Lydia my brother chose. The other option was not something I was ready to face.
Feeling better about my plans for the ruination of my brother’s future plans, I smiled my most charming of smiles and turned to Lydia. “I can’t help but notice you aren’t quite yourself this morning. Are you feeling unwell?” I asked as if I didn’t know why she was in such a sulk.
Her cheeks blushed slightly and she ducked her head as if to hide it from me. Oh, naïve girl, I am more aware of women than you shall ever know. I ask what I already have full knowledge of but want to only hear what your answer will be.
When she finally lifted her gaze to me, she gave me a weak smile. “I feel fine, Mr. Compton. It’s the stress of the season I believe. Mother does lay much importance on my making an advantageous match,” she trailed off as if she wanted to say more but dared not.
“That does seem to be the case among mothers in the marriage mart. They all have their eye on the prize. It’s unfair, I dare say.”
Her eyes widened at my words. “You think? That it is unfair, that is?”
I chuckled softly, thinking how young and sheltered Lydia Ramsbury truly was. My brother would be a terrible match for her and if her mother cared at all, she would see that. “Of course that is what I think. I’ve seen ladies in their first season married off to a duke or earl too long in the tooth to produce an heir. It’s a shame. Women should be free to choose a man they can love or at least like. Marriage doesn’t have to be a business contract.”
Lydia’s face looked shocked by my words. “I believe, sir, that it does.”
With a sigh, I continued to walk. Lydia Ramsbury had been trained from the nursery to marry for status and nothing more. She would do just as she was told and if the lord that asked for her hand in marriage was powerful enough, her father wouldn’t care just how old he was. His daughter would marry.
We circled the rose garden in silence and as we drew closer to Lady Ramsbury, she bestowed upon me a smile that was pleased and possibly grateful for my presence. Not because she wanted to marry her daughter to a mere Mister. But because she thought my brother would hear of this visit and come to call on Lydia. She may be right. I wasn’t positive any longer what Ashington would do next. My hope was that he would indeed come to call.
“Your roses are to be envied, Lady Ramsbury,” I told her, not really caring about her roses at all but knowing she would appreciate the praise.
“Thank you, Mr. Compton. I do so love to spend time out here enjoying them.”
When it was clear Lydia was going to remain silent, I decided it was time I took my leave. “Thank you, ladies, for such a pleasant morning,” I began.
“It has been our pleasure,” Lady Ramsbury replied. “We did expect to see Lord Ashington this morning. You were indeed a nice surprise.”
Ah, there it was. She couldn’t help herself. She was asking me without truly asking me if I knew of my brother’s whereabouts this morning. Lady Ramsbury must be desperate for information to stoop to asking the brother that Ashington detested.
I simply nodded, not giving her the satisfaction of a response and said my farewells before leaving both ladies behind in the garden. It was very likely that Ashington had spent the evening with Miriam because he needed more conversation. Lydia was rather quiet. I felt slightly drained from having to carry the mornings conversation as I climbed into my carriage but not before instructing the driver to take me to 18 Mayfair.
Ashington’s carriage wasn’t outside and to that I was relieved. My morning had been taxing enough. I was here for two reasons and seeing Ashington was not one of them. However, finding out how last night went was one of them. The other was completely selfish. I wanted to see Miriam. I was an honest man, at least I was honest with myself. Others, it was give and take.
The butler led me to the drawing room, and unlike the last time, I did not have flowers to enchant Miriam with nor was she entertaining a suitor. Instead, Miriam sat on the settee with a book open in her lap and