In Pursuit of Miriam Read Online Free

who were in Bath for the season.
    â€œMiss Knightly is a poor creature,” she informed him. “Her father, Viscount Knightly, died some months ago and, as she has no brothers, her cousin, who is Mrs. Beatrice Knightly’s son, has inherited the title and the estate. Miss Knightly, I understand, has been left a substantial sum of money in her own right, but I have heard rumour that her cousin does not invite her to remain in the family home.”
    Vincent had every sympathy for Miss Knightly’s bereavement, having himself recently experienced such a loss. He did, however, question why she was described as “poor Miss Knightly” when she had apparently inherited a good sum of money.
    â€œMy dear boy, I should have told you before I introduced you both,” Mrs. Bright hurried to explain. “Miss Knightly is lame. She cannot walk for any distance and when she does walk for long, she has a dreadful limp. If I had thought to tell you before, you would never have asked her to reserve a dance. All who know her are aware that she prefers not to dance. The next time I talk to Mrs. and Miss Knightly I will apologize for any embarrassment you and Robert may have unwittingly caused. The blame is all mine.”
    Vincent now understood why Miss Knightly had been seated with the old and infirm at the Pump Room and why she had turned down his request for a dance. What a shame when she was so pretty.
    â€œI feel it would be more fitting to apologize to her myself regarding this,” Vincent said, “rather than allowing you to do it on my behalf. I would never have requested a dance had I of known the full circumstances.”
    No sooner had he uttered these words than he began to ask himself why he had done so. Was he still a little piqued because she was the only woman in the room who did not appear to have been in the slightest way flattered by his attention? Other than her refusal to reserve a dance, she had not attempted to make any conversation with him. Perhaps she was simple, as well as lame? He would find out soon enough.
    Now that he’d committed himself to this task, he wanted to undertake it as soon as possible, and he asked Robert to join him.
    â€œI would come with you, but I am engaged to make a fourth at the card table within the next five minutes, so could I trouble you to present my apologies, as well?”
    So much for getting support from his friend, Vincent thought, but replied, “Of course, Robert. Good luck at the table.”
    Vincent walked back into the ballroom to find that Miss Knightly and her aunt were no longer sitting where he’d previously seen them. He looked around the ballroom, but there was no sign of them, so he gave up his task and wandered into the tea room for some refreshment. It was here that he spotted the Knightlys seated in a corner at the far end of the room.
    He approached and made a slight bow. Mrs. Knightly smiled in obvious pleasure at his attention. Vincent stifled a grin as he noticed the way that she looked about the room to see who was watching. In contrast, although Miss Miriam Knightly smiled and nodded in acknowledgement to his bow, he had the feeling that she was smiling more at her aunt’s reaction to him than smiling directly at him. Observing that they did not have refreshments, he gallantly offered his assistance.
    â€œI find it exceptionally warm in here. Would either of you ladies care for me to bring you a drink or an ice?”
    â€œThat would be delightful,” gushed Mrs. Knightly. “I would very much like a Ratafia, and what can Lord Chantry fetch for you, my dear Miriam?”
    Now, thought Vincent, he would find out if Miss Knightly could answer for herself or if she was indeed simple.
    Miriam fixed him once more with that remarkably blue gaze of hers. “I am sure Lord Chantry need not trouble himself on my behalf.”
    Vincent smiled his most charming smile with no answering smile from Miriam. Did