Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“You aren’t on my card tonight, sir,” Miriam replied with a false sweetness to her voice. It sounded like a challenge, however, and oh how I liked challenges.
“Are you quite certain?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded. “Yes. Most positive.”
At that moment, Mr. Needs appeared several feet behind Ashington as if he was unsure if he should approach further. I wasn’t sure what he was doing when Miriam stepped forward to take his arm. “Mr. Needs is next on my card, it would seem.”
I watched as they walked toward the dance floor.
Ashington cleared his throat. “It seems, Nicholas, you arrived too late this evening,” he said.
I forced a smile for the sake of Lady Wellington. “It does seem that way. I shall not make that mistake again.” It was a warning. One I knew my brother would understand.
“Oft it only takes one late arrival to change the course,” he replied then he turned to Lady Wellington. “As always, it was a pleasure. I will leave you with the company of Mr. Compton. Both of us can be more than any one lady must endure,” he said, causing her to laugh then cover her mouth and blush furiously.
Then, by God, Ashington winked. He fucking winked.
Turning, I watched Ashington walk away. Not toward Lydia Ramsbury but off to a corner that was empty. He stopped, directed his gaze toward Miriam and Needs on the dance floor, crossed his arms over his chest and stood there. It was a claim and everyone watching him knew it. There was no mistaking his meaning.
I looked back at Lady Wellington whose eyes were, once again, wide with wonder. She appeared to be as surprised by the turn of events as I was. What must I have missed in the short moments Miriam and Ashington were outside on the veranda? There had to be more to it than that.
“It would seem my brother has turned his attentions,” I commented, hoping for more information.
Lady Wellington nodded still watching him. “I do believe you might be right,” she whispered as if others were listening to us. There was always the possibility of such but rarely did I spend any care on the matter. “Miriam is truly a rare gem, but she makes it hard for others to see. She’s so guarded. It would seem Lord Ashington saw past her … walls.”
My brother saw something and I could easily list all he was attracted to in Miriam Bathurst. A man would have to be deaf, mute, and blind not to find himself drawn to her.
“Miss Bathurst has managed to find some good in him, I presume?” I asked, knowing full well last I spoke with Miriam she wasn’t fond of Ashington.
Lady Wellington lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I have no idea. Honestly, this is all rather fascinating, isn’t it? Here I thought a season in London would be boring and stuffy. I had no idea the drama that could come of it.”
Smiling at her rather candid response, I did so enjoy conversing with Lady Wellington. She was always amusing. “Never a dull moment,” I agreed. However, I had preferred my brother’s choice in a wife to be dull, indeed. He was rather boring, so it would make sense that he chose a countess equally so. Yet, here he stands watching the most interesting bright light in the room or make that all of England. Miriam Bathurst had managed to take his attentions from Lydia with no effort at all. She had merely been herself.
With a sigh of regret, I watched her smile at Mr. Needs and wish this could all be different. It was one thing to seek revenge for one’s mother. It was another to lose what could possibly be one’s future happiness. My brother would never make Miriam Bathurst happy. He would force upon her a life she would never fit into or desire to do so. Whereas with me, she could continue to be exactly as she is and I would enjoy every moment.
Did Ashington know I was drawn to Miriam? Is that why he was doing this? Had the revenge been turned on me and I hadn’t realized his move? Miriam was not a chess piece to be played. How could I sit back and watch him use her?
How far was I willing to go for revenge?
Chapter Twenty
Miriam Bathurst
I couldn’t remember a time in my life that joy had burst within me so brilliantly than when Whitney stepped inside the door of 18 Mayfair Street. Tears filled my eyes and my chest felt so full it might burst. I stopped but a moment on the steps and took in her angelic face before sprinting toward her, unable to believe she was finally here.
Her laughter rang through the entry way and my world was once again complete. I found myself in a mixture of laughter and tears as I held her, unable to let go. Although I had been watching for her carriage to arrive from the window in my room all morning, I was still afraid this was a dream.