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)
Lady Wellington blushed brightly and waved a gloved hand in my direction. “Oh, you. It is Miriam who is the beauty.”
I looked at Miriam then to see her studying me closely as if she were reading my thoughts. There was no hint of color on her cheeks or shy smile on her full lips. My flattery hadn’t affected her in the least. She appeared to be appraising me. Measuring my words and my worth. Most interesting female, this one was. She would be hard to stay away from.
“You are quite a vision.” I agreed with her aunt but kept my eyes locked with hers.
Miriam gave me a small smile, but her eyes didn’t twinkle with delight but rather with mischief. As if this were a game and she were part of it. “Thank you,” she said simply. “It’s the dressmaker’s talents, I assure you.”
The emerald walking gown she was wearing was indeed stunning, but it was not the gown. Miriam Bathurst would be a vision in rags. The sparkle of intelligence in her eyes and the way she held her shoulders with confidence was enough to draw any man’s attention. Yet there was true simple beauty in the line of her jaw, the curve of her lips, the slant of her eyes, the small tip of her nose. She was flawless and no amount of demurring would change that fact.
“It’s pointless trying to complement her, Mr. Compton. She doesn’t see herself clearly, I’m afraid,” Lady Wellington said with a tsk and shake of her head. “I try to get her to open her eyes and peer closely into the looking glass, but she does not see what the rest of us do. It’s a pity and a blessing, I’ve decided.”
I wanted to have Miss Bathurst alone so I could ask her about this. Why did she not clearly see what others did? I also wanted to touch the clear creamy skin of her cheek and press my lips against hers to see if they felt as lushly plump as they appeared. None of this would happen for it would disarm all I had come to do. Letting lust get in the way of revenge was stupid. I’d enjoyed enough lust in my life to ignore this temptation. Even if this temptation was the sweetest ever to be dangled in my path.
“Tis a pity,” I said low enough just for Miriam’s ears then held out my arm. “Shall we?”
Miriam studied my arm a moment then slid her hand to rest in the crook.
“I’ll just enjoy the nice warm day and stay back here far enough to give you a bit of privacy,” Lady Wellington said with a smile in her voice. I felt guilty for giving her aunt hope for something that wasn’t going to be. No more would come of today. Miss. Bathurst didn’t appear as pleased as her aunt about our walk, so I was relieved of the guilt where she was concerned. Instead, I was ridden with curiosity. There would not be another young lady in London society who wouldn’t be pleased by my attentions. Yet, this one was not.
We walked toward the park in silence for a short time. Perhaps I should have made conversation, but I wanted Miss Bathurst to do so. She had said very little since I’d arrived at her home. It didn’t take long for her to appease me.
“Why did you offer this invitation?” she finally asked, breaking our silence.
I glanced down at her and grinned. She didn’t disappoint when it came to conversation. She always made it interesting. No talk of flowers, dresses, and balls for Miriam Bathurst. She went right to the point. Direct like a man and damn if that wasn’t fun.
“I would assume it was obvious. I enjoy your company.”
She lifted her head then and looked up at me. “You do?” she asked, looking as if she thought I was crazed if I thought she’d believe that statement.
“Who wouldn’t? You’re delightful. You aren’t boring and proper. I find you intriguing.”
She looked away from me then and kept her gaze straight ahead. “Is that so? Well, I believe you are up to something.”
I hadn’t expected her to hit so closely to the truth. She was intelligent of that I had no doubt. However, this was impressive. Uncomfortably so.
“Why would you think that?” I asked because I could think of nothing else to say. She’d blindsided me.
She didn’t respond right away, but when she did, she looked back up at me. Those eyes of hers so full of wisdom and disillusionment. She didn’t have the same sparkle of hope most ladies in society did. There was no fairy tale brewing in her head or dreams of being a title that held esteem and power.
“Your eyes say much about you, Mr. Compton. Just as your brother’s do. I amuse you and that is why we are out today. Nothing more. I’m a moment of intrigue and that is all. I don’t harbor some hope of more where you or Lord Ashington are concerned. I came to London for my sister and I will do what I must for her future happiness. I have no desire to play any games you may have; I simply have no time for them.”