Bath Scandal by Joan Smith

Author:Joan Smith [Smith, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1991-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Mrs. Searle and Lord Southam were so polite to each other over breakfast that Gillie knew immediately they had had a falling-out.

“I expect you ladies would like to have a tour of the shops this morning,” he said with a forced smile. “I will be very happy to accompany you.”

Gillie knew Rawl hated visiting the shops. She also knew Aunt Bea loved it and found her reply as strange as Rawl’s offer.

“I had planned to take Gillie to view the gardens and some of the walks this morning, but if you wish to go on the strut, Southam, you must not curtail your activities on our account,” Bea said.

“An excellent idea. We’ll all go,” he said at once.

They spent the morning touring the east cliff. When they tired of driving, they got out and walked through some of the ravines. The walking was hard, whether on rock or the springy turf that covered some of the chines. They viewed the gardens, admired the rhododendrons and the sea, and agreed that they could feel the fresh sea air invigorating them. The ladies could also feel it removing the curl from their coiffures, and Miss Pittfield could feel the damp seeping into her very bones. When Mrs. Searle accidentally wrenched the heel off her slipper, she was careful to moderate her anger to a mild “Oh, dear!”

Everyone agreed that they had had enough of invigorating air for one morning and used Mrs. Searle’s ruined slipper as an excuse to return to town. Southam, with a great show of concern, suggested she call a doctor. “A cobbler would be more to the point,” she said curtly.

“Well, have a good lie-down with your foot elevated on a pillow at least,” he said. “I plan to drive over and have a look at Saint Peter’s Church—unless you would like to go there tomorrow morning, Cousin?”

Bea disclaimed any interest in the church. The ladies got rid of Southam, and as soon as Bea changed her slippers, they went out to visit the shops. Gillie bought useless and gaudy souvenirs for her sisters, and Bea bought silk stockings. Miss Pittfield bought three postcards and mailed them home to her friends.

When the group met Southam at lunch hour, they were all in somewhat better spirits. Bea was not very keen on the hurdle races, but she meant to go the first time, just to see what they were like. Tannie called while they were finishing lunch. The next matter of business was to sort out who should go in what carriage.

“Why don’t you run along with Gillie and the duke, Miss Pittfield,” Southam suggested. “Mrs. Searle and I will follow behind in my carriage.”

“No, no. You and Gillie run along. Miss Pittfield will go with Southam and myself,” Bea said.

Southam swallowed his annoyance and smiled. He had hoped for some privacy, to apologize more thoroughly to Beatrice. With Miss Pittfield to provide harmless conversation in the carriage, he was almost totally ignored.

The racetrack with hurdles was set up at the edge of the New Forest.

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