Twins of Tenby Hall

Chapter 24

Miranda Riley was consumed with boredom and melancholy.

Lord Riley seeing this, and understanding his company alone was not sufficient to cheer her spirits in the absence of her twin sister even with the added company of Matthew Westbrook, sent an invitation to his sister, niece, and nephew, and to Mr and Mrs Cotton requesting their presence at Tenby hall for a fortnight. After hearing his daughter mention offhand that a Mr Mastin had expressed a wish to court her with favorable results, Lord Riley thought it an appropriate thing to extend an invitation to this young man as well, with the intention of taking a measure of his worthiness. Thinking rightly that it would be a fine thing to surprise her, Lord Riley begged they keep it a secret from Miranda.

The day all were to arrive, Matthew took Miranda for a day of charity work, bringing baskets of goods to the poor.
"I do love these days; and the weather is not unreasonably cold today either, splendid planning on your part Matthew!" Miranda chattered cheerfully as she tied up her bonnet and helped Matthew and the staff load baskets into the carriage. "It does one good to help others, nothing quite matches the feeling. It will be lovely going without Izzy for once, though I miss her terribly; she always carries on horridly about the poor souls' maladies and afflictions and makes the whole ordeal ever so depressing. Not that my heart doesn't go out for them, but there is no need to dwell on all we cannot do, when we are doing all we can. Oh! This trunk can be roped atop the carriage Mr Martin, it is just old clothing. Do you think it inappropriate of me to give away my old gowns and dresses, Matthew? They won't take offence to cast-offs, will they?" 

"I'm sure the ladies will be thrilled with the opportunity to acquire quality attire at no cost, they will not think you pretentious because you do not give pretentiously." 

"Very well, I trust your wise judgment. I do try not to be a snob you know, despite what Izzy thinks of me." She entered the carriage, holding a basket on her lap. Matthew followed, sitting across from her. 

"I very much doubt Izzy thinks you a snob, Em. She just doesn't wish you to come across as one." 

"She very much does think me a snob! You know she fancies the Dunsworth boy? I told her once or twice she could do better for herself, I could tell she was very upset with me and I'm certain that has solidified her opinion of me." 

"I'd have to agree with her in that she would be hard-pressed to do better than he. Dunsworth is a decent fellow, and not destitute by any means." 

"I have nothing against him. I just don't want Izzy to have any regrets in life; there is much she would have to sacrifice marrying someone with only two-thousand a year." 

"He is worth over three- thousand in actual fact, much nearer four, not that that is of any consequence. It is admirable of you to care so for your sister's happiness, but consider this: if she really loves Dunsworth and does not marry him (given the opportunity) with respect to your advice, not only will she live with the greatest of regrets but she may grow to despise you because of it." 

"...I had not thought of that." 

Minutes passed; until Westbrook broke the silence. "What happened between you and that Mr Kirkley?" 

"What??" Miranda startled, looking up to see he would not meet her eye. "Nothing, why?" 

"No particular reason. I saw you and he were still quite close in London, I thought you might have come to an understanding." 

"No! No, I don't think he is the type to attach himself to any one woman. Are you well? You look a little pale today." 

"I am well. I am sorry, for your sake."