Sarah was curled up on the sofa with a novel when Lizzie arrived home. She burst into the sitting-room, still wearing her outdoor clothes.
‘You see, she is quite all right,’ she announced over her shoulder. James appeared in the doorway. He cast his sister an angry glance.
‘Good heavens, James,’ she said, before he could begin his reproaches. ‘I wonder if it is possible for you to get any wetter. If you mean to stay in Bath you should get yourself an umbrella.’
‘Never mind that,’ he snapped, ‘just see you remember what I told you earlier. We shall be at the Pump Room at the same time tomorrow.’
There was a distinct emphasis on the we. Sarah looked at him very levelly but said nothing. He glared at her and opened his mouth, then glanced at Lizzie and snapped his mouth closed without speaking.
‘You are dripping on to the carpet,’ Sarah pointed out. With an exasperated snort, James swung round and went out.
‘It all depends on the weather,’ Lizzie said, following him into the hallway. ‘Perhaps we shall go for a walk if it is fine tomorrow. You might like to join us? And, oh, James, what do you think of….’
The rest of her words were too faint for Sarah to make out. She heard James say something in reply, then the front door slammed shut and Lizzie came back into the cosy sitting-room. Sarah raised her brows enquiringly. ‘What schemes have you been planning?’
Lizzie took off her wet cloak and set it on a chairback in front of the fire. She peered into the mirror over the mantelpiece and adjusted her curls. ‘The Keatings went to visit Wells last week. It is something we never did when we were at school here. They are full of admiration for the fine architecture of the cathedral and the beauties of the countryside. I am sure I can persuade Greg to drive us there.’
Sarah felt the now familiar lurch in her chest. She longed to see him yet dreaded it because every time she did, his good qualities made her even more aware of how much she liked him. There was no pleasure in being a bystander while he and Lizzie seemed to be growing ever closer.
‘Do you not want to go?’
She could hear the disappointment in Lizzie’s voice. She tried to summon up a cheerful look. ‘Who else is likely to join us?’
‘Well, I did hope to persuade your brother, but he seems to be a little out of sorts this morning.’
‘I fear James is often like that. And it would be miraculous if you could persuade him to be up and out at the time we would need to set off if we are to travel to Wells and back in daylight at this time of year.’
Lizzie settled in an armchair by the fire. She raised a foot to examine her boot. ‘How wet everything is today,’ she said crossly. ‘I shall have to change these now. I did want to go for a proper walk. It is no distance to the Pump Room.’
Sarah smiled. ‘It is if you are General Gardiner with a gouty foot. Thank goodness for sedan chairs. I take it you have left him there?’
‘Left him! Just try and winkle him out. He has met some old friends and I think they will be there all day, talking and playing cards.’
The door knocker sounded just as Lizzie had got the first boot off. She thrust it behind her chair and tucked her foot under her dress. Then the door opened and Greg made his way into the room. Sarah noticed that he now looked as pleasant and good-humoured as ever. Whatever had caused that grim expression, he had overcome it.
‘I was passing and decided to see if you were safe and dry again,’ he said to Sarah. ‘I am glad to find you looking more relaxed than you were earlier.’
‘Yes, what did happen to prevent you from joining me?’ Lizzie chimed in. ‘I had quite forgotten in all the excitement.’ She glanced from Greg to Sarah a little suspiciously. ‘What have you been getting up to?’
Sarah was twisting her curl before she could stop herself. ‘Nothing at all, I got very wet and was so cold I could not stay at the Pump Room.’ She cast a sideways glance at Greg. There was a gleam in his eyes. She forced her hand out of her hair and smoothed the neck of her gown. Greg’s eyes followed her fingers. To her annoyance, Sarah felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She deliberately folded her hands in her lap and raised her chin.
Greg waited a few minutes, his eyes hopeful. When she did not move he heaved a sigh and moved towards the door. ‘Since all is well and you are so cosy, I will not intrude further on your time, ladies.’ He was already turning the handle when Sarah remembered her manners.
‘Mr Thatcham, thank you for your help this morning….’
His eyes glinted at her. ‘Glad to be of service. Now or indeed, at any time.’
‘Oh, that reminds me,’ Lizzie exclaimed, ‘we are planning a visit to Wells. Would you like to join the party?’
‘Lizzie, you are a minx,’ he said. ‘You mean, will I drive you?’
She nodded and grinned at him.
He shook his head. ‘We cannot go three in one curricle. And until the weather improves, it is out of the question.’
‘Oh,’ she pouted, ‘I do so want to see the cathedral.’
‘You will,’ he promised. ‘Just have a little patience.’ The door closed behind him.
‘Well!’ said Lizzie with another pout, as she returned to pulling off her other boot, ‘if he is going to be so disobliging, I shall ask Lord Percival to take us.’
Sarah had been lost in a little dream, but at this she sat up with a jerk. ‘How could you even consider going on such an expedition with him?’
‘Just because you do not like him it does not mean everyone must do so. I find him very polished and handsome.’
‘Oh Lizzie, beware.’
Lizzie wriggled her toes towards the blaze in the hearth. She gave Sarah a long look. ‘You really do dislike him so much?’
‘I mistrust him. Truly, Lizzie, he is the last man to make into a friend. He has a dreadful reputation—’
‘So, someone will reform him.’ Lizzie tossed her head. ‘Would that not be a good idea?’
‘I fear he is past redemption,’ Sarah snapped. She bent her head over her book. The words would not make sense, however. This was an intolerable situation. Between Greg on the one hand and Lord Percival on the other, her days were a constant source of misery and problems. She frowned at the page but the letters just blurred.
‘Sarah.’ It was a very little voice.
Sarah shook her head and kept her face bent over her novel. The next instant, Lizzie flew across the room and slipped an arm round her neck.
‘Oh, Sarah, dear, I promise not to tease you. I can see you are upset.’
Sarah blinked and sniffed. ‘Never mind me, Lizzie. I am fine again now. But please do not ask Lord Percival to join any outings you plan to make. It would do your reputation a great deal of damage.’ She had to smile at her friend’s disappointed face. ‘I daresay you can stand up with him for a dance now and then without causing any scandal.’
Lizzie considered this. ‘Why is that acceptable?’
‘Because he can hardly do you any harm in a ballroom, with all the chaperons looking on.’ She tilted her head on one side. ‘Do you remember how you used to fall in love with all the singing and drawing masters who came to the school?’
‘I was young then,’ said Lizzie indignantly.
‘You still are. This is no different. But why do you not feel enthusiastic about Mr Keating? He is a very pleasant young man.’
Lizzie considered the question. She went back to her seat and held her hands out to the warm blaze in the hearth. ‘I suppose,’ she said at length, ‘that he is very good-looking … and pleasant but … not exciting.’ After another pause, she gave Sarah a sideways glance. ‘And, in any event, I noticed at the assembly that he was very taken with you.’