Glitter - Abbi Glines Page 0,45

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.

“You aren’t on my card tonight, sir,” Miriam replied with a false sweetness to her voice. It sounded like a challenge, however, and oh how I liked challenges.

“Are you quite certain?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded. “Yes. Most positive.”

At that moment, Mr. Needs appeared several feet behind Ashington as if he was unsure if he should approach further. I wasn’t sure what he was doing when Miriam stepped forward to take his arm. “Mr. Needs is next on my card, it would seem.”

I watched as they walked toward the dance floor.

Ashington cleared his throat. “It seems, Nicholas, you arrived too late this evening,” he said.

I forced a smile for the sake of Lady Wellington. “It does seem that way. I shall not make that mistake again.” It was a warning. One I knew my brother would understand.

“Oft it only takes one late arrival to change the course,” he replied then he turned to Lady Wellington. “As always, it was a pleasure. I will leave you with the company of Mr. Compton. Both of us can be more than any one lady must endure,” he said, causing her to laugh then cover her mouth and blush furiously.

Then, by God, Ashington winked. He fucking winked.

Turning, I watched Ashington walk away. Not toward Lydia Ramsbury but off to a corner that was empty. He stopped, directed his gaze toward Miriam and Needs on the dance floor, crossed his arms over his chest and stood there. It was a claim and everyone watching him knew it. There was no mistaking his meaning.

I looked back at Lady Wellington whose eyes were, once again, wide with wonder. She appeared to be as surprised by the turn of events as I was. What must I have missed in the short moments Miriam and Ashington were outside on the veranda? There had to be more to it than that.

“It would seem my brother has turned his attentions,” I commented, hoping for more information.

Lady Wellington nodded still watching him. “I do believe you might be right,” she whispered as if