The next day, the appearance of a barrouche drawn by two pretty mares signaled Miss Matilda Ruteledge's arrival. She brought with her two lady's maids, along with an excessive amount of trunks overflowing with ribbons and silk.

On disembarking, it was evident that word of Tilly's beauty had not been exaggerated. She had the smug air of one born into the aristocracy, but while such haughtiness would have been unflattering in most , it did not distract from her delicate countenance and enviable flaxen mane. She wore a floaty blue pelisse and carried herself with a grace that Miranda knew she could never emulate. Her heart sank as Penny beamed with pride. This was what it would be like for the next few months, she thought, inevitable comparisons between herself and her fairer cousin, the ideal daughter her mother had wished for all along.

But Miranda's preconceptions were pushed aside as Tilly threw herself into the waiting arms of the Hartfords and greeted them with effusive warmth. "Dearest Aunt Penny! Uncle Charles! My darling Miranda! Goodness, how high you have grown! It has been much too long since I last saw your sweet faces! You have shown me such kindness for taking me in."

"Nothing is a trouble for a niece of mine," gushed Penny. After exchanging several rounds of air kisses and a rush of pleasantries, the Hartfords took Tilly on a tour of Woolford, which was now bedecked in all its finery.

As she was led from room to room, Penny launched into a well-embellished tale of Woolford's history and took great care to point out an "antique" ornament or piece of furniture every now and then. Tilly grew wide eyed with astonishment as they passed a "priceless" oil painting.

"Woolford Park is far grander than Mummy has relayed to me! It is not so dissimilar to home at all, although our parlour is twice as large."

"Perhaps her manners are not as refined as you think," Miranda whispered, while Mr Hartford stifled a chuckle.

"They are wanting in some aspects," Penny said through gritted teeth.

After several heavy handed hints from Miranda and Mr Hartford, the tour came to a merciful end. Tilly was ushered upstairs to her room and urged to rest after her long journey.

Several hours later, Miranda went to check on Tilly. There was no response when she knocked on the door. "Tilly?"

She gingerly pushed open the door and walked in to find Tilly was not asleep, but seated at the cherrywood desk by the window, deeply engrossed in writing a letter.

She jumped when she saw Miranda. "Oh! I am just writing a note to mummy, bear with." She angled herself so that the contents of the letter were concealed, and scribbled some final words with her quill. As soon as the ink was dry, she folded the paper and tucked it under a book on the desk.

"Is it urgent?" Miranda enquired. "You needn't worry about your family. Mother has already sent word that you have safely arrived. But the footman can send that in the last post if you like."

"No, no, no that's quite alright," Tilly insisted. "I shall leave it for my lady in waiting."

Miranda hadn't the faintest idea of what could be so pressing, but Tilly's serene smile quickly went back on as she walked over to the window and pressed her hands against the glass. The sky was particularly clear that day. Coupled with the fields that had been refreshed by the recent rain, it was a soothing sight.

"It is so peaceful here in the country, Miranda. What a difference mere hours of travel make! London feels a world away already."

"You may soon become bored here," Miranda said sagely. "Little changes sometimes except the clouds ."

"Perhaps, but for now it is a fine distraction. I feel some quiet boredom may be just what I need," she said, a thoughtful tone creeping into her voice. "I should like to have a simple life like yours, if only for a little while," She said dreamily.

Miranda balked at this. If only indeed, she thought.

"Are there kingfishers here?" Tilly asked, with renewed enthusiasm. "Oh I do love birds. I am so fond of the little chaffinches outside my window at home that I will often sneak them some crumbs from the kitchen. I always wanted an aviary in our garden, but mummy thinks they are unrefined. The only bird she's agreeable to is one on the dinner table."

Miranda, who was partial to a roasted bird herself, considered this a sensible opinion, but Tilly's unlikely interest was so endearing that she held her tongue. "I'm quite certain there are."

Tilly clapped her hands together. "Splendid!"

Tilly declared herself refreshed from her journey the next day, and an afternoon outing to the town centre was arranged for the two ladies, with Charlie to accompany them.

"May we take the carriage?" Miranda asked. "All this exercise is disagreeing with me. And surely we cannot expect Tilly to walk?"

Penny did not take the hint. "Some exercise will do you all good. Tilly is here for the fresh air, after all."

Charlie, who fancied himself a bit of an outdoorsman, promised to keep an eye out for any wildlife that might interest Tilly, but he became distracted during their walk into the town and they suffered through a much too long speech on his days in the military. Although Tilly did not seem to mind too much, she appeared relieved when it was time for them to return to Woolford for dinner.

They were about to pass the post office when a gentleman exited in front of them, forcing the group to acknowledge him. Miranda recognised Mr Preston's figure before he saw her. He seemed in a sombre mood and startled when their eyes met. "Miss Hartford," he said, giving her a small nod. "How good it is to see you outside of home. How do you do, Captain Cumberland?" His gaze landed on Tilly and lingered for far longer than Miranda thought necessary. "And this must be your cousin who I've heard so much about."

A pang of jealousy stirred within her, crushing whatever reassurance she had found in Clive's words. She was no match for Tilly.

"Matilda Ruteledge," Tilly preened, stretching out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you sir. Miranda! You did not tell me you have such a handsome acquaintance!"

Miranda blushed deeply. "Mr Preston is the landlord of The Hamilton Lodge. He lives next door."

"An inkeeper! How quaint!"

Gary bristled at her reaction. "Where is your party heading to?" He enquired.

"We were just returning to Woolford," said Charlie. "Would you like to accompany us?"

"I should like that. It was such a fine afternoon I had to walk. Exercise invigorates the constitution."

"I agree! Exercise is refreshing to the mind and body." Miranda said.

Tilly objected. "But you just said that you would rather-"

"Rather take a walk than waste my time in the carriage, yes." Miranda hastily interjected.

Once they had left the high street, they discovered the paths through the fields were only wide enough to accommodate two pedestrians. Miranda was about to suggest Charlie and Tilly walk together when Charlie piped up.

"Why don't you two ladies set off together first? Mr Preston and I can discuss his plans for the lodge. What's this I hear about a tavern?"

"I would be happy to," Mr Preston said. Miranda's heart fell, then lifted at his next remark. "But it would be rude of me to hold you all up," he added. "Why don't you walk with Tilly instead? You would be most a informative guide."

"Oh yes, Tilly would love a tour from someone like you," Miranda said emphatically.

"Why Miranda has lived here all her life! She would surely be just as knowledgeable!"

"Yes I suppose so," Mr Preston acquiesced.

I would like to hear about the lodge too," Tilly opined.

"My, you are popular Mr Preston! I shan't keep you from the ladies for too long," he said with a wink.

"It must be the novelty of someone new," Mr Preston said with a sigh. "I trust you all shall be bored of me quite soon."

She watched as the two gentleman set off ahead of them. She and Tilly began walking, neither of them particularly happy with the arrangement.

Tilly stretched out her arms and let her fingertips brush the tips of the tall grass around them. "Is Mr Preston coming to the ball?" she asked.

Miranda's stomach tightened. "I cannot be certain," she lied. "He may well be otherwise occupied,"

"Oh I do hope he is there. I should like a dance with him."

"Surely a lady of your standing could dance with any gentleman your heart desires."

"You are too kind cousin Miranda," she replied, with uncharacteristic modesty.

"But it's the truth, is it not? Mamma says you are courting the son of a duke."

Her sunny demeanour withered. "Oh, you must mean my dear Rupert... I am afraid I have lost every hope I held for that connexion... " She grew teary and Miranda immediately regretted mentioning the subject.

"Then let us not speak of him," she soothed. "He must be a fool to have upset you so."

Tilly sniffed and was coaxed into a smile. "Oh Miranda. Your words comfort me in ways you cannot know."

"But what do you mean?"

Her guard let down, she caught a momentary glimpse of a different Tilly.

"Not everyone is willing to accept my feelings on the matter," Tilly said, her voice turning cold for a moment. "Please do not mention this to Aunt Penny," she said curtly. "I have already downplayed the attachment and I hope that will put the matter to rest."

It stunned Miranda to think that they were more similar than she had thought. "Not a word," she assured her. Before she could say any more, Charlie cried out from ahead. "Oh look Tilly!" he exclaimed, as he pointed to the sky. "A blue tit in the fir tree!"

Tilly squealed and ran ahead to join him. "Oh how delightful! Look at its vibrant wings!"

Miranda was gladdened by their simple joy, and for the first time, she considered how stifling Tilly's life must have been, with all its rules and expectations and restrictions. While she was lost in thought, she realised Mr Preston was waiting for her. Now free of Charlie, he hung back and gave her a tentative smile.