Read into My Heart

Chapter Thirteen

"Mandi, are you awake?"

Miranda was woken with a start as a blinding light hit her eyes. Hiding her head under the covers, she groaned in response to Cissy's wake up call.

"Why are you still in bed?" Cissy asked with concern. "It is very unlike you to sleep in so late."

Miranda chose not to respond. She did not want her friend knowing that she had stayed awake half the night staring at the ceiling. She had been unable to close her mind off to the fact that tomorrow would be the start of possibly meeting her future husband. To say she was nervous would be an understatement. And it didn't help that whenever she tried to envision the perfect suitor, someone with a pair of striking blue eyes always came to the forefront.

"Are you feeling ill?" Cissy asked again. "I would understand if you needed to skip the morning greetings."

Sighing loudly, Miranda pulled down the covers. "I'm well Cissy, just a little nervous."

Coming over to sit on the bed Cissy gave her friend a reassuring smile. "You will be fine Mandi. Any man would be lucky to have you. He just has to realize it first."

Miranda rolled her eyes but she was thankful for the encouragement nonetheless.

"Now," Cissy said jumping up, "I'll send my maid over immediately to make sure you look your absolute best. I will also have a tray sent up as the guests are expected to arrive within the hour."

And without further adieu, Cissy swept out of the room just as quickly as she whirled in. Miranda chuckled at her friend's vivaciousness, glad that Cissy would be by her side to help navigate the house party. Putting herself on display for the marriage market did not sound very appealing but she knew it had to be done.

True to her word, Cissy's maid walked in just as Miranda was getting out of bed. And with her a tray of food that was giving off such delicious aromas it made Miranda's stomach growl.

Taking meticulous care with her hair, Miranda never thought one hairstyle could take so long. But after half of an hour, Miranda looked back at her reflection and felt like she barely recognized herself. Curls were piled on top of her head while a few soft ones were left to fall at her temples. It seemed to Miranda a bit much for a morning event, but she wasn't about to go against Cissy's wishes.

Feeling as ready as she'll ever be, Miranda left the sanctuary of her room to go join the multitude of strangers that were sure to be waiting. Even as she neared the top of the staircase, a cacophony of voices filled her ears. It seemed most of the guests had already arrived.

Miranda attempted to put on an air of confidence even though she felt like she had little to begin with. But she needed to at least appear calm and not the bundle of nerves that was bubbling beneath the surface.

As she drew closer to the drawing room the voices grew louder and more succinct. Miranda could even make out Cissy's trill laughter. Smiling at how her friend maneuvered the social scene so well, Miranda hoped some of her gracefulness would rub off on her. Just as she could begin to see some of the shadows, a deep laugh emanated and it made Miranda stop in her tracks. She knew that laugh. She knew it because she had replayed it a million times in her mind. But what was he doing here?

Miranda decided she needed to see for herself if it was really Lord Carlisle who was in the next room. Sending up a quick prayer that no one witnesses her strange behavior, Miranda creeped up to the doorway to have a quick peek inside. About ten various ladies and gentlemen stood around the room conversing with one another. Her face fell when she saw that Miss Chism was one of the ladies present. It didn't take her long to spot Alex standing near the window, talking with another gentleman who had the reddest hair she had even seen. She would definitely have to talk to Cissy about why she didn't mention that Lord Carlisle was on the guest list.