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)
“Perhaps some fresh air?” Aunt Harriet suggested, looking more confused and flustered now than angry. My response had baffled her, it seemed. She had expected me to leave. Most would I guessed, but I did not intend to give the ton more gossip for their morning calls.
“I was just going to fetch her a lemonade. May I get you something,” Nicholas said saving me, once again, from having to come up with an adequate response.
“Uh, oh, yes please,” Aunt Harriet replied. “Lemonade sounds lovely.”
Nicholas looked down at me and I released his arm, but he didn’t immediately move away. He was waiting for me to assure him I was good. All the wrongs I had witnessed of Nicholas Compton over the past weeks and the deceptions were being quickly forgiven and forgotten as he stood there beside me. If he hadn’t walked inside with me tonight, how much more difficult would this evening had been?
I did not think of it. Perhaps I would dwell on that later. At the moment, my attention must remain on the present and appearing confident. Just as I was gathering my thoughts and preparing myself to finish this night with my head held high, Aunt Harriet’s hand, once again, took my arm and held tightly. I lifted my gaze from her hold on me to meet her eyes. She looked stricken.
“Oh my, oh dear,” she whispered and continued to stand there, staring at me as if she must tell me the most dreadful news.
I considered pulling my arm free of her grasp, but I feared she would leave a mark, so I remained still and waited for her to say more. She opened and closed her mouth several times, much like I had seen a fish do once out of water. If she didn’t seem so near tears, I would have laughed at the sight.
“Whatever it is, Aunt Harriet, it can’t be quite so awful,” I said softly, not sure what ears around us were listening. I hated this feeling, yet I had walked right into this by agreeing to go with Lord Ashington to Chatwick Hall.
“Your lemonade,” Nicholas said then, interrupting the moment and handing Aunt Harriet her refreshment so that she had to then let go of my arm. He turned to me. “Tis nothing truly of importance. Ashington is dancing with Lydia. Boring really,” he whispered low enough that no one would hear. I doubted even Aunt Harriet could hear him.
Unable to help myself, I glanced back over my shoulder then and saw him smiling down at her. She didn’t appear to be boring at all. Quite the opposite really.
“Do not feed the gossips,” Nicholas whispered again, reminding me that I was being watched very closely.
I quickly looked away from the two of them dancing and it was a relief. The perfect image they portrayed only made my stomach ache with the reality that I would never fit in his arms like she did. Lydia Ramsbury was born to be a countess, whereas I was not. I had let my guard down and my common sense had left me just long enough to fall in love with a man who did not love me back.
I did love him.
Oh God, I did.
I took a long drink of my lemonade then looked at my aunt, who was watching the dancing with a stricken look on her face. “I’ve found my head aches, Aunt Harriet, and I need to retire for the evening.”
She swung her gaze to mine, eyes wide with both relief and concern. “Oh dear,” she gasped.
“Nothing to get worked up over. Except the fact I shall be known as the girl who leaves the ball much too early,” I assured her.
“Shall I walk you out?” Nicholas asked with a worried tone that matched my aunt’s. With the two of them fussing over me, I would soon have a headache if I didn’t get out of this place.
“That won’t be necessary, Nicholas. Thank you. Please enjoy what is left of the evening,” I replied with a smile for all those who found my actions of interest tonight.
Wanting nothing more than the safety of my bedroom, I walked as slowly and with as much grace as I could toward the exit. Keeping my head held high, I smiled at those who made eye contact with me and continued on my way. They wanted me to look defeated for that was their way. I may feel broken inside, but they would not have the satisfaction of knowing it.
The music had stopped, and I was sure at this moment, Lord Ashington was escorting Lydia Ramsbury from the dance floor. Perhaps he was asking her if she needed some fresh air for it was rather stuffy inside the ballroom. She would smile and agree. They would then make their way out to the gardens to talk of things that were proper. All very regal and worthy of his rank.