In Pursuit of Miriam Read Online Free Page B

potential wife. When meeting up with Robert to return to the house, he did concede, “My dear friend, I feel you were correct in your observations. Many of the young ladies in Bath do appear more desperate in their search for a husband than those in London, and their mothers are certainly no less forward in promoting their cause.”
    â€œDidn’t you see any young lady whom you would consider pursuing with a view to marriage?” asked Robert.
    â€œNot tonight, but I know I must try to settle on someone soon if I am to inherit my fortune. Unfortunately I do not feel ready for domesticity.”
    Vincent was tired and went straight to his room when he arrived back at the house. Mason, his valet, helped him undress and he sat in his nightshirt and robe by the fire, sipping a nightcap and collecting his thoughts. He knew that what he had told Robert was true—not one of his dance partners tonight had held any special appeal for him.
    On retiring to bed he found it was some time before he could settle to sleep. He was physically tired from all the dancing, but the niggling thought that his exchange with Miss Knightly had been far less than satisfactory kept running through his mind.
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    Miriam had reluctantly agreed to attend the Dress Ball. She had dressed with care as always—she felt that she must make extra effort with her appearance to compensate for her physical limitations, and so she chose to wear a new ball gown. It was pale lilac and made from the finest muslin. The gown was high-waisted with short puffed sleeves. Lace edged the low-cut neckline, making it less exposing than some of the latest fashions. White silk ribbons fell from the high waistline and white silk bows decorated the hem of the gown. Satin dance pumps, long white gloves and a white silk-on-ivory fan completed the outfit. Her long, fair hair had been loosely tied up with white silk ribbons that matched those on her gown. A few ringlets escaped to frame her face.
    Before setting off her aunt had lectured her. “You must try harder to engage in conversation when gentlemen approach. When Sir Thomas Cleverly paid you special attention at the Pump Room you barely acknowledged his presence.”
    Miriam had protested. “I thought he was a friend of yours, Aunt Beatrice, and so I did not want to intrude on your conversation.”
    â€œDid I not tell you that he was a widower with a good fortune? He could be persuaded that it is time to take a new wife if you made some effort.”
    Miriam was shocked. “Aunt Beatrice, he is at least forty years old with children nearly as old as I am. I cannot believe that you even considered that I may find him acceptable as a suitor. Besides, I have long resigned myself to the fact that I will in all likelihood remain single.”
    Miriam knew she had been unfair to her aunt, who was obviously doing her best to introduce her to as many single men as possible, and so softened her response by adding, “I am sorry, Aunt Beatrice. I did not realize you saw him as a potential suitor and I know that you are trying your best on my behalf. I will try harder in future, but please do not be upset if you fail in your task to find me a husband.”
    At Miriam’s request they arrived early at the Assembly Rooms for the Dress Ball. This was not because of any eagerness to attend on her part but because she preferred not to have too many people watching her as she limped her way from the carriage into the ballroom. An advantage of being early was that they could select chairs that gave them a good view of the whole room. Miriam was happy with this as she enjoyed watching people participating in the entertainment.
    They had not been seated for long when Miriam spied Sir Thomas coming into the room and heading straight for them. His jacket strained across his wide girth and his face was glowing red with the exertion of the short walk.
    â€œGood evening, ladies. I hope I find you both in