Glitter

by Abbi Glines

  “Come, we must clean you up. Then to rest for you. No tea today. It seems you’ve had enough jam already,” Alice said.

  Emma’s shoulders fell. “But I love the tea,” she replied.

  “No, you barely drink the tea. You eat the biscuits covered in jam. However, you’ve eaten the entire jar of jam meant for our tea today so there will be no jam at tea.”

  Emma sighed. “Don’t we have more jam in the kitchen?” she asked with the smallest touch of hope in her voice.

  Alice shook her head. “The only jam left is for Lord Ashington’s biscuits.”

  Emma turned her attention to me then. I could see her already planning and strategizing in her eyes. There was such intelligence in her tiny face and I was proud of it. “Do you want your jam, Ashington?” she asked it as if it were a challenge. As if I said I did, she would take it from me by force.

  “Yes, Lord Ashington wants his jam,” Alice stated before I could respond. Apparently she did not trust my response to Emma in the least.

  Emma ignored her as she often did and continued to size me up. Waiting for me to respond. As fearsome as she was trying to look, I was more afraid of Alice than I was of her. “I would very much enjoy jam with my biscuits,” I told her when it was clear she wasn’t moving until I gave her a response.

  Her shoulders fell then and she looked forlornly back at Alice. “You are sure there is no more jam in the kitchen, Alice? Perhaps Mrs. Barton could run to the market for more?”

  Alice shook her head vigorously. “Absolutely not. You have eaten an entire jar of jam, Miss Emma. It will be a miracle if you do not have a stomach ache because of it. Now, come with me and take your rest.”

  Emma finally made her way over to Alice with the slowest of steps as if I would come up with a solution while she was walking.

  “Remember this when you are missing tea today. Ask yourself was it worth it?” Alice told her as Emma reached her side.

  Emma looked up at her then and her eyes went wide. “Oh, Alice, it was worth it. I love jam,” she replied honestly.

  I covered my chuckle with a cough and covered my mouth as Alice hurried Emma out of the library.

  Once they were making their way up the stairs, I turned to go back to my office when there was a knock at the door. I paused and watched from where I stood as the butler opened it. I wasn’t expecting anyone and rarely did visitors stop by so late in the afternoon. Tonight was Lady Witherington’s ball and I was attending.

  When Charles, the butler, stepped back to allow entrance to the guest, I froze at the sight of Nicholas, as he took off his hat and his eyes met mine. “Hello, Brother,” he said jovially. “How kind of you to come greet me.”

  We both knew that was not the case and his presence in my home so close to Emma made me tense. He wasn’t welcome here and although I had never stated such, it was an understood fact just as I would never appear on his doorstep. Emma’s safety was my ultimate priority. Nicholas was a threat to that.

  “Why are you here?” I asked, moving toward him to keep him from coming any farther into the house.

  “To see you, of course. We rarely have a moment to talk. We have much to catch up on,” he said as if we were truly brothers who enjoyed one another’s company.

  “Then you need not come any further. I do not wish to see you and I have business of which to attend,” I replied then turned my back to walk away. He was not welcome here if for no other reason than to protect Emma. It was not time for him to know of her existence. My staff was loyal. They also adored the child. Their silence wasn’t for my benefit but for Emma’s and I knew it. Charles would understand this and he would make sure Nicholas came no further. I was the Earl now and there was no claim on this house for Nicholas.

  “I’ve just been visiting with Miss Miriam Bathurst and her aunt. She is a rather charming lady, is she not?” Nicholas asked, stopping me from my retreat which was indeed what he had intended to do.

  Turning back around, I looked at my brother. He thought I didn’t know what he was doing, what his plans were, but I was older. I understood his hatred for me. His need for revenge. I had humiliated his mother and the fact not once in my life had she shown me one small token of kindness even as a child made no difference to him. He expected me to treat her with respect. He would forever be sorely disappointed. That woman was inherently evil but then there were times I was sure my father had been equally so.

  “I do not care where you spend your time, Nicholas. It is of no consequence to me. If a lady cannot see through the mask of falsity you wear then she isn’t fit to be my countess,” I replied.

  Nicholas was not one to show any emotion. He was the master at appearing jovial at all times, even when he was at his lowest. Our father had not condoned weakness and this had been the way Nicholas had learned to mask his own. I understood him more than I believed he understood himself.

  “Very well, Brother. If you have no time to visit with me, I will be on my way. Do have a lovely evening. I presume I will see you again at this evening’s festivities,” he replied.

  I did not reply. It would mean I was playing along with his games and I was not participating. Nicholas was damaged and although I had tried to protect him at a young age, I had failed. I couldn’t protect either of us. Turning, I left him there for Charles to see out. The sooner her left, the safer Emma would be. Although she was meant to be resting that did not mean at any moment she wouldn’t come flying down those stairs, creating another mischievous deed in her wake.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Miriam Bathurst

  Were they all so much the same? I was growing low on adjectives to describe the balls of the season. Soon Whitney would be in London with me, but even then, how would I find more creative ways to give her the details of yet another ball much like the last?

  Gowns seemed to become grander and more elaborate as the ladies wanted to outshine the others. Favorite ladies had become very clear; some never sat out a single dance and others stood off to the side with lemonade and the gossip of the matrons to keep them occupied. Mothers had become even more aggressive as it became quite obvious that many gentlemen were openly seeking the hand of a particular lady.

  My feet ached from the dancing and my mouth was so very tired of the smiling as I listened to Lord Briar speak of his days spent traveling abroad. Truly he had been to many exotic locations, but his talking never ceased and after a while, one’s ears became tired.

  As the song came to an end, he walked me over to my aunt, not once stopping his incessant chatting. If only he would be silent but for a moment. His voice was beginning to grate on my nerves. He was his own biggest fan and felt no shame in going on and on about his achievements.

  “And I do so hope to have the pleasure of your company again,” he was saying then, and I realized at some point he must have stopped telling me of the foreign transport industry and moved on to our farewell.

  “Indeed,” I managed to say, hoping that was the last dance I would experience with Lord Briar. I cared not that he was a viscount or how ‘very successful’ he was. My ears had never been so weary from so much chatter. Plus, he was also old enough to be my father.

  My smile was forced and my aunt covered her mouth to conceal a fake cough. When he had finally walked away, I sighed in exhaustion. “Do you have any idea the different silks they have in India? Or perhaps you know about the unparalleled beauty of the beaches in Spain?” I asked my aunt and she stifled a giggle.

  “Lord Briar is well traveled I take it?” she replied.

  I nodded. “Oh yes and ever so successful. He is quite impressive. Just ask him.”

  Aunt Harriet grinned as she began to fan herself. I would regale her with more quips about Lord Briar over breakfast in the morning.

  “Here comes a more appealing partner,” my aunt whispered beside me and I followed her gaze to see Lord Ashington headed in our direction.

  “Please don’t turn down a dance with him this time,” Aunt Harriet whis
pered. “He did treat us to such a wonderful night at the opera,” she added, as if I needed reminding.

  “I won’t,” I replied, feeling slightly ashamed that she felt she must plead with me.

  “Oh, that’s good to hear,” she said with relief in her voice.

  “He’s next on my dance card.” I turned to meet her gaze then and smiled.

  “Of course he is,” she replied.

  “Good evening, Lady Wellington, Miss Bathurst.”

  Aunt Harriet did a small bow. “Good evening, Lord Ashington,” she replied, and I didn’t correct her for the bow. If her mishap was noticed by others, they could all very well get over it.

  Lord Ashington smiled and bowed his head back to her.

  He then turned his attention solely to me. “I do hope you survived your dance with Briar. I dare say he never once stopped talking the length of your time together. I was worried for your ears and peace of mind by the end,” he said with a teasing lilt in his voice.

  The simple fact he had been watching me made me feel flutterings inside and I was taken aback by the sudden reaction. This was the second time Lord Ashington’s attention had brought me such a reaction. It was so new to me I wasn’t sure how to categorize it at all.

  “He is very… informative,” I replied.

  “If you should ever venture farther than Paris then he will be the man you should refer to for information,” Lord Ashington said with a full grin this time. He looked younger and not at all the earl when he smiled like that. He reminded me of… his brother.

  “Indeed,” I agreed.

  “Shall we,” he asked then as he held out his arm.

  I returned his smile and stepped forward, taking his arm. Unlike Lord Briar, who smelled of moldy wood and ointment, Lord Ashington smelled of mint and spice. It was an appealing scent I wanted to draw closer to. Tonight, it had taken great will power not to watch his every move. He had danced once with Lady Ramsbury, and I would be lying to say I hadn’t been slightly jealous. I knew his name was on my dance card and that was the only reason I was able to continue smiling and dancing with Mr… Mr… Oh I forgot who I had been dancing with at that moment. I’d been rather distracted. Lydia Ramsbury was wearing a beautiful gown of ice blue and with her pale blonde hair and skin, she did look like a princess this evening.

  I was becoming like all the others. Measuring up the competition. When had this happened and when had I decided I cared who Lord Ashington danced with? Before I could think too much further into the matter, Lord Ashington took my hands and we were dancing. Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment.

  “It has taken me three balls to secure a dance with you, Miss Bathurst. I do hope you live up to the expectation,” he said.

  I felt my face heat up and I knew I was blushing fiercely. “I’m afraid I may disappoint you, Lord Ashington. You may find that our first encounter was more of a blessing.”

  He laughed then and the light in his eyes made my heart squeeze a little, that is if a heart could squeeze. I wasn’t sure that was a possibility, but it did, in fact, feel as if it had. “I believe you are unaware of your many favorable traits,” he replied.

  “It would seem. Unless one acknowledged my sharp tongue as a favorable trait.”

  He smiled at me softly. “Let me be the one to enlighten you, Miss Bathurst. Your sharp wit, kind heart, measure of decency, belief in what is fair, love for family, and, of course, your unsurpassable beauty are all favorable traits.”

  My heart was back to doing that funny thing again that I had no real explanation for and for once in my life, I truly had no words. My sharp wit had failed me, and I continued our dance unsure what the proper response was to such a description. It was more than a thank you could cover yet that was all I knew to say. Finally, after a few moments of thought, I replied.

  “That was the most generous description I’ve ever heard, especially related to me. Thank you, Lord Ashington.”

  He studied me for a moment as our dance ended. “If no man has ever noted any of those things to you then he isn’t a man worth your time. Those are just the finest of your qualities, but they aren’t the only ones.”

  Again, I had no words. What other qualities did he think I had? I was afraid if he truly knew me, he would be sorely disappointed. The ones he had stated were nothing more than any other female would have. They weren’t something that took much effort.

  He held out his arm to me and we retreated in the direction of my aunt. I felt as if I should be saying more but I wasn’t sure what the right thing to say would be at this moment. Should I praise his attributes?

  “Would you mind greatly if Miss Bathurst and I stepped out onto the veranda for some fresh air for a moment? There are others out there so we won’t be alone, I assure you.” Lord Ashington’s request to my aunt startled me since I had been inside my thoughts, wondering what I would say to him next. Now, he was excusing us to be outside. Did I want to be outside with Lord Ashington?

  “Of course,” Aunt Harriet gushed happily. “Please, go get fresh air. It is rather stifling in here. I am sure Miriam needs it.”

  She wasn’t going to wait on me to give her a nod that it was okay. It was clear she wanted me outside with the earl. Tsk Tsk Aunt Harriet, you are becoming as bad as the other mothers here tonight. I couldn’t be mad at her, however, because more time with Lord Ashington was something I wanted.

  Lord Ashington led me to the large open archway where the breeze and cool evening air greeted us. I sighed in relief as we moved out toward the far left of the veranda near the different shades of pink roses covering the wall. They smelled as lovely as they looked.

  “It’s better out here, is it not?” he asked.

  “Oh yes,” I replied. “The fresh air is nice after so long inside.”

  “Do you spend much time outside when you are in the country?” he asked.

  “If the weather permits. I enjoy the sunshine and warmth, but on cold dreary days, I prefer a spot near the fireplace and a book.”

  He smiled. “You enjoy reading very much.” He wasn’t asking. It was a statement. “I do as well. My library at Chatwick Hall is extensive. Perhaps you and your aunt and uncle could come for a visit.”

  “To Chatwick Hall?” I asked, not sure I was understanding him correctly. I wasn’t sure where the Earl of Ashington’s country estate was located exactly, but I did know it was Chatwick Hall. That was all I could remember.

  He nodded. “Yes, that is if you would be interested in a short break from the London season. Perhaps for a few days.”

  He was inviting me to his estate. His home. What did this mean? Was this something he did often with ladies? “My sister is coming for a visit. I don’t know how long she will be staying with us,” I said.

  “Excellent. I know you’ve missed her. She would come too, of course. I look forward to meeting this sister you care for so dearly. She must be very special.”

  Whitney would be beyond the moon at the chance to visit a home such as Chatwick Hall. It would be even more exciting for her than the limited bit of London she was going to see while at Uncle Alfred’s. Lord Ashington was offering her a chance to experience a life she may never see otherwise. And if I was truly honest with myself, I wanted to see his home. I wanted to spend more time with him.

  I fancied Lord Ashington. Admitting it to myself was slightly freeing.

  “That’s very generous of you,” I replied.

  He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face up so that my gaze met his. The sincerity on his face made my heart pick up its pace. “Make no mistake, Miriam. I’m not being generous. I am being selfish. For I want more time with you away from this,” he glanced around then back to me, “circus. I want time for us to get to know one another and enjoy some fresh air. As for your family, that is a bonus because you care for them and I want to know the people you love.”

  He wanted to get to know me.

  He wanted to get to know my family.

  He had call
ed me… Miriam.

  “We would love to.” My voice was but a whisper as I said the words.

  He smiled then and it was the genuine sort of smile that made a girl feel it throughout her body when directed at her. There was a power he wielded with that smile and I wondered if he realized it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nicholas Compton

  Scanning the ballroom, my gaze locked on Ashington and Miriam as they entered from the veranda. He had taken her outside. How… charming. Perhaps I should have arrived early to see what he was about tonight. Had he been giving Miriam his undivided attention or had he taken her outside for some fresh air because he wasn’t on her dance card yet again?

  “Lord Ashington, I’m so glad you came,” a female said to my left, and I begrudgingly turned from the study of my brother and Miriam to see Lady Gallagher standing much too close. The Duchess was half her husband’s age. This wasn’t the first time she’d sought me out while I was in London. I knew of her tryst with others and I also knew what would happen if her elderly husband ever found out about them.

  “Good evening, Lady Gallagher.” I bowed. “You are as lovely as ever.”

  She wasn’t a young innocent lady any longer and she did not simper and blush. Instead, she leaned forward, making sure I could see her breasts pressed up high, almost spilling from her gown. “And you are as tempting as ever, Nicholas,” she whispered near my ear.

  Nicolette Gallagher was stunning and had been the season’s belle four years prior. She had won the most powerful title and the eldest husband. That hadn’t been enough for her though. She had also been known to flip up her skirts well before she had been married. Lord Gallagher had known this and forgiven her previous indiscretions. Perhaps he had wanted someone with experience. I was sure he’d chosen well if that was the case.

  “If you will excuse me, Lady Gallagher, I do believe I am next on a lady’s dance card,” I told her.