A deep sigh escaped Miranda. Sighing had been an activity she engaged in frequently of late, and she didn't enjoy it, not one bit. Unfortunately, Miranda couldn't seem to stop, even though she knew the cause. She had been deprived of her governess, Miss Francesca Sheffield.
In truth, Francesca had ceased being her governess long ago, as Miranda was approaching her 19th year. With her mother long dead, it had taken Miranda little time before she had come to view Francesca in that stead. At some point along the way, a deep friendship also developed.
So when Francesca married the town's latest resident, Sir Stuart Warren several weeks ago, Miranda felt she lost all of these things. The injury was felt more keenly still, due to an absence of any other friends in the neighborhood. Miranda had never quite understood why other girls seemed to spurn her, despite her friendly manner and Fran's help, but the knowledge of her apparent inadequacies was a heavy weight.
It wasn't that Miranda would never see Fran again, the Warren's were living in town at Hastings Hall after all. It was simply that things would be so different. No longer would Miranda be able to bring Fran on every excursion, or talk of fears into the evening hours. Francesca now had another responsibility, or more accurately, she had a new partner, because Sir Warren was one of those rare gentleman who treated women as an equal. And Miranda was wholeheartedly pleased at her friend's happiness and elevated status, she just wished her own suffering had not been the price.
Still, Miranda did try to make the best of the situation. Rather than sit and glower, she tried to enjoy life's opportunities, including a visit to her cousin in Washington. The stay had been several months ago, at the beginning of Francesca's courtship. Miranda had suspected the outcome of Sir Warren's attentions and wanted to give her friend time for his company. This also assured that Fran could enjoy Sir Warren without any guilt of abandoning her charge.
Aware that returning home she might hear some bittersweet news of an engagement, Miranda continued her Washington vacation with a determined cheerfulness. Even the ball where she had been inundated with unwelcome callers had been a pleasant distraction.
The clock chimes began to sound, effectively ending her reverie. One o'clock already, now Miranda had cause to smile. Today, finally was the day she had planned to visit Francesca, Surely by now the new couple had had enough privacy and were ready for visitors. At any rate, that was Miranda's intention, if only to have a short reprieve for her loneliness. Grasping the flowers she had picked that morning, Miranda hurried off.
