“Whatever for?”
“Nothing in particular. Maybe I will find a pretty bonnet to buy while I’m there. Or shoes, or—”
Flipping a hand in the air, her aunt laughed. “Of course, my dear. You and Emily can go and enjoy yourselves. Don’t buy too much. That is all I need for my brother getting vexed with me for turning his only daughter into a spendthrift.”
Excitement bubbled inside Nicole, and she tried not to grin too wide. “Not to worry. I know when to stop, I assure you.”
“You may, but I highly doubt Emily will.” She patted Nicole’s arm. “You had better keep an extra eye on your cousin to ensure she doesn’t spend too much.”
“I will.”
Nicole hurried out of the sitting room before her aunt could call her back. Knowing Emily, she was probably still in her bedroom, but she would be awake and nearly dressed for the day by now. When she reached her cousin’s room, she knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Emily replied.
Nicole walked inside. Emily sat at her vanity while her maid finished curling her hair.
Smiling, Nicole moved closer. “How would you like to go into town with me this morning?”
Her cousin’s gaze met Nicole’s through the reflection of the mirror. “Why?”
“Because I will be leaving in a few days to return home, and I wanted to spend a little more time with my cousin.”
Emily pouted. “Do you have to go home?”
“Yes. Father will be there. I haven’t seen him for a few months.”
Sighing heavily, Emily nodded. “Well, I certainly understand that you want to be with your father.”
“So, do you want to come to town with me?” Nicole asked again.
Slowly, a smile stretched across her face. “Of course. What a ridiculous question to ask.”
“I want to leave soon. Is that all right?”
“Yes. I had the cook bring my breakfast as I dressed, so I shall be ready to go once Grace is done with my hair.”
Nicole nearly leapt with happiness. “I shall collect my shawl and parasol and meet you downstairs then.”
“I will be there momentarily.”
Nicole practically skipped to her bedroom. She stood in front of her full-length mirror, checking herself one last time. Emily’s maid had also fixed Nicole’s hair this morning, and thankfully, it was still intact. Grace had done a splendid job pulling back the sides loosely from Nicole’s face and coiling it on the top of her head in curls, leaving the length of Nicole’s hair to hang in ringlets down her neck and over her shoulders.
Although she had tried to make Ashton Lee believe she was a plain woman, the truth was that she had some very lovely gowns that were far from being ordinary. Today, she wore a short sleeve, light blue and green floral pattern with a beige underskirt. Matching blue ribbon crisscrossed the bosom and tied with a bow just above her breasts. She felt very feminine wearing this ensemble and couldn’t wait to see what Ashton thought. Of course, it was nothing like the sensual sensation she had on last night.
Within a half-hour, she and Emily were on their way into town. Emily jabbered on and on about last night, but Nicole’s attention was focused out the carriage window, watching the people stroll up and down the street. She searched for Ashton but couldn’t see him. When the vehicle stopped, and she and her cousin were helped down, Nicole’s nerves were on edge.
Had Ashton decided not to come to town after all? She sincerely hoped that was not the case. If so, she would be forced to admit that she wasn’t as desirable as he led her to believe. The realization of that would be hard to swallow, which in turn would make her a very moody woman—even for her father.
As she stepped onto the walkway beside her cousin, Nicole gripped the parasol tighter. She continued to scan the street. Several men passed by, but none of them looked familiar. A few greeted Emily, tipping their hats as the women strolled by. Nicole tried to give them a smile, hoping she didn’t appear as uneasy as she felt.
Emily stopped at a shop’s window and stared inside. Nicole’s gaze couldn’t look at the display. But with each minute that passed, a sinking feeling weighed heavily in her chest.
Ashton was not coming.
Chapter Five
Ashton stood by the window of the bakery shop, waiting for them to make his sticky buns, when he noticed a familiar looking woman. He grinned. Miss Bastian had led him to believe she was plain, yet she lied. Out of all the women strolling up and down the street today, Nicole stood out like a butterfly amongst a cloud of gray moths. She was far from being ordinary as she claimed last night. She was literally the most beautiful woman he had ever met.
