forward to this evening,” she said smiling. “We’ve talked of little else all day. Thank you so much for the invitation.”
I returned her smile knowing full well Miriam Bathurst had not spent her day gushing over the evening in my box at the opera. However, it was an amusing thought. I doubted Miss Bathurst gushed about much. She was not easily impressed or perhaps she was. There was very little about her that I did know. Nicholas had been right about that. I knew only what I had been told and the little time I had been around her to witness. Nicholas had more knowledge of Miriam and he seemed to find pleasure in that. Tonight I would seek my own information. Starting with conversation with Lady Wellington. She would be a well of information where her niece was concerned.
I started to speak, but whatever words had been on my tongue were lost as Miriam Bathurst entered the room. I wasn’t sure there were words to describe her. Every time I had seen Miss Bathurst, she had been breathtaking. She was blessed with the natural beauty that couldn’t be fabricated. It was unparalleled. However, the pearl almost iridescent color of her silk evening gown made her appear more angelic than real. The dark red curls piled high upon her head accentuated the smooth perfect skin of her neck and shoulders.
Had I ever laid eyes on anyone this lovely? She was truly ethereal in her appearance. Unlike anything I had ever seen. If I didn’t know she was just a flesh and blood woman, I would believe she was a celestial being. Emma would believe she was a princess.
I only had a moment to be enraptured by the vision before me before she shot me a tight haughty smile that reminded me she was very much female and she didn’t hold a fondness for me. I had much to rectify, it would seem. The idea of doing so was suddenly very appealing. For the more time spent in her presence, the better I could discern if she was truly what I was searching for in a wife.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” she said although her eyes said she didn’t care if she did. Yes, she was indeed full of willfulness that would be required for anyone who dealt with Emma.
“Not in the least. I would wait hours for the pleasure of escorting such a beauty as yourself anywhere,” I replied. She tensed and I could tell she was unsure how to respond to the compliment.
“Oh, Miriam, you are absolutely gorgeous,” her aunt exclaimed in awe.
Her cheeks flushed then as she shifted her gaze to her aunt who was openly praising her. For a moment, I thought she might scold or correct her aunt, but she simply gave her a soft smile and thanked her before turning her attention back to me.
Nicholas was right about one thing. I knew very little of Miriam Bathurst.
Chapter Fourteen
Miriam Bathurst
The view was incredible. I had never enjoyed the opera in such luxury. Aunt Harriet was glowing and although I wasn’t sure why Lord Ashington had invited me tonight, I was grateful my aunt was getting this experience. Furthermore, I didn’t feel as if Lord Ashington were playing a game. The small amount of time I had spent with him thus far, he seemed truly interested in me. He’d inquired of my family, and when he had noticed the fondness I held for my sister, he asked more detailed questions of her. Mr. Compton had never asked of Whitney once. I hated that I was comparing the two, but it was difficult not to. They were the only two men in London I had spent more time with than just a dance or brief visit.
Before the music had even begun, the Earl of Ashington knew a great deal about me. I realized I had been talking since our arrival. The ease in which he asked questions made one forget they were talking so much. I felt my cheeks heat at the thought and studied my hands for a moment, trying to sort out all I had said.
“I do hope your sister gets to visit London this season. It is clear you miss her,” he said, and I could hear the sincerity in his tone.
Glancing back up at him, I managed a smile. “Me too. She would simply love the city,” I told him.
He returned my smile. “And do you love the city?” he asked