Disappointment stung and I truly hated to admit it. When just a few days ago I was sure I didn’t care for him at all. Yet he was here and he wasn’t just dancing with anyone. He was dancing with the girl his brother had spent the most time with this week. I wasn’t naïve and I understood completely what was happening. Which was why the sting of disappointment.
Reality was something I had learned to face at a young age and I knew now that the brief attention I had received from him had nothing to do with me at all but with his brother. Mr. Compton was indeed playing a game. A vicious hurtful one meant not only to affect his brother but others along the way. I had thick skin and a blow such as that wouldn’t wound me the way it would others. Sheltered girls who had lived easy lives with security wouldn’t survive such a scandal.
It was in that moment, I decided I truly hated Nicholas Compton. He wasn’t interesting but spiteful and cold. I truly hoped Lydia Ramsbury was smart and didn’t fall for his charming smile and attractive face. There was something I disliked more than arrogance and it was cruelty.
“There you are, honey,” Aunt Harriet appeared at my side with a glass of wine in her hand. “I searched for you when Mr. Compton arrived so I could tell you, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
I gave Nicholas Compton one last scathing glance then turned to my aunt. “I needed fresh air,” I explained.
Aunt Harriet nodded then looked back to the dance floor. “Do you have room on your dance card?” she asked hopefully.
“No, I’m afraid I have a headache and need to leave. Are you ready?” I asked her.
She frowned then, as if I had just spoken a foreign language to her. “Oh dear, alright,” she stammered and then I began walking to the exit, hoping she was following in my wake. Just before we reached my escape from all this… Lord Ashington filled the entrance. I didn’t have to look around to know his arrival had already drawn interest. I paused ,waiting until he passed before leaving, but his gaze found mine and what I saw in his expression was unexpected.
He seemed interested in something. It couldn’t be me since we had already established that after his brief visit, he didn’t find me to be worth calling upon again. He made his way toward us instead of the waiting crowd.
“Lady Wellington,” he greeted my aunt then his gaze was back on me. “Miss Bathurst. Did I arrive to find you are already taking your leave?”
I managed a nod. “I have a headache,” I replied not sure why he cared if I was here or not. He needed to be more concerned with the fact his brother was flirting with Lydia Ramsbury, like a complete and utter rake.
He seemed truly concerned as his brow furrowed. Who was this man and what had he done with Lord Ashington? “May I escort you both home, then?”
What?
“That is very kind of you Lord Ashington, but our carriage is just outside,” Aunt Harriet said, sounding somewhat devastated that it was.
“Of course,” Lord Ashington replied, giving my aunt a kind smile I’d never seen on the man before. What was happening here? When had Lord Ashington become so… nice?
Then it dawned on me. Nicholas Compton was currently dancing with Lydia Ramsbury or he had been. Lord Ashington must have witnessed it and he was giving us attention simply to remind Lydia just who she was dealing with. The idea of it annoyed me to the point my head was truly starting to ache. It was no longer a lie just to escape. I was not in London to be involved in some ridiculous drama between two brothers. I was here to find a husband.
“Enjoy your evening, Lord Ashington,” I replied and stepped around him before anything more could be said. Whatever game he and his brother were playing, I was not to be a pawn in it. I pitied the girls who were blinded by their good looks and place in society that they were used as such.
I did hope Aunt Harriet was behind me as I hurried out the front door and down the stairs toward the awaiting carriages. She was sure to have much to say about my behavior, but she didn’t realize what was happening as I did. Whatever they held against each other should stay there. Between the two of them. Bringing innocent people into their web of lies and deceit was unfair.
My eyes stung slightly and I blinked back any tears. Crying was silly and I was not silly. I was anything but silly. I doubted I had ever truly been silly. Crossing my arms at my waist to fight off the evening breeze, I heard my aunt’s footsteps behind me.
“Oh dear, oh my,” she said, sounding truly worried.
“It’s fine, Aunt Harriet,” I assured her.
She chewed nervously at her bottom lip in a worrisome way. “He is an earl, Miriam. An eligible one.”
I didn’t need reminding. I said nothing and we stood there as we waited on our carriage to be brought around.
“If you are to find a husband then you must be a bit… more agreeable,” she said.
She was right, of course. However, neither Nicholas Compton or Lord Ashington were going to ever ask for my hand. She needed not to waste her concern on them.
“I know,” I said simply. Explaining more to her was of no use. She would think me daft or full of fancy.
“Very well,” she said softly.
I could not explain to my aunt why I wanted to leave, for it showed a weakness I myself hated. Watching Mr. Compton with Lydia tonight and knowing he had blatantly ignored me had stung. I had not wanted to feel anything, so the fact that I did was a very bitter pill to swallow. I was sure my aunt would understand, but I did not want her pity. I had been silly for a moment and I would not do it again. Imagining there was more to the walk with Mr. Compton had been my mistake. I wouldn’t make it twice.
Chapter Twelve
Nicholas Compton
Keeping my attentions on Lydia Ramsbury had been difficult with Miss Bathurst’s presence in the room. It would seem each time I was to see Miriam Bathurst, she was more appealing than the last. It had taken many drinks and stiff talks with myself the past few days to keep from going to visit Miss Bathurst again. My brother’s complete dedication to courting Lydia Ramsbury had been all that had kept me from cracking.
It had been a relief albeit a concern I didn’t want to feel when Miss Bathurst and her aunt left. I couldn’t be sure if Ashington had said something to make her leave early, but it had looked as if she was on her way out when he arrived. Ashington had turned to watch her exit and for a moment I had thought he was going to follow after her. Not something I would have expected.
I had danced and given his current interest my attention since my arrival. It would be now that he would search her out and find that I was already in his place. He should have arrived sooner. A night at the opera didn’t secure his position with Lydia Ramsbury.
Whispers started as he was spotted and I heard Lydia’s name mentioned more than once. Her gaze had found him and her cheeks flushed pink as she watched him. He had made quite the impression on her this week. If I hadn’t been battling my attraction to Miriam Bathurst, I might have made a move to make this easier on myself. I didn’t doubt my charm, but I was struggling to feel it enough to make it believable.
When his gaze found us, he simply gave a nod and continued walking. Ashington did not make scenes and this would be my chance to sway Lydia Ramsbury my way. My brother would be in a foul mood at having arrived to find us together. It was a good time for her to experience his less than pleasant nature.