“You are not an abnormality,” she returned heatedly. “And neither are those poor souls that are stared at and mocked by the general assemblage.”
“And yet,” he asked slowly, “how else might they support themselves if not by catering to the public’s insatiable curiosity?”
Miranda had nothing to say to that, because, like it or not, he made a valid point. She sighed heavily. “I just wish there was another way.”
“I’m sure if there is, you might find a solution.”
She glanced at him. “I fear you are directing your faith in the wrong direction.”
“I’m not,” he countered. “I remember several times I came to visit your family and you were always solving some trial or another. I recall one instance in particular. There was a cat stuck in the tree and you had the idea of climbing the tree to free the frightened creature. Jacob asked how you might manage such a feat, so you gained the assistance of the stable groom, who put a ladder next to the tree and allowed you to save the day.”
Miranda laughed. “Oh, my. I had nearly forgotten that. It has been so long ago. I couldn’t have been more than nine at the time.”
“I believe you were eight.”
She blinked. “I’m impressed by your memory to recollect such trivial instances in my past, when I fail to do the same.”
His eyes fell on her, and although one was white and unable to see, it caused her to shiver with intensity, just the same. As if he had more power to peer into her soul than with the ability of actual sight. “I remember everything about you, Miranda.”
She wasn’t sure how to reply to that, but she was saved by the arrival of a member of the hotel staff, who had brought their food. She turned her attention to the fare at hand. “It smells divine. Thank you.” She carefully concentrated on her plate, rather than the words that were still suspended in the air between them.
Chapter 4
It warmed Anthony’s heart when Miranda got irritated on his behalf. When he had first gone out in public after his injury, it was the shock he’d seen on the faces of others that had made him don the patch. But when he saw them stare at him regardless of whether his eye was shielded, he had decided to suffer the consequences.
Now, he hardly even realized that he was the subject of such interest. In truth, it hadn’t fazed him in some time, but through Miranda’s eyes, he recalled the way it had initially felt, as though he was someone to be shunned, to be hidden away from the rest of the world. It had taken some time before he’d realized he had as much right to be there as anyone else. If anything, his differences set him apart from the rest of the hypocrites that ruled over the rest, the ones who believed they were doing God’s work, while at the same time, warning those who were different to stand aside. Perhaps someday, he could open those closed minds to compassion and understanding.
Once they had finished their meal, he asked, “Are you ready to get started?”
“Of course.” As they stood, he reached down and grabbed Miranda’s valise just as she started to reach for it. “I’m quite capable of carrying my own things, Mr. Gravehill.”
He kept his firm hold on the bag. “I have lost sight in one eye, not my ability to act as a gentleman.” With that, he started walking, giving her no choice but to follow.
“If memory continues to serve,” he noted. “You are not averse to the water.”
“Not at all. I used to swim in the pond at the estate, and later, when Jacob was in London before he wed, we would sail on the Thames.” She peered at him askance. “Why do you ask? You don’t intend for me to paint in the water, do you?”
He laughed, surprised to find that it sounded a bit rusty, but then, it wasn’t often that he found much of anything very humorous anymore. But a few moments alone in Miranda’s company was vastly changing that. She truly had been the best thing that had ever happened to him. She had made him chuckle as a child, entertaining him with her various antics, but as a woman, she had the same delightful wit. “Do not concern yourself in that regard. Although I did have a certain area in mind. However, it is only accessible by boat.”
“I see.” She appeared to mull this over, and then she said, “I’m fine with that. I dressed warmly today, since I wasn’t certain what you had planned.”
He glanced at her attire—the fur trimmed pelisse in dark burgundy that easily complimented the chestnut curls peeking from beneath her black velvet bonnet. “Don’t worry. I would have found something else to do if not. I wouldn’t have allowed you to catch a chill.”
They made their way to the river’s edge, a short walk from the inn, where there was a simple, wooden boat, ready and waiting. “Is this yours?” she asked.
“No. I borrowed it from a friend.” He didn’t want to admit that it was his, because how would he explain why he traveled with a boat? And he wasn’t prepared to tell her all about his life thus far. It had become complicated in areas that still were not particularly easy to discuss.
He climbed in first, set down her bag, and then offered her a hand to assist her. Once they were settled, he pushed off from the bank and then sat down and gathered the oars on either side. The day was bright, but a slight chilly breeze made the brilliance of the sun a bit deceiving.
“How are you doing?” he asked, hoping that she wasn’t overly cold. Her nose and cheeks were starting to turn a bit pink already. He realized that he should have had the foresight to bring along a blanket.
“I’m fine. Don’t concern yourself with me. I always preferred the cold to the summer heat.” She tilted her head to the side. “I’m surprised you don’t remember that about me.”
He offered a crooked grin. “I suppose it would be impossible for me to recall every detail.”
Silence fell for a time, and then she said, “I seem to remember that you liked the cold too.”
He inclined his head. “The same is true now. With all of the layers that gentlemen must wear, it is much nicer to wear wool in the winter season.”
