Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I doubt it,” Thomas said. “She was utterly devoted to Father.”
“And of course you’ll see that she’s always taken care of,” Denbigh said.
Thomas nodded. “Of course. She will always have a home here at this estate, and in our many properties in London and abroad.” Thomas glanced about, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tricia.
Where had she gone?
But before he could find her, a lady approached him with who he presumed to be her daughter.
“Lord Ashford,” the older woman said, “and Lord Denbigh. How wonderful to see you both.”
Thomas wasn’t sure who the woman was, but as luck would have it, Denbigh replied to her.
“Mrs. Templeton, it is my pleasure indeed.” He took the daughter’s hand. “And this must be your lovely daughter. Aurora, is it?”
“Yes, my lord. I named her Aurora, after the morning dawn.”
“Please allow me to make the introductions,” Denbigh said. “Miss Templeton, please meet the Earl of Ashford, Thomas Jameson.”
Aurora curtsied politely to Thomas. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my Lord.”
She was a lovely little thing. Quite diminutive in size. Thomas, of course, was used to tall women. His sisters and mother were all tall, and so was Tricia.
But she was pleasing to look at. Miss Templeton had lovely warm brown eyes and a mahogany mane of hair that was swept up on her head into ringlets of curls.
Thomas held out his hand and took her gloved one. “Perhaps you would honor me with a dance, Miss Templeton?”
She bowed her head coyly. “It would be my honor, my lord.”
Denbigh patted him on his back. “That’s the way to do it, Ashford. You should be out dancing with all the young lovelies tonight.”
Thomas took to the dance floor while Lord Denbigh continued to speak with Mrs. Templeton. Aurora was so small, he almost felt he was twirling nothing in his arms.
But she was truly a graceful dancer as well.
“Are you enjoying the ball, Miss Templeton?” he asked.
She smiled shyly. “I am indeed, thank you for asking, my lord.”
“I’m afraid we haven’t met before. Is this your first season?”
“No, I came out last season.”
Odd, Thomas thought. Such a sweet little thing should surely have found a match by now. He wouldn’t embarrass her by asking her about it.
However, she kept talking. “I actually had an offer of marriage from a young lord, but my mother did not think he was suitable.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, and it was just as well. I didn’t feel I was ready for marriage last season.”
“Do you feel you are now?”
Her cheeks flushed a pale pink. “I believe I am, my lord.”
He could ask her why she believed that, but frankly he did not truly care. While she was a beautiful little thing, he was feeling no spark at all having her in his arms.
When the dance ended, he deposited her back with her mother, who was still speaking with Denbigh. He bowed politely. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Templeton. It was truly my privilege. But if you’ll excuse me, I am the host of this extravaganza, so I must see to my guests and also check in with my mother.”
“How is the countess faring?” Mrs. Templeton asked.
“She’s doing well,” Thomas said. “Thank you for asking. But she does miss my father, as do I.”
“Yes, of course. My own husband succumbed to consumption two years past. And I still miss him as well.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Thomas said.
Now what? Should he stay and talk to this woman? He had already excused himself.
So he simply bowed once more and walked away.
He walked toward the front of the ballroom, where he spied his mother.
“Thomas, darling boy, there you are,” the countess said. “Where did you disappear to?”
“I just wanted to get a little bit of fresh air,” Thomas said. “Are you feeling better after your repose, Mummy?”
“Yes, very much. Who was that young lady you were dancing with?”
“Her name is Aurora Templeton. Denbigh seemed to know who she and her mother were. But I’m not familiar with them.”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “Ah, yes. The Templetons. The name sounds vaguely familiar. I left the invitations solely to Maria’s discretion, I’m afraid. I just didn’t have it in me to take the reins this time. I hope you’ll forgive me, Thomas.”
Thomas took his mother’s hand. “Goodness, Mummy, there’s nothing to forgive. We may officially be out of mourning after a year, but that does not mean we miss Papa any less. I’m sure everyone understands, especially Maria.”
Maria was head of the household, and she had been with the countess since before she married the earl.
The countess merely nodded.
Thomas regarded his beautiful mother. She was blond and blue-eyed. Rose took after her, while he and Lily had inherited their father’s dark good looks.
But the dark circles under her eyes did not escape his notice.
“Mummy, no one would blame you if you retired for the evening. It’s after midnight.”