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The bed didn’t feel the same without him next to her. That was for certain. And his words had filled her with far too much excitement to do something as mundane as sleep.
Pulling the bell cord by her door, a maid arrived to help her dress and style her hair, and Mirabelle sighed as she watched the woman’s skilled hands in the mirror. At home, she and Anna attended one another. They’d had a maid when they’d first moved in to the Cheapside home, but after her father’s death, such luxuries had disappeared.
Dressed and ready for the day, she made her way downstairs, searching for where breakfast was served.
But she found herself in the entry instead. She stopped, wondering if she might have to ask for directions, when the knocker sounded on the door.
Turning, she knew better than to answer. This wasn’t her home and besides, she’d landed herself in a great deal of trouble when she’d opened the door the day before.
The butler appeared, giving her a nod before he crossed the foyer to pull open the door. She slipped into the sitting room that was just to the left as a precaution.
It wasn’t the solicitor’s voice she heard but that of a woman.
“Miss Wentworth,” the butler said as he opened the door wider. “Good to see you.”
“And you, Withers.” But the woman didn’t sound good. Her voice trembled as she tentatively stepped into the foyer.
“How may I assist you today?”
Mirabelle could not see the woman thanks to the door, but she could hear her. “I know that Miss Emily has married, but I was hoping you might be able to give me her new address. Or just send her a message. There is an urgent matter…” Mirabelle peeked around the door just in time to see the woman’s hands flutter, delicate lace gloves covering them.
Mirabelle stepped out of the sitting room, giving the butler a quick nod as he stepped back. “Miss Emily is here. I’ll tell her of your arrival. In the meantime, Lady Mirabelle can keep you company.”
Mirabelle moved closer at the same moment that Miss Wentworth came around the door. A petite blonde, she was beyond pretty, with full, red lips and eyes that tilted in that evocative way some women had.
“Hello,” Mirabelle said as she extended a hand. “I’m Emily’s sister-in-law. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Miss Wentworth answered as she nipped at her lip.
“Will you come sit?” she asked, gesturing toward the sitting room.
The other woman removed her bonnet and then followed, sitting together on a settee. “Would you care for some tea?”
“Oh, yes, please,” Miss Wentworth answered as she twisted her hands together. “Tea has been the only normal thing in my life of late.”
Mirabelle paused for a moment on her way to pull the bell cord by the door. But she crossed the room and rang for a maid before she returned to the settee. “Would you care to share your troubles with me, Miss Wentworth? I know we’ve only just met but I am happy to listen.”
The other woman’s eyes filled with tears and her head dipped to hide them. “My father passed three months ago.”
Mirabelle grimaced as she reached for the other woman’s hand. The loss of a parent was one she understood. “I’m so sorry.”
Miss Wentworth shook her head. “His passing was bad enough, but now…” Her voice trembled as she leaned forward. “My guardian has finally been located. My father’s cousin has taken over my care and he is…” She shivered, and it passed through Mirabelle as well. “He’s dreadful.”
Mirabelle’s heart rose in her throat. Much as she’d had her share of hard times, she’d always had her brothers and sister to support her. “Do you have any siblings?”
Miss Wentworth shook her head. “I do not.”
Another knock sounded at the front door and Mirabelle looked up to see the butler crossing the foyer once again. The door swung open and her brother Rush appeared, scowling as the door closed behind him.
“Lord Smith,” the butler said with a nod. “Good to see you again.”
Miss Wentworth turned, seeming to start as she caught sight of Rush.
“And you, Withers.” Rush gave a quick nod. “I’m hoping to see my brother. Is he available?”
Withers gave a nod. “Perhaps you can wait with your sister and Miss Wentworth. Lady Highgrove has already been made aware she has a visitor. I’ll make certain that Lord Highgrove is alerted as well.”
Rush moved toward them, but he stopped in the doorway, his gaze meeting Miss Wentworth’s.
