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)
“Your lady’s maid is here to see you to your room. I will await your company in the parlor. Please take your time, Miriam,” he replied, still grinning as if he had a secret.
“Thank you, Ashington,” I replied, before turning to walk toward the young brunette who was smiling shyly at me. I heard Lord Ashington chuckle behind me and my smile grew even brighter.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Earl of Ashington
While I was prepared to wait for quite a while, Miriam surprised me by returning in under an hour. Glancing up from the book in my hand, I was struck by her sheer beauty. Were ladies not meant to spend hours preparing to look as lovely as she so effortlessly appeared?
Closing the book in my hand, I placed it on the table beside me then stood up. “If you had needed to take more time, I would have understood,” I said, hoping she hadn’t rushed to return to me. Although, then again, the idea was appealing if done so for the correct reasons.
“Whitney is resting now and I need nothing more than to stretch my legs and explore,” she replied with a soft smile on her lips.
“Then I am a very fortunate man.” My words caused a slight blush to appear on her cheeks.
She said nothing more as we made our way out of the room and down the long hallway toward the entrance. Having her alone excited me. There was no one around for either of us to perform for their benefit and I would truly get to see Miriam Bathurst, or at least some of the real person beneath the protective layers she so firmly kept in place.
The late afternoon sun shone brightly in June and I inhaled deeply of the fresh air as we walked down the stairs toward the grounds.
“There is truly nothing like being home is there?” she asked me then, breaking the comfortable silence we had fallen into.
I thought of this place and the memories it held. Emma was changing those with her existence, but there was a lifetime of pain and loneliness within these walls. I wasn’t sure when it would feel like home. That revelation wasn’t one I wanted to have with Miss Bathurst so soon, however. Instead, I replied, “Indeed. Do you miss your home terribly?
She was silent for a moment then she turned her head to glance up at me before speaking. “Whitney is my home,” she said. “I miss the country, but here we are soaking it in. I haven’t anything to miss now.”
Her words were simple yet spoke more than an in-depth conversation. Miriam had a mother who was alive, yet she said nothing of missing her. I understood all too well the lack of love or even mere affection between a child and their parent. I too suffered from that my entire life.
Whitney was very important to her and she seemed bent on protecting her younger sister at all cost. I admired her dedication. The degree of love it took for one to care as deeply as she obviously did for her sister said much about her character. More so than I could find out in time spent with her. Although, I hoped to have much of that too in the future.
“Your sister is lucky to have you,” I said.
“Oh, it is I who am lucky. Whitney brought love and joy into my life. I could not imagine a life without her in it. I dare not even try.”
Again. So many things spoken in so few words.
“Ashington! You’re here!” Emma exclaimed with glee as I walked inside the cottage.
I held open my arms just in time for her small body to slam against me. “I told you I wouldn’t be long,” I reminded her as I returned her embrace.
“It’s perfect, isn’t it?” she asked me as she let me go and stood back to hold her arms out wide.
I looked around the cottage that I hadn’t been in myself since I was a boy. “I do believe it is,” I agreed.
Emma spun in a circle. “I feel as if I am living in a storybook.”
“Storybook or not, you will finish your written assignment before you go back outside tomorrow,” Alice replied as she entered the main living area. “Good Evening, Lord Ashington.”
“Hello, Alice,” I replied, standing back up. “I see things are the same. Nothing new.”
Alice sighed. “Just the same.”
I turned my attention back to Emma. “Tomorrow, I will be expected to entertain my guests. However, if you do all your assignments then we may go on a walk together before sunset. How does that sound?” I asked, hoping to inspire Emma.
Emma thought for only a moment then nodded her head vigorously. “Yes! I shall do all that horrible writing if we can go for a walk.”
I looked back at Alice who appeared grateful for some assistance. “Very well then it is settled. You do all the work Alice gives you and I will take you on an adventure walk.”