Read into My Heart

Chapter Seven

Miranda noticed as they continued in the curricle toward Hyde Park, that Lord Carlisle's demeanor suddenly felt off. She didn't know what she could have said to upset his warm, jovial mood just moments prior. They had only been talking about Henry. Was he upset that a gentlewoman would lower herself to help out at a charity school?

But as soon as the thought entered Miranda's mind, it quickly fled. She may not have known Lord Carlisle long, but she could tell enough that he wasn't disgusted by her volunteer work. He seemed almost impressed. And when he called Henry a rascal, Miranda could almost see another sandy haired troublemaker who knew what it was like to vex his teachers.

As they entered into the park, Lord Carlisle slowed the horses down to a walk with a gentle "woah". Taking in her surroundings, Miranda breathed in the fresh air. Never in a million years did she think she would be riding in a fashionable carriage with an Earl. But a lot of things have happened in the past week that she didn't think possible. Most, if not all, due to the man sitting beside her.

Which brought back to mind why she agreed to this ride in the first place. Alex was still an enigma to her. She couldn't figure out why he would show such an interest in her when he had basically shunned society for the past five years. Well, this time she was going to get some answers.

"I believe you have some questions to answer," Miranda said, looking forward. Boldness was never her forte, and right now she was quaking inside at being so direct.

"You're quite right," Lord Carlisle responded, his somber mood presumably forgotten, "But in order to give you a full explanation, you need to do some explaining yourself."

"Me?"

"Starting with Mr. Scovell," Lord Carlisle said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Miranda felt her face go warm and quickly ducked her head to hide her embarrassment. "I am sorry about that. I had no idea he was going to call."

"I realize now that he was the one you had been running from at the ball."

Miranda nodded. Taking a deep breath, she figured she may as well tell him the whole story. She started hesitantly, for she felt foolish that she had been waiting three years for a proposal. When she got to the part about seeing William with another woman on the veranda, Lord Carlisle's eyes widened slightly but he did not interrupt.

Once Miranda had finished retelling the events of that night, it felt like a burden had been lifted. "This morning was the first time I've spoken with Will- that is to say, Mr. Scovell, since that night."

Lord Carlisle sat quietly, his thoughts hidden from his face. They continued circulating throughout the park, nodding in greeting to various passersby. Miranda almost wanted to shrink back in her seat at some of the blatant stares she received. She wasn't sure if she would ever get used to the excessive attention.

Lord Carlisle finally let out a grunt while shaking his head. "I should have given him a wallop upside the head for treating you so abominably. To string you along for three years, then drop you like a sack of potatoes." He snorted in derision. "It's unforgivable."

Warmth swelled in Miranda's chest on hearing a gentleman be so protective of her. But although she appreciated his defending of her, she wouldn't let him continue thinking the worst of William.

"Although Mr. Scovell did act dishonestly," Miranda began, "I'm not entirely sure about his intentions."

Lord Carlisle swiveled towards her. "What do you mean?"

"He said he had no understanding with the lady on the balcony." Miranda hesitated about telling Lord Carlisle the next part, but maybe he could help sort it out. "And I think he was going to offer for my hand."