Page 62 of Refining the Debutante
“I am out of ideas,” Ethan finally said. That included for himself.
“Well, I am not. I want to invite Miss Withers and her family to join us for the holiday. I think we could all use the distraction, and Mrs. Withers and I are eager to press your relationship along.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. Yes, the plan was to marry Miss Withers. And he rarely deviated from his plans, despite what he had once told Jane, but he needed time to cleanse his heart.
“I’m not keen on the idea.”
“Why ever not?” his mother asked.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Because the roads are terrible, and they should wait for drier weather.”
“It could be a decade before the weather improves.”
He struggled to muster another excuse. “Well, what does Jane think of this?”
“I do not intend to reward her behavior by letting her have a choice in the matter,” his mother said almost petulantly.
“I think you should ask both Hannah and Jane,” Ethan said desperately. “It is their holiday too.” Hopefully they would say no.
“I cannot put my finger on it, but there is definitely something on your mind. I thought you would be anxious to hurry this along too.” She folded her arms over her crème muslin gown. “Very well, I will ask them.”
Ethan prided himself in being decisive, but his head was in a muddle. Whether he admitted it or not, he was straddling a line that he needed to cross and be done.
Chapter 25
Church seemed like a goodplace to purge one’s wicked thoughts. Miranda bore guilt for coveting and plotting a theft, but she was not ready to fully repent. On the pew opposite her, Miss Withers’s profile was perfectly composed. Miranda, on the other hand, fidgeted with her prayer book and considered her sins. She dearly wanted to steal Miss Withers’s beau. The ideas that flitted through her mind were anything but holy. Shame on her. Miranda knew she would not ever act on the silly ideas her mind concocted, not with the resolutions she had made for herself after her time with Sarah, but it was hard not tothinkwickedly.
Reverend Giles crossed to the wooden pulpit, his face severe. “All who frequent the gambling den of sin, I call thee to repentance! Proverbs 13:11 tells us dishonest money withers away. One in our congregation today represents the consequence of such vile behaviors. Having been cast from her father’s side, she is reduced to living off the charity of others.” Reverend Giles directed his gaze to Miranda and let it rest there.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
The reverend did not look away when he said, “Her reputation is indeed beyond repair, and we must shun her.”
Shun?Miranda’s heart pounded. Her bonnet shielded her embarrassment from the onlookers, but she felt their incriminating stares. She moved minutely so she might see Lady Callister. Her employer’s mouth was tight, her stiff posture radiating tension. She seemed to dare the reverend to go on.
He did—preaching on and on about the perils of supporting sin.
Lady Callister’s brow rose higher, and Miranda thought she might be contemplating murder. There was a great deal of sinning going on in the minds of this congregation.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” Reverend Giles continued. “We must protect our community from all affiliation of sin. Shake off these associations, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.”
His words stung. How many people must Miranda be rejected by? Her ears tuned out the rest of the fiery sermon. When the hymn reached completion, Lady Callister catapulted to her feet. She gestured to Miranda and marched to the door. Shaking, Miranda hurried to stay by her side.
It was not until they were in the carriage that Lady Callister finally spoke. “I have never been so outraged in my life.” She pulled the curtain closed on the carriage window as it lurched forward. The sound of wheels grinding against wet rock and damp earth did little to drown out Miranda’s spinning thoughts.
“I am quite sure he did not mean to insult you, only me.” Miranda sighed and tipped her head back against the seat. “I do not have to be in a church to worship. That much I know.” God had already accepted her in her darkest hour and given her Sarah. He was perfect in his merciful nature, whereas Reverend Giles and all of High Society were incapable of such divine understanding. Even so, his condemning words reopened a wound that was still healing. She could barely hold back her tears. “You have no obligation to me. I will inquire for another position first thing tomorrow.”
“Do not be ridiculous. If every man interpreted the Bible to support his own ideas, mankind would be lost. I specifically told Reverend Giles to leave it alone, and he deliberately ignored me. He must have sent out some inquiries about your name all the way to London. It is retribution from my insisting he provide food for the poor. No, my objection is with him, not you. I thought his refusal to attend my ball would be the end of it. I am sorry to be wrong.”
Miranda had not even noticed Reverend Giles’s absence that night. “I am most sorry.”
Lady Callister dismissed her words with a wave of her hand. “Think nothing of it. It will stir up the gossips, but I will not dismiss you. I have more influence in this neighborhood than a tattling old man.”
“A man of the cloth,” Miranda corrected, pulling the lap blanket over Lady Callister. “Though you are a far superior person, you used to respect him greatly. I suspect the others do too.”
“Humph,” Lady Callister said with her mouth pursed tight with anger. “I do not want to speak of him.”
“Yes, but you must be completely sure if you are to keep me. I will not come between you and your friends.”
