Page 33 of Refining the Debutante
“You were not intruding. That is the library. No one is in there, and you are welcome inside.”
“Thank you.” Miranda smiled at the soft sweetness about the girl, who could be no older than sixteen and had the same dark-brown hair and eyes as Ethan and Jane. “And I know we have not been introduced, but I can easily guess your name. Are you Hannah?”
Hannah nodded, wrinkling her button nose that was so unlike her siblings’ long, straight ones. “Did Jane tell you about me?”
“Yes, she and your brother have spoken of you, your brother most especially. He speaks with such tenderness when he discusses his family.” Miranda stepped into the library, and Hannah followed her back into the room.
Only the inside wall had bookcases, but they were from floor to ceiling and held a great many books. A round table sat in the middle of the room with two Sheraton chairs tucked neatly around it. Between the bookcases was a prominent fireplace, with no less than four sofas in the rectangular room.
“How do you like the room?” Hannah asked. “With the east wing under renovation, I hope it is quiet enough for you.” At a closer look, Hannah did not resemble Ethan quite as much as Jane did. Miranda had never met their brother, Richard, before, but she imagined Hannah to look like him since it would make the family picture more balanced in her mind.
“I like it very much,” Miranda said, although she was more interested now in Hannah than exploring. “I am so glad to finally make your acquaintance.” She gave the girl a friendly smile.
Hannah blushed sweetly and looked away. “I’ve heard your sad tale.”
Miranda hesitated and nodded. Had she also heard how Ethan had once cared for Miranda? “I do not think there is even a church mouse who has missed the scandal around my family’s name. I hope it does not keep us from being friends.” It was too much to ask for so soon, but Miranda still felt a longing for someone’s acceptance.
“I... I will try.” Hannah looked up and gave her a shy smile. The girl’s bashfulness was endearing.
“Have you enjoyed having your brother and sister all to yourself this summer? Or do you miss your parents terribly?”
“I miss my mama a great deal.” Hannah clasped her hands in front of her. “Jane has done her best to prepare me for my coming-out this Season, along with my great-aunt, who left us a few days ago. But according to Jane, I am to be a royal failure.”
“Nonsense,” Miranda said. “You’ll be every bit of a success as Jane.”
“I do have several ball gowns being made that I think are quite flattering,” Hannah admitted almost to herself.
“Surely they are as beautiful as you are.” Miranda resisted a strange urge to hug Hannah; after all, she’d only just met her. Did Ethan know how insecure his sisters were?
Doubt clouded Hannah’s features. “You are much kinder than Jane said you were, and even more beautiful.”
Surprised, Miranda took a step backward and turned to look out of a large bay window at one end of the room to hide her emotions. “I am not kind. Jane was telling the truth about me.”
“She does exaggerate on occasion.”
Miranda gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Don’t we all?” She turned again and faced Hannah once more, blinking away the threat of tears, and gave her a careless smile. “Exaggerating is a great ally to humor, which can help you in your Season. If you are going to exaggerate, always include silly things... like snails or mud.”
“Snails or mud? You mean a lady can discuss those sorts of things?”
Miranda’s teaching surely went against everything Hannah’s governesses had taught her. “It is a great secret. Playfulness diffuses awkward situations. I will demonstrate later, and you will never worry about conversing with anyone ever again.”
“Truly?” Hannah’s tentative smile finally emerged. “Snails and mud. I will remember.”
* * *
Dinner proved uncomfortable, to say the least, as Ethan had still not returned. After eating, Miranda slipped into the oversized drawing room. She took a seat near Hannah and opposite Jane. Silent ticks of the clock on the mantel marked the prolonged silence. She was about to excuse herself when Ethan surprised them with his arrival.
“Well, aren’t we a merry lot?” Ethan’s joke fell flat, and he shuffled his feet before finally sitting down in an armchair. “Miss Bartley,” he began, “I am happy you arrived safe and sound. I wanted to greet you, but I had some business that required my immediate attention.”
She gave him a half smile, relieved to have him there. She did not realize how much she had needed to see him.
“Jane planned a dinner party for the day after tomorrow,” he said. “She is hoping for enough couples to attend for a dance afterward. I hope you will find yourself comfortable enough to join us.”
Jane groaned, and Ethan cut off any potential complaints with a sharp look.
Miranda glanced between the two of them. “I... ah, am not sure I am ready to be thrown back into Society.” The skin on her cheeks warmed. It shamed her to admit her feelings. She finally looked normal again on the outside with her dress and hair styled just so, but no one would care about her appearance once they knew she was a penniless charity case.
“See?” Jane said, folding her arms like a stubborn child. “We must not rush our guest.”
