Page 3 of Refining the Debutante
“Oh, I like that.”
Ethan groaned.
Miss Bartley put her gloved hand up to hide a smile.
“You won’t speak to a stranger, but you’ll laugh at one?” he asked.
“You must have imagined it,” she said, looking up at him. “I have a refined sense of humor.”
“Which is probably why you have guilted me into complimenting my sister and then memorialized me in a lady’s magazine. Your sense of humor is most unique.”
The door opened, and in stepped a woman and her daughter, crowding him closer to Miss Bartley. He turned and was nearly touching her. She blushed and maneuvered back against the wall.
“You’re still here!” Jane said to Miss Bartley, walking out with her cloak clasped around her throat. “Please, come to the teahouse with us.”
“My appointment is next. My apologies.”
Ethan didn’t know what possessed him to step forward and ask, “Another time, then?”
She turned her head to meet his gaze. Did she think him insincere after his teasing? He had no reason to pursue this woman, except that he couldn’t let this be the last time he saw her. She wasn’t part of his plan, but with her in front of him, he couldn’t remember why his plan was so important.
She smiled. “I should like that.”
* * *
May 1816 (Four months later)
Ethan usually enjoyed Mrs. Grantham’s card parties since they were an opportunity to see his favorite friends, but tonight he could not keep his eyes off the door. If he had learned anything from courting Miss Miranda Bartley, it was that she was unpredictable. She was also charming, maddening, and utterly captivating. She made him question his ability to reason. Even when she was not with him, his thoughts never strayed far from her.
When the door opened and Mr. Bartley and his daughter entered, the tone in the subdued room quickly changed. Miranda arrived overdressed and laughing at something her father had said. Her golden-brown curls were pulled high on her head with a large bow above one ear. Ethan’s heart stuttered in anticipation to be near her.
Her sparkling eyes found his, and she grinned, unabashed. She left her father greeting the host and hostess and made her way directly to Ethan. “Mr. Roderick, I have you to thank for extending this invitation to us.”
Ethan bowed in greeting. No one made him feel the way Miranda did. He stepped closer to her. “I wanted you to meet some of my friends outside of my parents’ circle.”
“I daresay you are friends with everyone.” Miranda took in the room of people. “I should dearly love to meet any and all of them.”
Ethan’s lips quirked, and he leaned closer. “I know you better than to think you wanted to come. However, I will introduce you quickly so you might see my friends improve with further acquaintance.” He put out his arm to her, and she readily accepted.
He brought her over to three men—some of the greatest philanthropists he knew.
“The working class will not be silenced,” his friend Mr. Thomas said to the others. “Things are escalating. We need to help if we can.”
Ethan stepped forward. “We need to raise more funds first.”
His friends turned their eyes on him, and their smiles showed their appreciation of his input.
General Stoker motioned to Miranda. “So this is the woman who has claimed all of your attention as of late.”
“Gentlemen, may I present Miss Bartley?”
Miranda curtsied. “Please don’t tell me you are discussing the state of the poor at a party. It isn’t in good taste.” She playfully put her hand on Mr. Thomas’s arm and lightly tapped it. “You must all cease this serious talk at once. I don’t see many games started yet, but we can be the ones to remedy this. Who is up for a game of charades?” She turned to Ethan, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Ethan cleared his throat to break the awkwardness of the moment. These men were much too dignified to play silly games. And theirpoor tastetranslated to saving lives. This was his fault. He should have prepared Miranda. He covered her hand on his arm with his own. “Shall we finish the introductions first?”
“Of course. We must invite the others to play as well.”
Ethan smiled apologetically to his friends and pulled Miranda away. Nearest to them were two young ladies at a table. They were chatting, their cards neglected in front of them. This was a safe introduction.
