Page 49 of Refining the Debutante
Jane moved her mouth as if trying to hold back a laugh. “Certainly,” she said, finally managing a somber expression. “Hannah has had all her fittings, and we are awaiting two last dresses. My mother’s counsel of a complete set of gowns for every occasion possible has been met, and I pride myself in having stayed well within budget. I feel economy necessary for young ladies these days.” Jane’s eyes trailed to Miranda’s. “Indulgence breeds wantonness.”
Miranda took her point but did not appreciate it. It had been a long time since she had indulged in anything. Why did Jane feel the need to sever their relationship again and again? Miranda smiled, however, refusing to be baited. Someday Jane would see that Miranda merely wanted her friendship.
“Yes,” Ethan interjected. “Economy is an important consideration when purchasing an entire wardrobe.” He gave his sister a silencing stare. “I would not be surprised if both my sisters met with successful Seasons this year. After all, they will have me frowning over their shoulders at every uninspiring or remotely unworthy gentleman.”
“You are an excellent brother,” Lady Callister said. It was clear the woman held Ethan in high regard. She took another bite and then wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Mr. Roderick, perhaps you would do well to focus on obtaining your own marital luck. I thought you would be married before your youngest sister ever made her debut.”
Miranda watched Ethan squirm. He avoided her gaze and turned his head completely in Lady Callister’s direction as he answered. “And leave my sisters without an escort? As charming as the ladies might find me, they must wait their turn.”
Miranda’s smile was tight. Ethan was terribly charming, but they all knew the real reason he wasn’t jumping back into the marriage mart was because he had already picked out Miss Withers.
“Surely,” Miranda said, her thoughts finding voice, “when you find someone special, you will discover you can simultaneously love your sisters and secure happiness for yourself.” Under her social smile was a grimace. Part of playing the game was not being the obvious, desperate one. She had meant to imply Miss Withers, but for some reason, her comment made it seem like she had been selling her own case. She really needed to filter her words.
“He has found someone,” Jane said. “Miss Withers. And we all adore her.”
“Jane,” Ethan scolded.
Jane laughed off his concern. “I heard you commissioned her to draw your portrait.”
The tips of Ethan’s ears turned red. “Nothing has been determined.”
Miranda’s stomach soured at the direction the conversation had taken.
“The actual proposal is simply a formality,” Jane said to her brother. “There is no secret the two of you are smitten.”
“Mud!” Hannah practically yelled.
Everyone turned to stare, especially Miranda. Hannah met Miranda’s anxious gaze.
“Mud pie!” Miranda laughed awkwardly. “You misheard me. I was trying to whisper we are having trifle for dessert, which always reminds me of the mud pies I used to make as a child with all the layers of sticks and rocks...” Everyone stared at her now, and Lady Callister the most viscerally. “You would not believe it now,” Miranda lied, “but I used to love to dig in the mud. Mr. Roderick, perhaps you enjoyed such merriment as a young boy.”
“No mud pies for me,” Ethan said, willingly taking her bait, “but I did dig in the mud for worms to fish with. Jane used to help me, actually. She always found more than I did.”
“I absolutely did no such thing,” Jane said, indignant.
“You did so,” Hannah answered and then turned and grinned at Miranda.
Miranda needed to tell Hannah to forever forget the code words. The girl couldn’t go around blurting the wordmudat the top of her lungs during her first Season. People would think her mad.
After dinner, the company migrated to the drawing room, and Miranda excused herself to freshen up. She closed the drawing room door and walked a few feet down the corridor. She stopped in front of a portrait of a very ornery-looking gentleman.
“Not you too,” she said. “Can’t I please anyone?” She marched several feet away from the portrait and put one hand on her forehead. “Mud? What will I think of next? I am supposed to be a changed person. Why can’t I even pretend such a feat? Where are the acting skills Lady Callister spoke of? If I had a scrap of intelligence, I would be acting now.”
“Acting on what?” she heard from behind her. Ethan had his head out the drawing room doorway.
“Pardon?” Miranda whirled around, her mind going blank. Those brown eyes of his were finally looking her way for the first time all night.
“I was not aware you talked to yourself,” Ethan teased, stepping into the corridor, leaving the door open a crack.
She hadn’t done so since leaving Gray House, but the stress of the night was getting to her. “Sane people do it all the time.” Miranda flicked back a curl from her eyes and tried to compose herself. “You should try it. I’m sure it’s how the great philosophers solve the world’s problems.”
“Oh? I thought they stood on their heads.” Ethan gave her a lopsided grin, stopping a foot away from her.
“What?”
“Never mind. What problems weigh on your mind?”
“That is a very probing question. I thought a gentleman is never to ask what a woman is thinking.” Miranda didn’t intend such a harsh tone, but she wasn’t about to admit to thinking of him and only him.
