"Thank heavens you're back, I feared the worst," Lady Randolph proclaimed as if the worst hadn't already happened. "There, sit, sit, sit, sit." She pushed Miss Cullpepper into the seat Mira had vacated. "And for heaven's sake, smile! Act as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened and everything will be fine. It is to be hoped this hasn't turned you into a social pariah with the commotion you've caused."
Mira and Miss Cullpepper looked at each other anxiously. What would Lady Cullpepper say? She would surely lose her position now, for she had failed spectacularly. And the entire opera had witnessed it.
The curtains had hardly fallen when the onslaught began.
"Lady Randolph. An introduction. I beg you!"
"Move back, scoundrel, I was here first."
"Nonsense, I was first. An introduction, if you please?"
"My lady! You will remember me from the ball the other night. May I meet your charges?"
"Lady Randolph! Let me get you and your lovely ladies some refreshment! You must be parched!"
"Good gracious!" Lady Randolph looked alarmed at the sounds of scuffling outside her door. "I was expecting one or two, three at the most, gentlemen to show some interest, but 'pon my soul! You've attracted the entire gamut. It appears your fainting spell did the trick. Cleverly done. Now pull yourself together, child."
Miss Cullpepper stared at Lady Randolph wide-eyed and with slightly parted lips.
"Take a big breath, miss, and just think of the sea," Mira advised, happy to retreat into the background.
But when the door finally opened, it was not a gentleman who entered, but a lady. She was tall and imposing, glittering in silver from head to toe.
For a second, even Lady Randolph looked as if the wind had been taken out of her sails.
"Lady Randolph, I presume?" The lady nodded at them graciously. She seemed even more magnificent than the Queen herself.
Lady Randolph quickly collected herself and placed her hand over her heart. "What an honour."
"I think I saw you at the ball last week. Where was it again? Ah, yes. The Witheringtons. A dull affair." She waved her hand. "This opera here is proving much more amusing. Introduce me to your lovely charges."
"Certainly. This is Miss Rose Cullpepper. She is the daughter of Lord and Lady Cullpepper, both very dear friends of mine."
Miss Cullpepper curtsied.
"A true English rose indeed. I am enchanted. How is it that you keep such lovely flowers hidden, Lady Randolph?"
"This is Miss Cullpepper's first Season, and she has not had much opportunity to appear in society."
The lady smiled. "That must be remedied. And ... this? Why do you hide in the shadows? Come forward so I can see you clearly."
Mira repressed a wince as she found both ladies looking at her.
Lady Randolph made an impatient gesture with her hand to motion her forward. Mira did so.
To her alarm, the woman stepped towards her as well until she was standing directly in front of her. She saw the diamonds of a tiara sparkling in her hair.
"This is Miss Cullpepper's companion," Lady Randolph said.
"Mira," Miss Cullpepper put in, somewhat at a loss for she did not know Mira's surname.
"Just Mira?" The lady looked amused.
"I believe she's related to the Cullpeppers, are you not?" Lady Randolph said. Mira would be a poor relative who now served as Miss Cullpepper's companion. This was the official story they'd agreed upon.
The lady reached out and took Mira by the chin, lifting her face and studying it intently. "Miss Mira Cullpepper?"
Mira held her breath and stared back into the silvery steel eyes. "No, my lady. Mirabel Taylor," she said. "But I am called Mira."
