Secrets and Lies

Nine

Ashton watched the two women from the window of the bakery shop. 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'd claimed last night. She was literally the most beautiful woman he'd ever met.

Or, did he feel that way about her because she intrigued him?

Last night, he saw her in the general's study, and yet she'd lied to him about why she was coming down the grand staircase. Seeing her again in broad daylight, he knew she'd lied to him once more. Did he want to get to know her just to discover her secret, or was it really because she was quite delightful company and extraordinarily pretty?

As he stood inside the bakery and watched her and the younger woman through the window, he detected sadness in Nicole's face. At times her gaze would wander the streets, looking at every person before a frown would claim her expression. Dare he hope she waited to see him and was saddened when he had yet to appear?

No other woman had stirred such curiosity inside him. Not only that, but he couldn't recall a time he'd been so attracted to a woman this quickly.

Unfortunately, he'd have to leave for New York soon, and he couldn't get to know the enchanting beauty. Whatever happened between them this afternoon would end as soon as he returned to New York.

Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his necktie and exited the bakery. Immediately, his gaze rested on her. She looked so lovely in her gown and the brown cape thrown over her shoulders. He was happy to see she didn't wear a bonnet like most of the women. Seeing a woman's hair was part of her attire—and personality—and it was obvious that Nicole was as adventurous as he'd expected from their first meeting. He liked that a lot.

For the first few moments, she hadn't looked his way. Although anticipation sped through his body like an out-of-control horse, he kept his steps calculated and steady even though he felt like running to her.

Just before reaching her, she slowly turned in his direction. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. Within seconds, her face lit up with happiness, making her eyes shimmer. A strange emotion tightened inside his chest, yet instead of scaring him, his heart fluttered with gladness.

Her gaze ran over him from the top of his head down to his boots, and then quickly bounded up his frame once more. When she finally met his eyes, she gave him a small nod.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lee. What a pleasure it is to see you in town."

He stopped in front of her and mocked a small bow. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Bastian." He winked.

A blush bloomed on her cheeks, and she chuckled softly. "I see you are still in character, even though the masked ball has ended."

He arched an eyebrow. "I am?"

"Yes. You are being quite charming."

He couldn't stop laughing. Remarkably enough, this woman had been able to make him do this quite a bit. This was one more thing added to the list of accomplishments that other women hadn't been able to do.

She turned to the woman next to her. "Mr. Lee, let me introduce you to my cousin, Emily Thornock. Emily, this is Mr. Ashton Lee."

Emily curtsied, and he bowed.

"Mr. Lee," Emily asked, "by chance, are you acquainted with my father, Michael Thornock?"

"I'm afraid not." Ashton shook his head. "But then I've not been in Staten Island for very long, either." He turned his focus back to Nicole. "Might I inquire to your activities this morning, Miss Bastian? I would like it very much to take you and your cousin for a stroll through the park down along the bay if you have the time."

Nicole and her cousin exchanged excited glances—although Nicole's eyes danced more than the other woman's.

Looking back at Ashton, Nicole nodded. "I think that would be lovely. My cousin and I are just in town to find some new gowns. Taking time out for a leisurely stroll would be most refreshing."

"Then shall we go now?" He offered one elbow to Nicole. When she placed her hand around his arm, warmth accompanied it. Once again, her nearness threatened to take his breath away. He swallowed hard and reluctantly tore his gaze from her to put it on her cousin as he offered his other arm. "And what about you, Miss Thornock? It would be my honor to escort two lovely ladies to the park."

Emily giggled and slipped her hand around his elbow. No warmth complemented her touch, unlike her cousin whose nearness practically scorched him with desire.

Just as he turned them toward the park, two young women scampered out of the nearby shop, waving at Emily. When they neared, they must have finally realized he was standing there, because they quickly composed their excitement and slowed their steps, walking in a more lady-like manner.

"Charlotte, Patricia, what a surprise it is to see you here," Emily said in a lifted voice.

The two women looked enough alike to be sisters, which is what Ashton assumed. Not quite twins, but definitely siblings. If anyone could be considered plain, it would be these two. Both had the same color of hair and eyes. One was slightly petite, but the other was bigger boned. In fact, Ashton surmised that if this one would ever want to pass as a man, she would be able to pull it off.

"When we saw you out the window," the smaller of the two said, "I knew we must come to get you. Father is sending us to Paris for two months to visit our relatives, and we are getting a whole new wardrobe."

The larger woman nodded. "Because you know, the fashions in Paris are far more advanced than we have here."

"Oh, how exciting." Emily beamed and touched the smaller woman's hand. "I would love to visit Paris one day. I'm certain you and Patricia will have a wonderful time."

"Emily, you must come to see our traveling gowns." Charlotte clasped Emily's hand. "I'm still amazed that Father has allowed us this luxury." Her gaze toggled between Emily and Ashton in hesitation. "Unless, of course, you're otherwise engaged at the moment."

"Uh, well..." Emily passed Nicole an apologetic stare.

"Emily," Nicole quickly answered, "if you want to go into the shop and see their gowns, I will not be upset."

"Indeed? You won't mind?" Emily slowly pulled her hand from around Ashton's arm.

"Not at all." Nicole's smile widened. "I will continue my stroll with Mr. Lee. We'll just be down by the docks. You can meet up with us when you're finished."

Relief splashed across Emily's expression. "All right, I shall." She turned to her friends. "Show me these gowns."

The three young ladies hurried to the shop and in through the door without looking back. Ashton was vastly relieved to be alone with Nicole—as alone as he could be out in the middle of town, anyway.

He glanced down into her glowing face. "Remind me, Miss Bastian, shouldn't an unmarried woman like yourself have some kind of chaperone since you're in the company of a single man? And won't your uncle disapprove of your cousin leaving you?"

She snorted a laugh. "First off, I'm not as young as you seem to think, and I can assure you, Emily will not say a word."

"She won't?"

"Certainly not, especially since my aunt and uncle don't approve of Emily's acquaintance with the Hansen sisters. I will keep Emily's secret, just as my cousin will keep mine."

He shrugged. "Then who am I to question fate?"

"Who indeed?" She c****d her head. After another few moments, she asked, "So tell me, Mr. Lee, where were you this morning? I've been in town for a little while, and I'd hoped to see you sooner."

"I was hiding in the bakery." He laughed. "I had been watching you and your cousin before I decided to make my presence known."

"Oh, really? What were you doing in the bakery? Eating a sticky bun?"

"Not eating. Just watching."

"What made you finally decide to come out of the shop?"

He really couldn't stop staring into her eyes. There was something magical about her that entranced him. They were brown with flecks of gold. He'd never seen anything quite like them before. "I realized the desserts inside the shop do not compare to your sweetness."

Her cheeks bloomed a lovely pink color again. "Oh, Mr. Lee. You say the kindest things."

They were both silent for a few awkward moments as he led them across the street and down the slope toward the small park by the bay. The closer they got toward the water, the chillier the air became. Today's wind was a small breeze, but he was certain their walk would be bearable.

He glanced at her. She held her head straight with confidence and appeared as if she wasn't bothered in the least about taking a walk with him without a proper chaperone. She was certainly a different woman from what he was used to, not only with her beauty but with her attitude.

"You know, Miss Bastian, I believe you have lied to me."

She stumbled, but quickly righted herself. When she turned her eyes to his, they were wide with worry. Now the smile on her face looked forced.

"I have?" she said softly.

"Yes. Last night at the masked ball, you tried to make me think you were a plain woman." He trailed his attention over her face slowly and then dipped down to her dress. "Obviously, that was a lie. You are far from plain. Quite the opposite, in fact."

As a genuine smile graced her face again, her shoulders relaxed. "Oh," she said with a sigh. "You are much too kind, but I fear you're wrong. Either you need spectacles, or you're the one who is not being honest right now."

"I'm not wrong. You are a very lovely woman—one who is as fascinating as she is beautiful."

She flipped her hand in the air. "What a flatterer you are, Mr. Lee."

"Please, call me Ashton." His voice came out lower than he'd expected, and he quickly cleared his throat. "I would like it if you'd call me that when we are alone."

Her eyes sparkled as he stared deeply into them. Standing in the sunlight, the golden flecks lit up her eyes even more.

She nodded. "Then you must call me Nicole."

"My pleasure, as always, my enchantress."