Page 56 of Refining the Debutante
“Oh?” Lady Callister said, impressed. “I am surprised he would share his collection with you.”
“I simply asked,” Miranda explained. “I find the wordpleasecan be most effective.”
“Agreed,” Lady Callister said, coming over to stare at her notes. “What do the locations you have listed have in common?”
“These are locations of riots in London since the beginning of the year. From what I can gather, they are the result of the post-Napoleonic war, the high price of grain, and the ill effects of the weather.”
She added the towns Ely and Littleport to her list of West Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hockwold, Feltwell, and Norwich.
“You gathered all this information by reading a few newspapers?” Lady Callister asked.
“Actually,” Miranda admitted, “the gentlemen in Town spoke of these events off and on last Season. While a genteel woman does not converse about such topics, we are not deaf. The newspapers are to help put together the whole picture. Sadly, I find there is not a good solution here.”
“Not in the papers, where every writer has an agenda,” Lady Callister said, sitting down beside Miranda. “There is a lot of talking around the issue, but the unrest continues. Still, I must caution your abundant curiosity. Poverty and hunger follow every footstep of the working class. It is not a new problem, nor will your excessive worry change it.”
“But the riots?”
Lady Callister sighed and fingered the newspaper with her gloved hand. “I do not blame them for being upset, what with their fear for their families, but it is out of our control.”
“Upset?” Miranda shook her head. “Why, their motto is ‘Blood or bread!’ That goes well beyond upset.”
Lady Callister’s expression changed to a satisfied one. “I knew you would come around.”
“Whatever does that mean?”
Lady Callister chuckled. “I am a good influence on you.”
Miranda’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, really?”
Lady Callister nodded. “I always take credit where credit is due.”
“I had no idea you were a saint.” Miranda hid her smile.
“Well, now you know.”
A laugh escaped, despite her attempt to smother it. “Yes, now I know. But what I do not know is what to do about this wretched situation.”
“You will think of something,” Lady Callister said.
“You have blind faith in me.” Miranda tapped her fingers on the table. “I cannot understand why workers cannot afford to feed their families.”
“I don’t pretend to be overly informed,” Lady Callister admitted. “We ought to ask our neighbor. If he tells us to not concern ourselves with such matters, we will respectfully withdraw. We cannot forget our position. A genteel woman must act within her sphere, and no more.”
“Ask Mr. Roderick?”
“The very man.” Lady Callister nodded.
Miranda shook her head. “I would hate to trouble him. Captain Grant might—”
“Nonsense. His home is not as close. Go get your cloak and gloves.”
Miranda would eat her hat if Ethan did not think her absolutely ridiculous for asking after matters that were inappropriate for a woman to discuss. It simply wasn’t done. Further, he would think her fishing for his attention. This idea mortified her. She had promised herself she would bury her feelings, and she was doing everything in her power to do so.
* * *
Ethan was surprised to see Miranda and Lady Callister come to visit at the same time he and his sisters were entertaining Miss Withers. Flustered, he practically jumped to his feet.
“Please, join us,” Ethan said, welcoming them into the drawing room. He hadn’t talked to Miranda since their walk at Crowfield and their in-depth conversation about love.
