Miranda stood gaping in the parlor. Her brain had disconnected from her lips as she was unable to form any words. William was here! In all of the bustle with the Earl of Carlisle, she had almost forgotten that she had heard no news of William's engagement. But the coming nuptials of a third son were hardly fodder for the town gossip.

"William," she was finally able to say, "I was not expecting you."

Unperturbed by her lack of warm welcome, William strode over, flashing one of his carefree smiles at her. "Sorry to surprise you Mandi, but I haven't seen you in an age, so I thought it best to come calling."

Nodding numbly, Miranda gave herself a mental shake. Remembering her manners, she gestured to the couch. "Would you like to sit while I ring for tea?"

"Actually, it is so nice out I was hoping we could walk your gardens. If that pleases you?"

It pleased her a great deal. Alex would be here soon, and it might be a little awkward having a male caller coming when she was already entertaining another one. "Yes, a walk sounds lovely," she said politely.

Heading back into the entryway, she donned her bonnet and shawl while William grabbed his hat. Her parent's house hardly had a garden in which to stroll through, but it did have a small walkway with a stone bench in which to sit and admire her mother's roses and lilies.

As they began to meander over to the side of the house, Miranda felt her heartbeat begin to quicken. This was the exact scenario in which she had tried to avoid at the ball. William coming to tell her that he had fallen in love with someone and was engaged to be married. But since that fateful night, Miranda could see now that her avoidance of him hadn't been because of heartbreak. Even now standing beside him, she could feel no sadness, only regret. Regret that she had pinned all her hopes and dreams on a marriage that in the end would have been based on convenience and not love.

As William walked with his hands clasped behind his back, Miranda saw that his face looked thoughtful. She could detect a stiffness in his shoulders but otherwise he seemed quite relaxed. Not acting like he was just about to shatter her world. He already unknowingly did that on the veranda.

Deciding it would be best for William to instigate the conversation, Miranda allowed herself to walk beside him in companionable silence. Even though a marriage wasn't going to work out between them like she originally hoped, William was still a good friend and she had missed his company over the past week.

"I didn't get a chance to speak with you at the Sheffield Ball," William began.

Miranda swallowed. They were apparently going to jump right in to that night. What could she say? It was obvious that she had seen him. "I...wasn't feeling very well that night," she hedged. "I ended up leaving early with my parents."

"I see," William said, though his tone suggested that he didn't see at all. "You were quite the talk afterward, ensnaring a dance with the elusive Earl of Carlisle. I hadn't realized you were acquainted with the Earl."

Miranda wanted to groan out loud. Was there anyone who hadn't heard about her dance? That was definitely going to be the last time she danced with a handsome stranger. Who knew one spin around the ballroom could cause so much fuss?

"I was given a quick introduction just that night." Miranda hated all the half-truths she was telling, but she didn't want William to feel guilty that he was the one who had caused her distress. When he was ready to tell her about the woman in the garden, Miranda wanted to sincerely wish them joy and make sure that William felt free of any obligation he may have felt towards herself.

William nodded silently. As they neared the stone settee, William held out his arm, indicating for her to take a seat first before settling himself beside her. Rubbing his hands along his legs, Miranda could tell he was suddenly nervous. Steeling herself, she sat patiently while waiting for the inevitable news of his engagement.

"The truth is Mir," William started, "was that I wanted to see you at the Sheffield's in order to ask you a question."

Miranda's face suddenly fell, her brow furrowed in confusion. He wanted to ask her something? Not tell her something?

Seeing her face, William let out a small laugh. "You're not reacting like I thought you would be."

Miranda gave her head a slight shake. "Apologies, I thought you called to inform me of some news."

It was William's turn to look confused. "And what news would that be?"

"Of your engagement."

"Engagement!" he sputtered. "But I haven't even-"

"I saw you, on the terrace. You were with a woman, and you acted quite...well, familiar with her."

William's eyes suddenly went wide. He shot up from his seat and began pacing around the small alcove. "It's not what you think," he said tersely rubbing the back of his head, "She isn't- I wasn't-" he paused his halting speech and took a breath instead. "What I'm trying to say is that there is no understanding with her."

Silence ensued while Miranda tried to make sense with what he was saying. How can he not have an understanding with a lady that he seemed almost intimate with?

Just as she was opening her mouth to ask the question, another figure walked into the clearing.

"Am I interrupting?"

+++

When Alex pulled up to the Edward's residence in his curricle, he was pleasantly surprised to find that he was looking forward to the outing to Hyde Park. Tying down the pair of dappled-gray horses, Alex sauntered over to the front steps of the house. After knocking on the door, he did a quick once over to his appearance to make sure everything was in its right place.

When the footman opened the door and Alex presented him with his card and said that he was there to call upon Miss Edwards, he was met with a bewildered stare. A little taken back by the look, Alex figured the footman wasn't used to an Earl calling upon Miranda.

"Forgive me my lord," the footman said bowing, "You'll find Miss Edwards in the rose garden." He gestured to the side of the house.

Nodding his thanks, Alex headed back down and walked to the direction shown. As he entered the garden, he could hear Miranda's voice. Was she with someone? When a male voice responded Alex instantly became alert. With a million questions racing through his mind, he slowed his pace to try and get a glimpse of her guest.

As the path straightened out, Alex could now see Miranda from afar, sitting in a small clearing while a younger man walked back and forth in front of her. As he neared, Alex could see Miranda's face more clearly. Although she didn't appear in distress, he could tell she was discomfited. And that was enough for him to break off this little tête-à-tête.

Stepping out of the shrubbery Alex brazenly asked, "Am I interrupting?"

He knew very well that he was interrupting. He saw a flush fan across Miranda's face as she registered his presence.

"Lord Carlisle," she said, rising to her feet. "I'm afraid I had forgotten about our outing this morning."

She seemed to do that a lot. Forget about him, or at least not take much notice of him. How could this woman be so infuriating and yet so enchanting at the same time? Maybe his mother was right, maybe it did take a lady ignoring him to grab his attention.

Focusing on the other man in the garden, Alex put on his most haughty expression.

"May I introduce Mr. William Scovell my lord," Miranda said. "He was just calling briefly."

Ah, so this was the supposed suitor who had been stringing Miranda along these past three years. Mr. Scovell offered a slight bow in acknowledgement, Alex could only manage the slightest nod in return.

"I have the curricle waiting out front Miss Edwards." He didn't know if she raised her eyebrow at him because of his high handedness or because for once he didn't call her by her first name.

"Of course my lord," she responded demurely. Turning to William she said, "Thank you for calling Mr. Scovell. I'm sure we'll meet again soon." Curtsying in adieu, Miranda walked past Alex without looking at him.

Alex gave one last look at William as he stared hard back at him in return. Alex had no qualms about stepping in between him and Miranda. The bloke had three years to make his move. If he couldn't see what a gem Miranda was, then he didn't deserve her.

Not saying another word, Alex spun on his heel and trailed after Miranda. He found her waiting patiently beside his carriage for him to help her up. After settling her in, Alex went around to his side, nimbly climbed up, then clicked at the horses to walk on.

Alex settled the team into a brisk trot, but words had yet to be spoken between them. Her face remained completely impassive. He couldn't tell if she was angry with him for acting so rudely toward Mr. Scovell or if she was embarrassed for being caught in a private conversation with another man. He imagined it was a bit of both.

"Where did you go yesterday?" he asked, deciding he was going to have to be the one to break the silence.

Miranda blinked a few times, obviously thrown off by his random inquiry.

"Excuse me?"

"You said you had a prior engagement already planned for yesterday," Alex continued. "Or was that just a ruse to not see me?" He flashed her one of his smooth smiles, but inwardly he was cringing at the possibility that maybe she had been avoiding him.

She laughed softly, "Actually I was engaged. I volunteer at St. Mary's, a charity school. I help any students that are behind in their reading."

Alex shook his head in amazement. Of course out of all the young ladies in town for the season, Miranda would be the one sacrificing her time to teach young children. "I'm sure they must be very thankful for your instruction," he said sincerely.

Miranda smiled wistfully to herself, as if remembering with fondness the children she taught. But just as quick as her smile came, a frown suddenly replaced it.

Perturbed by her sudden change in mood, Alex glanced at her in concern. "What's wrong?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Oh, I was just thinking about the new student I'm tutoring, Henry."

"Is Henry a rascal that is giving his teacher trouble?" Alex teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Miranda laughed. "Quite the contrary, I assure you. No, he is having an exceptionally hard time with basic literacy. Despite being in school for the past four years."

Alex could feel his mouth suddenly go dry. His hands tightened on the reins causing the horses to snort their heads in annoyance. Licking his lips he spoke trying to keep his voice even. "Any idea what might be wrong with him?"

"I don't think anything is wrong with him," Miranda said. "I just don't understand why he can't seem to retain the learning." She huffed in frustration. "It's like he totally forgets what I just taught him. But I know he is trying and because of that I vowed I wouldn't give up on him."

Memories flashed in Alex's mind of tutor after tutor coming to see him. Doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with him. In the end it was all fruitless. Just like Henry, Alex had never been able to learn how to read.