Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Ashington! We are going on a trip! We are going on a trip!” Emma sang gleefully as she skipped toward me after bouncing off the bottom step.
“Indeed we are,” I agreed.
She frowned up at me then. “Alice says you aren’t riding with us.”
I bent down so that I may be at her eye level. “I have business to attend to here, but I will be along shortly. You go enjoy the countryside. It has been too long since we were there.”
She nodded vigorously. “Alice says we are staying in the cottage. The one that looks like it is in my storybook.” She seemed so giddy with this idea, I wanted to sigh in relief.
“It will be as if you are living in your own fairy tale,” I told her.
She squealed then spun around to face Alice who was standing a few feet away. “Did you hear that, Alice? We shall be living in our own fairy tale.”
Alice gave a nod. “Indeed we shall.”
Emma turned back to me and threw her small chubby arms around my neck. “I shall miss you, Ashington.”
Returning her hug, I felt my chest tighten. “I shall miss you more, Emma.”
She leaned back enough to press a kiss to my cheek then stepped away. “Do not be sad. We will see you soon,” she said with a small grin.
I stood then and gave her a small salute.
Alice held out her hand and Emma went running over to her and took it. “Come Alice, it is time for us to begin our journey.”
Alice glanced back at me with an amused smile on her typically tense face. I gave her a nod and she led the way to the servant’s entrance. Emma could not enter and leave through the front door for others would see a child and gossip would immediately begin. It was yet another thing I did to protect her but wished it weren’t required. This was Emma’s home and having her live as if she did not exist was unfair, yet I saw no other way.
I walked to the front entrance and Charles helped me with my jacket before I stepped outside. I wanted to see the carriage as it came from the side of the house and hopefully catch one last wave from Emma. I knew Alice would keep her safe at all costs, but I was never comfortable when she wasn’t close enough for me to protect.
Just as their carriage came around the house and onto the street, a small hand darted out the window and waved vigorously. Smiling, I waved back at her. She was on a grand adventure and she didn’t get to leave the house often enough. When we had left Chatwick for the London season, she had been sad to go. She loved the countryside as much as I did. It would be a nice break to get some fresh air.
“Are you ready, my lord?” the footman asked and I realized I hadn’t noticed his arrival.
I gave him a nod and then turned back to Charles who was waiting on my instruction at the door. “We shall return no later than Tuesday eve,” I informed him. Of course, if this trip was a mistake, we would be back sooner, but my hopes were that I would find all I needed in Miriam Bathurst and her family.
“Safe travels, my lord,” he replied then stepped back into the house and closed the door. After this trip, all of London would know I was considering Miriam Bathurst as the next Countess of Ashington. No other lady had I invited along with her family to Chatwick Hall. The statement was very clear for the Wellingtons as well.
Another gentleman could ask for Lydia’s hand in the process and I could have made a grave mistake. For her demeanor was that of a countess and one that would be readily accepted in all social circles. Whereas Miriam Bathurst was but a baron’s daughter and she had lived her entire life in the country. I was choosing Miriam for her strength of will and ability to handle the spirited Emma. If I chose wrong, it would affect the rest of Emma’s life.
If I were to be completely honest with myself, there were other reasons I was choosing Miriam Bathurst. Her wit, intelligence, determination, love for her family, and unparalleled beauty all had something to do with it as well. I was attracted to Miss Bathurst. Taking a wife to my bed hadn’t sounded at all appealing before, but when I put Miriam in that role, I was very anxious to do so indeed. One did not need the entertainments of a mistress when they had a wife such as Miss Bathurst. Yet, I could not let my desire for her sway my choice. I had to choose who was best for Emma.