Page 30 of Refining the Debutante
“The man has no life to tell about.” Stephen connected his mace with another ball and made a clean shot. “He doesn’t make or accept calls. He is often out of town, but as far as I can tell, it’s an immoral life he leads—all drinking and debauchery.”
“That doesn’t bode well for Miss Bartley,” Ethan said. “She was like a shiny gem back in London; she stood out everywhere. Her appearance now is quite altered. I hardly know her anymore. Whether it’s because of her father’s misfortunes or her uncle’s treatment of her, I do not know.”
Stephen’s shrewd gaze unnerved him. “Miss Bartley, is it? I can’t say I know her. Ishouldurge you to forget her, of course. I get enough ridicule from my peers about my measly efforts to help others that I know the consequences. Instead, I will offer my assistance in whatever way I can.”
Ethan’s lips twitched. “You are too soft.”
“I just whipped you at billiards, and you’re insulting me?” Stephen’s eyes narrowed.
“Very well. I’ll hold my tongue in case I need your help. Right now everything is largely up to Miss Bartley. If I am ever to help her, it’ll be because fate throws us together. I’m planning on returning home the day after tomorrow, so fate will have to work quickly.”
* * *
Providence either smiled upon Miranda or served to tease her.
With her trunk packed in her room, she went to town on her last errand for Mrs. Guttridge and to check the schedule for the traveling coach. It felt strange to be alone, without Sarah by her side. After finishing with her purchases, she exited the shop and saw Ethan again. There he stood, as if he had been waiting in that very spot for her all week. Their eyes met, and the connection seemed to draw him directly to her.
Then he went and asked a question that made her knees shake.
“Forgive me,” Miranda said. “Could you repeat yourself?”
“I want you to come stay at Stonebrook Hall with my family.” He put his arms out as if to showcase his brilliant idea, his eyes gleaming with boyish excitement. His crooked cravat only added to the silliness of the image.
Miranda could not resist grinning. “I cannot just come live with you.”
“Not live. Just visit.”
Embarrassed by her mistake, Miranda turned her gaze away from him. “Oh, well, it makes little sense. Your idea is generous but not one your family would support.”
“Miss Bartley, it is clear you are suffering here.” He stared at her, his brow creased. “Please.”
Miranda almost gave in. She waited until a man passed them on the road before she answered. “If I did visit, I would simply have to return to my uncle’s. Why bother?”
Ethan was unfazed. “You must come. Jane, at least, will be glad to see you.”
“Jane? No. My presence will make her uncomfortable.” Miranda would not forget Jane’s hurtful dismissal. Could Ethan want her to come for another reason? Did he finally feel something again for her? If she came with him, it would be like an announcement to the world that he intended to marry her.
“Say yes,” Ethan begged. “It will give me time to try to help you. I do love puzzles, and your situation is as complicated as they come.”
In the time it took to blink, a wistful dream vanished into reality. She could not bring her tired lips to smile again. “Thank you, but I am all right here.”At least for today.Tomorrow she would be entirely on her own.
“You are not all right,” Ethan argued, stepping closer to her. “You are clearly fatigued. Your dress and cloak are filthy, and your hair—”
“I take your point,” Miranda said, fingering her hair self-consciously. She did not want to go into details about her cracked and aching hands from the laundry and the exhaustion that came from heating and hauling her own bath water across the large house. “I have my things still. I am simply trying to preserve them...” Dare she tell him how she wanted to sell her things? He would never understand. With Sarah gone, Ethan was the closest thing she had to a friend, and she couldn’t afford to lose that.
“See reason, Miss Bartley. I could find you a position as a governess or, if need be, a lady’s maid. They are respectable situations, and surely anything is better than the life you have now. I can buy you time until something different can be arranged. You’re an old family friend, and it would be easy to explain away a visit with Jane.”
How could she say no to those beautiful dark eyes? His words made so much sense, and yet she was suspicious. She had relied on him before and been brutally disappointed. “Why would you help me? I’m still the same person as before. You could barely stand to remain in my company a second longer than needed, as I remember.”
Ethan shook his head. “Circumstances change.”
Miranda shook her head too. “People do not. Trust me, I have tried.”
His stance was determined. “You will have to have faith in me, and I you. We will depend upon each other and see if we cannot bring a little joy back into your life.”
Miranda stared at the busy harbor town, and between two shops, she could see a glimpse of the endless ocean not far beyond. Despite the cold wind nipping at her cheeks, Folkestone was beautiful. Strange how, after all this time, she could finally see the beauty in her surroundings. Was it because Mr. Roderick was back in her life and she saw a glimmer of hope? Or, perhaps, discovering herself and making new goals for her future had slowly begun to remove the veil of discouragement from her eyes and allowed her to appreciate new things.
While both of these reasons seemed likely, only one was undeniable. God had brought her to Folkestone to learn a few lessons, and now He was letting her leave. But could she trust Mr. Roderick after all that had transpired? Was she worthy of his assistance? “What do you get for helping me?” she finally said.
