| Subject: Chapter 21 |
Author:
Jacqueline
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 01:23:11pm
In reply to:
Jacqueline
's message, "An English Love Chps 20 onward" on Friday, April 21, 11:06:26pm
The hustle in the atmosphere of the estate in the morning was very apparent. The servants were performing their chores and gossiping about the new guest in their estate. The excitement from the party seemed to pour into the mood of everyone on the estate that morning. Lady Adrian and Lord George made their way down to the breakfast room. Lady Adrian definitely noticed that Nikita was the topic of conversation everywhere she turned.
Their daughter, Angela, was currently in London with a relative. Because she was in her coming-out, she wished to spend the season in London. She knew of her brother’s bride coming that year, but she still wished to go to town for her season.
Their son Seymour was waiting in the room for him. He got up to kiss his mother and escort to her seat. “Mother, is Nikita joining us this morning?”
His mother rolled her eyes. “That is all everyone seemed to be concerned about this morning. Can you not bid your mother hello or ask how I may be doing? You are just as enamored with that girl as every other man at that party last night. Michael was the only man who handled himself properly last night.”
“I apologize profusely, mother. How are you this day?” He asked politely.
She smiled at her young son. “I am fine my dear. I excuse your eagerness about your brother’s betrothed since you are so young. She will be joining us this morning and spending the day with your brother under escort.”
Seymour nodded and dropped the subject. His mother had always been the center of attention for as long as he could remember. Now that Nikita had arrived most of the attention shifted to the new member of their family.
Michael came in shortly after his parents. He bowed to his father and kissed his mother on her cheek. “Good morning mother dearest.”
She smiled at her elder son. “Michael, it does me good to see you this morning. Please be seated with us.” She watched as her son sat down. “So my dear, what do you think of Nikita?”
Michael saw his whole family awaiting his answer. He did not want them to know how much he was attracted to her. He could not sleep last night because she invaded every thought in his mind. Her scent filled his nose and he had the strongest yearning to see her this morning. He could not stop thinking how beautiful his wife was going to be. On the other hand, he did not want a physical attraction to overcome his senses. His friend Smith was correct in one aspect in that it would be nice to have a beautiful wife. He knew there was a lot more to her than her looks. Surely a woman of her beauty must have some hidden faults.
“I thought her quite a lady and very agreeable. She will make an excellent wife in my opinion, Mother.” He gave her the answer that she would want to hear. He would not let on that he felt weak at the site of the woman he was to marry.
“I am glad Michael. She is a most beautiful girl, but she has a lot of spirit in her. At times, I sense she knows not how to hold her tongue.” His mother made her observations resonantly.
He pretended to agree with his mother, “Yes mother. She does exude a tremendous amount of spirit. I am sure she will learn to behave as my wife as time passes. I will see to that.” He actually enjoyed her forthrightness and wit. She seemed to have a unique character and a strong will. He was very excited to see her this morning.
The door opened and the Wirth family entered the room. Michael looked past the Wolfe’s to the young lady standing behind them. Lady Madeline and Lord Paul bowed to the family and went to their seats across from George and Adrian. Nikita curtsied to the family and then looked at Michael.
Their eyes met and she found herself lost in his face. He had a blank stare that she observed the night before and she could not fathom what his thoughts were this morning. She hoped he would at least be a little happy to see her.
She took her seat across from him and smiled. He smiled slightly and then put his attention onto his breakfast. He did not want her to see the strong attraction he felt inside. He would not let another woman ever see weakness or softness inside of him. He resolved to keep his attraction to her within himself.
Nikita looked to Lady Adrian. “Thank you my lady for the party you held on my behalf last night.” Her mother had instructed her to say this. “I am most grateful and hope to return the gesture at a future date.”
Lady Adrian nodded in response. “You are most welcome my dear. I hope you found the people of Bath agreeable.”
She lied, “Of course. They are the most…..delightful people.” Nikita smiled and even saw a little smirk on Michael’s mouth.
This little vixen had a lot of hidden charms and he planned to discover all of them. Her strong character was most attractive to him. He was overwhelmed at his wanting to know everything about her.
“What is delightful about them, if I may ask Nikita?” Michael asked playfully. She knew he was playing with her in front of everyone. He knew she did not like the people of his county. Their parents did not pick up on his playfulness. She loved the way her name rolled off of his tongue and she stared at him.
“Oh Lord Michael. They are all so….so----,” She was stuck and smiled at him letting him know she got his joke.
Lady Adrian lost patience. “Well spit it out my dear. For heaven sakes. So what?”
“Elegant.” Nikita answered.
Lady Adrian nodded in approval and said, “Indeed they are the most elegant folk in all of the country. That was not so difficult to say.”
Nikita looked back at Michael who continued to eat breakfast with an amused look on his face.
Lady Adrian turned to Lady Madeline. “George and I would love for you to join us in the horse carriage today for a journey around Bath, Lady Madeline and Paul.”
Paul nodded, “We would be delighted, Lady Adrian.”
She turned to Michael and Nikita. “You both shall spend the day together under the escort of our oldest friend and former headmaster of this estate, Walter.”
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