Release all the glitter cannons! I love this story so much! It was so hard to put down! I haven’t read a historical romance in forever and a day. I love how Abbi leaves breadcrumbs for you to find later and then you are just SHOCKED! I love all the strong women in the book. I loved that there was actually an Emma chapter! Nicholas was nice and you fall in love with his words butttttt you know Miriam had to follow her heart! I love how Ashington comes off cold but it is one of the most loving, honest and generous guys to ever come out of Regency London. Miriam’s family dynamic is amazing besides her mom and ahhhh I so hope there is a book two! I want to know why Ashington and Nicholas stopped talking since they were close before. Like why Nicholas’ hatred ran so deep? It was the perfect book to lose sleep over and uncover all the answers! Lol
Quotes I loved:
I wasn’t fond of people in general. It was as simple as that. They annoyed me with their behavior. I preferred truths and I had found very few who spoke the truth. Most only worried over how they appeared to others.
“I will, uh, that is Lord Ashington, I will give up my spot, uh, if you desire,” Mr. Fletcher stammered nervously. I wanted to roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of his words. Was Mr. Fletcher that weak? What could Lord Ashington do to make him so nervous? Had I not just declined Lord Ashington for him? “That won’t be necessary, Fletcher. I find my attention has shifted elsewhere,” he added and then walked away through the path the others had supplied for him. The insult wasn’t lost on me. I did not expect to converse with Lord Ashington again.
I found it tragic that ladies put so much importance on beauty. Was that truly what should make me happy? Something that is rather fleeting, is it not? One will not stay beautiful forever. Looks fade and life continues on without a care.
I just couldn’t be sure I was brave enough to find out his depth. If he was closed off to protect himself then that I understood completely. For he had no idea the lengths I would go to in order to protect myself. Maybe it was we were kindred spirits and nothing more. What an interesting thought.
However, I knew forgetting her would be an impossible task. Miriam Bathurst may just haunt me for eternity.
“Let me be the one to enlighten you, Miss Bathurst. Your sharp wit, kind heart, measure of decency, belief in what is fair, love for family, and, of course, your unsurpassable beauty are all favorable traits.”
Yet, here he stands watching the most interesting bright light in the room or make that all of England.
I couldn’t remember a time in my life that joy had burst within me so brilliantly than when Whitney stepped inside the door of 18 Mayfair Street. Tears filled my eyes and my chest felt so full it might burst.
“Are you? Truly grateful?” I was confused and taken off balance for a moment as I nodded slowly then said, “Yes, of course. How could I not be?” “Then for this weekend, could you try addressing me as simply Ashington?”
Miriam Bathurst may not be what one would consider the perfect countess, but she may indeed be my perfect countess.
The trees leaned toward each other at their tops, as if reaching to embrace a loved one. Birds flitted from branches as the sunlight that broke through made the path appear as if it were meant for fairies instead of humans.
I wasn’t sure how to handle it. I wanted Miriam Bathurst in my life and in my bed. I just needed her to want me for herself. Not because I would be exactly what everyone in her life wanted.
“I read novels that take me to another place and time. They give me an escape from the reality in which I live.
Whitney oft spoke of the sparkle and shine of London. She used the word glitter when speaking of it. However, this has been so much more than any ball in London could ever be.”
“Good morning, Emma,” Miriam said, taking the seat beside her and silencing the entire room. One could hear a pin drop, and in that moment, I realized Miriam Bathurst had been keeping her own secret.
When I say that you cannot marry Nicholas, it is because I love you. You consume my thoughts, you fill the void inside me, and I never believed that I would feel this way about anyone. Please, Miriam, don’t marry Nicholas. Whatever he feels for you, it is not to the depths of what I feel. You own me.”
“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.