Page 87 of Refining the Debutante
Ethan leapt to his feet. “I would never let anyone treat her that way! She has already suffered enough.”
Lady Callister nodded. “I agree. What are you going to do about it?”
“Is she still in London?” Ethan would not be dissuaded. He would chase Miranda to New South Wales if he had to. He would find her.
“I told you I know not where she is.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. All his efforts would mean nothing if he couldn’t be with Miranda. He could hear her telling him to look forward, but his regrets were suffocating him. He dropped his head in defeat. His whole life he’d craved certainty, wanted to earn the respect of his colleagues and maybe make a difference in the world. None of those things mattered without Miranda. He’d give it all up if he could just find her and convince her to marry him.
“Excuse me,” he said. “I must take my leave.”
“What are you planning now?” Lady Callister asked.
He lifted his head to meet her steady gaze. “I’m going to find her.”
Lady Callister smiled. “Godspeed.”
* * *
After a week at the boardinghouse, Miranda was ready to move on. She opened her reticule to make sure she had everything she needed. “Remind me to leave you with Lady Callister’s spectacles and book. She has surely missed them. You’ll explain I took them by mistake?”
Sarah nodded. “She knows you often carried them for her. But are you sure you are ready to leave London?” Sarah took a seat on the edge of the lumpy mattress in their rented room.
Miranda nodded, fastening her cloak. “I am sure. I won’t have a fresh start here, and we both know it.”
She could tell Sarah agreed but was hesitant to say goodbye. “It is true your name is circulating, but that will not last if we are patient. Please, you mustn’t act in desperation. If you leave here and find a job washing laundry or some other lesser means, you will never be able to return to your previous status. Think, miss.”
“I am thinking.” Miranda sighed. “I will live off what I have while I advertise for work. I simply cannot be so near Mr. Roderick and stay sane. It is the best I can do.”
“What if Lady Callister finds you a position? Would you take it?”
Miranda collapsed onto the mattress next to Sarah. “I must break ties with the family. Don’t you see?” She had caused enough trouble for them as it was.
“Oh, luv.” Sarah put her head on Miranda’s shoulder. “I hear heartache is the same whether in love lost or in death. I’m ever so sorry, miss.”
Miranda wiped at tears stinging her eyes. “It pains me to imagine being parted from him for always, and yet, I will accept such pain if it means he is given the life he deserves.”
Shortly later, Miranda and Sarah climbed inside a hackney to return Sarah back to Lady Callister’s town house.
“I don’t want to say goodbye again.” Miranda grabbed Sarah’s hand.
Sarah squeezed Miranda’s fingers and smiled. “Who is to say this is forever? We thought that much last time.”
“You will forget all about me soon enough,” Miranda said. She had never been completely alone before, and fear twisted at her insides.
“How could I forget you?” Sarah asked. “I still see you facedown in the mud when I’m dreaming. That is, when I am having a good dream.”
Miranda choked on her laugh. She turned and pinched Sarah in the side, which brought out a ticklish giggle. The carriage pulled to a stop in front of Lady Callister’s home. The drive had been far too short. She feared this goodbye and hoped she had the courage for what lay ahead.
Now Sarah grabbed Miranda’s hand. “It’s time.”
Miranda turned in her seat and threw her arms around Sarah. “Thank you. For everything.”
The sound of wheels coming to a stop behind them caught their attention.
“Who could that be?” Miranda frowned at Sarah. “Lady Callister?”
Sarah lifted the curtain and poked her head out. “You are not going to like this, miss.”
