Aunt Harriet wiggled her eyebrows then turned her attention back to the reason we were here. Unable to look back at Lord Ashington now, I did as well. Tonight had been meant to appease Aunt Harriet. It hadn’t been meant for more. Yet, here I was, thinking possibly I had been wrong about Lord Ashington. There was more to the earl than he allowed the world to see. I just couldn’t be sure I was brave enough to find out his depth. If he was closed off to protect himself then that I understood completely. For he had no idea the lengths I would go to in order to protect myself. Maybe it was we were kindred spirits and nothing more. What an interesting thought.
The beauty on stage eventually enraptured me and when the curtain call came, I realized I had forgotten Lord Ashington and my aunt. I’d been completely focused on the music. The lights were dim and slowly rising as I took a deep breath and turned to Lord Ashington.
“Thank you for inviting us tonight. This was truly a remarkable view,” I told him honestly.
“Yes, I have never seen an opera from such a grand station,” my aunt added, sounding pleased.
“It was my pleasure, ladies. I do hope you both will attend with me again. I don’t believe I’ve ever enjoyed the opera as much as I did tonight.”
His words again made me question their truth, although his eyes seemed so sincere. I wanted to believe he wasn’t just being charming but honest as well. However, he had spent the last week with another lady on his arm and next week, it may very well yet another.
“That’s very flattering, my lord,” I replied.
“It’s the truth, Miss Bathurst,” he said simply then held his arm out for me to take.
Chapter Fifteen
Nicholas Compton
“Your rose garden is truly one to be envied, Lady Ramsbury,” I said as Lydia and I walked farther away from her mother, who was sitting on a bench under the shade.
“Tis my mother’s garden, Mr. Compton. Not mine. I know little when it comes to flowers or shrubbery,” she demurred.
When I had arrived to call upon her this morning, she had been busy with needlework, sitting just so the sunlight shone upon her making her pale hair appear as if she were angelic. It was well thought out and placed. I had wondered who had thought of it, her or her mother. It was clear they both were aware my brother had taken Miriam Bathurst to the opera last night.
The forced smile on her mother’s face and Lydia’s solemn behavior this morning made that more than obvious. Even without the scandalous gossip papers that circulated London, word would have reached them by early morning, if not last night. I was myself surprised to hear the news and wondered if this was a game that Ashington was now playing with me.
However, the less than stellar conversation with Lydia compared to the time I had spent with Miriam, did make one the more obvious choice. Both were indeed beauties, although Miss Bathurst was more of a striking unique beauty whereas Lydia was a typical pale English beauty.
I had planned on inviting Lydia and Lady Ramsbury on a ride through the park this afternoon but perhaps I would wait. If Ashington was unsure of his attentions, I had to practice patience and see which way to move. The idea of using Miriam as a pawn in my revenge felt like a sour pill in my gut. My coming here had been me truly hoping Ashington was on the same course. I did not know how I would proceed if Miriam became part of this game. Did he know that? Was that why he had taken her to the opera last night? Had he sensed my weakness for her?
If only I were a praying man then I could put hope in something more than chance for my brother to choose Lydia and not Miriam for his future bride. Although Lydia did seem rather fragile, much more so than Miriam. I wasn’t a complete monster and guilt nudged me at the idea of causing her undo pain and humiliation. However, she would marry well eventually. Just not to a Compton. For that, she should truly be thanking me indeed. It would be much too easy if it were 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.