Page 22 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

“Ah, good afternoon, my dears,” the dowager said, smiling warmly at them. “And Mr Bramwell.”

She looked between them with obvious interest.

“I was looking for my brother, but found the ladies,” Gideon said hastily, pushing to his feet. “I had better be returning to site, however.”

“Don’t leave on my account,” the woman said, studying him. “All work and no play, Mr Bramwell. You are looking rather weary, if you don’t mind me remarking it. Don’t you sleep? I have a fine remedy for that.”

Gideon stiffened, aware that the other people on the terrace might be listening in. “I’m perfectly well, I assure you, but I thank you for your concern. If you’ll excuse me. Thank you, Lady Henrietta, for the ice. It was most welcome.”

She nodded, but her expression was troubled as he hurried away.

As he walked through the foyer, he found Mrs Fairway at the reception desk.

“Yes, Lord Rivington booked in earlier, but he went out a little while ago,” she told him with a smile.

“Did he say when he’d be back?”

“I’m afraid not. Would you like to leave a message for him?” she asked.

Gideon shook his head. There was no point. If Damian had come here to cause mischief, he’d find out soon enough.

“Might I pay for Lady Henrietta and her sister? They were kind enough to share an ice with me, and I’d like to repay their kindness.”

“Certainly, Mr Bramwell.”

Having settled their account, Gideon left the hotel, his nerves jangling. He might have known everything had been going too smoothly. It was only a matter of time before it all went to hell.

The Mermaid, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 21st July 1816

Hetty watched Mr Bramwell go.

Gee-Gee was right. He looked tired. Worn to a thread, actually. She might not know him well, but she could tell the hotel meant everything to him. He meant to make a great success of it, to establish his reputation as one of the best young architects around. Ambition shimmered in his eyes when he spoke of his work, and she greatly admired his determination, his drive. If only she could find something to feel so passionately about. But needlework and watercolour painting and all the things that ladies were allowed to fill their time with had always left her cold. It was so dull.

Forcing her attention from the enigma that was Mr Gideon Bramwell, she turned back to Gee-Gee, who; she saw now, was not alone. A rather dapper man attended her. He was perhaps a few years her junior, but with the strength and fitness of a man who had been active all his life. His weatherbeaten face was interesting, and his eyes twinkled with intelligent interest.

“Come and sit with us,” Gee-Gee said to them, brooking no refusal to her invitation by walking off to take her place at the table Mrs King had reserved for her. Cilly and Hetty exchanged amused glances and followed. The waitress, returning with their new orders, obligingly took their bowls and set them down on the table.

“What have you got there?” Gee-Gee demanded, peering at their ices with interest.

“I have coconut. It’s my second bowl, I had raspberry first, and it was delicious.”

“Rose and vanilla,” Cilly said, gazing at her bowl with anticipation. “And I had mint. It was most refreshing.”

They looked pointedly at the gentleman who was standing awkwardly by the table and Gee-Gee followed their gaze. “Oh, Lady Henrietta, Lady Cecilia, Major Hancock. Major, these are the Dowager Duchess of Langley’s granddaughters.”

“Delighted, ladies, delighted,” the fellow said, grinning at them. He bowed respectfully.

“Oh, stop flirting and sit down, Arthur,” Gee-Gee scolded him before turning her attention to Mrs King, who had been waiting discreetly to take their orders.

“I’ll have the Rose and vanilla, and the coconut,” she said before thinking about it for a moment. “And the raspberry. What’ll you try, Arthur?”

The Major smiled warmly at Mrs King. “My usual, please, my dear.”

“Of course, Major,” she replied before moving away and leaving them alone.

“What is your usual?” Gee-Gee asked, slanting him a curious glance.

“Rum and raisin,” he said, and smacked his lips.