The sun shone down through a cloudless blue sky. Miranda couldn't help but tilt her head up allowing the rays to warm her face. Sitting in the garden outside her home, it was hard to believe that it was here that she had been caught in an awkward situation with two male callers. It seemed but a distant memory now.

With her bible in her lap, Miranda surrounded herself in the truth of God's mercy and grace. After the events from a few days ago, Miranda needed a firm foundation to stand on, for it had left her feeling pretty unsettled.

But that was not all that was troubling her. It had been three days and Alex still hadn't come to call. No note or a letter. Even Evelyn hadn't stopped by. It must be obvious to Alex now that she knew of his secret. So why did he stay away? Hence why Miranda was pouring over her bible and trying to lay her worries at the feet of Jesus.

As Miranda went back to her reading, a rustling sound brought her attention to the garden path. There she saw someone who she didn't think she would ever be able to see again.

"Cissy!" Miranda exclaimed. Setting her bible down, Miranda ran to her friend and threw her arms around her, afraid to let her go.

"It's so good to see you Mandi," Cissy said, hugging her back.

"What are you doing here? I thought your mother-in-law banned you from ever seeing me again."

Cissy looked at her with a twinkle in her eye. "Apparently Mrs. Benson was so horrified how she had taken the word of a blackguard that she chose to humble herself and apologize then be associated with the likes of Mr. Archer." Cissy let out a laugh. "I never thought I would see the day when my mother-in-law was taken down from her high horse."

Miranda couldn't help but beam at her friend. "I'm just so happy that you're here."

"Me too," Cissy said. "But I must confess I do have ulterior motives. I'm here to take you out."

"Out?" Miranda asked.

Cissy nodded. "My carriage is waiting, your parents already know."

The next thing Miranda knew Cissy was dragging her out of the garden and into the carriage. She didn't even have a moment to refuse. And the whole ride Cissy remained tight lipped about where they were going and wouldn't give a single clue.

Miranda decided it was a lost cause and chose to sit back and be patient. She would find out soon enough.

When the carriage finally did come to a stop and the girls departed, Miranda found herself in front of a three story stone building. "Vauxhall Gardens?" she said to Cissy. "This was your outing?"

"And why not?" Cissy said, pretending to be offended. "You love gardens and it got you away from home moping around."

Miranda shot her a look. "I was not moping."

"Yes you were," Cissy retorted. "Even in the first five minutes I could tell that you've been waiting for Lord Carlisle to come calling."

Miranda blushed because she knew her friend was right.

Walking through the proprietor's house and back outside, Miranda sighed at the beauty of the gardens. Even though it was a common attraction in London, it still took one's breath away. Numerous trees lined the paths while a gazebo sat in the center of one of the squares.

Cissy steered her past the gazebo and toward the east side.

"I think you would enjoy a stroll down Lover's Walk," Cissy said.

Miranda let out an involuntary snort. "That's the last place I would want to go."

Cissy waggled her eyebrows at her. "Oh I begged a differ."

Giving Cissy a strange look, Miranda wondered what her friend was up to. As they made the turn onto the path, she immediately saw what. Standing under the shade of a tree, with his signature smirk on his face, was Alex.

+++

Alex fidgeted with his cuffs for the hundredth time in the last five minutes. He couldn't help but smile at the trouble he put his valet through as he fussed over what jacket to wear. He decided on the green one, coupled with his usual tan breeches and black boots shined to perfection.

As news had broken out about what had happened concerning Harrison, Alex was relieved that it took the wind out of the sails of the rumors. And although he hated to admit it, he had a lot to thank for that to the elder Mrs. Benson, even if it was for selfish reasons.

Alex was beginning to fret what was taking Miranda's friend so long. It had been agony waiting for three days. He had been advised by both his mother and sister to give Miranda some space. After all she had been through quite an ordeal. Alex's heart still squeezed at the memory. To think that Miranda could have been badly hurt. Or worse.

One thing it did reveal to Alex was how deep his love for Miranda went. Here he had thought that he was so afraid to take the plunge and yet he had found that he had already been treading in it. And now he could barely wait to tell her.

Shuffling his feet, Alex was thankful for the shade from the blazing sun. He knew it was a little cliche asking the younger Mrs. Benson to bring Miranda to Lover's Walk but he wanted to convey his message loud and clear.

One moment the path was empty and the next thing Alex knew there stood Miranda. Her mouth formed a silent 'O' before turning into a radiant smile. It took all of Alex's willpower to stay where he was and not go bounding over to her.

Mrs. Benson gave her friend a silent squeeze of her arm then disappeared back around the corner, just leaving the two of them. Miranda slowly walked over to him till they were only a foot apart.

"Fancy meeting you here," she said.

"Yes, what a nice coincidence." Alex said with a wink.

Offering her his arm, Miranda took it and they began to meander through the various copse of trees, each lost in their own thoughts.

"How are-"

"What did you-"

They both laughed awkwardly at having spoken at the same time.

"I think you should go first," Miranda said.

"I guess I'll start with the obvious then. You've known for a while about my illiteracy, yes?"

Miranda gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I figured it out at the house party. That's why I asked you to read that book of poetry, to prove my theory."

Alex was surprised to find he could laugh at the memory now. "And that's why you fainted, to save me."

Miranda giggled. "I should've became an actress." Then she looked at him slightly forlorn. "I am sorry for it though. You wouldn't have been put into that position if it wasn't for me."

Alex shook his head. "I had been in hiding for far too long. I wasn't actually living because I was living out of fear. You helped me push past that." They walked in silence for a moment. "I was curious though," he continued. "What did you want to tell me about Henry?"

"Henry," Miranda said, adoration in her tone. "He was the reason I was able to connect the dots. I knew there had to be more to his condition than just unintelligence. It was through a medical journal that I discovered the term word blindness. And it made perfect sense."

"Word blindness?" Alex said.

Miranda nodded excitedly. "It has nothing to do with you being deficient or incompetent, your mind is simply blind to words. Henry and his family were so relieved when I told them."

Alex needed to know one thing though he was slightly afraid to ask. "Were you surprised when you discovered I couldn't read?"

"Only because you had hidden it so well for so long. To be able to run an estate without the ability to read is almost unimaginable."

"Well, I did have some help," he said with a grin.

"I still, however, don't understand why your cousin targeted me. What threat did I pose to him?"

Alex couldn't help but smile. "You were the threat to the title. If I had produced an heir, then Harrison would have no longer been next in line."

"Oh," Miranda said, her face slightly red. Then she brought Alex to a stop and faced him. "When he held me hostage, you were going to sign the papers. I need to know why."

Alex swallowed nervously. But as he gazed into Miranda's eyes, turned hazel by the sun, it felt as if all the fear he had been holding onto was melting away. "Before you had burst into the room, I had decided that I would rather all of London know my secret than to let Harrison own Roseglen."

"Then I guess my interruption was unnecessary."

"If you hadn't he would have just pulled the gun on me. And although my heart stopped at seeing you in such danger, it did allow Parkinson to get close enough to incapacitate him." Alex's face cringed slightly in pain as the memory replayed in his mind. "It was then that I knew Miranda how much I loved you. If I had kept Roseglen or my secret, none of it would have mattered if I didn't have you."

Tears spilled down Miranda's cheeks as she gave him a watery smile. "I love you too Alex."

Placing his hands on either side of her face, Alex bent down and then paused a second away. "Are you sure Athena is not here to interrupt us this time?"

Miranda responded by closing the rest of the distance and kissing him gently on the lips. When she grabbed onto his lapels and pulled him closer, Alex couldn't help but push in deeper.

When they parted, both a little breathless, Alex let out a small chuckle. "I think that was the part where I asked you to marry me."

Miranda went up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I think you need to ask me again."

And so he did.