Page 40 of Refining the Debutante
Hannah entered the dining room and huffed. “Jane just informed me Miranda is leaving.” She took a seat beside Miranda. “You cannot abandon us. You have been here only a week.”
A glorious and terrible week, Miranda wanted to say. Instead, she simply nodded.
“It will be an opportunity for her, Hannah,” Ethan said, tucking in to his food.
“How could you say that?” Hannah sent him a cross look. “You’re acting like you’re her father, not her friend.”
Miranda did not like the tension between the brother and sister, as she knew from Ethan that their relationship was a treasured one.
“Ethan, was that mud on your boots last night? I can’t imagine you’ve been climbing trees again.”
Ethan’s spoon slipped from his grasp and clanged against his plate before he snatched it back up. “Ah, er... I don’t remember any mud. And trees, well, I never... um...”
Hannah started laughing. “You saidmud! I’ve been waiting and waiting for your next exhibition!”
Miranda bit back her smile. Ethan’s confusion made the moment even more entertaining.
“Mud?” Ethan shook his head, confused. “I find myself relieved we are not about to discuss climbing trees. Do either of you care to let me in on the humor here?”
Miranda turned to Hannah, but they both shook their heads.
Ethan finally cracked and gave them a small smile. “I see my presence is no longer needed here, and I will excuse myself.” He took a long drink from his glass and pushed back his chair to stand.
Hannah cleared her throat. “Um, Ethan. You have chocolate above your lip. Just here.” She pointed to the spot on her own face.
Ethan met Miranda’s gaze with a disgruntled look and wiped his lip clean.
Miranda held back her smile, wishing for an excuse to beg him to stay. But he wanted her to leave, and she needed to respect his wishes. She knew he meant to help her, but the hurt left in his wake made her regret ever coming. Some moments after he left the room, she realized she was still staring at the door where Ethan last stood when Hannah broke the silence.
“Jane said Ethan courted you in London, but...”
“He cried off, so to speak.” Miranda took her napkin off her lap. “We were not an equal match.”
“Was it the money?” Hannah asked curiously. The girl was practically bursting for information.
“It was before my circumstances changed,” Miranda said, feeling her cheeks color. “I once told you that I am not a very nice person.” It was her turn to leave. She was growing too attached to Hannah as it was. “You must trust your family’s judgment where I am concerned.” Miranda stood and hurried from the room and did not stop until she reached the front door. She needed fresh air to clear her head.
* * *
Meeting Lady Callister reminded Miranda of all her failings. Not a hint of desperation lined the older woman’s face, so it seemed safe to assume this interview would be short and fruitless. No one else wanted her, so why would Lady Callister be any different?
“You are rather skinny,” Lady Callister observed. This woman was all classic elegance. Her white hair was swept under her lace-fringed mobcap, and her black dress crinkled over her own small frame as she shifted in her seat to get a closer look at Miranda. “Never mind that. Tell me of your accomplishments.”
Miranda sent a silent plea to Ethan, who sat rather expressionless in a chair not far from her. “I, ah, am well-informed on the latest fashions and converse easily with others.” It was difficult to sell herself for a position she did not want.
Lady Callister scowled, rippling the age lines in her face. “Talents. What are your talents? Do you play the pianoforte?”
“No, Your Ladyship,” Miranda replied.
“Do you paint or sing?”
“I have never excelled at music or art, and before you ask, I am not well-read. I can embroider if there is a minimal amount of stitches. I haven’t the patience for anything of intricacy.”
“Good heavens!” Lady Callister said as she leaned forward in her seat. “Whatcanyou do?”
Miranda glanced at Ethan one last time, but not for help. The man was useless. His form of help extended only so far. “I can boil water.”
“Boil water? What use do I have for that?”
