He had noticed the necklace and assumed it was an attempt to soften his heart. It would not work. “I have decided to return the pin. It was an extravagance I can ill afford.” It would receive only a fraction of the price, but his money was becoming too tight for this to weigh with him. Besides, he no longer wished to wear anything so flamboyant. That had been a short-lived alteration to his style but did not accord with who he was.
“You are determined to make me angry,” she said, her eyes flashing. “I am going elsewhere, for there aremanywho are always glad of my company.”
He watched her stalk off and saw her expression transform as soon as she met Lambert. She greeted him, her face now wreathed in smiles. James watched them in a somewhat clinical manner, noting the absence of emotion in his breast. How he would marry this woman and live with her, he could not begin to fathom.
He turned back to the opening of the Promenade, where the Bridwells were now entering the park, and went over to greet them. After all, he could not ignore his own neighbors.
“Good evening, Mr. Bridwell.” James bowed, then greeted the three daughters, his eyes settling on Amy last. Had he been successfulin breaking things off with Isabel, he might have begun to renew his suit. This was an unhelpful thought, and bitterness and regret welled up in him.
Mr. Bridwell returned the greeting and claimed he was in search of a seat before continuing on. Hannah and Marianne left to walk at their father’s side, and James turned to Amy.
“Your father is not vexed with me, I trust?” he asked.
“No, merely in pain.” She did not sound angry anymore, but the distance between them was as far as ever.
They walked toward the central alley, skirting the dancing, and followed Mr. Bridwell in his search for a place to sit. James wished he could tell Amy something of his trials. He wished he could tell her that he had attempted, and with good reason, to extricate himself from his disastrous engagement. He could not, however, for he had failed.
Amy appeared somber at his side, as though she sensed the hopelessness of his situation. She could not have, but she likely imagined him to have flirted with her on their return from Annette and Lubin’s with no intention—or freedom—of behaving in a more proper manner toward her. That would not raise him in her esteem.
“My father has determined that we will leave Spa early,” Amy said.
Her words pulled James out of his own worries and sent the breath out of his lungs. He was not going to see her again, was he? He would lose her even before he was forced to wed someone else.
“Why?”
“Papa thinks that the waters in Spa are not all they claim to be. He first considered Spain as a new destination, and then today had the idea to try Aix-en-Provence before we go to Paris, despite the fact that it isdaysof travel out of our way. There are many arrangements to be made if that is indeed what we must do.” She sighed, adding, “I did try to talk to him about consulting you and trying the baths, but he said that if Mr. Hughes couldnot find a cure for him, he was in doubt that someone much younger could do so.”
“I see.” James had not thought his life could get any worse. So they were leaving. He remembered a time when he could think of a hopeful solution to about any predicament. That optimism seemed to have vanished forever.
He lifted his eyes and saw Lambert disengage from Isabel and walk over, smiling, to Amy’s sisters. The painter said a few words to Marianne and pulled her into an impromptu dance of several steps, leaving Hannah to sit with her father. Amy must have seen it too.
“Perhaps it is for the best that we leave early.” She turned her gaze from Marianne and Lambert to him. “I had better go and see to my father.”
“Yes.” James could not let her go without saying something more—something of a supportive nature. “If I can do anything for you or your father, please let me know.”
She turned back, unsmiling. “Thank you.” She left without saying anything else, for she likely thought as he did. What could he do for either of them, roped as he was into a betrothal with someone else and too young to give Mr. Bridwell confidence in his medical expertise?
The answer was nothing.
Chapter 19
The baths at the Tonnelet were at last completed. As James returned from the final inspection, he thought of what a shame it was that Mr. Bridwell would not even try them. But he could not force the issue with a man so many years his senior, and a patient of someone else’s besides.
When he arrived at home, a summons awaited him from Mr. Vroomen. He was grateful for anything that could distract him from his despondency over a betrothal that was a weight around his neck and the knowledge that Amy would soon slip out of his life again.
He knocked on Mr. Vroomen’s door, and the physician himself answered it, dressed to go out. “Good. You are here. I received a message from Lady Spencer saying she wishes to see me. I can only guess that Miss Bainesworth has informed her mother that she has consulted with a physician. It would be best if you were there, especially as you are to take over my cases next week when I leave.”
James had almost forgotten about that fact with all else that occupied his mind. He turned to walk with the physician. “I am perfectly ready.”
It was a good thing if Miss Bainesworth had found the courage to speak to her mother—that was, assuming her mother didnot learn of her medical consultations another way. Perhaps it meant Miss Bainesworth was ready to take a stand against Lady Spencer’s wishes and remain in Spa. For Morry’s sake, he hoped it would all end well.
As they walked to the hotel where the baron had rooms, James shared his good news that the Tonnelet baths were finally ready for public use. Now all he had to do was find a way to announce them to Spa’s visitors. Mr. Vroomen, ever optimistic, expressed his faith that they would become as famous as Spa itself.
They were admitted and shown to Miss Bainesworth’s room. This time, Lady Spencer sat in the chair by the window, her hands folded and her mouth drawn in displeasure. Her daughter’s face revealed no trace of emotion.
“Good morning, Lady Spencer. I hope you are well.” Mr. Vroomen bowed to her before greeting her daughter. “I have brought my collaborator, Mr. Fletcher, who will be taking over my patients next week in my brief absence.”
Lady Spencer stood and acknowledged them both with a nod. “What is this I hear about your recommendation that my daughter remain in Spa to improve her health?”
