Le tout enveloppé sous une façade où tout scintille et brille.
Un joli visage, un sourire séduisant, une robe fabuleuse, un battement de cils au bon moment - Miriam avait appris qu'elle devait faire toutes ces choses pour trouver un mari riche. Préférant de loin la compagnie de livres aux gens, la seule chose qui a empêché Miriam de fuir à la campagne était sa sœur cadette - qui comptait sur Miriam pour faire un mariage qui lui permettrait de prendre soin de sa mère et de sa sœur correctement.
Il connaissait son devoir envers son titre et il ferait ce qu'il fallait.
Bien que Hugh Compton, comte d'Ashington, n'ait pas voulu le titre de son père à l'âge de neuf ans mais à vingt ans, il l'a obtenu il y a deux ans lorsque son père est décédé subitement. Le seul bien qui en résultait était que Hugh avait pu déplacer la femme de son père dans la maison de la douairière.
Il était maintenant temps de se marier.
Beaucoup n'aimaient pas l'arrogant comte d'Ashington, mais aucun autant que son frère.
Après que sa mère ait été expulsée comme si elle était une moins que rien, Nicholas a juré qu'il remettrait les compteurs à zéro. Dans le but de charmer l'ennuyeuse Lydia Ramsbury directement des bras de son frère, Nicholas a découvert que c'était un nouveau visage qui avait attiré l'attention de son frère - une certaine Miss Miriam Bathurst. La vengeance n'avait jamais été aussi douce
Date de sortie : 21 juin 2021 Editeur : AE Prix: 4.12 ou 11.32 euros Pages : 236 pages
Note :
Avant de vous donner mon avis le plus complet, je tiens à dire un grand merci à The Next Step PR et à Abbi Glines pour leur confiance et pour m'avoir permis de lire en ARC ce roman.
Mon avis : J'ai déjà lu des romans d'Abbi Glines mais j'étais très curieuse de la découvrir dans une romance historique. Nous voilà donc plongés dans la régence Victorienne à la découverte de personnages qui sont à un point important de leur vie et où leur choix ne sera pas lié à la passion mais à la raison et au devoir. J'ai passé un bon moment tout au long de cette lecture même si la fin est à mon sens un peu trop précipitée.
Miriam Bathurst est une jeune femme de 18 ans qui s'avère être mature pour son âge. Elle n'a eu guère le choix d'ailleurs car elle est prête à sacrifier son bonheur pour que sa soeur Whitney soit heureuse. Ayant des relations très tendues avec leur mère et ayant eu un père qui ne désirait qu'une seule chose, à savoir avoir un héritier, elle n'a pas été élevée dans une famille aimante et épanouissante. Elle s'est réfugiée dans les romans qu'elle lit très régulièrement mais il est temps de passer de la fiction à la réalité. Même si elle ne le souhaite pas profondément, elle va devoir trouver un mari qui assurera non pas son propre avenir mais celui de sa soeur et de ce fait celui de sa mère. Elle n'a pas eu le guide de survie en bonne société mais heureusement elle pourra compter sur les Wellington , son oncle et sa tante, pour lancer sa saison. Quand elle arrivera à Londres, elle va se faire immédiatement remarquer car son attitude vis à vis de Lord Arlington sera détonnant. Ce que j'ai aimé avec Miriam est le fait qu'elle dit le fond de sa pensée tout en restant dans la bienséance. On sent un caractère fort mais elle saura s'adapter à cet environnement qu'elle n'apprécie pas mais qui sera un vrai tremplin pour sa mission. Alfred et Harriet seront être à ses côtés lors des différents bals et sauront être à l'écoute de cette jeune femme qui va devoir au final choisir entre raisons et sentiments.
Hugh Compton est le Comte d'Ashington et de prime abord , il apparaît comme un homme engoncé dans son rôle , distant et hautain . Cependant , grâce aux chapitres écrits de son point de vue, nous allons découvrir l'envers du décor et nous aurons une autre opinion de lui. Il est évident qu'il n'apprécie pas forcément le rôle et les responsabilités qu'il doit endosser mais il sait qu'il n'a pas le choix. Quand il est en présence d'Emma , cette jeune fille de 4 ans, nous voyons que c'est une homme agréable et généreux. Il va donc tout mettre en oeuvre pour la préserver au vu de sa situation et faire en sorte qu'il puisse établir une vie de famille digne de ce nom. Ce ne sera pas chose facile si on s'en tient à ses relations avec son demi frère Nicholas . Les tensions sont évidentes et tous les coups seront permis entre eux. Il n'a pas la même attitude en société qu'avec Miriam et on va apprécier découvrir cette facette de lui. S'il sait se montrer ouvert sur certains sujets, il n'en sera pas de même sur l'intrigue principale, ce qui pourrait conduire à des retournements de situations des plus désagréables. Saura t-il trouver la bonne solution?
Nicholas Compton est un personnage que j'ai également aimé découvrir car on va le voir lui aussi être tiraillé dans ses démarches. Son plan était clair et évident dès le début et la vengeance ne pouvait que se mettre en marche. Même s'il est un manipulateur né, on va questionner ses intentions au fil des pages. J'ai même réussi à l'apprécier dans ses scènes avec Miriam. C'est avec elle que les Compton sont les plus naturels et les plus réels. Pourtant la société et le passé familial a forgé les hommes qu'ils sont devenus et ils devront aller au bout de leur démarche. Quand il voit que son frère ennemi ne semble plus être intéressé par Lydia Ramsbury, il se pourrait qu'il entame une nouvelle partie d'échecs et tant pis pour les dommages collatéraux. Nous verrons donc jusqu'où il ira pour obtenir cette vengeance qui bouillonne en lui depuis tant d'années. Mais en allant dans ce sens , n'aura t-il pas plus à perdre qu'à y gagner?
Bref, c'est un premier essai réussi pour Abbi Glines dans la romance historique. Même si certains points auraient pu être approfondis , comme le dénouement final , j'ai apprécié cette romance qui saura nous proposer un panel de beaux sentiments. Les personnages sont attachants tous autant qu'ils sont et nous apprécierons l'intrigue qui les liera.
Lies, Deceit, Vengeance, Desire, and Hate…wrapped up in a façade of all that sparkles and shines.
A pretty face, a fetching smile, a fabulous gown, a flutter of lashes at just the right moment – Miriam had been taught she must do all these things to land a wealthy husband. Much preferring the company of books to people, the only thing that stopped Miriam from fleeing to the countryside was her younger sister - who was counting on Miriam to make a match that would ensure she could care for her mother and sister properly.
He knew his duty to his title and he would do as was necessary.
Although Hugh Compton, Earl of Ashington, hadn’t wanted his father’s title at the age of nine and twenty, he gained it two years ago when his father died unexpectedly. The only good that had come of that was Hugh had been able to move his father’s wife to the dowager house.
Now it was time to marry.
Many disliked the arrogant Earl of Ashington but none so much as his brother.
After his mother was sent off as if she were trash to be disposed of, Nathaniel swore he’d even the score. With the intent of charming the boring Lydia Ramsbury right out of his brother’s arms, Nathaniel discovered it was a new face that had captured his brother's attention - a one Miss Miriam Bathurst.
Vengeance had never looked so sweet.
♦ ♦ ♦
♦ ♦ ♦
“Stop giggling. You sound ridiculous,” the older of the two girls said.
“You’re just sour Lord Ashington didn’t attend,” the younger girl replied.
“The night is young yet,” the mother added, as if this was, in fact, the issue the eldest daughter was having.
“Even if he does arrive, he will seek out Lydia Ramsbury. Everyone knows he has called on her and taken her for a ride in the park this week. I even heard she went to the opera with him and sat in his box.” The youngest girl seemed to be enjoying herself.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but then I was the one eavesdropping on a conversation that wasn’t mine to listen to. I should be rolling my eyes at myself.
“Nothing is certain,” the mother said with a tone that made me shiver slightly.
“Lydia Ramsbury would make a perfect countess,” the older girl said grudgingly.
“As would you,” the mother said.
It had been obvious that Lord Ashington had been interested in Lydia Ramsbury at the last ball. The next morning, his visit to me had been surprising. His abrupt departure had not been. Not that any of this mattered. I was not interested in the affairs of Lord Ashington. Not in the least. He would make a most difficult husband.
Feeling as if I were a lurker in their conversation, I took one last deep inhale of the lovely fragrance before turning to go back into the ballroom. Just as I stepped inside, I scanned the room for Aunt Harriet, but my gaze locked on Mr. Nicholas Compton. He was here and he was dancing… with Lydia Ramsbury.
Disappointment stung and I truly hated to admit it. When just a few days ago I was sure I didn’t care for him at all. Yet he was here and he wasn’t just dancing with anyone. He was dancing with the girl his brother had spent the most time with this week. I wasn’t naïve and I understood completely what was happening. Which was why the sting of disappointment.
Reality was something I had learned to face at a young age and I knew now that the brief attention I had received from him had nothing to do with me at all but with his brother. Mr. Compton was indeed playing a game. A vicious hurtful one meant not only to affect his brother but others along the way. I had thick skin and a blow such as that wouldn’t wound me the way it would others. Sheltered girls who had lived easy lives with security wouldn’t survive such a scandal.
It was in that moment, I decided I truly hated Nicholas Compton. He wasn’t interesting but spiteful and cold. I truly hoped Lydia Ramsbury was smart and didn’t fall for his charming smile and attractive face. There was something I disliked more than arrogance and it was cruelty.
Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and International bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Boys South of the Mason Dixon, and The Field Party Series. She is also the author of the Sweet Trilogy and the Black Souls Trilogy. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. Her house was built in 1820 and she’s yet to find a ghost in it but she’s still looking. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama although she now lives in New England (which makes her feel a little closer to the British). When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is entertaining her preschooler, she is reading (if the preschooler will leave her alone long enough), shopping online (major Amazon Prime addiction), running because she eats too many tacos, and planning her next Disney World vacation.
You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.
I close my eyes as I hear him speak. I take one very long and deep breath hoping to calm the immediate butterflies that take flight in my stomach and hope to slow down the racing of my heart. The voice was slightly deeper but the timbre was one that was achingly familiar.
My actions did little to help, but then who was I kidding? A deep breath wasn't going to fix the effect he had on me and my body's inevitable reaction. Even the memories that would forever haunt me couldn't keep my emotions from triggering at the nearness of him once again.
I used to pray that I'd find the strength to move on from him, from the pain that the end carried, from the emptiness in my chest, but ultimately move on from—the loss of Creed Sullivan and the death of his sister, Cora.
The Sullivans had been the best part of my summers in New England.
Deep down, I knew my ache for all that I had lost was the reason I returned...
But I hadn't expected to see him again—especially not like this.
Creed had put on a pair of faded jeans and a vintage Def Leppard tee shirt but he’d not brushed his hair. It worked for him but then Creed was the kind of sexy that could wear anything and still turn heads. As a little girl, I’d loved playing with him and as a teenage girl I had fallen in love with him.
“Hello,” I said so softly- it was almost a whisper.
“Their coffee is shit,” he said as he walked toward the kitchen.
I turned my gaze back to the fire. Pretending like we were strangers was difficult. Once there had been so much I wanted to say to him. I’d wanted to ask him why? What had I done wrong? Why had he turned on me without a reason?
Now, he was here. We were in the same room and I had no words. I couldn’t think of one thing to say.
I heard him in the kitchen and as much as I wanted to not care that he was here my body was attuned to his every move. Maybe it was my nerves or uncertainty. It couldn’t possibly be more than that. His footsteps were soft and I realized he must be barefoot. The cold wouldn’t affect him like it did me. He was a New Englander.
He sat down in the chair across from the sofa and his gaze was on me. I didn’t want to look at him. The fire was less confusing and unsettling. I didn’t have to pretend with the fire. Creed however was a different story. How did he expect me to act like we were strangers when there was so much in our past?
Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.
You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.
