Lady Ann's Excellent Adventure (A Regency Short Story) by Hern Candice

Author:Hern, Candice [Hern, Candice]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-03-26T16:47:53+00:00

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"It says here," Ann said, reading from the guidebook as they drove west on Fleet Street, "that there is a panorama of London at a place called Spring Gardens. Have you seen it?"

Will kept his eyes on the road as he maneuvered through traffic. "No, I have not had that pleasure."

"It says that the painting is one hundred and eight feet long! Can you imagine? And shows the whole of London from the vantage of a rooftop near Black Friars Bridge. Isn't that the bridge we walked on, near where we had oysters?"

"The very one."

Oh, how she would love to see it. But perhaps it was on the other side of London. "Is Spring Gardens very far from here?"

"Not at all. Would you like to go?"

She turned on the seat to face him and smiled. "Oh yes, please! I've never seen a panorama painting. And how serendipitous that is was painted from a spot very near where we recently stood."

"Then we certainly must see it."

She was delighted that he would take her to see this marvel, but was struck with a sudden pang of conscience. "Oh, but perhaps you have other things to do. I have monopolized your time all day."

"Nonsense. I have enjoyed every minute, Annie. And the day is not over. Let us continue to enjoy it."

He shot her a smile so warm it made her skin prickle and flush. Foolish girl! She must not allow this charming, very obliging gentleman to affect her so. She gathered her scattered wits and sat quietly while he drove her to Spring Gardens, which was close by to Charing Cross.

Poor Parker was once again left in charge of the curricle and team while she and Will entered the Great Room where the exhibition was being held. It was only open until dusk, so they were among the last visitors of the day. A huge canvas, nearly twenty feet high, encircled the room. It was entitled Eidometropolis, and had been beautifully painted by an artist named Thomas Girtin, providing a three-hundred sixty degree view of London.

Ann had never seen anything like it. The treatment of light was so naturalistic, she felt as though she were indeed standing on a rooftop in Southwark and viewing the whole of London. She was quite mesmerized, and almost made herself dizzy by turning in circles to see the entire picture. She was able to easily recognize the streets where they'd been, following the line of Black Friars Bridge to Ludgate Hill and St. Paul's. Will even pointed out to her the small inn where they'd eaten oysters.

"I feel positively transported," she said. "It's quite extraordinary. Just imagine the effort involved in producing so prodigious a work. Oh, I am so glad we came!"

"So am I." He grasped her hand and squeezed it gently before releasing it. "And I am delighted that you are able to enjoy the extraordinary as well as the ordinary."

She chuckled. "Yes, I much prefer a bit of the high brow along with the low brow.

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