“You cannot mean that.”
“I am resolute. Mr. Stephen Ware is not the only one who may meet other people. On our next stay in town, I intend to seek a more desirable match.” Cassie held her head higher. “I have no notion of who that will be, but mark my words, he will be wealthier, handsomer, and of superior standing than Mr. Stephen Ware.” She shot to her feet and stamped back towards the house without a backwards glance.
Oh, Cassie!I collapsed against the bench. She would not listen to me, but no doubt Noah or my uncle would convince her to relent.
Tuesday, 30 July
Salisbury
Elizabeth
“Easy, girl.” I shifted my weight back in the saddle. Lily slowed to a trot and then a walk as we neared the home of Mr. Walter Rowe. He resided in a modest stucco dwelling not far from the cathedral. I spotted him at the side of the house, kneeling in his garden. The aged gentleman had lost his wife to consumption five years ago. He had thinning grey hair and a rather plainface, made pleasanter by his frequent smiles. At this moment, his position made the bald patch at the top of his head prominent.
I halted Lily. “Good day, Mr. Rowe.”
He shot me a quick look. “Miss Bennet, how lovely to see you.” He rose, dusted off his trousers, and came towards me with a jovial air. “Have you come from Minster Street?”
“Yes, I went to the circulating library.” My hand moved to my saddle bag. “Today I borrowed a memoir of a Scottish author’s travels through Portugal and Spain.” My uncle kept a family subscription to the library—he, Noah, and I used it often.
“That sounds interesting. Let me know your opinion once you have read it.”
“Yes, I shall.” Lily stamped a hoof upon the dirt—she wanted to move forwards. I stroked her neck in a rhythmic pattern to soothe her.
“I received a letter from my daughter, Marina. She will not be able to visit me this summer but is planning to come in October.”
“Oh, that is a shame, but I shall be glad to see her then.” The former Miss Marina Rowe had married Mr. Vaughan, a barrister, last year, and the couple lived in Northampton.
His hands clapped together. “I have tidings from your tenant Mr. Hughes. We spoke last week when he called in on his way home from the market. He remarked that his two daughters adore the dolls you and Miss Barton gave them.”
“I am pleased to hear that.” I sat straighter in the saddle. Although Cassie’s sewing skills exceeded mine for intricate work such as embroidery, I had designed the prototype for our dolls; we created them to match the physical traits of the recipients. The Haywards’ three-year-old daughter loved the one she received from us.
It occurred to me that we had not dined with Mr. Rowe in over two weeks. “Would you like to join us for dinner this Saturday? My uncle will be absent as he is leaving tomorrow for a stay in London, but the Haywards will bethere.” Despite the difference in their ages, Mr. Rowe and Mr. Hayward shared a close bond.
His mouth flattened. “I am afraid I cannot accept, though I appreciate the invitation. As it happens, I am also for town. Since my daughter has postponed her visit, I have decided to depart on Wednesday morning to stay with my brother for the next month.”
“Oh, I see.” Mr. Rowe, like my uncle, took frequent trips to London.
Not long after I parted from Mr. Rowe, a familiar gentleman rider appeared in the distance: Mr. Stephen Ware. He cantered towards me on a bay horse from a path perpendicular to the road.
He waved to me, and I returned the gesture. The poor man. Cassie continued to avoid him and would not budge from her resolve. My uncle, Noah, and I had all attempted to dissuade her from this course to no avail.
“Good day, Miss Bennet.” Mr. Ware touched the brim of his hat.
“Good day, Mr. Ware. It is nice to see you.”
He directed his steed to the road and drew alongside me. “Are you on your way home?”
“Yes, I have been to the library in Salisbury.”
“Ah. I hope your uncle and cousins are well.”
“Yes, quite well.”
“Pray be certain to give them my regards.” He held me in an earnest gaze.
“Yes, I shall do so.” He had not mentioned her, but without doubt, Cassie drew the bulk of his concern.
Mr. Ware raised his beaver hat to smooth a section of his hair. “I wonder whether there is any possibility…” He broke off, and his chin dipped before he faced me anew. “Do you suppose Miss Barton would be willing to receive me today?”
