“I do love their sweet cakes,” Harriet chimed in.
Bath was bustling with activity. Their carriage stopped in front of the quaint little shop, and George handed the women down. “I do hope we’ll find a table. I’ve never seen so many people about.”
As luck would have it, they were able to secure the last available table. It didn’t escape Harriet’s attention that Miss Darvey and her friends were also in the tea shop. She nodded to them, but Miss Darvey seemingly only had eyes for Lord Spenser. When the trio rose from their seats a few moments later, she had no doubt they’d stop by their table.
“Lord Spenser, lovely to see you today,” Miss Darvey said.
George hadn’t seen the young women before they walked over to their table, and he stood. “Your Grace, may I introduceto you Miss Darvey, Miss Adams, and Miss Burton? Ladies, the Duchess of Wilshire, Miss Weston, and you know Lady Harriet.”
The young women curtseyed to Mercy. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” Miss Darvey said. “Miss Weston, Lady Harriet.”
Harriet was glad they only had a small table and there was no room for the young women to join them.
“It’s such a pleasant afternoon, don’t you agree? Don’t let us keep you. Enjoy your day, ladies,” Mercy said.
“Good day, Your Grace.”
Being dismissed by a duchess didn’t seem to sit well with Miss Darvey if the pout she wore on her way out of the shop was any indication.
Harriet wasn’t the least bit surprised. The more interactions she had with the trio, the more she realized that she wasn’t interested in spending any time with them. And that the feeling was mutual. The only person Miss Darvey was interested in was Lord Spenser, and the only young woman Lord Spenser was interested in was Miss Weston. She’d enlighten her sister about her suspicions regarding Miss Darvey when they returned to Dalling Manor, but she thought Mercy had dismissed the young women with such grace that they had had no choice but to leave.
The rest of the visit to the tea shop was delightful, with Mercy regaling them with more stories from their wedding trip and the lovely people they met along the way.
“That does sound delightful, Your Grace,” Miss Weston said. “I do hope to visit there one day.”
“It was truly enjoyable. I’m looking forward to seeing our country seat as well. I’ve never been to Basingstoke before. Have you ventured that way, Lord Spenser?”
“I have not, Your Grace.”
“You must come and visit us someday then.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I shall endeavor to do that.”
When it was time to depart, Lord Spenser handed the women up into the carriage.
The driver flicked the reins and steered the horses down the street to the cottage Miss Weston was sharing with her aunt. It didn’t take long for them to reach their destination.
Mercy reached over and squeezed Lydia’s hands. “Miss Weston, I do hope we can enjoy some more time together before my husband and I must leave.”
“I would like that very much, Your Grace. Goodbye, Lady Harriet.”
George opened the door and jumped down before helping Miss Weston. Harriet watched the young couple as he walked her to the front door. She saw Miss Weston nod and wondered if Lord Spenser had asked her for a dance at the next Assembly Room gathering.
“I see what you mean, Harriet. Those two are definitely smitten with each other,” Mercy said.
“I thought you handled Miss Darvey well today. I’m sure you noticed she was only interested in Lord Spenser and not in engaging in any conversation with us.”
Mercy nodded. “I did indeed. I’ve known women like her—they’re only focused on what they want and don’t consider others who may stand in their way. Unfortunately, it is the way of the ton. Every mother wants the best for her daughter, and it’s not surprising that Lord Spenser would indeed be considered a good catch. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when everyone returns to London for the Season.”
Harriet shook her head. “I don’t want to return to London. I prefer the country with its fresh air and wide-open pastures. London is dirty and smelly. Plus, I already know the man I wish to marry.”
Mercy nodded. “Yes, you’ve told me how you feel about Lord Hartley.”
“Wiltshire assures me he’ll not let my cousin force me to marry a man I don’t love.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. I’m sure things will work out as they should. You must have faith, my dear.”
There was no more time to discuss Lord Hartley, as Lord Spenser joined them then in the carriage for the ride back to Dalling Manor.
