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It appeared while she was wallowing in self-pity, the other three had finished their tea and were ready to leave.
“I guess it is time for us to depart,” she said. She patted her mouth and placed her napkin alongside her plate. Lottie gracefully rose and the two girls and Mr. Westbrooke followed.
They made their way to the carriage with Carter taking her arm and tucking it alongside his body. He leaned in close to her and spoke softly. “Miss Danvers, sometime soon I would like to have a conversation with you. I know something is bothering you and even frightening you. I want to help.”
Dear God. No.
8
Carter dropped the knocker on the front door of the building where Lottie had her flat. Since the rooms were only let to women, there was a man who monitored the outside door, which made Carter extremely happy to know that Lottie was safe.
“Good afternoon, sir. May I ask who you are visiting?” The older man wore a simple footman’s uniform. He stepped back to allow Carter to enter.
Carter removed his hat and nodded to the man. “I would like to visit with Miss Danvers.”
“Very good, sir. However, I must ask you to wait in the parlor and I will fetch Miss Danvers. We do not allow gentlemen above the ground floor.” The man waved toward a room to the right side of the entrance hall.
Carter did not avail himself of a seat, but as he wandered the room, he took note of the well-decorated space that was obviously meant to provide a place for a woman to meet with a guest. He was feeling even better about Lottie’s building.
Within five minutes, Lottie entered the room. “Good afternoon, Mr. Westbrooke. To what do I owe this surprise—she emphasized the word—visit?”
Her words might have been terse, but the look on her face was anything but annoyed. In fact, he could say that she almost seemed happy to see him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t send a note around, but I happen to find myself near your flat and thought you might want to join me for tea. Or a ride in the park. Or a stroll around the neighborhood.” Hopefully, he didn’t sound as desperate as he felt, waiting for her to frown and refuse.
She hesitated for a few moments and then, to his utter surprise, said, “Yes. I think I would enjoy a stroll. So far, I’ve been cooped up here for the entire day with one student after another. It will be good to have a bit of fresh air.”
Since it would be the epitome of inelegance to hop into the air and shout with glee, Carter merely smiled and bowed. “Thank you.”
“Just let me get my cape.” And with those few words, Lottie was back out the door, leaving him with a warm feeling, mixed with excitement at how well his request had gone.
Luckily, it was a rare sunny day and even though they were nearing the end of winter, the air wasn’t too unpleasant. They strolled the area around her neighborhood, making light conversation.
“Were you pleased with your students’ performance at tea the other day?” Carter stopped their stroll as they ap
proached the end of the pavement. With no vehicles headed their way, they crossed the street and continued.
“Yes. For the most part, I thought they did quite well. Poor Miss Dobson was near tears when she arrived the next day for her lesson. Her question about whether you owned a dog was certainly not the sort of thing I teach as a method to employ while making polite conversation. I had to assure her more than once that it was not a major faux pas since you were, for the most part, a test subject.”
“Both young ladies seemed to be very sweet. I am sure they will do well with you leading them.” He looked in her direction, waiting for her reaction to his next question. “Will you be acting as their chaperone, then, when they make their debut in London?”
Lottie sucked in a deep breath and shook her head furiously. “No. Not at all. My time with them ends right before they leave for London.”
He placed his hand on hers, hoping to keep her from bolting since her reaction to his question was what he’d expected. “How odd. I would think their parents would continue your employment when they entered the Marriage Mart.”
“No. I made it quite clear when they engaged me that I would not act as a chaperone.” She glanced at him sideways. “After all, I have other students who need my services here in Bath.”
Good response, my dear Miss Danvers. One point for you.
“And, of course, you dislike London.” He looked at a store window, attempting to appear as though this was merely conversation and he was not looking for information.
Again, the stiffening of her body. “Yes. I dislike London.”
He took a deep breath, deciding in for a penny, in for a pound. “And you don’t wish to be recognized in London, either.”
Lottie came to an abrupt stop. He attempted to look innocent, but he doubted he’d succeeded.
“What do you mean?” Her breathing had increased, and her face was growing redder by the moment. “Why would you say that?”
