“It makes sense.” Iris gave a firm nod, then continued on her way, as if Miranda’s story was a common one.
Miranda blinked in confusion, pausing her steps. She then hurried to catch up with Iris. “How?” was the only articulate response she could come up with.
Iris shrugged. “You love dancing too much not to be a nobleman’s daughter. However, I assume that your sister also married into her husband’s title.”
Miranda started to laugh, and the laughter turned into a louder, less delicate sound as she almost doubled over with the mirth of it. “Truly?” she asked between fits of giggles. “Thatis how you explain yourself? And yes, my brother-in-law is the Eighth Earl of Heightfield.”
“Of course!” Iris replied, laughing herself.
“Dancing?” Miranda asked.
“Indeed. There are a great many worse things, I assure you.” Iris gave a mock glare.
Miranda calmed her mirth just enough to give a soft sigh. “Indeed, there are.”
“Does this mean you’re still going to be my governess?” Iris asked unexpectedly.
Miranda frowned. “Why would it change anything?”
“Because your family is here, certainly you’ll live with them?” Iris replied, and Miranda saw the clear logic, but immediately revolted against it.
She wasn’t sure why. “No, I’ll remain in residence in Kilmarin. I am not only employed here, but I like it here. I like you, Iris. And I will not leave you,” Miranda replied firmly.
Iris paused, her gaze turning slightly moist. “Thank you.” She turned back to her path, and Miranda gave her a moment to collect herself.
They passed by the manor and continued on toward the maze before Iris spoke again. “It’s just that, with my parents gone, I feel quite alone. The idea that you would leave as well, as short as our acquaintance has been, gave me a great deal of uneasiness. Ever since this afternoon, I had my suspicions, and that is probably why I hesitated to ask about your relations who visited. I didn’t want my fears to be realized and see you leave.”
Miranda’s heart pinched at the confession. She and Iris had so much in common, loneliness being paramount of those similarities. “I shall not leave you, and I’m quite certain the viscount wouldn’t allow it either,” she affirmed with a jaunty grin.
Iris gave her a sidelong glance. “Of that I’m entirely certain, and I must confess that its truth gave me a small measure of confidence that you might not quit Kilmarin. He’s quite taken with you.”
Miranda colored, turning away to hide her reaction. “I’m certain you are reading too much into his actions.”
Iris didn’t offer a reply, just a slight shrug of her shoulders as they wandered through the maze.
Miranda felt the acute need to change the conversation. “Did you have a nice, restful afternoon?”
“Without dancing?” Iris remarked cheerfully.
“Without dancing,” Miranda said with a smile.
“Yes, it was lovely, and I took a short walk over the hill. Did you know there’s a lovely pond in that direction?”
Miranda’s face heated with a painful blush that came from a powerful memory. She cleared her throat delicately and turned her head to angle her face away from Iris’s view. “Indeed. It is lovely.”
Iris agreed, and as they wound their way out of the maze, Iris paused. “Thank you for taking the time to discuss the day with me. I treasure your friendship, and I must say I wasn’t expecting a governess I actually would like, let alone admire. I’m truly grateful for you.” Iris impulsively reached out and wrapped her arms around Miranda in a tight embrace. When she released her, she gave a cheeky grin and bid her adieu.
Miranda watched as Iris left the gardens and headed back toward the front of the estate. She debated following, then decided to take a few more moments to herself and wind back through the maze. She found it was a place of solace for her, where there was a solution to every problem. Two right turns, one left, follow the hedge till the end of the path; it was predictable, consistent, and she valued it.
It was likely because in her life she felt the opposite, and the maze offered her a security that felt absent in other aspects. She finished the path and turned to the house. It was growing further into the evening, and she knew it wouldn’t be wise to linger out of doors as darkness swallowed the light.
As she ambled back to the house, she smiled, then gave a delightful little spin on her toes, which were only slightly sore from Iris’s abuse earlier in the week. She grinned at the realization, and gave her head a shake.
She debated taking the servants’ entrance but finally chose to walk through the front door, making the stairs to her room much closer than the previous option.
She ascended the stairs, the crickets serenading her, and Sothers opened the door widely, offering her a welcoming grin. “Good evening,” Miranda said.
“Evening, miss,” Sothers replied, keeping to his man-of-few-words persona.
