‘No, it can wait for a quieter day. I want to show you Bath.’
‘Are you sure? It’s your birthday, so you need to do something thatyouwant to do.’
‘I want to go to all the places you want to visit. Apart from the Roman Baths, I’ve never been to any of them.’
Libby bounced on the balls of her feet and clapped her hands in excitement.
Henry’s smile lit up his face. ‘Jane Austen centre first?’
Beingwith Estelle was like trying to keep up with a hurricane. Libby had wanted to stop every few feet and take pictures, but Estelle didn’t even pause to breathe. Being with Henry was a completely different experience. He let her set the pace and at no time seemed anxious to move on. Whenever she looked for him, he was there, his focus dedicated exclusively to her.
Her mind flicked back to when she’d once accompanied Lucas to an art exhibition. Libby had wanted to take her time looking at the paintings, but Lucas had been in a mood. He’d criticised the artist loudly then marched off, leaving her behind. The enjoyment sucked from her, she’d finally located him at the exit, smoking and scrolling through his phone.
And before Lucas, when things had started to go horribly wrong with Giles, his dissatisfaction with her had pressed so tightly on her chest, she’d felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Growing up in a large family and having a job that required acute attunement to the emotions of others, Libby couldn’t relax around stressed and unhappy people. She knew she was a people pleaser, but she hadn’t fully appreciated how much she put her own desires second until now.
‘Are you sure you don’t mind doing this with me?’ she asked again as they stopped for more photos in Queen Square.
‘I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed,’ Henry replied. His entire demeanour seemed lighter than when they’d been at Foxbrooke. ‘Bath looks completely different through your eyes. And you’re just so easy.’
Er?
His hand flew to his face at the change in her expression. ‘Easy going! Easy to hang out with! That’s what I meant!’
Henry looked so horrified she burst out laughing. ‘You will tell me though if we need to go, or you get bored?’
‘I will. Although I can’t see that happening. I’d rather be with you than anyone else in the world right now.’
He blinked and his cheeks darkened. He turned his back on her, staring up at the trees.
Libby shook her head.Get a grip. It’s only because he doesn’t want to go home and face his family.‘Is the Jane Austen Centre close?’
He nodded. ‘It’s just the other side of the square.’
Outside the building an older man in Regency dress and sporting a bushy white pork-chop moustache bowed deeply. Libby tried to contain her excitement.
‘Good morning, my lady, sir,’ he said. ‘Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mr Bennet. Are you calling on us today?’
Libby curtsied. ‘Indeed sir, we are. My name is Miss Elinor Dashwood, and my companion is Mr George Knightley.’
Mr Bennet doffed his hat. ‘’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you would like to make your way inside, you will be attended to by Mr Wickham.’
‘He’s here?’ she squeaked. ‘Wickham?’
The man nodded and stroked his beard. ‘Indeed.’ He gazed at Henry and lowered his voice. ‘Mr Wickham is very popular with the young ladies of the ton. Be on your guard, sir!’
‘I thought Mr Darcy was your favourite?’ Henry asked her as they entered the building.
‘Oh, most definitely,’ she replied. ‘But everyone loves a Regency bad-boy.’
Libby beamedher way through the tour of Regency society. The actor playing Wickham was over the moon that she interacted with him in character, and Henry couldn’t stop smiling, which delighted her even more. It reminded her of the day they met at the workshop. His genuine happiness filled her heart.
After the Jane Austen centre, they carried on to the Roman Baths. She was in heaven as they met more actors, this time dressed as citizens and slaves.
‘Honestly, Henry, this would be my perfect job,’ she whispered.
‘Doing this?’
