranda understood why Alex would distance himself not only from society, but from anyone who got too close to guessing his secret.

Pausing in her pacing, Miranda stood in the middle of the room, at a loss of what she should do next. Not being entirely convinced that it was illiteracy that Alex was hiding, Miranda needed to find out for sure. She needed to test him. But how was she to do that without his knowledge?

An idea began to form in her mind. Miranda walked over to her nightstand where she kept her own various books. Opening the drawer she pulled out a book of poems. Maybe if she could get Alex to read one that she had already memorized, she might be able to make a comparison to how Henry reads out loud.

At that moment, Cissy's maid entered to help get Miranda ready for dinner. Thankfully she didn't ask too many questions as Miranda's mind was too preoccupied to take part in idle chatter. After she had left, Miranda picked back up the small book. She knew in her heart that it didn't matter if Alex had word blindness or not. She loved him regardless. But if she wanted a true union between them, then Alex was going to have to learn to trust her.

Pocketing the book into the front of her dress, Miranda made her way downstairs.

The guests had convened in the parlor, waiting for dinner to be announced. Finding Cissy at the far end of the room by the hearth, Miranda decided to leave her be, as she was in deep conversation with her mother-in-law. Alex was conversing with another gentleman, and didn't appear to notice her.

Not feeling up to interjecting herself with the other lesser-known ladies, Miranda decided she would simply have to wait until dinner was served. Finding a chair in a quiet corner of the room, Miranda settled herself down, picking up a piece of embroidery that was left behind to quietly work on.

After a few stitches, a shadow fell over her. Glancing up in the hopes of seeing Alex's telltale smirk, Miranda's heart sank when her eyes connected with Miss Chism's. She did have a smirk on her face, but it was one of smugness and condescension.

"Miss Edwards," she said. "I never got a chance to ask you how your ride went the other day. Tell me, was Athena to your liking?"

Miranda judged that by the way Miss Chism was smiling, she knew all along that Athena was a horse that needed an experienced rider. And although Miranda did not appreciate almost being thrown and possibly breaking her neck, it did give her an excuse to ride with Alex. And that alone made the ordeal all worthwhile.

Returning Miss Chism's smile with one of her own, Miranda stood so they could be eye to eye. "Athena was spirited to be sure, but Lord Carlisle was such an excellent riding partner that I hardly noticed."

Miss Chism's eyes narrowed as she tried to make out Miranda's meaning. Not willing to give her the satisfaction of finding out, Miranda turned to leave when the footman announced dinner was served.

Contented that Miranda was able to hold her own against Miss Chism, her victory was short lived when during dinner she had to watch as the said lady draped herself all over Alex throughout the course of the meal. Although Alex's annoyance was clearly evident, it didn't make it any less irritating for Miranda.

With dinner finally over, the ladies adjourned to the drawing room, while the men went to their port and cigars. Miranda began suddenly feeling nervous, as she hoped to instigate her plan when the men rejoined them. Putting her hand in her pocket, she gripped the book for reassurance. She just needed to get Alex alone.

Miranda politely sat with the other ladies, but her focus continually strayed to the entrance, waiting for the first hint of movement. When the men did start trickling in, Miranda had to command herself to sit still and not jump up too quickly lest she bring more attention upon herself.

As Alex entered, Miranda watched from the corner of her eye as he found a quiet spot apart from the crowd. Seizing her opportunity, Miranda silently stood up and treaded quietly over to him.

At her approach, his eyes seemed to brighten for a moment, but then just as quickly as it came, it was gone and his air of indifference was back at the forefront.

Miranda did not allow it to deter her. If Alex was suffering from word blindness, he needed to know that it didn't alter her opinion of him, and that she loved him all the same. She swallowed hard at the thought of openly declaring her feelings for him, but before even crossing that bridge, she needed to confirm her suspicions first.

Stopping before him, Miranda wordlessly reached into her pocket and presented the small book of poetry to Alex. His eyes bored into the book as if it was about to bite him. Miranda knew that if she was right, she was about to ask him to do something that might be considered humiliating. Afterall, isn't this why he's hidden himself from society all these years? There was only one way to find out.

"I was wondering if you would want to read a piece of poetry to me. Based on what you said earlier, maybe you just needed the right incentive." Miranda held her breath as she awaited his response.

Alex gently picked up the book and turned it over in his hands. "I think you would find my poetry skills severely lacking. I don't think I would be able to do them justice."

"I disagree," Miranda said. "For I believe it is not in how the poetry is delivered, but expressed."

Alex stared at her for a hard moment, then bringing his attention back to the book, he began to leaf through its pages.

Miranda tried to keep herself as still as possible, for she feared if she moved the moment would be broken. But then a shrill voice permeated their seclusion, shattering it like fragile glass.

"Oh Lord Carlisle, are you going to be reading some poetry for us this evening?"

Miranda could feel her heart leap into her throat, as she turned to see Miss Chism come forward and lace her arm through Alex's and began leading him to the front of the room. Miranda wanted to reach out to stop them but she didn't know how without causing a bigger scene.

"What a splendid way to pass the evening," Miss Chism purred. "We should have all the men read a poem out loud, and then the ladies can judge the winner."

A murmur of laughter and giggles rippled throughout the room at the proposed game. Miranda could not believe this was happening. As she watched Alex grip the book with white knuckles, sweat began to break out on his brow, and that was when Miranda knew that he indeed could not read.

Standing at the front of the room, hands shaking, Alex brought the book up to his face. Whispers began circulating in the room at the obvious nervousness he was displaying.

No, no no! thought Miranda. She had just created the scenario that Alex must have tried to avoid his entire life, and it was all her fault. As she stared in horror at what she had done, Alex for a moment lifted his gaze to hers. It was then she knew she had to do something. So she did the only thing she could think of. She fainted.

+++

One moment Alex was standing in front of Miranda, a book in his hands. The next someone had grabbed his arm and was leading him through a crowded room to read in front of a group of strangers. Alex had contemplated, for just a second, to read to Miranda. She looked so sincere in her request. It made him feel that she wouldn't have cared if he botched up the poetry. He had believed her when she said it wasn't in the delivery.

But his softening towards Miranda cost him dearly now. Over the years Alex had created defenses for this exact scenario. If he was ever in a room where books were opened or even talked about, he would make himself scarce so as not to be caught in any precarious situations. Just like the one he found himself in now.

He felt numb. His mind was having trouble engaging and couldn't think of anything that would stop Miss Chism on her course of action. Alex was too afraid that whatever excuse he came up with would be seen as feeble, and thus would have people wondering why he didn't want to read a few simple lines of poetry.

None of it mattered now because Alex was just about to be made a fool of. Everyone was just about to witness an Earl read at a child-like level. Would they think he was a simpleton? Or maybe he will just have to listen to the whispers follow him from ballroom to ballroom for the rest of his life. That is if he gets invited back into the ballrooms. Even an Earl had his limits.

His mouth suddenly dry, Alex raised the book closer as the words began to blur. Resisting the urge to wipe the sweat from his forehead, he could feel his hands begin to shake. When the sound of murmuring reached his ears, Alex knew he was taking too long. Not knowing why, he searched the crowd for Miranda. When he found her, her fists were clenched to her chest and her face full of concern.

Before Alex could contemplate the reason for her distress, Miranda's eyes had rolled into her head and then her body suddenly crumpled to the floor. Gasps and shrieks filled the room at the commotion. The book forgotten, Alex dropped it to the floor as he rushed to Miranda's side.

Kneeling down beside her, Alex picked up her hand, tapping it quickly to see if he could rouse her. "Miranda, Miranda!" he said in earnest. Miranda's friend Mrs. Benson had also joined him, concern etched in her features.

"Bring some smelling salts," she ordered. "I believe she has only fainted Lord Carlisle. She had been complaining of a headache earlier today."

Alex could only nod in response. His eyes never left Miranda's face, waiting to detect the first hint of movement. The footman presented the smelling salts to Mrs. Benson who promptly started waving it under Miranda's nose. Miranda gasped and immediately started coughing. Alex let out a breath of relief that she was okay.

"How are you feeling Miranda?" Mrs. Benson asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just not really sure what happened," Miranda answered.

"Do you feel like you can stand?" Alex asked, offering out his hand. Miranda took it and together they stood up. Alex watched closely to make sure she wasn't going to fall down again. She appeared alright but Alex wasn't an expert on a ladies constitution.

"I could use some fresh air," Miranda said. "It feels so stuffy in here."

"I can take you," Alex quickly volunteered. Then realizing his impetuousness, he turned to Mrs. Benson. "That is if you find that agreeable."

Mrs. Benson didn't answer right away. She stared at Alex as if trying to figure out if his intentions were honorable. Returning it with a steady gaze of his own, Alex tried to convey as much as he could that he meant Miranda no ill harm.

Apparently his message got through, as Mrs. Benson nodded her head and suggested that he take her for a turn around the front gardens where there was the most light.

Arm in arm, Alex was happy to leave a room full of onlookers. He was sure the gossip had already started. He winced as he remembered that he had called Miranda by her Christian name in front of everyone. He hoped he hadn't just put the final nail in the coffin that was Miranda's reputation.

"I hope that look isn't because I ruined your performance."

Alex guffawed. "Please, I should be thanking you. You just saved me from making a complete spectacle of myself."

Miranda gave his arm a small squeeze. "Not everyone is as judgemental as the people in that room."

How Alex wished he could believe that was true. But after what he just witnessed, the whispers, the odd looks, and he hadn't even read a single word out loud. How would everyone have reacted when they heard his halting speech? Or struggle through a complicated word? If tonight's events taught him anything, it was that he was right to hide his shortcomings.

"Alex?" Miranda asked, bring Alex out of his reverie.

"My apologies," he said, smiling to reassure her. "It has been an eventful night."

"Is there something else bothering you? I would hope that we have come to a point in our friendship that you can talk to me."

Alex grit his teeth together. There was definitely a part of him that wanted to release the burden that he had carried all his life. To tell someone who would understand, and not think that he was stupid. But after tonight, the risk felt too great.

"No," he finally said. "There's nothing."

Sadness crept into Miranda's eyes, like she was disappointed by his answer. Turning her head away she resumed their walk.

"I had wanted to share with you something I discovered concerning Henry," Miranda said.

Henry? Alex tried to wrap his head around the sudden turn of conversation. Wasn't he the young boy that Miranda tutored? Before Alex could ask what it was that she discovered, a voice cried out in the night that made both their hearts stop.

"Fire!"