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)
“It has been our pleasure,” Lady Ramsbury replied. “We did expect to see Lord Ashington this morning. You were indeed a nice surprise.”
Ah, there it was. She couldn’t help herself. She was asking me without truly asking me if I knew of my brother’s whereabouts this morning. Lady Ramsbury must be desperate for information to stoop to asking the brother that Ashington detested.
I simply nodded, not giving her the satisfaction of a response and said my farewells before leaving both ladies behind in the garden. It was very likely that Ashington had spent the evening with Miriam because he needed more conversation. Lydia was rather quiet. I felt slightly drained from having to carry the mornings conversation as I climbed into my carriage but not before instructing the driver to take me to 18 Mayfair.
Ashington’s carriage wasn’t outside and to that I was relieved. My morning had been taxing enough. I was here for two reasons and seeing Ashington was not one of them. However, finding out how last night went was one of them. The other was completely selfish. I wanted to see Miriam. I was an honest man, at least I was honest with myself. Others, it was give and take.
The butler led me to the drawing room, and unlike the last time, I did not have flowers to enchant Miriam with nor was she entertaining a suitor. Instead, Miriam sat on the settee with a book open in her lap and what appeared to be a chocolate in her left hand.
Her eyes widened at my arrival and she sat both the book and chocolate down before standing up. “Mr. Compton,” she said in way of greeting although it was neither warm nor inviting. I had come past the typical visiting hours and it was clear she was quite comfortable. I enjoyed seeing her this way and I was glad I’d chosen to stop by, even if it was uncustomary.
“My aunt will be right back, she just left to go find a letter from her sister,” Miriam explained. “I wasn’t expecting company.” There was a cautiousness in her eyes I truly hated to see there. She was not happy to see me nor did she trust me.
“It’s past the typical visiting hours I realize, but I was passing by and wanted to see you. Seems I missed your conversation. My morning has been rather dull,” I explained.
Miriam studied me as if she wasn’t sure what to believe. “I thought perhaps you might be lost,” she replied, not willing to pretend she was pleased with my company. I liked that fire. It was one more thing to like about Miriam Bathurst. As if I needed more encouragement.
“I am not lost, I can assure you. I’ve thought of little else but speaking to you after our last encounter.” I decided a little bluntness was in order to get her attention if not to soften her as well. I didn’t believe easing back into her good graces would be easy.
Surprising me, she motioned for the high back chair across from her. “Please have a seat. I shall ring for tea. Tis a bit early but biscuits must be better for me than the chocolates Aunt Harriet keeps around.”
Smiling, I took the chair she motioned toward. “Thank you. Tea sounds good. As does your company.” I hadn’t expected to be offered a seat until her aunt’s arrival in the room. This had to be a good sign.
Miriam took her seat again and didn’t reach for the book or chocolate she had been holding when I arrived. “Is it my company you seek or are you here to find out about your brother’s business?” she asked me directly without blinking.
There it was. The lady was indeed fearless. She got to the point and didn’t feign ignorance to appear attractive. Something I had never understood anyway. Her offering me tea meant nothing. She had simply decided to deal with me head on. Lead the attack by making me uncomfortable. Had she hoped that would send me running? Surely not. She was much too smart for that.
“Both,” I replied just as directly. If there was a chance that Miriam would be in the crosshairs of a revenge meant only to harm my brother then she deserved my honesty when requested. I wanted nothing more than for Ashington to choose Lydia. However, I could easily see my brother being bewitched by Miss Bathurst.
She nodded. “I thought so.”
“Why does this not surprise me?” I asked.
She lifted a shoulder and sighed. “I don’t know, perhaps because your charming smile and pretty face don’t distract me from your true intentions. I am aware you will unleash your best work on whoever can best assist you in your games.”
“Pretty face? I don’t know if I should be insulted, horrified, or flattered. No woman has ever labeled me as pretty before, Miss Bathurst. Why is it with you I always experience a first?” I had chosen to ignore the part about my true intentions. It appeared Miss Bathurst understood way more than I had believed. I had to protect my plan for revenge. Even from her.