“I can’t imagine thatwateris that healthy.”
“Healthier than wine or port, certainly. Oh, there’s a seat. Do make haste.”
Lavinia dashed forward, manoeuvring Gillian into a single empty seat seconds before a large lady decorated with feathers could take the seat. The woman glared balefully at them both, and Lavinia smiled sweetly back until she moved off.
“Perhaps we should have let that woman sit here,” Gillian murmured.
“You need to sit, Gillian. You must rest.”
“But there’s only one spare seat. Where will you sit?”
“Well, I don’t need to sit right now. I am going to get us a glass of water each, and then we will sip it right here, and discuss its health benefits.”
Gillian giggled when Lavinia pulled a face. “Well, very well. Please do not tarry overlong, as I would rather not be left to my own devices, particularly if that lady returns and casts an unfriendly glance my way; I fear I may be compelled to relinquish the seat to her.”
“Don’t you dare. I mean it. I shall be right back.”
Lavinia scurried off through the crowd. She generally made better time by herself, without Gillian, because she utilized her elbows well enough to propel herself between people who would otherwise not think of moving out of the way of a young woman.
There was, unsurprisingly, a crowd near the pump, a harried attendant handing out glasses of cloudy water. Lavinia got to the counter and smiled winningly.
“Two glasses, please.”
A figure materialised at her side, making her jump.
“Do you often take the water, Miss Brookford?” Miss Bainbridge asked sweetly. “I myself do not enjoy the taste. Besides, drinkingwarmwater is never a pleasant experience.”
“Not often,” Lavinia managed. “But I thought it might do my sister some good. At least, it won’t do her anyharm.”
Miss Bainbridge leaned her elbows on the counter, gesturing to the attendant that she wanted one glass. He sprang into action, much more enthusiastically than he had done for Lavinia.
“I must compliment you on your dancing, Miss Brookford. You waltz remarkably well.”
Lavinia’s cheeks burned. She glanced at the other woman, not sure whether she was being insulted or not.
“Thank you. I don’t waltz often, so I am glad I remembered all the steps.”
“I think it odd how unforgiving Society is when it comes to things such as dancing,” Miss Bainbridge remarked, almost to herself. “If one misses a step, or stands on one’s partner’s foot – or, heaven forbid,trips and falls– everybody is shocked. It’s the most natural thing to do in the world, to make a mistake, but we simply cannot abide it as a society. Strange, no?”
Lavinia shot the woman a long look. “I cannot help but feel that you are not talking about dancing at all, Miss Bainbridge.”
The woman flashed her a wide, toothy grin, not the sort of demure smiles she generally preferred. Her round spectacles glinted.
“You are a clever woman, Miss Brookford. I admire that. Perhaps I ought to be frank.”
“Yes, perhaps.”
They were interrupted by the attendant sliding a glass of water towards Miss Bainbridge, who took it with a curl of her lip.
Lavinia, who had placed her order before Miss Bainbridge, glared at the attendant until he flushed red and turned back towards the pump.
“I intend to be Duchess of Dunleigh,” Miss Bainbridge said at last. “I don’t like to rely on wiles and cunning to achieve my ends. I have no skill in manipulation. I prefer logic, reason, and honesty, and I believe that the duke feels the same way. Frankly, I would make a good duchess. His Grace is not looking for a love match, but for somebody who would be an honour to his rank, and someone he can rely upon. I believe that such a position requires a great deal of responsibility, and I think I can fulfil those responsibilities. Can you declare the same for yourself?”
Lavinia stayed silent. Miss Bainbridge did not seem to expect an answer.
She drank back her glass of water in several long gulps, pulling a face at the taste, and set down the empty glass on the counter.
“Good day to you, Miss Brookford,” she said quietly. “I hope your sister recovers well today. She looked tired last night.”
