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)
“I’m sorry, Lord Ashington. I fear I could not wind down enough after such a full day to fall asleep. I thought I would search for the kitchen in hopes of some warm milk,” Miriam explained, her cheeks stained pink, making her even more stunning.
I stood slowly for she appeared on the verge of fleeing. “If you are in search of the kitchen, I fear you are lost,” I teased.
She blushed even brighter. “Yes, it does appear that way.”
“Come, I will lead the way. I too could use an aid in finding sleep,” I told her as I reached her side. She stepped back so that I could exit the room without our bodies touching.
“I believe your port may help with that more so than warm milk,” she said with a touch of humor in her voice.
“Perhaps, but what kind of gentleman would I be if I left a lady to wander the dark halls alone?”
“If the lady carelessly left her bedroom, not knowing the path to the kitchen, then I would say she deserved to wander,” Miriam replied.
“This may be true however another truth is that I am, in fact, a man and when a vision of beauty such as yourself arrives at my door lost and in need, I want nothing more than to assist in the matter.”
There was no quick response this time. I glanced down at her as we began to walk and saw the whisper of a smile on her perfectly shaped lips. Lips so pink against her pale skin, it made it hard to think of anything more than tasting them.
I thought of taking a much longer path to the kitchen but decided to stay on course. I preferred to look at her not walk beside her. The fact there was nothing under the nightgown and she was walking so close to me in her bare feet, clasping a thin shawl around her shoulders as her only covering, had my head in places that weren’t safe for either of us.
I had been with mistresses barely covered by French silk meant to raise a man’s desire but not once had I been struck by sheer beauty as I had tonight. Miriam dressed in slips of French silk would be something I may never recover from. The image, however, was now in my head and I wanted nothing more than to see her thus so.
By the time we reached the kitchen, my blood was pulsing and my need to touch her had become uncontrollable. Stepping inside the warmth of the large area, it was still lit by a lantern. I wasn’t one to visit the kitchen, especially at this hour, so I did not know if we were to be alone in here or if someone would be returning. Not that it mattered to me.
“Have you enjoyed your stay here?” I asked her simply because I wanted to hear her voice again.
Miriam tilted her head back just enough to look up at me and a soft smile played along her lips. “Who wouldn’t enjoy this place? It’s almost magical. Whitney oft spoke of the sparkle and shine of London. She used the word glitter when speaking of it. However, this has been so much more than any ball in London could ever be.”
I had expected a simple yes or no. Not something so eloquent in response. Perhaps if she had said yes or no then I would have been able to control my burning desire to press my hand on her hip and draw her to me so that I may feel the curve of her body. I lowered my head to finally taste the lips that had mesmerized me from the first moment I laid eyes on her.
Chapter Thirty-One
Miriam Bathurst
In my most secret of dreams, I had imagined this moment. Granted, I wasn’t standing in a kitchen wearing my night gown, but when Ashington’s lips met mine none of that seemed to matter. The world around us fell away and it could have been the most indulgent of balls and I dressed in a gown of the finest silks, but it would not change this moment.
No man had ever kissed me. My lips tingled in response to his and my body trembled. Did kissing always feel this way? If so, I understood why there were songs written of it and such description in the novels I read when they spoke of it. I was well read and I knew there was so much more to what happened between a woman and a man. I may be untouched, but I wasn’t innocent of mind. This led to much more and if I were being smart, I’d step away.
I wasn’t smart, however, I was blissfully lost in the moment and I wanted to remain so. Ashington’s hand tightened on my waist and the thin materiel of my night gown fisted in his hand. The shawl I had been wearing as a cover fell from my shoulders when I let go of it to place my hands on his arms. I felt the need for support as my knees began to feel weak.