“It’s pointless, Simon. I’ve movedon.”
“But you know I lovedyou…”
“No, you didn’t. You loved yourself, and somehow I made you feel better aboutthat.”
“But I still think about you,” hesaid.
Susan laughed. “You aresucha rascal, Simon. Moveon.”
She turned away and went back to the party just as the gong was ringing for the beginning of the second act. Susan took Jessica’s arm and they headed for thebox.
* * *
“What was it like,seeing him again?” Jessica asked as they headed home in the cab after the play. They’d excused themselves from going on to supper, as both Susan and Jessica thought it would be too much to break bread at the same table with Simon andLeticia.
“It was a total shock at first,” Susan said, “but then I got angry and wanted to give him holyhell.”
“Oh, my. You are something else, Susan Wilton. I am so glad you’re my cousin. What fun. This is going to make a delicious story and, of course, Bunny and Sally had no idea what was going on. I can’t wait to tell them the wholestory.”
“After I’ve gone, please. I don’t want pitiful looks from all your friends until the time Ileave.”
Jessica leaned back in the seat of the cab and stared out the window. “So, what would you like to do tomorrow? Something wicked andfun.”
What do yousuggest?”
Jessica thought for a moment. “I know, let’s go to Bath and stay for a few days. We can drink the waters and take a mud bath and meet lots of charming, young men—for you, of course. And I shall play the dowager and sip tea and take medicinal sherry and gossip with the best of the oldladies.”
“Oh, Jessica, there’s absolutely nothing old about you at all—you are simplymarried.”
“Well, it’s practically the samething.”
They bothlaughed.
“Then Bath it shall be,” Susan announced. She was surprised at how much better she felt after finally meeting and dismissing Simon. She felt renewed and, indeed, ready for a mudbath.
* * *
Bath wasthe playground for the aristocracy and those who wished they were. Idle folk flocked to Bath beginning in the eighteenth century when it became fashionable to see and be seen. It was particularly popular with gentlemen looking for a wealthy wife, and ladies looking for a titled bachelor. However, both were in short supply, and the daily promenade at theGrand Pump Roomusually left many frustrated and scampering off to console themselves with a lavish supper at one of theau couranttap rooms or more gentilerestaurants.
The Bradley’s had a flat inThe Circus—a crescent of stylish eighteenth century homes that were particularly popular with the Londoncrowd.
They drove up from London in the family carriage. Jessica had sent Lowell and several staff members ahead to prepare for theirarrival.
“Welcome, my ladies,” Lowell said in greeting, as they entered the flat. “Did you have a pleasantjourney?”
“We did, thank you. And I believe we are quite ready for some tea in the sittingroom.”
“Yes,Madam.”
“So where do we start,” Susan asked, as she collapsed back into an overstuffed sofa and stuck her legs out before her, cramped after the long carriageride.
“I believe we shall begin by going around to several ‘at-homes’ tomorrow morning. We shall announce our arrival and within hours all of fashionable Bath will know we are in residence. And with you, as my mystery guest—and such a pretty treat—all the eligible bachelors will be flocking to see you when we take a turn at thePump Roompromenade tomorrowafternoon.”
“It sounds exhausting. Is there anything else to do but parade around town? What about the mud bath you promised me? That sounds much morerelaxing.”
“That will probably be day two or three when we want to play hard to get after we have whetted all their appetites for our company. Let them come begging. And they shall not have us unless they are very special.” Jessica laughed at her own mirth, as Lowell came in with the teatray.
* * *
