Glitter - Abbi Glines Page 0,63
see I didn’t know if Ashington would truly introduce us and I was curious. Alice says I am much too curious. I don’t think there is such a thing. Do you?”
Miriam Bathurst smiled at me and shook her head. “No, I don’t think there is. One can learn a lot with curiosity, I suppose.”
I liked her. “Do you want to go for a walk in the fairy forest? We have one you know. It is just over there and Alice is to take me, but if she awakens to find me gone, I am positive we won’t go on the walk nor will I get jam with my tea.”
Miriam pursed her lips together as if the idea of no jam was as terrible as I thought it to be. “No jam sounds awful,” she replied. “However, seeing as you and I just met and no one other than me knows where you are, it might not be wise for us to go for a walk. I would love to see the fairy forest, but I do think it would be wise if Alice knew where you were.”
That wasn’t what I wanted her to say. Adults rarely said what I wanted them to say. It was truly frustrating. “I could leave Alice a note.” Although my handwriting wasn’t excellent and I wasn’t sure how to spell very many words.
Miriam nodded as if thinking this idea over. If she agreed, I could have her write the note. Alice would likely be able to read it then. “Yes, well, that is a good idea, but what of your mother? Wouldn’t she be worried if you went walking with a stranger in the forest?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. My mother is dead. I have very little memory of her. She was blonde and spoke with a lovely accent. My father said she was French.”
The smile left Miriam’s face and I remembered that talking about dead people often bothered adults. I wasn’t sure as to why, but it always made them frown. Alice said it makes them sad to think of someone no longer living. “Don’t be sad. It is alright. I have Ashington. Alice said I am very lucky indeed.”
“Yes, I believe Alice is right,” Miriam agreed with a smile not as bright as her other one. I did wish I hadn’t mentioned my dead mother. I liked her other smile.
“Alice is often right, I am afraid,” I told her. “Ashington said that was what made her an excellent governess.”
“I will have to agree with Lord Ashington,” Miriam replied.
It was then that Alice’s voice rang out, calling my name. Miriam heard it too and she lifted her gaze from me to the path that led back to the cottage. If Alice caught me talking to Miriam, I would be in trouble. Possibly punished with no jam for many days.
“That’s Alice. She’s awake,” I told Miriam, staring toward the cottage, hoping Alice didn’t come walking out of it.
“Perhaps it might be wise if you hurried back before she decides not to take you to the fairy forest. Would be a shame to miss such a lovely adventure,” Miriam said.
I nodded my head in agreement. “And the jam,” I added.
“Yes, of course, the jam.”
“It was lovely to meet you,” I told her.
She curtsied again and replied, “it was indeed a pleasure Lady Compton.”
Smiling, I turned and ran back toward the cottage. I did so like it when people curtsied to me. I would suggest that Alice do so, although I did doubt she would. Alice wasn’t an easy one to convince of much. Hopefully my leaving the cottage wouldn’t be cause to punish me. Perhaps Alice had slept well and was in a fine mood. One could always hope.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Earl of Ashington
Lady Wellington had informed me that Miriam had gone for a walk amongst the gardens. After another lively breakfast with Miriam, her aunt and uncle and her sister this morning, I had taken my leave to the office to catch up on work. I hadn’t intended to be so long, but I had looked up from my desk to find it was well past noon. Lady Wellington had been coming in the front door with her shoes in her hand and flushed cheeks from the sunshine when I came out of the office.
I was glad to see Miriam’s family felt so comfortable here. It said much for the future if her family liked me and Chatwick Hall. I had to keep in mind