her eyes shone with the innocent gesture was almost knee weakening. Had I ever experienced such reaction from a woman’s smile before? This might possibly be treacherous territory that I should tread carefully upon.
“They are lovely,” she said with a softness to her voice. “Thank you.”
For this simple response, I would go buy her every butter yellow rose in London and that I feared was a weakness I could not afford myself. Miss Bathurst was a pawn for me, if my brother chose her for his future wife. Remembering such was important. Although she threatened to make that difficult.
“I didn’t expect to see you out at this hour, paying visits,” Ashington stated with a clear warning in his tone.
Flashing my best jovial grin, I met his glare. “Well, of course, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”
“It’s an honor that both of you chose to pay us a visit this fine morning,” Lady Wellington gushed, drawing our attention from each other and the obvious silent standoff. “Please won’t you both have a seat and I’ll ring for tea. Martha, that is, our cook makes the most mouthwatering biscuits you have ever tasted. They are Miriam’s favorite, aren’t they, honey?”
There was an amused twinkle in Miss Bathurst eyes as she nodded in agreement. Her aunt was obviously American from her accent and the casual way she had called the cook by her first name was no doubt what Miriam found entertaining. Most ladies would be embarrassed or horrified by such a slip but not this one. It was clear she held a fondness for her aunt and I admired that. She was not what my brother would choose for a wife, however, even if her beauty drew him in. Ashington would make sure his countess was as boring and proper as he was.
“Thank you, that is most gracious of you,” I replied when Ashington said nothing.
The over bright smile that showed too many teeth in a very alarming way flashed on Lady Wellington’s face and one couldn’t help but smile in return. It was most amusing. Yet another thing I doubted my brother could accept. A Baron’s niece was not one that would have been raised to become a countess. Especially one who was being introduced into society with an American aunt such as this one.
I moved my gaze to Miriam to see she was still trying hard not to laugh. Her full pink lips were pressed together in a gentle smile, but it was her eyes that gave way the humor she found in the situation. She wasn’t proper at all, and I enjoyed that too much it seemed.
“I imagine you didn’t expect to be visited by both Ashington and myself this morning. At least not at the same time. How, uh, lucky you are,” I said with a smirk on my lips.
A small giggle escaped her and that had been exactly what I’d intended to do. More so for myself than for Ashington. If I were to use a lady in my plans to humiliate my brother then I didn’t want to be fond of the lady. I might find it hard to use her as a pawn if I began to care for her. Miriam Bathurst was indeed a danger. I could care for her too easily. It was now of utmost importance I made sure Ashington chose Miss Ramsbury for his future wife.
I cut my gaze to see Ashington’s reaction to the less than proper side of Miss Bathurst. He was showing no appreciation in his facial expressions but then he rarely did. The man was as stodgy as our father had been.
“A lady is never sure who might call upon her,” Miriam replied demurely. She did that quite well, I realized. Maybe she could act the proper lady when she tried.
The tea arrived then and Lady Wellington began to chatter on nervously about the difference of biscuits and jam in England as that of the biscuits and jam in New Orleans. I took the moment to study my brother and see if he was preparing his leave. Surely after the short interaction here, he would be making his next stop to see Miss Ramsbury. Although, I hated to think this would be my last visit to 18 Mayfair. This was hands down the best time I’d experienced calling upon a lady, but then those were extremely limited visits. I did not make a habit of such behavior. Paris offered much more appealing options.
“Lord Radcliff