Read into My Heart

Chapter One

London, England, 1887

"The green dress? Have you lost your marbles?"

Miranda shot an annoyed look at the servant. "Yes Bridget, the green dress," she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"Your parents sacrificed a great deal to purchase this dress for you, and should not be worn at just any willy-nilly ball," Bridget admonished in her cockney accent.

Miranda let out a small huff. She knew what her parents had to sacrifice to purchase her such a dress. But the pale green suited perfectly with her mousey brown hair, bringing out its natural highlights. And tonight she needed to look her absolute best.

"The Sheffield ball is one of the most prestigious events of the season, and is hardly 'willy-nilly'," Miranda calmly replied.

Bridget narrowed her eyes at her. "Do you know about something tonight Miss Miranda?" she asked.

Miranda couldn't help but slightly blush under Bridget's scrutiny. Bridget had been with the Edwards family for years and had always been more family than servant but right now Miranda wished she was more the latter. "If you must know, William had been very inquisitive about whether or not I would be attending the ball tonight."

Bridget humphed in disbelief but at least she went to the wardrobe to pull out her gown. "Is he finally going to propose to you then?"

Miranda's face reddened further in embarrassment. It was no secret that she had been waiting on a proposal. In all honesty, she wasn't entirely sure if William was going to propose tonight. But now with her entering into her third season, Miranda couldn't afford to wait any longer. It was time she started taking matters into her own hands.

William Scovell was the third son of an esteemed Baron. Miranda was first introduced to him at a garden party during her first season. William was attending Cambridge at the time in the hopes of entering a profession in law.

Bridget snorted at her silence. "Kept you waiting long enough he has. You're going to be twenty-one in a few months. Practically an old maid!"

"You know William has had his reasons!" Miranda protested. "As a third son, it is hard for him to marry someone without a large dowry. And besides he's been away at school these past few years. He could hardly propose to me then." What Miranda didn't say was that William had graduated months ago and thus had no more of an excuse.

Bridget didn't immediately respond. "I know you fancy yourself in love," she said, "But if you're not careful you'll end up working at that London school instead of just volunteering."

Looking down abashed, Miranda couldn't admit that she had that exact same thought. Two years ago she began by volunteering at a local charity school, St. Mary's, by helping young boys and girls who struggled to read. What was supposed to be a means to pass the time during the season, became a much look forward to endeavor. So much so in fact, that she was considering applying for a teaching position that would be coming available soon. That is if William didn't follow through on a proposal.

Miranda huffed and turned back to her vanity. She pinched her cheeks and bit her lip trying to bring out as much color as possible. Figuring it was a hopeless matter, Miranda studied her reflection. "Isn't love supposed to be enough?"

"Humph! Easy to say now when you're all star struck for the man, but wait till you're married and trying to make ends meet. Then see how far love gets you."

Miranda smiled wistfully to herself. Why couldn't Bridget see that love was enough? Who needed riches when you could have each other? But it appeared that William was going to wait until he could support them. If only Papa had been able to save some money from his father's fortune. But grandfather had not been a frugal man, and very little was left as an inheritance for his only son. What grandfather did leave for Papa was a mountain of debt. Much of the estate's holdings had to be sold in order to satisfy impatient creditors. It left very little behind for her family.