As Alwyn sat in the study, writing out his notes of observation, Mr Caspar was nearby, humming a tune as he set up the chessboard for the game he had been promised. Mrs Caspar was on the settee with an open book, though Alwyn doubted she had read a single page as she had spent the morning watching her husband’s every move.
In regards to Miss Everson, he had not had a glimpse of her. By the time he had moved his bishop to seize a rook, Alwyn wondered if she was hiding herself away because of what had happened with her embroidery hoop the day before.
How does one encourage another not to feel shame over something?He took a pawn.Merely saying so implies that the personoughtto feel shame.
“Ah…” Mr Caspar intoned, his eyes twinkling. “Checkmate!”
He pushed the black queen diagonally across the board, knocking the white king onto the carpet with a thud.
Chuckling, Alwyn wanted to play a second round, hoping Miss Everson might make an appearance after all, but another patient over on Hemmings Row was expecting him.
“Well,” he said, rising from his seat. “Now that I’ve been soundly trounced, I’ll bid you both adieu.”
This drew a chortle out of Mr Caspar, and a delicate smile from his wife.
“But first, shall I help you up the stairs to your room, sir?”
“Yes, I think I have the vim for that…and I would like to…lie down upon my bed.”
Ten minutes later, as he was coming back down the staircase, Alwyn was quietly delighted when the front door opened, and Miss Everson stepped inside. Focused on removing her gloves, she did not see him at first.
“Good morning,” he said, stepping down fully onto the floor.
Though a little startled, she quickly regained her composure. “Good day, Mr Alwyn. How do you find my uncle this morning?”
“Very well, I’m pleased to say.”
His breath caught as she stepped closer to ask in a whisper, “So my aunt is not imagining his improvement? She assured me of it when the Hartleys invited me out for a drive, as I was reluctant to go.”
He lowered his voice to match hers. “Your aunt is quite right. He is better every day. These friends, did you become acquainted with them here in town?”
And is there a young man amongst them?he kept himself from asking as she untied and removed her bonnet.
“Yes, we met at Green Park, when I returned Miss Hartley to her mother.”
“I beg your pardon — youreturnedher?”
Smiling ruefully, Miss Everson replied, “Miss Hartley is severely myopic, so when I saw her standing alone, looking as if she had been separated from her party, I offered to help her find them. She is a jolly girl, in spite of her impairment — I’d even call her adventurous. I cannot help but admire her,” she said, then added precisely, “which is good as I may soon serve as her companion.”
Alwyn felt his smile drop away.
“What can you mean?”
“Well, my reason in coming to town at all was to find employment, and as if by Providence, I met with the Hartleys — a lovely family.” Seeming more loquacious than usual, Miss Everson went on, “And just in time, too, as Mr Hartley intends to take them all home soon. Of course, I could not leave my aunt and uncle quite yet — although you say he is well on the mend…”
“And where do these Hartleys live when they are not in town?” Alwyn asked, abandoning his attempts at breezy discourse.
“Somewhere in the north.” She stared at the floor in thought. “Is it…Lancashire?”
Lancashire!He gripped his satchel’s handle a little tighter.
“A beautiful part of the country, I’ve heard.” Miss Everson gave a breathy laugh. “I’ve always wanted to see it. But as youcan see, no plans are set in stone just yet. The Hartleys have invited me to go with them to the Adelphi tomorrow evening, so perhaps we’ll discuss the terms then.”
How could I possibly court her if she were in Lancashire? That’s a three-day ride from here, at the very least!
Must I propose to her this very moment?
Alwyn stood, pressing his lips together, then said, “Miss Everson, I have a…that is, I would like to offer you an alternative — though I don’t mean to encroach upon your current opportunity, if it is what you want…isit what you want?”
