A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland

a lovely evening that I simply could not stay at home. So, I sent a note to Effie Chambers and asked her if she cared to come for a drive with me around the Park. She sent me a message back at once, saying that she had a better idea and would I fancy an adventure? Her brother had just returned from Cambridge and he had a friend or two with him.”
    â€œGentlemen friends?”
    â€œY-yes, Papa.”
    There was a disapproving silence as he cleared his throat and then decided against a lecture. After all if he showed any signs of anger, Miranda might not tell him the whole story.
    â€œPray continue I am listening.”
    Miranda nervously twisted her napkin around her fingers.
    â€œI went to Effie’s house and met with the young gentlemen – and they were indeed gentlemen, Papa, from well known and aristocratic families.”
    She looked at him pleadingly.
    He nodded his head for her to go on.
    â€œAnd then we took the Chamber’s carriage to – ”
    She hesitated and looked down.
    â€œ – Vauxhall Gardens.”
    â€œ Vauxhall Gardens ! What on earth possessed you to agree to go to somewhere so low and vulgar? Were you harmed in some way?”
    â€œNo, no, Papa. Let me continue!”
    Sir George leaned back in his chair, but his hands curled into fists of displeasure.
    â€œWe had a most enjoyable time and Charles, Effie’s brother, happened across another old friend of his there – a Lord Brookfield.”
    A hint of recognition stirred in Sir George’s head. The name seemed curiously familiar to him, yet he could not recall why.
    â€œPapa, please don’t be cross with me, but he was just so very nice, charming and handsome. After making his acquaintance, I allowed Lord Brookfield to call on me at Aunt Emma’s.”
    She looked up at her father waiting for a comment, but his lips were firmly closed.
    â€œIt was innocent enough at first. He took me to the Opera and allowed me to bring Aunt Emma as a chaperone and we drove around Hyde Park in his carriage, also with Aunt Emma.
    â€œHe behaved just like a complete gentleman until one evening, quite out of the blue, he proposed to me. Of course, as I knew nothing of him or his people, I refused. Besides – I had deemed him too old for me.”
    Her father heaved a sigh of relief.
    â€œYou were very sensible, Miranda,” he commented.
    â€œIt was after my refusal that he turned unpleasant. I said I thought it would be best if we cut off all contact, yet he pursued me relentlessly. He terrified poor Meek, Aunt Emma’s butler, with his threats and began to follow me whenever I left the house. There was a rather unpleasant scene in Liberty one afternoon – ”
    She paused.
    â€œAnd so that very evening, Aunt Emma made her carriage ready for me and I packed my bags.”
    Sir George said nothing as her words fell away. His first instinct was to hunt this Lord Brookfield down and shoot him with his field gun. He felt enraged on his daughter’s behalf.
    â€œYou’re not – cross with me, Papa?”
    â€œNo, my dear,” he replied at last. “Once rebuffed by you Lord Brookfield should have respected your wishes and withdrawn. You certainly did the right thing if he was becoming troublesome. I am just sorry that your mother is not here to comfort you.”
    â€œI have now instructed Aunt Emma that should he appear again to tell him that I have gone to the Continent,” added Miranda. “I don’t want him following me here.”
    â€œYou will be safe at The Grange,” he murmured. “And now, I have some very sad news for you that we did not tell you about earlier as we did not wish to spoil your stay in London. Lord Templeton died recently.”
    Miranda caught her breath.
    â€œOh, Papa! That is terrible! But why did you not write to me? I would have come home to be by your side for the funeral. He was one of your dearest friends!”
    â€œI