Glitter - Abbi Glines Page 0,44
could remember.
He nodded. “Yes, that is if you would be interested in a short break from the London season. Perhaps for a few days.”
He was inviting me to his estate. His home. What did this mean? Was this something he did often with ladies? “My sister is coming for a visit. I don’t know how long she will be staying with us,” I said.
“Excellent. I know you’ve missed her. She would come too, of course. I look forward to meeting this sister you care for so dearly. She must be very special.”
Whitney would be beyond the moon at the chance to visit a home such as Chatwick Hall. It would be even more exciting for her than the limited bit of London she was going to see while at Uncle Alfred’s. Lord Ashington was offering her a chance to experience a life she may never see otherwise. And if I was truly honest with myself, I wanted to see his home. I wanted to spend more time with him.
I fancied Lord Ashington. Admitting it to myself was slightly freeing.
“That’s very generous of you,” I replied.
He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face up so that my gaze met his. The sincerity on his face made my heart pick up its pace. “Make no mistake, Miriam. I’m not being generous. I am being selfish. For I want more time with you away from this,” he glanced around then back to me, “circus. I want time for us to get to know one another and enjoy some fresh air. As for your family, that is a bonus because you care for them and I want to know the people you love.”
He wanted to get to know me.
He wanted to get to know my family.
He had called me… Miriam.
“We would love to.” My voice was but a whisper as I said the words.
He smiled then and it was the genuine sort of smile that made a girl feel it throughout her body when directed at her. There was a power he wielded with that smile and I wondered if he realized it.
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