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)
Chapter Nineteen
Nicholas Compton
Scanning the ballroom, my gaze locked on Ashington and Miriam as they entered from the veranda. He had taken her outside. How… charming. Perhaps I should have arrived early to see what he was about tonight. Had he been giving Miriam his undivided attention or had he taken her outside for some fresh air because he wasn’t on her dance card yet again?
“Lord Ashington, I’m so glad you came,” a female said to my left, and I begrudgingly turned from the study of my brother and Miriam to see Lady Gallagher standing much too close. The Duchess was half her husband’s age. This wasn’t the first time she’d sought me out while I was in London. I knew of her tryst with others and I also knew what would happen if her elderly husband ever found out about them.
“Good evening, Lady Gallagher.” I bowed. “You are as lovely as ever.”
She wasn’t a young innocent lady any longer and she did not simper and blush. Instead, she leaned forward, making sure I could see her breasts pressed up high, almost spilling from her gown. “And you are as tempting as ever, Nicholas,” she whispered near my ear.
Nicolette Gallagher was stunning and had been the season’s belle four years prior. She had won the most powerful title and the eldest husband. That hadn’t been enough for her though. She had also been known to flip up her skirts well before she had been married. Lord Gallagher had known this and forgiven her previous indiscretions. Perhaps he had wanted someone with experience. I was sure he’d chosen well if that was the case.
“If you will excuse me, Lady Gallagher, I do believe I am next on a lady’s dance card,” I told her.
She pursed her red lips in a pout. “You would rather dance? I can think of other things to be done out in the far garden. There is a shed… it’s unlocked.”
How she knew there was a shed that was unlocked should be alarming in itself. How many times had she taken a man to this shed? This wasn’t her home. Did she converse with the gardener before arrival?
“As tempting as that may be, I do hold the highest respect for Lord Gallagher. You do understand,” I replied with my most charming of smiles before walking away from her in fear she may grab my arm and sink her nails into my skin.
She was a beauty and she was well-practiced in the art of sex. I had no doubt if I went with her, I’d enjoy myself at the moment. She would make it an experience to remember. However, I was but a mister and her husband was a wealthy powerful duke. I wasn’t going to the gallows for a tryst in the gardener’s shed.
I glanced over to see Lydia Ramsbury surrounded by several gentlemen. She didn’t seem to be hurting for attention, but then Ashington didn’t seem to care that she was so popular either. He was paying no mind to her or her suitors. As I neared them, I noticed Miriam’s aunt smiling and nodding happily. Miriam seemed pleased about something too and a little… shy. I’d never seen such a look on her face. Was she blushing?
After being stopped only two more times, I finally made my way to the three of them. Ashington turned to see me when Lady Welligton’s eyes met mine and widened as they oft did.
Ashington appeared unhappy to see me and that said all I needed to know. He was set on Miriam Bathurst, it would seem. Not what I had hoped. This would be more difficult. Miriam was not someone I could easily use. I had allowed myself to know her and I liked too much what I knew.
“Good evening, ladies. Ashington,” I said in greeting.
“Mr. Compton, it’s nice to see you,” Lady Wellington said, but I wasn’t sure she meant that. Her voice sounded unsure. Had my brother charmed them both so quickly?
“Nicholas,” Ashington said.
Miriam said nothing and that spoke more than anything else. She had already called me out on what she considered a game and now she was seeing my sudden appearance as part of that game. She was wrong. This wasn’t a game. It was revenge. It was more than a silly game. I wasn’t here to prove anything to my brother. I was going to humiliate him the way he had humiliated my mother. She may make that plan more difficult by being so acutely aware of the happenings around her as if he had just chosen Lydia, my task would have been so simple.
“I believe I am next on the lady’s card,” I informed them, although I knew not where I was on her card. I had just arrived and I didn’t know who she had danced with up until this point.