Sitting at her vanity as the morning light streamed through her bedroom window, Miranda absentmindedly ran a brush through her hair while she thought of last night's events. Sleep had eluded her for most of the night, as she felt too restless to be able to let her mind settle.

Being in Alex's company was something else entirely, and Miranda wasn't sure what to think of it. Sitting next to him in the theater had been both nerve wracking and exhilarating all at the same time. His presence was so distracting that she couldn't even remember what the play was about. She was being silly she knew, for she was sure Lord Carlisle had been totally unaffected by her company. Nothing ever seemed to unsettle him.

But now that Miranda had agreed to his plan, she was going to be thrown into his company even more so. She needed to get a tighter rein on her emotions if she didn't want to turn into a nonsensical ninny whenever he was near. Which was exactly the type of lady Lord Carlisle was trying to avoid.

Sighing inwardly, Miranda finished her toilette and began to dress herself. With being down a maid, Bridgett had enough duties to care for and so Miranda had taken it upon herself to dress in the mornings on her own. Thankfully she never did wear her hair in any complicated fashion, and so was not too difficult to pin into a simple bun.

Today was another tutor day and so Miranda donned her usual brown frock for the walk to the school. Even with the increased sessions, Henry was still not showing any marked improvement. Of the scientific journals she acquired on literacy, most of them concluded that the child simply did not have the intelligence, or must have a deficiency in the brain either from birth or head trauma. But to Miranda, none of those explanations seemed to fit Henry's situation. She knew he was intelligent, and she could see no "deficiencies" other than being unable to identify letters. In every other aspect, he was a normal healthy boy.

Miranda was not ready to give up however. Even with Henry's limitations, he deserved an education and should not be expelled. Especially when it was hardly his fault. Miranda left her room and started heading toward the front foyer. As she descended the steps she paused halfway down as there was a visitor waiting for her.

William once again stood at the entryway, holding his hat with a sheepish smile on his face.

"Good morning Miranda," he said cordially. "I seem to have finally caught up with you."

Miranda tried to erase the surprise on her face and instead tried to give a warm welcome. "Morning Mr. Scovell, I was not expecting you." Miranda knew at some point William would catch up with her again but if she was being honest with herself, she was hoping to avoid the matter for as long as possible. Or at least until she came back from the house party with Cissy. Then maybe she would have some idea of potential suitors.

"Yes, well, I asked the footman the last time I was here when you would be going to the school next. I thought I could walk with you." He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Unless you already have an escort?"

What William was suggesting was not lost on Miranda. She felt her cheeks grow warm at the memory of being caught between two gentlemen in a single morning. Wallflower status indeed. "No, you heard correctly. I am heading to the school and you are more than welcome to accompany me."

As Miranda donned her bonnet and gloves, William gallantly opened the front door for her to proceed him. They walked in silence for a few moments, but the air felt heavy with unspoken words. They both knew what the other was thinking but Miranda was unsure of how to bring it up. This was definitely not something taught during etiquette lessons.

"I feel," William began, "that our last conversation did not go exactly as planned."

Miranda gave a dry chuckle. "And that is the least of it," she said, trying to add some humor to the situation.

"There is one thing I need to know however," William said somberly, "Is there an understanding between you and Lord Carlisle? As I'm sure you know, the rumor mill has completely run amok. So much that I don't know what's true and what's simply conjecture."

Even with the solemn tone in which he asked, a part of Miranda wanted to laugh out loud. For someone to ask in such seriousness if she was to be engaged to an Earl. It sounded like something out of a fairy tale. Her heart did skip a tiny beat at the thought of marrying Lord Carlisle. He acted the arrogant aristocrat, but moments of gallantry have shone through, like rescuing her from Miss Chism's gibes.

Miranda gave her head a little shake, and brought her attention back to William. "No, there is no understanding between us," she answered. At least not the understanding that William was implying.

William's shoulders seemed to sag with relief. But Miranda's stiffened. She supposed that William still meant to propose, and the more she thought about it, the less she liked the idea. Here she was, a woman desperate for a husband, and yet she could not bring herself to marry a man who loved another. And she knew William needed to know that too.

"William," she said, stopping him, before all courage left her. "I hope you know that I have long let go of any promises that may have been presumed between us. Although we are good friends, it is now plain to me that our feelings never went deeper than that."

Miranda held her breath as William looked at her, his face unreadable. Miranda was never happier to be on an almost deserted street. This was not a conversation she wanted passerbyers to be overhearing.

William finally let out a heavy sigh while looking away and continued walking, Miranda falling back into step beside him.

"I guess it's no secret now that I was going to ask for your hand in the garden the other day," William said. "Before we were interrupted," he said with a slight smirk.

Miranda smiled back, glad that he now found humor in the situation. "What I want to know is why, when it is obvious you have feelings for another." A flash of pain crossed over William's features, and it made Miranda's heart break for him. "Who is, or should I say was, the lady out on the veranda?"

William paused before speaking. "Her name is Lady Lillian Cole. I knew her growing up as her father owns an estate that is not far from my own family's".

Miranda recognized the name. Lady Lillian was daughter to the Duke of Brandon. She was considered one of the seasons most sought after debutantes. Though Miranda was shocked at William's acquaintance with her, she kept quiet in order for him to continue.

"Lily is several years younger than me, and so it wasn't until after she had turned sixteen that I began to see the beautiful young woman she was becoming. It was the same year that I had met you."

Light began to dawn on Miranda. "And that's why you never pursued other ladies, you had already become attached to one." And to think, that whole time she thought it had been her.

William nodded silently. "I never meant for you to assume we had an understanding. I was foolish to not have confided in you, but I couldn't let my relationship with Lily become known to anyone."

"But why?" Miranda asked in bewilderment. "From what I witnessed, Lady Lillian returned your affections."

William rubbed a hand over his face in agitation. "When Lily came to town for her first season, I immediately offered for her hand, which she accepted." William scoffed. "You can imagine what her father said when a third son of a Baron asked to marry his daughter."

Miranda could imagine. "But surely he could see that his daughter accepted your proposal. Did that not count for anything?"

William shook his head. "He could not be swayed. And thus Lily and I had to accept that it was not meant to be. Oh we thought about eloping and running away, but what kind of life would that be? Her father would no doubt ostracize us from society, and then I would be unable to find work."

Miranda's heart sank, for she knew what it felt to be trapped, to have no options before you. In some ways, William's predicament was worse for he had his heart's desire before him and yet completely out of reach.

"I'm so sorry William," Miranda whispered.

William gave an indifferent shrug. "Since it cannot work with Lily, I figured I could at least do right by you and offer for your hand. Especially after misleading you these past three years."

Miranda did appreciate him thinking of her, but she also knew that William was too battered to be thinking clearly. She could see that he was hurting and was trying to run away from the situation that was causing him so much pain.

Miranda could see the school coming into view, and so it appeared that their conversation was coming to an end. Miranda came to a stop and looked up at William. "I can't marry you William, not when you long for another. You need time to heal."

A tic could be seen in his jaw while he contemplated her words. "You don't understand Mir, when Lily marries a man her father does approve of, it's going to kill me." He paused for a moment, blinking his eyes rapidly. "I'll tell you what we'll do. Lily is expected to be married by the end of the season because of her status and wealth. If she has found a match, and you are still unattached, then you and I will marry."

Miranda considered his offer. How was it that she was being presented with all sorts of proposals except for the one that mattered? "I don't know William..." Miranda said with a heavy sigh. Everything was becoming too complicated. She felt like her head was going to spin trying to keep all the particulars straight.

"Think about it," William said in earnest. "We may not be in love Mir, but we know that we will at least be happy."

William bowed and walked away, leaving Miranda to ponder his words.

+++

Alex knew he needed to go visit one place that he had not been to in ages. He actually wasn't even sure if he had been there once. And that was White's. Alex kept a membership at the gentlemen's club in order to keep up appearances when he inherited the Earldom. But with his affliction, he avoided environments where anyone might discover his secret. Which also resulted in keeping people at arm's length.

Today however, Alex was on a mission. With Miranda agreeing to his plan, she was about to become a visible target for suitors looking for a wife. But that meant it also brought the attention of men who were not so honorable. And with no money and even fewer connections, she could appear to be easy prey. And since it was Alex's idea to put her into this situation, he felt honor bound to ensure that she was duly protected.

As Alex climbed the front steps, trepidation began to grow in his belly. After spending the last several years sequestered at his estate, he felt out of practice of conversing with society. He knew it was unlikely that he would find himself having to read something, but the thought did little to ease his nervousness.

Upon entering the main room, Alex could see a handful of gentlemen engaged in various activities. He purposefully came earlier in the day when he felt there would be fewer members present. Although too early for a drink, Alex sauntered over to the bar, hoping to get a glimpse of the wagers currently placed in the Betting Book. The purpose of such a thing was distasteful to Alex but it could provide some insight into how Miranda was being perceived. Men gambled away entire fortunes over a little entertainment of society's patrons.

Spying the book at the edge of the counter, Alex approached without letting his eyes make contact with anyone else's. He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to read the entries, but he figured he should at least be able to identify Miranda's name among them. He began to thumb through looking for the most recent dates.

"Archer?"

Alex spun around, wondering who would recognize him in a place he never frequented. A man with curly brown hair stood with his hands in his pockets and a slight grin on his face. Alex scrutinized him for a minute, trying to place him. "Lewis?" he finally said.

The man gave out a laugh. "You do remember me! It's been ages. I think the last time we saw each other we were chasing grasshoppers through the fields of Roseglen."

Alex smiled at the memory. Harry Lewis had been an old friend from back in Northumberland, but as Alex's condition became more prominent, he withdrew more and more from people who might discover his illiteracy. "Yes, well I've grown up a bit since then."

"I can see that. I believe I'm supposed to call you Lord Carlisle, now that you've inherited your Earldom, but old habits do die hard," Harry said. He peeked around Alex's shoulder. "Were you thinking of making a wager? I try to avoid it if I can, I'm blasted unlucky when it comes to chance."

Alex tried to look back at the book nonchalantly. "I personally don't gamble, but I was just curious to see what the latest gossip was."

A slight glint appeared in Harry's eye. "Checking to see if a certain young lady is mentioned perhaps? It's no secret that after living as a recluse for the past five years, you've finally shown interest in a woman."

Alex prayed a flush wasn't creeping up his neck. But then again, maybe Harry could provide some personal observations as to what everyone was thinking about Miranda. "If you are referring to Miss Edwards, I simply enjoy her company. She is a breath of fresh air after the usual droll of society."

Harry cocked his head to one side. "Is that so? I would be careful all the same if I were you. That one is definitely out to catch herself a wealthy husband."

Alex's eyes tightened in consternation. "What do you mean?"

Harry took a step closer and lowered his voice. "It's rumored that her father lost out on a hefty investment. Trying to recoup the fortune his father had gambled away." Harry shook his head in pity. "It was no secret that the Edwards were tight on funds, but now it appears they are even more worse off than they were before."

Alex could only stare back as he processed this new information. He knew Miranda was desperate to be married, but was it as bad as this? She definitely did not come across as a fortune hunter and it was no secret she was vying for a husband. But Alex always assumed it was because she was getting too old to be on the marriage market, what if this was the real reason she agreed to his plan?

Not wanting Harry to see how much his words had affected him, Alex crossed his arms and leaned against the bar while giving a little shrug with one shoulder. "Not really any of my business now is it? I just like spending time with the girl, doesn't mean I'm going to marry her."

"Sounds like that's every other chap's intentions as well," Harry replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are already bets that the chit will either be married or ruined before the season is over."