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)
Ashington stood then and held out his hand toward Emma. “You’ve had your introduction. Tis time you left. Your carriage back to London awaits,” he told her.
Emma sighed and looked longingly at the half-eaten pastry in her hand.
“You may take the pastry with you,” Ashington informed her.
Emma’s face immediately brightened and she smiled up at me. “It was a pleasure seeing you again. I truly hope it won’t be the last,” she said then climbed down out of her chair and started toward Ashington.
Just before she reached him, she spun around and looked at Aunt Harriet. “It was a pleasure meeting you, too,” she said then looked toward my uncle. “We did not speak but hello,” she told him then slipped her hand into Ashington’s and happily let him lead her from the dining room.
Silence fell over the room as my aunt and uncle both stared at me. I didn’t have their answers. I was afraid what this appeared to be… who Emma appeared to be was indeed correct. It did not make me dislike the child, but I feared if word about her were to ever leak to the ton, things could go very differently. The idea made my stomach sick. She was so full of life and a lovely spirit.
“This cannot end well,” Uncle Alfred said.
“We do not know that,” Aunt Harriet snapped at him but even she didn’t look convinced.
“I’m sorry I am late, yet again,” Whitney said as she breezed into the dining room. “I cannot seem to rise at a decent hour while staying here.”
We all looked up and her bright smile fell instantly.
“Oh dear, what did I miss?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“I dare say you would not believe it if we told you,” Uncle Alfred said, standing from his chair. “I must go ready my things. I imagine we will be leaving shortly.”
Whitney’s gaze fell to the table covered in sweet pastries. “Do I have time for at least one?” she asked.
“Of course,” Aunt Harriet replied.
The hot chocolate I had requested arrived.
Somehow I managed to drink a cup and finish a pastry. I will never know how because my stomach was never so in knots as it was in that moment.
Very little was said as we finished our breakfast. Whitney’s curious gaze was on me and although I felt it, I did not meet her eyes. The less people who knew of Emma the safer she was. I trusted my sister, but Emma’s existence was not mine to share with anyone. It seemed that Aunt Harriet agreed with me for she too remained quiet.
Once we were done with breakfast, I made the move to leave the dining room. Ashington had not returned and I was relieved rather than disappointed. I was not sure what our next conversation would be and I did not know if I was ready to have it. Perhaps once we were back in London, I would have time to prepare as would he.
After we were dressed for travel, our things were taken from our rooms to be loaded onto the carriage. Whitney exited her room at the same time I did mine. We walked down the hall together. As we reached the stairs, I took a moment to take in the entrance of Chatwick Hall. It was truly a stunning place and one I was not sure I would ever visit again. My thoughts went to the kitchen and all that had happened there. Feeling a pang of loss, I followed my sister out the front doors and toward our awaiting carriage.
Lord Ashington was still nowhere to be seen.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nicholas Compton
“The ball has only just begun, yet I find you out among the roses already,” I said as I stepped out of the shadows and made my presence known to Miss Bathurst. It wasn’t a coincidence that we were both in the gardens, although I would have her believe it so. My purpose for coming to the St. Vincent’s affair tonight had been to simply see Miriam.
While my brother had whisked her away to Chatwick Hall, I had time to contemplate the matter. It was clear Miriam was his choice. It was also painfully clear that it would be Miriam that I must use to cause humiliation and pain to the new Earl of Ashington. However, while I had several days to reflect and think upon how this would affect everyone, including Miriam, I realized I could not do it. At least not in the way I had so carefully constructed.
My feelings for Miriam could not even be labeled as an inconvenience for being near her brought me a happiness I hadn’t realized I was missing. Whilst she was in the countryside with Hugh, I was battling my own emotions and forced to face the simple truth, I cared very much for Miriam Bathurst.