Read Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever for Free Online Page B

Winston.”
    For a moment, Miranda couldn’t speak. Then—“You’re mad.”
    Olivia shrugged and sat back. “Or very, very clever. Think of it, Miranda. It’s perfect.”
    Miranda couldn’t imagine thinking of anything involving gentlemen just at the moment, much less one with the Bevelstoke surname, even if it wasn’t Turner.
    â€œYou know him well, and you’re of an age,” Olivia said, ticking the items off on her fingers.
    Miranda shook her head and escaped off the other side of the bed.
    But Olivia was nimble, and she was by her side within seconds. “You don’t really want a season,” she continued. “You’ve said so on numerous occasions. And you hate making conversation with people you don’t know.”
    Miranda attempted to dodge her by scooting to the wardrobe.
    â€œSince you know Winston—as I have already pointed out—that eliminates the need to make conversation with strangers, and besides”—Olivia’s smiling face came into view—“it means we shall be sisters .”
    Miranda went still, her fingers clutching the day dress she’d taken from the wardrobe. “That would be lovely, Olivia,” she said, because really, what else could she say?
    â€œOh, I’m thrilled you agree!” Olivia exclaimed, and she threw her arms around her. “It shall be wonderful. Splendid. Beyond splendid. It shall be perfection.”
    Miranda stood still, wondering how on earth she had just managed to get herself into such a tangle.
    Olivia pulled back, still beaming. “Winston will have no idea what has hit him.”
    â€œIs the purpose of this to make a match or simply to somehow best your brother?”
    â€œWell, both, of course,” Olivia freely admitted. She released Miranda and plopped herself down in a nearby chair. “Does it matter?”
    Miranda opened her mouth, but Olivia was quicker. “Of course not,” she said. “All that matters is the commonality of the goal, Miranda. Truly, I’m surprised we have not given this serious thought before.”
    As her back was to Olivia, Miranda allowed herself a wince. Of course she had not given it serious thought. She had been too busy dreaming of Turner.
    â€œAnd I saw Winston looking at you last night.”
    â€œThere were only five people in the room, Olivia. He couldn’t very well not look at me.”
    â€œIt was all in the how ,” Olivia persisted. “It was as if he’d never seen you before.”
    Miranda started pulling on her clothes. “I’m quite certain you’re mistaken.”
    â€œI’m not. Here, turn around, I’ll do your buttons. I’m never wrong about things like these.”
    Miranda stood patiently as Olivia did up her frock. And then it occurred to her—
    â€œWhen have you had the opportunity to be right? We’re buried in the country. It’s not as if we’re witness to anyone falling in love.”
    â€œOf course we are. There was Billy Evans and—”
    â€œThey had to get married, Olivia. You know that.”
    Olivia finished the last button, moved her hands to Miranda’s shoulders, and twisted her until they were facing. Her expression was arch, even for Olivia. “Yes, but why did they have to get married? Because they were in love.”
    â€œI don’t recall your predicting the match.”
    â€œNonsense. Of course I did. You were in Scotland. And I couldn’t tell you in a letter—it makes it all seem so utterly sordid to put it into writing.”
    Miranda wasn’t sure why that should be the case—an unplanned pregnancy was an unplanned pregnancy was an unplanned pregnancy. Putting it down in writing wasn’t going to change anything. But regardless, Olivia did have a point. Miranda went to Scotland for six weeks every year to visit her maternal grandparents, and Billy Evans did get married while