Page 90 of Refining the Debutante
“When can Mr. Bartley leave?” Ethan asked.
“As soon as tomorrow, if he wishes,” Mr. York answered. “I need only obtain his signature and permission, and I shall see to his creditors in the morning.”
“Good,” Ethan said.
Finally, Miranda stepped outside her father’s apartment. Mr. York switched her places and went in to finalize his business with Mr. Bartley.
“How are you coping?” Ethan asked, a little unsure how he could help Miranda in her grief. He wished he could carry this burden for her.
Miranda stepped closer to him. “Confused, sad, happy, elated.”
“Lord Aldington expressed his regret for the way he treated you. He kept your letters by his side until the end.”
“Truly?” She put her hands over her heart. “I can’t thank you enough for being there for him when no one else was.”
When she dropped her hands, Ethan snatched one, covering it with his much larger one. “I know this isn’t the best time, but will you come with me to see my parents?”
Miranda fervently shook her head. “I cannot bear to see or hear their rejection.”
Ethan tugged her ever closer. He never wanted to be parted from her again. His desire for her had only multiplied when she had disappeared. There was no way he could simply return her to his great-aunt if she could be at his side.
“I will meet with my parents while you visit with my sisters, then. I promise you this news will take away their reservations.”
“All of them?” Miranda asked. “Because I do not think you can promise that.”
“I have a plan,” Ethan said.
Miranda bit back her smile. “You do, do you? Now my reservations are gone.”
“Excellent,” Ethan said, his lips drawing to Miranda’s, “because I cannot bear to think of you deserting me again. I must protect what is mine.”
“What is to be yours, you mean.”
Ethan captured her mouth with his. She responded eagerly, almost desperately. He drew back long enough to say, “Your lips disagree. They already know they are mine.”
She giggled, and he kissed her again. The fire between them could not be defined by his situation or hers, but by their shared love. This was a fight worth enduring. The door to her father’s apartment opened, and he quickly pulled back. He caught a longing glance from Miranda and knew she would brave his parents rather than give up on what could be.
* * *
It was not much longer before they made their way to Ethan’s parents’ home. For a moment, Miranda thought she might rather spend the evening with Mrs. Guttridge. Her long day was about to get even more eventful. She gripped Ethan’s arm fiercely all the way up the walk. The butler looked mildly surprised to see Ethan pulling Miranda inside after him. Once they shed their cloaks and Ethan requested to see his family, she was tempted to keep her distance, though it seemed ridiculous to act as if they were polite strangers when she knew Ethan wanted to prove they were so much more.
He led her to a chair in the drawing room and stood beside it as if to threaten anyone from coming close.
After a few desperately drawn-out minutes, the family gathered around them. Dressed for dinner, they arrived with a myriad of expressions etched in their features. Lord and Lady Gibson’s mutual frowns added a sour note to the room’s tone, making Miranda wish Ethan could hold her hand once more.
Ethan finally took a seat in a chair placed near hers, but it still felt a world away. While Ethan’s greeting exuded confidence, his knee bounced up and down in a nervous rhythm. Miranda’s knees kept still, but her mind did not. She could not fathom his parents’ acquiescence. Lady Gibson caught her eye, and Miranda squirmed beneath her regretful gaze.
“Have you had dinner?” Lady Gibson asked Ethan, peeling her eyes away from Miranda.
“I have not and would prefer to speak with you before I do. Perhaps Jane and Hannah could find some refreshment for Miranda while we step into the study.”
Lord Gibson looked like he was the one used to doing the maneuvering and was not too pleased for the unwelcome interruption to his night. He begrudgingly put his arm out to his wife, and Miranda watched Ethan follow them from the room.
Jane shut the door behind them. “What was Ethan thinking bringing you here?” she asked. “He knows Father’s stubbornness. He could have spared you all this.”
Hannah slipped down beside her and put her hand on Miranda’s arm. “I am glad you came. You are a storybook damsel in distress. My brother is going to rescue you from poverty and whisk you away where you will live in marital bliss without another care the rest of your days.”
Miranda could not help but grin. “I don’t know about that. But I will confess I had no idea how deep his affections could be. He is a romantic at heart.”
