‘Oh please, do call me Lucy.’
‘All right, Lucy. And you must call me Jane.’
While this was going on, I was distracted by the sound of Elizabeth’s tinkling tones in the hallway. Jane’s sister-in-law had waylaid Alice as she was bringing our tea, and the door was ajar so I could hear her saying things such as ‘much less salt’ and ‘please trim the fat’—Edward’s diet being obviously of some concern to his wife since he had gout.
Their conversation finished, Alice appeared with a tray of tea-things; and Elizabeth followed, wearing a businesslike expression. I had met her once a few years ago on one of the occasions Edward had visited the rectory and thought she had a pleasing confidence. Now in her mid-twenties, she had not changed much in manner or appearance and was still fair-haired, slim, and elegant despite having borne five children under the age of six. From what Jane had told meabout her sister-in-law’s firm hand in taking charge of her unruly brood, it was safe to say that Elizabeth Austen was used to being listened to.
‘Hello, Felicity. Edward told me you had arrived,’ she said warmly, and we bowed to each other.
‘Elizabeth, thank you so much for having us,’ I replied.
‘It is our pleasure. And this must be Lucinda. How lovely! Welcome, my dear! Oh no, no need to curtsy. Come and sit by me on the sofa and tell me all about yourself.’
Lucinda glanced at me, and I nodded reassuringly. The poor thing looked a bit overwhelmed at being drawn into this instant friendship, but Elizabeth was our host and not to be deterred. I had a feeling that Jane must have mentioned Lucinda was on the marriage circuit. Elizabeth was a compulsive matchmaker and had caused Jane much amusement over the years in her attempts to introduce friends (and even Jane herself) to what she deemed ‘eligible suitors’. So far, none of her pairings had worked out.
It looked like Lucinda was about to be taken under her wing as her next project.
As her official chaperone, I felt a bit mean leaving Lucinda in Elizabeth’s clutches. However, as Jane and I were chatting on the opposite sofa, I could easily cut in if I felt it was needed.
I took the cup of tea Jane handed me and sank back into the tasselled cushions with a sigh. Icould relax now that order had been restored!
‘Where is Edward?’ I asked. ‘Does he want some tea?’
‘He is resting before supper as taking the waters always tires him out,’ said Jane. She told me she and Elizabeth had been at the pump room while he was bathing next door.
‘What do you do at the pump room?’ I asked.
‘Oh, promenade around and make acquaintances, as one does in Bath,’ said Jane airily.
I sipped my tea. ‘And did you meet anyone?’
‘An older lady and her husband. They were respectable enough, but quite dull.’
She squinted and pretended to look at me through a pair of pince-nez, and I giggled.
‘Now tell me about your trip. Was it terribly taxing?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Very much so. I thought we would never arrive. The inns were awful, and the carriage ride uncomfortable. The only good thing is that it didn’t rain. Otherwise, it would have taken twice as long.’
‘I hope you are not missing Max too much?’ Jane teased.
The memory of his dear face swam before my eyes, and my heart pinched. I bit my lip and did not trust myself to speak.
‘Ah, I am sorry. I should not have said that. Of course you are.’ She patted my handgently.
I pushed down the lump in my throat with another swallow of tea and took a steadying breath.
‘I must write to him and tell him of our arrival so he can inform Seraphina that Lucy hasn’t been accosted by highwaymen. Thank you again for allowing her to stay. I know it was very last minute.’
‘Not at all. As Elizabeth said, it is our pleasure. And I fully intend to help you with your chaperoning duties and rescue her from any nefarious gentlemen.’
We looked across at where Elizabeth was questioning (read: interrogating) a blank-faced Lucinda about her dowry.
‘I think Lucy might need rescuing right now.’
‘Shall I suggest that she attends to her toilette before supper?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ I said, relieved.
