“So glad you could come,” her hostess said.
“It was kind of you to invite me and most unexpected.” When Lady Harriet’s note came not long after Lord Mercer left two days earlier, it went a long way to soothing the sting of not having any other male callers.
“Sit, please. I have tea ready, but we can have coffee if you prefer.”
“Tea is fine, thank you. I am partial to it above coffee.”Best manners,Miranda reminded herself, taking the offered place upon one of the two sofas. She was representing the Bright name before nobility and must carry herself as well as her father when he was seated in judgment upon the bench.
“But why unexpected, Miss Bright? We had an introduction at the ball and even an amusing discussion after I introduced you to my other friends. We all thought you most charming.”
“Thank you. I enjoyed everything about that night, not least of all meeting you and Lady Emily and Miss Pratt.”
Lady Harriet poured their tea. “I had not realized you’d arrivedwithLord Mercer until he came to fetch you from the garden.”
She didn’t ask a question but merely left her statement hanging as she leaned across the low table and handed the saucer and cup to Miranda.
Luckily, Lord Mercer and her father had decided upon a story. “His lordship is an acquaintance of my father’s. He offered to escort me to a few events since my father despises such things.”
“I see. How nice. I must admit I never thought of Mercer as the type to do something out of the goodness of his heart. Therefore, I must caution you to beware. Only because I know a thing or two about his type.”
“His type?” Miranda asked politely while knowing already what she meant.
“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable, but he is one of the well-known rakes of our social circle. He’s known to prey upon innocent females for his own prurient desires.”
Prurient?Miranda thought it a very good word and would use it the next time she wrote to Helen.
“I am aware of the baron’s reputation,” she assured Lady Harriet, “but I appreciate your words of warning. I confess to being a devotee of the sillier sections of the newspapers, and his name has come up several times.”
Lady Harriet’s face broke out into a smile. “Do you enjoy a good pot of gossip-water?”
She seemed to be a kindred spirit, so Miranda nodded and added, “I do, in fact.The Timesis my favorite but alsoThe Morning PostandThe Gazette. I seek out the most interesting ones and clip them to send to my cousins in the country.”
Lady Harriet looked puzzled.
“They don’t get the London papers at my uncle’s home in Northampton,” Miranda explained.
Lady Harriet’s frown deepened. “Whyever not?”
Miranda hid her smile. Her uncle had balked at the expense of the news coming from Town, and since it was always “stale” as he declared, he didn’t bother with any but the financial news. But she didn’t wish to explain all that.
“I know only that my cousins greatly appreciate the tidbits I send. I hope you don’t think me foolish, but I am also writing about where I go and what I see this Season and sending them such tales as I can make most amusing in my letters.”
“Are you really?” Lady Harriet leaned forward. “And are you naming names?”
For her cousins, Miranda certainly did, but she didn’t want Lady Harriet to think her terribly imprudent.
“I suppose I could disguise them the way the newspapers do.”
Lady Harriet nodded approvingly. “A good practice but futile, don’t you think? We all know who is who, but it offers the veneer of privacy and discretion, I suppose. Is Mercer in your letters?”
Miranda was taken back. “Why, yes. I can hardly leave him out as he is my escort.”
Lady Harriet sipped her tea. “I applaud you in your endeavor to entertain your cousins. I recall the other night that you were a good storyteller. Are you as good a writer?”
Miranda felt her cheeks warm but answered truthfully. “I have been told I am.”
The young woman opposite her considered for a few moments.
“I have an idea I think you will find agreeable. After a few weeks of balls and outings, picnics and whatnot, you might turn your letters into a novel.”
