“The Pump Room,” she read aloud, feeling like she did when she was a child on an outing to the park—reading the signs aloud for the joy of hearing the names of new places.
“Quite so,” Edward replied, alighting swiftly from the coach. He beamed up at her, holding out his gloved hand to help herout. “That is our destination. The road is quite bumpy,” he added as she jumped down, wincing at the pain in her ankle.
“Yes, it is,” she agreed, giggling despite the brief stab of pain.
“Quite so,” Edward repeated. “Now, dear lady,” he added, reaching up to help Caroline down. “Proceed carefully, and we will go indoors. I trust the fellow has reserved us a place.”
“I am quite certain he has, dear,” Caroline teased. “You asked him to.”
“I did,” Edward replied.
They both smiled at Edward fondly and then they were all walking towards the Pump Room.
The rest of the guests had followed them down to the town, and soon all of them were thronging the pavement. Lady Clairwood had come, Sarah noticed, her stomach twisting with nerves, along with the parents of Lady Marina. She frowned, looking for the duke. She was relieved to spot him just behind, walking with Lord and Lady Egerton. He saw her and smiled.
Sarah blinked. She looked at Caroline, sure that the duke must be smiling at his host and hostess, but when she looked back at him, he was gazing straight at her. Her heart thudded in her chest as, utterly unexpectedly, he came over to stand beside her.
“Miss Brooke,” he greeted her warmly. “Have the buildings of Bath captured your artistic imaginings?”
Sarah giggled at his question. “Not yet, I am afraid to say,” she replied, gazing up at the white-painted building before them with its many long windows. “But this building, I must admit, has charm.”
“It does. It certainly does,” the duke agreed. “I believe that the waters we are to be served are especially restorative.”
“I have heard so,” Sarah agreed.
“I wonder about that,” Edward said, joining the conversation. “I think it’s just a good excuse for people to meet and mingle here.”
“Oh, Edward,” Caroline said teasingly, her eyes bright with affection. “You are spoiling the mystique of the place.”
“I apologise,” Edward replied, bowing, though his eyes sparkled devilishly, and Sarah had to laugh.
“He is not repentant at all,” the duke jested with Edward.
Sarah chuckled.
Edward stepped a little back and Sarah frowned, then noticed that Lady Clairwood was approaching.
“Shall we go in?” Edward asked. “I would observe the usual order of precedence, but I worry that our tables have not been reserved, so I would like to go first,” he added, loud enough for Lady Clairwood—who, as the highest-ranking woman among the guests, would usually go first—to hear him.
“Of course, dear,” Caroline replied firmly.
Sarah drew in a sharp breath as Edward and the duke stood back for Caroline and herself. She could almost hear the duchess suck in an angry breath, but propriety made it impossible for her to contradict her host, and so she stood back as Caroline went ahead, Sarah following. Edward and the duke stepped up neatly behind them, and they all went in through the dark wooden doorway.
“My lord? You requested a table for fifteen guests?” the proprietor was instantly by Edward’s side. Edward smiled and nodded.
“I did.”
“Very well, my lord. We have set the table there,” the proprietor informed him, gesturing to the back of the space. “If you will follow me?”
“Of course,” Edward replied. Again, he stood back for Caroline and Sarah to go ahead of him and Sarah held her breath, gazing in awe around the lovely space.
A crystal chandelier hung from the roof; the light of the candles magnified by the faceted stone. The walls were coveredwith textured silk wallpaper, the floor polished wood. Fine wooden tables stood around at regular intervals, accompanied by spindle-legged chairs that embodied modern decor. The counter behind which the proprietor stood was filled with delicacies and Sarah—who had eaten breakfast early to avoid the other guests—felt her stomach rumble. The other guests had come in behind them and Caroline gestured her to a seat. Sarah followed her, her stomach knotting up as the duke came to sit opposite and Edward right beside him.
“Lady Marina! Do, please, join me,” the duchess said in a drawling, authoritative tone. The pretty debutante came over to sit beside the duchess—who was beside Edward—and Sarah looked at her plate, feeling desperately uncomfortable. Everything the duchess did seemed to highlight that she considered Sarah not quite good enough.
“My lady? Should we bring the water now?” the proprietor asked, inclining his head politely to Caroline, who was seated beside Sarah.
“Yes. Thank you. And a selection of cakes?” Caroline asked.
