Twins of Tenby Hall

Chapter 17

(Being Events Which Occur Between Chapter 15 and 16)

In the five day stretch of time between Miranda Riley's last letter to her sister, and Isabel's frightful responding letter, Miranda was having the most delightful time of her life.
Immediately after she had sent her letter off to Isabel, she and Mrs Bertram took a pretty little curricle to visit the shops. Shortly into their ride, riding down Pall Mall, her cousin pointed at a large shop as they passed it. 

"You must remind me to bring you to Harding, Howell & Co's on our way back home! Have you been? Being a department store, it does bring in some middle-class clientele...but we are not snobs" she grinned "and their selection is quite extensive and always very much in-fashion" 

"I haven't been in many department stores before, but I hear that one is very grand so I shall look forward to visiting while I am here." Miranda replied cheerily. She watched people walking as they rode on until she espied, with surprise, a figure she recognized walking with a lady "Oh look! there is Mr Kirkley" then added with less enthusiasm as she noted how closely he and his companion were walking "and a...a young lady.." 

Charity Bertram turned to look "Really? It is too bad we didn't notice sooner, I could have had the man stop for you! Where do you see them?" then seeing the street Miranda pointed to, she gave an incredulous chuckle. "Oh no love, I am afraid you must be mistaken, at least on the account of the lady. That is St. James's street and is known for its gentlemen's clubs and... other irreputable...establishments. No respectable lady would be seen there. With Mr Kirkley's reputation I am not surprised you saw him; men of caliber, such as my Bertram, would frequent areas of greater distinction and class." 

Miranda scrunched her nose in disappointment. She was chagrined at hearing Miss Cotton's rakish description of Kirkley echoed by her Cousin; that would dispel it as a rumor, for Charity Bertram was not one for excessive gossip. Miranda concluded Kirkley was indeed a dissolute, her feelings for him had been merely fancy, and she would not seek his association longer. 

Her thoughts were abandoned as they rounded a corner between Green Park and St. James's park, and Buckingham palace came into full view. Miranda's face then lit up in awe. Never had she seen a mansion of such grandeur and scale! Tall windows on every floor, great white pillars and gables expertly carved. She could only imagine what the inside of the palace would look like and, as it hid itself from view behind the trees of the lush palace garden, couldn't wait to someday take a tour within.
The palace fading from view, their curricle made the short ride up Park Lane to Oxford Street, where they stepped down to the pavements of the busy shopping district and Mrs Bertram informed the driver to wait for them at Grosvenor Square. 

"I have an exceptional dressmaker who owns a shop there." she explained to Miranda "Her husband is also a tailor, Mr Bertram and I go to no one else! I need to check on something I commissioned before we head home. They made the gowns mama gifted you last month!" 

"Then they are exceptional in their work!" Miranda agreed as they browsed the windows of the shops.

After some purchases had been made and a Bertram servant was well stocked with packages, they walked to Grosvenor Square, stopping occasionally to speak with acquaintances they met on the way. 

During a particularly lengthy conversation between her Mrs Bertram and an elderly neighbor, Miranda's eyes wandered the square, stopping in observation of a small elegant shop among the townhouses on the opposite side of the square. Her gaze lingered as she inspected what she assumed to be the shop her cousin had spoken of. Beginning to glance away, a strikingly familiar face caught her attention and snapped it back. Her breath caught in her throat as Lord Matthew Westbrook stepped smartly down the steps of the shop and strode across the square towards Hyde Park.