The Matchmaker of Pemberley by Catherine Hemingway

Author:Catherine Hemingway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance, historical romance, clean and wholesome romance, regency historical romance, eighteenth century romance, Darcy Romance, Pemberley romance
Publisher: Mirador Publishing
Published: 2023-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

T

he carriage to Holbourn made its way up Beechen Cliff and then took a road headed west along a rolling hill to a small estate overlooking Bath. The size of the home reminded Elizabeth of Longbourn, but it was made of the Ashlar stone quarried in the area, and the grounds were more extensive. There was a small cottage off to one side and a large stable partially visible in the back. The crescent design of the streets of Bath had been implemented in the design of the garden walkways.

As the carriage pulled up, Dr. Baldwin emerged from the cottage at the same time the front door of the house opened and a small, middle-aged woman with a round face and friendly smile stepped out.

“James, you didn’t tell me we were expecting guests this afternoon!”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t think to mention that the Darcys were coming to visit my laboratory and see my new microscope.”

“The laboratory can wait. You must invite them in for tea first.”

After introductions were made, Mrs. Baldwin exclaimed to Elizabeth, “It’s not every day that a barouche and four arrives at our door. What a delightful surprise. Do come in for tea. If only my forgetful son had told me, I should have had fresh cakes prepared. Young men simply don’t understand, or should I say, pay attention to common social conventions. My son is quite brilliant in many ways, but very forgetful in others, I’m afraid.”

They were seated in a well-appointed parlour and Mrs. Baldwin took a special interest in Georgianna and Kitty with questions about their stay in Bath and what entertainments they had enjoyed. When she learned about their visits to the Upper Assembly, she asked if they knew her older son as well. When they answered affirmatively, she stated, “I’m not surprised that you’ve met Tom for he loves to go out in society and he especially loves to dance.” To this the young ladies agreed that he was, in fact, an excellent dancer.

While enjoying tea and biscuits they were then introduced to Mr. Thomas Baldwin. He was tall like his younger son, James, with the same dark eyes, strong jaw, and distracted look, but he greeted them cordially, asked their opinion of Bath architecture, inquired where they were staying, and if they had been to Pultney Street and Sydney Gardens. He nodded approval at their complimentary replies and then excused himself.

On their walk to the cottage, Dr. Baldwin remarked that his mother and brother resembled each other in looks and attitude as they were the genial, outgoing members of the family, while he and his father were more introverted and bookish by nature. Kitty inquired if his brother was there but, to her disappointment, was informed that he was out riding.

“I fear I shall be scolded twice over for failing to inform both my mother and my brother of your planned visit. I’m afraid I was only thinking of showing you my new microscope.”

The cottage was adjacent to the house and made of the same Ashlar stone.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.