Glitter - Abbi Glines Page 0,77

she was. I trusted my sister, but Emma’s existence was not mine to share with anyone. It seemed that Aunt Harriet agreed with me for she too remained quiet.

Once we were done with breakfast, I made the move to leave the dining room. Ashington had not returned and I was relieved rather than disappointed. I was not sure what our next conversation would be and I did not know if I was ready to have it. Perhaps once we were back in London, I would have time to prepare as would he.

After we were dressed for travel, our things were taken from our rooms to be loaded onto the carriage. Whitney exited her room at the same time I did mine. We walked down the hall together. As we reached the stairs, I took a moment to take in the entrance of Chatwick Hall. It was truly a stunning place and one I was not sure I would ever visit again. My thoughts went to the kitchen and all that had happened there. Feeling a pang of loss, I followed my sister out the front doors and toward our awaiting carriage.

Lord Ashington was still nowhere to be seen.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Nicholas Compton

“The ball has only just begun, yet I find you out among the roses already,” I said as I stepped out of the shadows and made my presence known to Miss Bathurst. It wasn’t a coincidence that we were both in the gardens, although I would have her believe it so. My purpose for coming to the St. Vincent’s affair tonight had been to simply see Miriam.

While my brother had whisked her away to Chatwick Hall, I had time to contemplate the matter. It was clear Miriam was his choice. It was also painfully clear that it would be Miriam that I must use to cause humiliation and pain to the new Earl of Ashington. However, while I had several days to reflect and think upon how this would affect everyone, including Miriam, I realized I could not do it. At least not in the way I had so carefully constructed.

My feelings for Miriam could not even be labeled as an inconvenience for being near her brought me a happiness I hadn’t realized I was missing. Whilst she was in the countryside with Hugh, I was battling my own emotions and forced to face the simple truth, I cared very much for Miriam Bathurst.

Turning in the moonlight, Miriam smiled at me. “Mr. Compton, I would say this is a surprise, but I am sure it is a well-planned meeting, is it not?” There was no accusation in her tone. There was more of a jovial lilt to her words. As if she found my game childish and predictable. I needed to rectify that immediately. It was my fault, of course.

“I assure it is not. This is pure luck, at least for me,” I replied. Then thought perhaps if I started telling the truth, it might help things. I had lied for so long it seemed that the lies came so easily to my tongue. It took very little thought.

“Very well,” Miriam said with a smile that said she did not, in fact, believe me. She was too smart to fall for the smooth words of a man such as myself. It wasn’t an easy thing to accept. I didn’t want to be that man. For the first time in my life, I wanted to be seen as something worthy. A man that she could respect.

“Did you enjoy your time at Chatwick Hall?” I asked her then, unable to wait a moment longer for a response to this. Had Hugh let his guard down?

Even under the light of the moon, the pink blush on her cheeks was apparent. Miriam lowered her head as if to hide her response and I knew then it may be too late. My stomach clenched and I felt a tightness in my chest that I could only categorize as panic. Had I ever felt that before?

“Chatwick Hall is the most lovely place in all of England, I am sure,” she replied then. When she offered no more information, I could feel the wall there between us. It was clear that if there had been anything before, any connection she had felt with me, that it was no longer acknowledged. Miriam Bathurst was set on becoming the next countess.

It would be easy to believe she was like all the others and out for the title and power. After