Read into My Heart

Chapter Three

Miranda stayed in bed until late into the morning. Hearing the sound of rain resound against her bedroom window meant that her mother would not be making calls. For which she was eternally grateful as she didn't think she could find the courage to face her parents just yet. The carriage ride home from the ball was blissfully silent. Her mother simply asked if she had the pleasure of William's company that evening. When Miranda answered in the negative, her parents shared a concerned look, but thankfully did not push for more details.

As for the handsome stranger, her parents showed no sign that they had seen her dancing with him. Miranda decided it was better to let the matter drop entirely as she was sure she would never see him again. It was almost a small gift of providence that such a horrible night came with a burst of delight. Miranda had never danced with such an intriguing man before, even if he vexed her with his arrogance. It had been exhilarating all the same. Her heart still did tiny flips when she thought about it.

But Miranda knew she needed to set aside girlish fantasies and deal with the issue at hand. It was only a matter of time until she needed to tell her parents what had transpired last night with William. Or rather, the lack thereof. She had never once, in all of her seasons, felt pressured by her parents to make a good match. Even when she started spending more and more time with William, a third son, not once did they protest. And now she was going to repay their kindness by telling them that any possibility of marriage was now gone.

Knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer, Miranda dressed in a simple morning gown and made her way downstairs to the drawing room where her parents conferred for tea after breaking their fast. She was happy now to have skipped the morning meal as she didn't think her nervous stomach could have handled food just then.

Noticing that the door stood slightly ajar, Miranda slowly approached it, hearing her parents talking on the other side. Trepidation grew in her belly as she thought of how she was going to break the news that her chances of marrying have gone from slim to none. Everything had been riding on William to propose.

Pausing at the door, Miranda took a breath, readying herself to enter the room.

"I'm afraid I have some trying news Olivia."

Miranda stilled. Had her father already figured out that William wasn't going to propose? Had he maybe heard of an engagement through a colleague?

"What is it Thomas?" her mother asked softly.

Miranda knew she shouldn't eavesdrop but she couldn't pull herself away.

"I just received a missive about some of our investments. Apparently one has gone bad. Very bad."

The room quieted, Miranda strained to hear any words being whispered between them.

"How bad is 'very bad' Thomas?" her mother asked. "Do we still have a home?"

Silence reigned in the room once again. Miranda's heart hammered in her chest, she was surprised her parents could not hear it, the room was so quiet.

"For now," Thomas finally answered. Miranda heard him heave a deep sigh. "It was all my fault Olivia. I got greedy. I knew it was a risky investment but if it paid off, all our money problems would have been solved."

She heard soft footsteps walk across the room. Miranda imagined her mother going to her father to offer him comfort.

"I tried to do it my own way, instead of His way," he continued.

"What will this mean for Miranda?"

Miranda held her breath as she awaited an answer to her mother's question.