They dinedin that evening and rested up after their journey. Susan excused herself early and went to her room to read. It was nice to have a quiet moment to herself. It seemed to be non-stop activity since she first arrived inLondon.
And this was the first time she’d been able to reflect on her meeting with Simon. It’d been a shock, but it was also a relief when she realized she no longer had any feelings at all forhim.
When she awoke the next morning it was sunny and bright. There’d been a brief storm during the night that had swept away yesterday’s lingering clouds and cleared theair.
Susan had absolutely no expectations about meeting any young men of interest during her stay in Bath but approached these next few days with the idea of having fun and enjoying her cousin’scompany.
Their first stop of the morning was at the home of Mrs. Stephanie Newman, the widow of the Stoke on Trent, StaffordshireNewmans, famous for their lines of finepottery.
Susan realized, quite early on, that the morning, and the visits, would consist of endless chit chat and spurious gossip, of which, she had no understanding orinterest.
It was all she could do to keep from yawning several times. Jessica, however, seemed to be having a wonderful time. She was chatty and intimate and the center of much of the morning’sattention.
Leaving the last house and heading to luncheon, Susan said, “Oh, Jessica, how do you doit?”
“Do what,precious?”
“Chat, chat, chat. I nearly collapsed with fatigue after the second visit. I felt like I’d been running allday.”
Jessica laughed. “I was priming the pump. Fear not, we’re done with the visits. I just wanted to be seen and announce our arrival. And, if you must know, everyone thought you were marvelously mysterious because you spoke so little. I hinted that you are some foreign prince’s daughter come to find a husband. Now all of Bath shall be following your every move. There won’t be a single bachelor in all of southwest England who won’t comecalling.”
“Oh, Jessica, that sounds deplorable. I’m a simple Kent school teacher. How wicked of you to lead these folks onso.”
With a wave of her hand, Jessica dismissed Susan’s concerns. “It’s all a game, my dear. None of it’s real. After we’ve gone in a few days no one will remember us, and a whole new set of players will have taken thestage.”
“Exhausting. Simply exhausting,” Susansighed.
The whole point of this morning’s exercise was to get the fashionable population of Bath to come searching for them at the afternoon promenade at theGrand Pump Room—a large room where Bath’s healing waters were available for sipping. But in reality, the room was a magnet for society to gather, promenade, and be seen. Assignations were arranged, and many a romantic hopeful sought to find their perfectmate.
Jessica insisted they be late. The gathering usually began about four and lasted until about six. Jessica estimated that ten past five would be the perfect time to make an entrance after the anticipation of their arrival was at itsheight.
They could swoop in, meet a few of the most prominent, and sweep out again, leaving the hungry crowd yearning formore.
They arrived at their planned time.The Pump Roomwas a large rectangular room, at least two stories high, with alcoves at both ends, and large windows on one side of the room overlooking acourtyard.
There was a large assemblage this afternoon—no doubt as a result of the anticipation of seeing Jessica and Susan. In general, there were two circles of folks promenading—one, of gentlemen going clockwise, and the other, of ladies going counterclockwise. Older folks, children, and married couples tended to stand away at the sides, sipping mineral water or sitting at tables havingtea.
The younger gentlemen were clustered together in groups, whispering comments on the passing ladies. And the ladies hid their mouths behind a fan if they wanted to make a comment to acompanion.
Jessica and Susan made several circles of the room, nodding and acknowledging smiles, but, as of yet, not engaging in anyconversations.
The young men craned their necks, looking back at Susan after they passed by. Jessica took note, and said, “You have many admirers, Susan. If you see any gentleman you’d like to speak with let me know and I’ll make anintroduction.”
“Jessica, this is a totally pointless exercise. Once these young men find out who I really am, they’ll flee like a flock of chickens from ahawk.”
Jessica laughed. “Yes, you’re probably right. But we’re here for a dalliance, not a romance. Just enjoy yourself and accept theadmiration.”
Susansighed.
As they were beginning their third circuit of the room Susan happened to look over at a tea table in the corner of the room. And sitting at that table was Aunt Clarissa and JohnChamberlain.
