In Pursuit of Miriam (4 page)

The next few days passed quietly. Sir Thomas and his daughter visited them at home again but fortunately, Miriam was having a dress fitting and the pair had left by the time she was finished.

Miriam and her aunt had planned to go again to the Dress Ball at the Assembly Rooms on the Monday evening. Her aunt, however, had developed a bad migraine and took to her bed. Miriam was not sorry to spend the evening at home instead. Attending a function the sole purpose of which was dancing when you were unable to join in did not make sense to her.

By Wednesday Aunt Beatrice was fully recovered and Miriam was looking forward to Mr. and Mrs. Bright's social evening. It was a warm pleasant evening and so it was decided that they would take a slow walk to number four. Miriam had put on her favourite cream muslin gown and was wearing a string of pearls that had belonged to her mother; Susan had dressed her hair simply and soft curls fell onto her face while the back was elegantly pinned up. If it was not for the fact that she had sensibly decided to wear her cream lace-up boots rather than her satin slippers, as they offered more support for the walk, she would have been entirely pleased with her appearance.

With her aunt on one side and Susan on the other to assist her, they set off. When they reached the halfway point Miriam's legs were aching, and by the time they reached their destination her left leg was causing her some considerable pain. At her request they waited for two or three minutes before ascending the stairs to the front door.

A smartly dressed footman showed them into the large, formal drawing room, where those guests who had already arrived were gathered. Mrs. Bright came forward and made introductions; most of the people were unknown to Miriam, but her aunt did know one or two people and was soon engaged in conversation with two women who were of a similar age.

Miriam found herself a chair, looked around the crowded room and was pleased when she spotted an old friend of hers, Lucy Spencer. Lucy, who was engrossed in a conversation with Robert Bright, looked over at the same time and spotted Miriam. She hurried across the room to Miriam, with Robert Bright in her wake.

“Hello, Miriam. 'Tis so good to see you here. Have you met Mr. Robert Bright?” she panted, a little breathless from her mad dash.

Miriam smiled and nodded to Bright, whose open countenance and warm smile put her immediately at ease.

“We have had the pleasure of being introduced last week at the Assembly Rooms. My mother is acquainted with Miss Knightly's aunt, I believe,” Robert explained as he bowed over Miriam's hand. “I hope you and your aunt are both in good health.”

Lucy grasped Miriam's hands. “I saw you last week at the Pump Room, but by the time I could get across the room, you and your aunt had left. I was hoping you would be here tonight. Mrs. Bright had told me she was looking for more young company for Robert and his friends. I said I had seen you and suggested that you would make a suitable guest.” Lucy smiled. “I hope you don't mind. I am so glad that she did invite you.”

Robert, realizing he had been forgotten, made his exit. “I will leave you two ladies to talk with each other and join my friend, Lord Chantry, who appears to have no company at the moment.” Robert sketched a bow, which Miriam acknowledged with a nod. Lucy, smiling at him, bobbed a curtsy.

Miriam had known Lucy and her family since childhood as they lived on a neighbouring estate in Derbyshire. Lucy's parents, the Earl and Countess of Blackwood, had always made Miriam welcome in their home. They had been friends with her parents and had remained close friends with her father following her mother's death. The Spencers were a large family; Lucy had two older sisters, an older brother and a younger brother and sister who were twins. Miriam had always got on well with Lucy, who was nearest in age to herself, and loved being included in the games they played together as children. Lucy, who was a small bundle of energy compared to Miriam, with her enforced slower pace of life, was Miriam's closest friend, and they often met up for tea and conversation in Buxton or Matlock Bath.

“I didn't know you were coming to Bath,” Lucy gushed. “I've seen little of you while you have been in mourning for your dear father. I have so much to tell you!” Lucy sat down on the vacant chair next to Miriam.

“My aunt Beatrice insisted we come because she is determined that I should find myself a husband,” Miriam explained ruefully. “It seems that I am not welcome to stay at Charlwood House after Cousin Percival marries in October.”

“Oh, how well I remember your cousin!” Lucy's dark curls bounced around her pixie face as she shook her head in disgust. “I never much liked him and it is so dreadful that he will be living in what has always been your home. Has your aunt found you a suitable suitor?” Lucy was pulling comical, sympathetic faces as she spoke and they both burst out laughing. They covered their mouths to try to stifle their laughter as people turned to look at them. Unfortunately this caused them to giggle even more.

“Well,” Miriam continued, her smile disappearing, “my aunt wishes me to encourage the attentions of Sir Thomas Cleverly, who has been singling me out for particular attention.”

This had a sobering effect on Lucy, too. “But he is old! He must be as old as my father and he is so fat his waistcoat looks about to pop open. I am quite certain that he is grey or bald under that wig he is wearing. Your aunt cannot seriously be encouraging his attentions to you.”

Miriam sighed. “Unfortunately she is serious, but as you can imagine, I do not have a string of other suitors waiting in line.”

“You must not talk like that. You are the prettiest and most pleasant of all my friends,” reassured Lucy. “I am sure many young gentlemen would be happy to have you as their wife.”

“You are a kind friend. You forget that I look ungainly when walking, that I cannot dance or walk around the room, and the opportunity for me to meet anyone, let alone eligible young gentlemen, is very limited. Anyway, you know that I have long resigned myself to the fact that I will never marry, and whether Aunt Beatrice likes it or not, I certainly will not marry Sir Thomas.” Miriam stated this firmly, and not in a way that showed she was feeling sorry for herself.

Miriam caught Lucy looking over at Robert Bright. “And what of you, Lucy? Is your mother trying to find you a husband? We are both turned twenty now.”

Lucy lowered her voice so only Miriam could hear. “I am very much enjoying the company of Mr. Bright and I think he may be showing a preference for me—he does seek me out when we attend the same gatherings and has called twice at our house to see me. I find him most handsome and his conversation is pleasing. Although his family are not titled, they are well respected, and I think my mother and father would approve should he ask for my hand.”

“He does indeed seem a very agreeable man and I am sure he cannot but be attracted to your charms. I can see that he keeps glancing at you,” teased Miriam, causing Lucy to blush.

“Have you met Lord Chantry, who is staying with the family?” Lucy asked. “Robert …I mean, Mr. Bright, was telling me he had come to Bath to try to find a suitable wife, but has not seen anyone yet who takes his fancy.” Lucy spoke in a confiding tone.

“Oh, the young ladies in Bath would be most insulted if they knew that,” Miriam replied. “I am sure any number of them would hope to snare an earl.” This set the two friends laughing again.

As a well-dressed young lady sat down at the piano, Mrs. Bright announced that some of the more musical guests had agreed to play and sing to provide entertainment. Miriam and Lucy were forced to sit quietly and listen; they did not mind as Lucy had already arranged to call on Miriam the next day so they could catch up on each other's news. They had not been seated more than five minutes when, at a break in the music, Robert Bright came over to ask if they would like to join him for a game of cards in the other room. Miriam politely declined, explaining that she did not play.

“I will stay and keep you company then,” Lucy declared.

“Oh, no, you will not, Lady Lucy Spencer. You love to play cards,” Miriam quickly said. Then turning to Robert, she stated firmly, “I believe she is very good at cards. Please take her with you; I assure you I am quite content sitting here listening to the music.”

“Well, if you're sure…” Lucy hesitated.

“Yes, quite sure,” Miriam responded.

“I'll return her to you shortly, Miss Knightly,” Robert promised as, with a spring in his step, he led Lucy away.

Miriam did enjoy the music and the singing, and although she was asked if she would like to play or sing she declined, not wishing to draw attention to herself. The performers stopped for a break while maids and footmen served refreshments to everyone. Robert, still with Lucy, came back from card playing and suggested that the chairs could be moved back to make room for people to dance. The guests all agreed that this was an excellent suggestion and began to move the furniture. Luckily Miriam was already seated at the edge of the room and was not inconvenienced by this.

A lady, who was a very accomplished piano player, began to play tunes to which people could dance. She played mostly country dances that everybody knew and Miriam enjoyed watching them. She appreciated this informal social evening so much more than the Dress Ball at the Assembly Rooms; it reminded her of the social gatherings she was invited to in Derbyshire. She also noted that although Mr. Bright did dance with all the young ladies in the room, he danced many more times with Lucy than would be considered acceptable at a more formal gathering. Lord Chantry, too, stood for every dance, but he did not appear to favour any young lady over the rest; he also took his turn dancing with some of the older ladies in the room, which Miriam thought was kind of him.

After some time dancing, Lucy came over to Miriam, saying she needed a rest and brought both Robert and Lord Chantry with her. They moved chairs so that they could sit with Miriam, and at Lucy's request, the two men went off in search of refreshments for them. When they returned there was general discussion about the entertainment in Bath, and Lucy and Miriam told the gentlemen about the delights of Buxton and Matlock Bath as neither gentleman had been there. It was not long after they had finished their drinks that Robert insisted that Lucy get up and dance with him again, and they went off together smiling and chatting. To Miriam's surprise, Lord Chantry remained seated next to her.

However, Miriam did not want the young earl to feel he would be impolite if he left her. “Please don't feel obliged to remain with me,” she said quietly. “I am sure that many young ladies are waiting for the opportunity to dance with you. I will be quite content to sit here watching the dancing and listening to the music by myself.”

Vincent smiled at her. “I assure you that I have had enough of dancing for now and am glad to sit here and watch. I do not know where Robert gets all his energy, although I would guess it may be due to the charms of his lovely partner.”

“Lucy is lovely, isn't she? It is so nice to see her enjoying herself,” Miriam was genuinely pleased at Lucy's happiness.

“And you, Miss Knightly, are you enjoying yourself?” asked Vincent, smiling and at the same time surprised that he genuinely wanted to know.

Miriam felt a sudden warmth at the sight of his slow smile. Really, she had no idea what was the matter with her. She smiled back at him. “Indeed, I am enjoying myself. I was saying to Lucy how much like the social gatherings we attend in Derbyshire this is. I know I should maybe not admit this, but I much prefer these informal occasions to the formal balls at the Assembly Rooms.”

Once again, Vincent was struck by how unaffected Miss Knightly was. He couldn't help noticing how her eyes sparkled as she seemed to be truly enjoying herself. The sudden tenderness he felt took him aback, and he quickly dismissed it. “I must admit, I am in agreement with you,” he responded amiably. “I'll keep your secret, if you'll keep mine.”

They both laughed at that, then sat in comfortable silence until the dance finished and Lucy and Robert returned. At this point, Aunt Beatrice came to sit with Miriam and the gentlemen took their leave. Miriam felt a pang of disappointment at their leave-taking, and Lucy did not seem too happy about it, either.

Wistfully, Lucy reminded Miriam of how when they were children Miriam would watch her and her sisters dancing and act as their instructor, telling them where they went wrong. “Remember how you used to learn all the steps just so you could help us?”

“It was my hardest task,” Miriam laughed. “I can recall that none of you ever listened to me. I am surprised that you and your sisters managed to become such accomplished dancers.”

“We all did because of your hard work and patience with us. You would walk us through the steps time and time again until your legs hurt and you had to sit down,” Lucy reminded her.

Miriam and Lucy were soon so engrossed in their conversation that Aunt Beatrice said she would return to the card room as it appeared that Miriam was not lacking company.

It would seem that Robert could not keep away from Lucy, and Miriam teased her friend about this as he crossed the room towards them. They were laughing together by the time he joined them. He smiled at their merriment but was not put out by it. When he asked Lucy if she could waltz, Lucy admitted that she had learned the steps but had never danced the waltz because it was disapproved of in the Assembly Rooms both at Matlock and here in Bath.

“This is a private, informal gathering and I am sure it would be permissible to dance the waltz here. Shall I ask my parents if they will allow it?” Robert suggested, a twinkle in his eye.

“Please do.” Lucy's eyes were shining with excitement at the prospect.

“Do you think you should?” cautioned Miriam even though she could see that Lucy had every intention of dancing a waltz with Robert should he ask.