Speaking of Max, I was a happily married woman and should not be getting distracted by such an attractive male specimen!
As we walked over, I felt rather jittery but composed myself and was ready to make his acquaintance in a calm(ish) manner. But the gentleman had finished his conversation and strode away on long legs, the tails of his coat flicking behind him, before we had the chance. I let out a breath that was tinged with rotten eggs. It was a good thing he had gone, for in truth, I did not think I could remain composed in his presence. Yet part of me was disappointed that I had been denied the opportunity to meet him.
It seemed I was not the only one who had been fascinated by the gentleman. My niece was all aflutter when we reached her.
‘Aunty Fliss!’ breathed Lucinda. Her throat and cheeks were flushed pink, and her rosy skin complemented her soft dark hair becomingly. She clutched at my hands, and I could feel the heat of her palms through her thin gloves. ‘Oh, youhave just missed the mostamiablegentleman!’
‘Oh, believe me, we saw him,’ I assured her. ‘From across the room. Did you have a nice conversation? Was his manner pleasing?’
‘It was! I do not know how I managed a single word as I was so impressed by him, but he was easy to talk to, and I did not feel too awkward. How strange that such a handsome gentleman should want to talk to me!’
‘Not at all, Lucy,’ said Elizabeth indulgently. ‘He has a pair of fine eyes in his head, and you are a pretty young thing. Your mama should be well pleased ifhebecomes her son-in-law.’
She threw Jane and me a self-congratulatory smile, as if to imply that if this occurred,sheshould be the one to get the credit for instigating the match.
‘We should learn more about this man before we start planning Lucinda’s wedding,’ Jane said, frowning. ‘What is his name to begin with?’
‘Mr Dorian Hart,’ supplied Elizabeth.
‘Isn’t it sublime?’ said Lucinda dreamily. ‘He sounds like a poet.’
Elizabeth and I agreed that it was a very poet-like name. Jane didn’t pass comment.
‘And does he stay in Bath or ...?’ I enquired.
‘He is visiting for the Season but is a resident of the county,though he did not say where exactly,’ Elizabeth said.
‘Why was he here alone?’ asked Jane, sounding suspicious. I noted that she did not seem quite as taken with Mr Hart as we all were.
‘He was promenading with his friend from Eton, a Mr Smith-Withers. But Mr Hart lingered for so long talking to Lucinda that his friend excused himself as he had an appointment.’
‘But why did he speak to you in the first place?’ Jane pressed. ‘It was very forward that he should make your acquaintance without being introduced, at least by the master of ceremonies.’ She did not look impressed about Mr Hart having an Eton education, but to me, it signified he was at least intelligent and possibly wealthy.
‘It was only because he bumped my shoulder rather hard that his attention turned to us,’ explained Elizabeth. ‘After he apologised most profusely and hoped that I was not injured, he noticed Lucinda and immediately enquired as to our situation here in Bath. Of course, I happily told him as I saw he was quite struck with her. My shoulder is now a little sore and may in fact be bruised, but I do not mind as it brought about this meeting. In fact, I see it as a happy accident!’ She clapped her hands excitedly despite Jane shaking her head at her.
‘And was there any talk of a future meeting?’ I asked Lucinda, hardly daring to enquire in case the man had not said anything of that nature.
‘He said he hopes to see me at the ball tonight and become better acquainted,’ Lucinda murmured, blushing furiously and looking as if she might melt into a puddle on the floor.
‘Gracious,’ I said. ‘So I suppose we will be attending too?’
‘Upon my word, we shall not miss it for the world,’ said Elizabeth firmly. ‘Even if I have to drag Edward there on his crutches.’
Speaking of her husband, the man had availed himself of a sedan chair and was resting on the sofa when we returned from the pump room.
‘Ladies! How was your outing?’ he enquired. The baths must have been hot as his shirt was half unbuttoned, and he was perspiring heavily and mopping his forehead with a small white towel.
‘It was excellent, my dear,’ said Elizabeth, patting his red sweaty cheek and then wiping her hand on her skirt. ‘I have procured a suitor for Lucy, and we shall see him at the ball tonight.’
Edward began to protest that he was in no fit state fora ball, but Elizabeth would hear none of it.
‘We shall be taking Lucy to the ball. Sometimes, my dear, we must sacrifice our own comfort for the happiness of others.’ She touched her right shoulder gingerly and winced. ‘Excuse me, I shall ask the cook to fix me a poultice to ease my bruising and see about luncheon.’
The rest of us removed our pelisses and bonnets and flopped down on the other sofa when she’d left. Lucinda looked as deflated as I felt. After the excitement of meeting Mr Hart, the afternoon was sure to be a dreary one. But Jane suggested that we could visit the circulating library, so that was better than nothing.
Elizabeth came back soon after and said luncheon would be served in half an hour, so my spirits lifted upon hearing that. I was starving after all the walking around in the pump room, and I wanted to rid my mouth of the taste of the water.
‘Felicity, you have a letter. Mrs Bromley brought it back from the post office,’ said Elizabeth, taking it out of her skirt pocket and handing it over. I recognised the handwriting on the front instantly, and my heart leapt.
