Miranda stayed in bed until late into the morning. Hearing the sound of rain resound against her bedroom window meant that her mother would not be making calls. For which she was eternally grateful as she didn't think she could find the courage to face her parents just yet. The carriage ride home from the ball was blissfully silent. Her mother simply asked if she had the pleasure of William's company that evening. When Miranda answered in the negative, her parents shared a concerned look, but thankfully did not push for more details.

As for the handsome stranger, her parents showed no sign that they had seen her dancing with him. Miranda decided it was better to let the matter drop entirely as she was sure she would never see him again. It was almost a small gift of providence that such a horrible night came with a burst of delight. Miranda had never danced with such an intriguing man before, even if he vexed her with his arrogance. It had been exhilarating all the same. Her heart still did tiny flips when she thought about it.

But Miranda knew she needed to set aside girlish fantasies and deal with the issue at hand. It was only a matter of time until she needed to tell her parents what had transpired last night with William. Or rather, the lack thereof. She had never once, in all of her seasons, felt pressured by her parents to make a good match. Even when she started spending more and more time with William, a third son, not once did they protest. And now she was going to repay their kindness by telling them that any possibility of marriage was now gone.

Knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer, Miranda dressed in a simple morning gown and made her way downstairs to the drawing room where her parents conferred for tea after breaking their fast. She was happy now to have skipped the morning meal as she didn't think her nervous stomach could have handled food just then.

Noticing that the door stood slightly ajar, Miranda slowly approached it, hearing her parents talking on the other side. Trepidation grew in her belly as she thought of how she was going to break the news that her chances of marrying have gone from slim to none. Everything had been riding on William to propose.

Pausing at the door, Miranda took a breath, readying herself to enter the room.

"I'm afraid I have some trying news Olivia."

Miranda stilled. Had her father already figured out that William wasn't going to propose? Had he maybe heard of an engagement through a colleague?

"What is it Thomas?" her mother asked softly.

Miranda knew she shouldn't eavesdrop but she couldn't pull herself away.

"I just received a missive about some of our investments. Apparently one has gone bad. Very bad."

The room quieted, Miranda strained to hear any words being whispered between them.

"How bad is 'very bad' Thomas?" her mother asked. "Do we still have a home?"

Silence reigned in the room once again. Miranda's heart hammered in her chest, she was surprised her parents could not hear it, the room was so quiet.

"For now," Thomas finally answered. Miranda heard him heave a deep sigh. "It was all my fault Olivia. I got greedy. I knew it was a risky investment but if it paid off, all our money problems would have been solved."

She heard soft footsteps walk across the room. Miranda imagined her mother going to her father to offer him comfort.

"I tried to do it my own way, instead of His way," he continued.

"What will this mean for Miranda?"

Miranda held her breath as she awaited an answer to her mother's question.

"I had hoped she would be married by now, but when nothing came of last night..."

Tears began streaming down Miranda's cheeks. Her parents already knew. And now they were in a worse position than before.

"There still may be hope that she will marry this season," her mother offered.

More silence. "It's been three years, Olivia. With our situation even more dire, there is naught to recommend her. If Mr. Scovell hasn't offered for her, then I fear our Miranda will not be able to find a suitable match."

Unable to hear anymore, Miranda covered her mouth with her hand lest her parents hear her sobs. Turning away from the door, she ran as fast as she could back up to her room where she threw herself down on her bed and let the tears flow freely.

How could she have been so stupid? To wait for three long years for William to propose. And now with her family in financial straits, she was even more of a burden to them. If she had been able to marry well, she could have helped provide for them.

Clutching her pillow, Miranda sobbed into it. Sobbed over the unfairness of the world. How could someone say there was a God when her father, the most godly man she knew, was suffering.

After a few minutes, her cries began to subside into soft whimpers. As her head began to clear, Miranda knew that she needed to do something to help her parents. She was part of the reason why they were in this situation. To make a love match was completely out of the question. And since she had no dowry to offer, that left men who were looking for a young wife to produce an heir. Older men.

Miranda suppressed a shudder. The thought of marrying a man twice her age repulsed her. But what other options did she have? Most men of the ton wanted a wife that came with beauty and wealth, and since she had neither, that severely limited the selection available.

Sighing, Miranda sat up. Her situation seemed so hopeless. A thought flickered into her mind of the Handsome Stranger. Although Miranda knew that he was most likely just being a flirt, it gave her confidence that she wasn't entirely distasteful to men. And she needed all the confidence she could get.

+++

Alex stood at his study window, looking out of his London townhouse as the rain drenched the streets below him. Papers that urgently needed his attention sat strewn across his desk behind him. But until his steward Parkinson arrived, Alex could do nothing. He thought about at least starting on the estate ledgers, double checking balances and such, but he found his mind would not be engaged. Burying himself in work was a mechanism he used over the years whenever life became too much. His father's death, his mother's depression, he got through it all by occupying his mind to the point of distraction.

Now however, one thought continually occupied his mind, and no matter how hard he tried to bury his head in figures and number crunching he could not prevail. All because of a pair of hazel eyes.

To say he had been captivated by their dance the previous night was an understatement. He had never before participated in such stimulating banter with another lady of the ton. Alex still couldn't believe that she baited him with her words. She knew that he had been irked by her inattention and instead of begging for his forgiveness, she chose to needle him further instead. A small smile played on his lips as he replayed the memory in his mind.

As a knock on his door brought him out of his musings, he turned to see who could be calling at such an early hour.

"Hello Cousin, I hope you don't mind the intrusion."

Alex frowned at the entrance of his cousin Harrison. With his dark curly hair and dark eyes to match, he cut a dashing figure but Alex knew that there lay something mischievous underneath the facade.

Ever since Alex had inherited the Earldom, his family had not been on friendly terms with Harrison and his father. However, after Uncle Oliver was killed in a carriage accident two years ago, a somewhat shaky reconciliation had been bridged between him and his cousin.

"Archer," Alex said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Harrison grinned, walked in and flounced down in one of the armchairs. "I had to see for myself that you've arrived in London. Having been in a self-imposed exile for the past five years, I almost couldn't believe it."

Alex tried to hide a grimace at his cousin's scrutiny. This was one of the reasons why he did stay away from London. Away from prying eyes and intrusive questions. "I'm here of course for Evelyn's seasonal debut. But once the season ends, or she finds a match, then I will of course be returning to Roseglen."

"Always the dutiful Earl," Harrison said with an air of sarcasm. Slapping his legs he jumped out of his seat. "Well I suppose I'll see you around town then. Wouldn't want to waste an opportunity to spend time with my favorite cousin." Shooting him a quick wink, Harrison strode out the door.

Alex furrowed his eyebrows at his cousin's short and unexpected visit. Things had always been tense between them, but this was something else entirely. What was he up to?

"Did I just see Harrison leave?" his mother asked, walking into the room.

"Yes, he was just paying a visit."

His mother tsked. "I never did trust them. I don't think your father did either."

"Harrison is harmless," Alex said with a wave of his hand. "He's all talk, just like his father was. Is there something I can do for you?" he asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"I didn't get a chance last night to inquire how your conversation with Miss Edwards went. I trust she was well?"

Alex thought back to Miranda's answer when he asked about her wellbeing. "Physically I would say she was well, but there was definitely something else bothering her." What, he could not say.

His mother raised an eyebrow at him. "I'll admit she looked...perturbed dancing with you. Not the usual reaction when one gets to dance with an Earl. And a single one at that."

Alex hid a smile. He wondered if Miranda would have still spoken so flippantly to him if she knew of his title. Maybe that was why he enjoyed her company so much. With his identity hidden, he could be himself without having to worry about his partner trying to trap him into marriage.

"I believe she was a little put out at accepting a dance from a man she had not been formally introduced to before."

"I would have introduced you except it would have seemed odd coming from me when I have no acquaintanceship with the girl," his mother said. "Besides, I found it best that you go ahead alone."

Alex smirked. "Thumbing your nose at society's etiquette, Mother? Seems very unlike you."

His mother responded by giving him a pointed glare. "I will do whatever I deem fit to see my son married. Since the season started I couldn't get you to look at another lady. Now that you have shown interest in one, maybe I can stop throwing young ladies at your feet."

"Oh no, not the marriage crusade for Alex again."

Alex scowled as his sister Evelyn breezed into the room. "Am I to be invaded by every female in the house?"

"According to Mother, there's still a female missing."

Alex groaned. "Don't encourage her. It's your fault I'm in London in the first place. From what I saw last night, you are hardly in need of any help."

Evelyn waved her hand at him in dismissal. "Please, anyone who had wealth and status would have a successful season. You're here to simply weed out...well, the weeds."

Alex chuckled. "You always did have a way with words."

Evelyn responded by batting her eyelashes at him. "However, it seems to me that you already have a solution to your problem."

"And what solution would that be?" Alex asked skeptically.

"Mother said it herself. Now that you've shown interest in someone, she will stop meddling."

"I was interested in her wellbeing," Alex corrected. "Everyone here knows I have no interest in marrying." His mother snorted at his comment but he chose to ignore it.

"Sorry I'm late Sir, but I was waiting for the morning's post."

Alex almost cried out loud in relief at Parkinson's arrival. He knew his mother and sister meant well, but their concern for his welfare became almost stifling at times.

"That's quite alright Parkinson, my mother and sister were just leaving." Alex gave a pointed look in their direction.

His mother returned her own look that said the conversation was far from over. The look was not needed however, as Alex knew she would not let this matter drop lightly. His sister on the other hand just shot him a cheeky grin before sauntering out the office door. He rolled his eyes, but inwardly he chuckled at the thought of the man who would gain his sister for a wife.

"Troubles with the ladies of the household again my lord?" Parkinson asked with a hint of humor, setting his cane against the wall.

"You have no idea," answered Alex with a slight annoyance. "Now that my mother has finally gotten me to London for a season, I swear she has become even more persistent in finding me a wife."

"I believe she is looking out for your happiness, Sire. Afterall she and your father shared a marriage like no other."

Alex snorted. "Yes, and look how that turned out. Father's death sent Mother into a spiral of grief where she barely acknowledged our existence for two years. No, I think I'd rather save myself the trouble."

"I believe the saying goes Sir," Parkinson interjected, "Is 'it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.'"

Alex chuckled without humor. "You won't have me falling for that nonsense. But enough talk about marriage, why don't we start with you reading me the day's post."

As Alex shuffled through papers to get his desk back into order, he noticed that his steward had not moved. "Was there something else Parkinson?" he asked with concern.

"Yes Sire, we still need to discuss the details of my retirement."

Alex looked on at his steward in silence. He knew that the time had long since passed when John needed to step down and allow another to take his place. Parkinson must have been well into his seventies by now and it showed. His limp was more pronounced and Alex noticed that he relied more and more on his cane. But even knowing all that, Alex was still reluctant to let him go.

Parkinson cleared his throat. "I know it might seem impossible to find a steward who would be understanding of your...plight," Parkinson said. "But I'm sure we can find someone who will be just as empathetic and open-minded as I have been."

Letting out a breath, Alex leaned back into his chair. "I'm not so sure about that," he said doubtfully.

Parkinson nodded solemnly. "I understand Sire. At least let me put together some possible candidates."

"Very well," Alex said with a defeated sigh. "Maybe before reading the morning's post you should tell the planned itinerary for the coming week."

Parkinson nodded sternly, switching back into business mode. "Yes Sire." Pulling out a small notebook from his inner pocket, he flipped through. "Ah yes, your mother has a dinner party planned for the coming Thursday."

Alex slapped a hand over his eyes and groaned.

"Is there a problem my Lord?" Parkinson asked.

"Every time my mother throws a dinner party, she invites every eligible female she can find and then places me right in the middle of them all. It's a nightmare!"

"Shall I tell her that you cannot attend then?"

Alex let out a bark of laughter. "Hardly. No, even though I am now the Earl, the Dowager Countess still calls most of the shots."

A tiny quirk of his mouth could be seen on Parkinson's face as he attempted to hide a smile.

"If only there was a way to get her to-" Alex stopped abruptly and then snapped his fingers. "That's it!"

"What's 'it' Sire?" Parkinson asked.

"My sister said it herself," Alex said excitedly. "If I show interest in a young lady, then my mother will no longer see a need to find me a wife."

"I'm assuming then that you have a young lady in mind?"

"I do actually and the arrangement could benefit us both." Alex drummed his fingers on the table in thought. If Miranda proved to be the type of lady he thought she was. "Yes, this actually might work out better than I thought. Parkinson, send a note to my mother asking her to add the Edward's to the list of invitations."

John raised a questioning eyebrow but then bowed. "As you wish my lord."