Page 51 of Appointment in Bath

She glanced down at him as she arranged her habit skirts. “I b-beg your pardon?”

“When can we meet again?” He remained by Rowena’s side, gazing up at Meg with unusual solemnity. “It can’t be Saturday or Sunday. Not with my parents arriving. But next week, the moment I can get away, we can continue riding together as always.”

“Everything just the same,” she said quietly. It was both a statement and a question.

Ivo hastened to reassure her. “Exactly the same. This doesn’t change anything, I promise you.”

A flare of some unnamable emotion flickered in Meg’s eyes. It was gone in an instant, replaced by an equally unreadable look. “No,” she said. “I know it doesn’t.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Is that everything?” Ivo wandered around Ruggiero’s empty bedchamber, eyes alert for stray books or any lingering scrap of clothing.

“It is, sir.” Ruggiero fastened his battered trunk. “Mr. Partridge saw to it while you were out riding.”

“Did he?” Ivo murmured. If Partridge had been responsible for gathering the signore’s effects, one could be sure that, once the man departed Beasley Park, no traces of him would remain. “God bless Partridge.”

“Aye, sir,” Ruggiero agreed. “A most efficient man.”

A most efficient man who had presently absented himself.

Ivo had returned from his tumultuous meeting with Meg to find the signore preparing to leave, with no trace of Partridge in sight.

Ruggiero’s departure wasn’t entirely a surprise. Pinnock had made him an offer of employment several days ago. The signore had accepted, of course. Ivo had heartily encouraged him to do so. But now…

He leaned back against the window embrasure. Folding his arms, he regarded his former guide with decidedly mixed feelings. As irritating as Ruggiero could be, and as aggravating his vices, Ivo felt a distinct responsibility for the man. “You’re certain this position will suit?”

“Is good place with Mr. Pinnock.” Ruggiero paused. A sheepish smile brushed his lips. “It is a good place,” he amended. “Steady work.”

“Respectable work. He won’t tolerate any nonsense.”

“This I know.”

“If the wine tempts you again…”

“It won’t.” Ruggiero retrieved his leather portmanteau from the bench at the end of the bed and carried it to join his trunk by the chamber door. “I drink when I’m missing the way it was. You know. In the before times.”

Ivo nodded in grim understanding. Ruggiero had suffered mightily being left impoverished and stranded in a country far from home. A more resourceful—and perhaps less emotional—man might have made a success of it. But the signore had felt the sadness of his alteration in circumstances too keenly to bear without the assistance of drink. After so many years in exile, it was a miracle he’d survived his own weaknesses.

“What’s to prevent you missing the way it was when you’re teaching Mr. Pinnock’s children?” Ivo asked.

“I have a place now,” Ruggiero said. “No need to be melancholy. Mr. Pinnock…he has many sons. All ages.”

“Quite so. Play your cards right, and you’re guaranteed a decade of employment at least. And a glowing reference afterward, I endeavor to hope.”

“I’ll make a success of it.”

“I know you will,” Ivo said. “You’re more than your circumstances.”

Ruggiero’s eyes glistened with repressed emotion. “That’s what you told me in Rome.”

“I meant it. Humans have an infinite capacity for change. We’ve no need to fear it. To change is to survive.”

“As you say. We must look to the future.” Smoothing his brown cloth frock coat, Ruggiero drew himself up with dignity. “I’ll pay you back the cost of my passage with my first wages.”

Ivo straightened from the window. “Don’t be stupid. In any event, I consider it an investment. In ten years’ time, I’ll likely have children of my own. They’ll need to learn their Latin and Italian. Keep yourself in good order and who knows? You might find yourself returning to my employment.”

Ruggiero’s smile broadened into a grin. “I give you my blessing for strong sons.”