Without another word, Miss Bainbridge glided away, her small form quickly swallowed up in the crowd.
The attendant set down two glasses of water without looking at Lavinia. Just as well, since she was glaring balefully at him.
It was something of an issue to get back through the crowd, clutching a glass of water in each gloved hand, but Lavinia managed it with her sharp elbows.
However, when she reached the place where she had left Gillian, she found the fat woman in the seat instead of her sister.
“Where is my sister?” Lavinia barked out, before she could help herself. “She was sitting here only a moment ago.”
The woman turned up her nose and did not deign to answer, fluttering herself madly with a fan and hiding a self-satisfied smile. Abruptly, somebody behind Lavinia jostled her, and she slopped water all over her arm.
“Oh,bother!” Lavinia gasped aloud, in a most unladylike way. With impeccable timing, she turned and found herself face to face with none other than the Duke of Dunleigh himself, staring impassively down at her.
“Oh,” she squeaked. “Your Grace.”
Chapter Nine
William glanced at the trail of water soaking into Miss Brookford’s glove, and hastily withdrew a handkerchief.
“It wasn’t I who jostled you,” he said suddenly, in case she thought he might have been responsible.
“I didn’t think that it was you, your Grace,” she responded, setting down the glasses on a nearby windowsill. “Where… where is my sister? I found her a seat, but apparently that woman persuaded her to give it up, and…”
“Oh, Miss Gillian went to sit with your mother, I believe. She asked me to let you know where she had gone. I believe she felt guilty at leaving you behind but found herself in great need of a chair.” William paused, biting his lip. “Is Miss Gillian often unwell?”
Miss Brookford’s expression tightened. “She’s always been a little sickly. Nottoosickly, but she requires a little extra care. I can look after her.”
He nodded, hoping that he hadn’t implied that she couldnottake care of her sister.
“Indeed, I’m sure of that. Does the water agree with you?”
She blinked, as if forgetting the very reason that Bath had been built, and snatched up one of the glasses, taking a long sip. Her nose wrinkled.
“Chalky. Warm and chalky.”
He suppressed a smile. “That’s meant to be a good sign.”
“I’m sure it is. I feel healthier already.”
Hedidlaugh at that, smothering his smile with a hand. His father had been very clear on his opinion of dukes who laughed or smiled ingratiatingly. Miss Brookford, however, did not seem to think his laughter was uncalled for or an unmanly display, and only gave a small, satisfied smile.
“So, as this is my first time in Bath,” she said, draining her glass and looking as though she would rather spit it all out again, “tell me, what else is there to do here beyond drink the water?”
“A great deal, actually. There are theatres, dining houses – some excellent ones, I can make recommendations if you would like – and there is a great deal of good society in town at the moment. I believe my mother had planned plenty of gatherings, balls, soirees and such for her guests, so you needn’t worry about being bored.”
“Oh, I wasn’t implying that I would be bored,” she said hastily. “As I say, I haven’t been in Bath before.”
“There are the Roman Baths next door,” William offered. “The architecture is quite breathtaking, and I believe we could learn a great deal from the innovations of the Romans. To contemplate what a civilization so distant from our own has accomplished! The structures of the aqueducts alone are…” he trailed off, suddenly aware that he was babbling excitedly about the sort of thing ladies were not often interested in. He glanced down at Miss Brookford, trying to gauge if he were boring her.
She was looking up at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue.
“Go on,” she said. “I am listening.”
He felt colour rise to his cheeks. Of course, William’s olive skin did not allow for much visible blushing, but still.
“We are planning a tour of the Roman Baths today,” he heard himself say. “You ought to come with us.”
This was not why he had approached her. This was not the reason at all.
