Their old governess should be sainted just for enduring her and Liliah’s education.
Right now, Miranda thought she should be on her way to being sainted as well.
“Must I continue?” Iris asked.
Miranda was about to reply when there was a knock on the door. Turning, Miranda nodded to Mrs. Keyes, who entered.
“Good afternoon, ladies. I’ve just received word that Lord Kilpatrick will be in residence this week! I thought you’d wish to know. I’m sure he will be thrilled with your progress, Miss Iris. And I’m certain he will be impressed with your tutoring, Miss Miranda,” Mrs. Keyes said encouragingly.
Miranda thought it was an overly optimistic opinion, but she didn’t offer any correction.
“I find that highly suspect,” Iris remarked to the housekeeper. Apparently,shehad no hesitation to voice her opinion.
Not that Miranda found that surprising. Iris’s opinions were rarely thought, simply spoken.
It was another area they were working on . . . amongst many.
“Iris . . .” Miranda coached, offering a stern glare.
The young lady sighed. “Andwhenmay I voice my opinion?”
“After you’ve thought about your words and their implications. And then I’d still wait a few moments,” Miranda explained, not for the first time.
“By then the time for saying something—”
“Will likely pass, and you’ll have saved yourself the trouble,” Miranda finished.
It was becoming a common theme, Iris voicing her opinion and Miranda intercepting and correcting it.
Mrs. Keyes chuckled. “I don’t know what we all did for entertainment before you two! It’s just wonderful to have two young ladies in the house. Heaven knows it’s been a long while.” Mrs. Keyes’s joyful expression sobered, and Miranda took note of her change in demeanor.
“Oh, and I almost forgot.” Mrs. Keyes’s expression buoyed. “You’ve a missive, Miss Miranda. I wasn’t aware you had connections in Edinburgh,” The housekeeper remarked. “I placed it in your chamber.”
“Thank you,” Miranda replied, her heart pounding as she anticipated finally hearing from her sister. It had been longer than she had thought, and a thread of anxiety had woven its way through her heart as the days passed without any correspondence.
“Can we have a short break, Miss Miranda?” Iris asked.
Miranda nodded, thankful for the excuse to read her missive.
“We’ll meet again in a half hour to review conversational topics acceptable for mixed company,” she replied.
“How thrilling,” Iris replied dryly.
Mrs. Keyes pressed her lips together as if suppressing a laugh.
Miranda gave her a wink, then excused herself. Each step down the hall toward her room was tempered with impatience. Finally, when she had reached her chamber and bolted the door, she lifted the note from her small desk and ripped it open with the old wooden letter knife.
Dearest Sister,
Please accept my earnest apologies for this letter’s late arrival. There were many obstacles to its being written, many of which were in direct relation to our father. However, I’m pleased to say that there is a rumor circulating in London that states that you are visiting a distant aunt in America, Boston more specifically. It seems our father has admitted a defeat of sorts. In this I rejoice, because it means you are, at least for the moment, safe from his reach. Dear Sister, I cannot express to you how much I miss you, but please know that I’m supremely happy as the Countess of Heightfield, and though your acquaintance with your new brother-in-law was brief, I’m utterly convinced you will come to adore him. He has taken every effort to protect your whereabouts from all, all in an effort to preserve your safety. This alone endears him further to my heart, but that is simply a small token of his affection for me, and, as such, for you, his sister-in-law. But I must also make known the fact that Lucas did not confide your identity to the Viscount Kilpatrick. He is not aware of your connection with me or his friend. We are traveling to Edinburgh now, and I expect we shall arrive a day after you receive this missive. Lucas has reason to believe the viscount will not be far behind us.
Rest assured that we will notify the viscount of your connection once we are all safely ensconced in Edinburgh, but till then, may I encourage you to keep all secrecy until Lucas can make everything known?
I sincerely hope you are finding your wings as you experience freedom, dear Sister. You are so much stronger than you ever thought, and I wait in great expectation to see you soon, but not nearly soon enough!
With all my heart,
Liliah
