Page 79 of Refining the Debutante
“Oh, Jane.” She knew better than anyone what Jane was feeling.
“I love my brother, and I dearly want him to be happy. His choice is what matters. If he chooses you over Miss Withers, I promise I will be happy.”
Miranda pushed her food away and stood. She moved quickly to Jane’s side and threw her arms around her. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “And not because of Ethan. Because I have missed our friendship.” Jane hugged her back, and they both cried.
When they pulled apart, Jane bit her lip. “Is it even possible for us to be friends once more?”
“Friends,” Miranda repeated. “I should like that.”
“Me too.” Jane sighed. “I have been awful to Ethan and simply everyone. Will you help me? Will you speak to him?”
It wouldn’t do any good. It wouldn’tlookgood. But Miranda could not resist the appeal to see him again. “I will come with you, but you mustn’t leave my side.”
Jane smiled then and nodded. It was the first real smile she’d directed Miranda’s way in many months’ time.
The Gibson family carriage awaited them, and Miranda joined Jane and her maid on the short ride to Ethan’s town house.
“Couldn’t you just go to the door?” Jane begged.
“You promised.”
“I didn’t exactly promise.” Jane put her hands together in front of her chest. “Please? I will keep watch. All you have to do is beg him to stay safe and reconcile with my father. Then my conscience will be easy.”
“Why didyounot ask, then?” Miranda didn’t understand.
“I have harassed Ethan all summer and driven him half mad with my rancor. He won’t let me in because he’s tired of me always inserting my opinion into his decisions.” She put her head down. “I came here before I came to see you. It isn’t his fault. I don’t even like being around me anymore. Why would anyone else?”
Miranda blew out her breath. “You can change, Jane. You don’t have to be the same person forever.” She looked out the carriage window to the town house. She had never worried about whispers with her name attached to them before her fall from Society, but now she had Lady Callister’s reputation to protect. An urge to see Ethan again brought her hand to the carriage door.
“All right. Keep watch,” Miranda warned. She did not want any onlooker to assume something untoward was happening since she was paying a call on a man, and at this early hour too.
In a few quick steps Miranda made it to the door and knocked. The butler let her in and brought her to Ethan’s small sitting room. She had never been there before, but it resembled him. Everything was neat and orderly. The books on the mantel were even color coordinated. As she took a seat on a settee, she fingered the fringe on a sage-green pillow and imagined Ethan doing the same thing.
“Miranda,” Ethan said from the doorway. He had never called her Miranda before, but the slip did not register on his face like it did to her insides.
She stood, feeling color flood her cheeks. “How do you do?”
He smiled. That was a good sign.
“Jane came to see me,” Miranda began.
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry,” Miranda said, smoothing the front of her dress with her hands. She was glad now that she had worn her green morning dress, as it at least made her feel pretty. “She came in friendship. Things are not what they were between us, but I believe we have made a fresh start.”
Ethan’s smile grew, but he did not leave his place at the door. “Excellent. I thank you for telling me that. I know how much you once meant to each other.”
Miranda took a deep breath. “I came to see you because Jane said you were leaving.”
Ethan’s smile wavered. “My father and I have conflicting opinions on a matter. Nothing a little time apart won’t fix.”
“I heard,” Miranda answered.
“You heard?” Ethan’s cheeks reddened.
“Yes, Jane told me. That is why I came.” Miranda had no idea it would embarrass him.
“Were you surprised?” he hedged.
