Read into My Heart

Chapter Fifteen

Sitting in the carriage on the way to Roseglen, Miranda pointedly stared out the window, while the various ladies chattered among themselves. Cissy had been repeatedly trying to catch her eye, but Miranda was ignoring her. Ever since she got back from her ride that morning, Cissy had immediately been at her side, peppering her with questions about how it went.

On the outside, Miranda feigned indifference, stating it was just a ride like any other. On the inside however, she felt as if she were flying. Flying high but unsure if she was going to continue soaring or turn downward and crash. Miranda hated lying to Cissy, but how was she supposed to share that she had fallen in love with a man who did not want a wife? One that was actually going to great lengths to avoid matrimony?

It left Miranda in quite the conundrum because she knew she needed to marry by the end of this season. But how could she marry one man while she secretly pined for another? Miranda didn't have the answers.

While the ladies rode in the carriages, most of the men rode their horses. Miranda was glad Alex was riding near the back of the line, for she was sure if he had come into her line of sight, her blushing face would have alerted Cissy immediately that something was up. Even now, Miranda was trying to avoid thinking back on her morning with Alex, and was failing miserably.

She couldn't stop thinking about what might have happened if Athena hadn't interrupted them. Miranda had never hated or loved a horse so much. Although the horse halted their kiss, she also gave Miranda an excuse to ride with Alex on the return trip. And that had been almost as exhilarating as their almost-kiss.

"I think I see Roseglen up ahead," one of the ladies gushed. "I heard Grayside can't even compare to the beauty of the Earl's estate." Realizing that Cissy was in the carriage, the lady suddenly became abashed. "That is, it's unique in its own respect."

Cissy smiled good naturedly. "Not to worry, I have also heard of Roseglen's splendor being unmatched."

Perking up, Miranda craned her neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alex's estate. Seeing it from a far off distance was not nearly enough to satisfy her curiosity. All she could make out was that the house was red-bricked in color.

Fortunately, she didn't need to wait long, for as the carriage cleared the copse of trees, a magnificent house came into view. Miranda had to make sure her mouth wasn't gaping open as she took in the view of the estate. For although the house was beautiful, with three floors of windows, trees planted evenly on each side of the driveway, it was the rose bushes that took her breath away.

Miranda had figured that the name Roseglen was just that, a name. But now she saw that it was the landscape that gave the house its name. Everywhere in front of the house red roses were planted. Amazingly however, it was not overwhelming or gaudy. The bushes blended perfectly with its surroundings, so as to add to its environment instead of taking away from it.

As the carriage came to a stop by the bottom of the stairs, footmen approached, opening the door for the ladies. Miranda was the last to come out, and she was still looking up in awe at the building that she didn't even notice who held her hand as she stepped down.

"Do you like it?" a voice murmured in her ear.

Startled for a moment, Miranda turned her head to see Alex at her side. It was then she realized it was he who was currently holding her hand. A bright smile broke out onto her face. "It's incredible Alex," she whispered back. "I can see why now you never wanted to leave."

He beamed back at her then silently moved on, no one the wiser at their intimate exchange. It made Miranda's heart swell that he cared about her opinion of Roseglen. She couldn't help but secretly wish that he had his own ulterior motive for asking her such a question. For why else would he seek her out to hear her thoughts on his home?