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)
“Emma needs a mother who understands what it is like to feel unwanted by those who are meant to love you most. You see, she was brought to me at two years old. Her mother had left her with some old woman she barely knew with coins and a promise she’d return. She did not. The old woman got word that Emma’s mother had died and she brought the girl to me. Until that day, I had no knowledge of Emma’s existence. Emma remembers everything about her life before she came to me. I wish so often that she did not. She can tell you the color of her mother’s hair, features of her mother’s face in great detail and the way her mother said specific words, for her mother was French and spoke with a heavy accent.”
“Emma needs a mother who can accept who she is and be ready to protect her if the time arises. Emma needs a mother who is brave, loyal, loving, and kind. It is true I found all of those things in you. However, I would be lying to you and myself if I stood here and told you that I asked your uncle for your hand because of Emma.”
I closed the distance between us and took Miriam’s hand in mine. For a moment, I studied her delicate hand almost lost in my much larger one. Then I lifted my gaze to meet hers. “I did not plan to fall in love. It was something I did not believe existed between a man and a woman. I believed only in lust and attraction. Both of those fade over time and I wanted nothing to do with either when choosing a wife. You, Miriam Bathurst, changed everything. I knew you were different from that very first meeting. You were the first lady to ever refuse a dance with me,” I reminded her and a smile tugged at the corner of her full pink lips.
“I knew after that first encounter that something about you was unique. I did not realize you would change everything for me. My beliefs, my desires, and my dreams. For now, I have none of those without you. You are everything I never knew I needed in this life but fear I cannot live without. I love you.”
Miriam’s hand gently squeezed mine. “And I love you,” she replied.
I wanted to crush her body against mine and kiss those sweet lips, once again, but we were not alone. There still stood two obstacles in our way. Her uncle and my brother.
“It appears we have an issue on our hands. You are engaged to the wrong brother,” Wellington stated.
“She wouldn’t be if you hadn’t said no when he asked for her hand,” Lady Wellington told her husband.
“I was protecting her. We knew nothing of the child and he did not come into my office telling me of his love for Miriam. If he had that might have swayed my decision,” he replied.
“Well, it is a mess that you have made and perhaps you need to clean it up, dear. It is clear she cannot marry Mr. Compton. He is charming and I do enjoy his visits, but she does not love him,” Lady Wellington said.
Miriam smiled up at me as her aunt and uncle continued to go back and forth.
I intended to go speak to Nicholas myself, but I would not interrupt them just now. They seemed too engrossed in their conversation. Miriam was amused and I enjoyed seeing her happy. I wanted to spend the rest of my life making her happy. If it was in my power, I would make it a point to do just that.
“If I may be so bold to ask, if Emma is not your daughter but she is a Compton, then whose child is she?” Lady Wellington asked me. I had been expecting this question earlier, but when it had not come, I had not offered.
“Aunt Harriet, perhaps it’s not a good time. Lord Ashington may not be ready to share that,” Miriam started to explain, giving me the choice to keep Emma’s secret, even from her.
“I do not know if Emma’s father knows of her existence. I was told by the woman who left her at my doorstep that he did know and did not care. Emma’s mother was my mistress for about one year then we parted ways after I found that she was also entertaining another man in the home I provided for her. It was four years after that parting that Emma was brought to my door at two years of age. The only proof I had other than the old woman’s claim was the color of her eyes. For Emma has the same color eyes as her father. They are distinct and a trait he himself inherited from his mother. The moment I saw her eyes, I knew who her father was, just as I knew he would not take responsibility for her.”