“I am reasonably close to my cousin James, Mr. Hutton. How is it we have never met before, do you know?”
“I expect it is because I have been out of the country for the last five years. We may have met when you were younger but I doubt I would have made much of an impression on you then,” he commented.
She didn't respond with the obvious social retort that she was sure to the contrary that he would have made an impression on her. She was too busy wondering where he had been for five years. To go anywhere out of England was an achievement, in her opinion, let alone live abroad for any time.
“May I ask where you have been for the last five years?” she dared to enquire.
“You may, but you might not like my answer....” He had lost his smile.
Chapter 2
Bathsheba knew immediately that she had touched upon a subject that was better to be avoided.
His words along with the tone of his voice alerted her. Even Peggy had stopped sipping her tea. Bathsheba could swear that the whole tearoom was holding its breath as it waited for Alistair's answer.
“No!” The word came out more forcefully than she had intended.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hutton. It really is not my business and I shouldn't have asked. Please forget my impertinence for asking.”
These bloody skirts, she thought again. If only I could kick myself once and for all, perhaps I'd stop embarrassing myself.
“Well, Miss Baxter, I don't mean to be a mystery, so I'll simply say that I have been in our ex-colonies.”
In fact, his statement only confused the issue more, because the war in North America had only ended three years ago, a few months before the war on the continent against Napoleon. Now she was more than curious, she was intrigued. Her mind was racing.
Alistair watched the expressions that passed fleetingly over Bathsheba's face; first surprise and then alarm followed closely by indecision and then, curiosity. If only she knew how much her face gave away. He was surprised that she didn't chew on a finger as she thought things through. He could see the wheels turning and he smiled to himself.
Oh, Miss Baxter, if only you knew how much you have told me without saying a word, you would be more careful with your reflexions, he thought.
All right, Bathsheba thought, I'm hooked. What was he doing in North America during the war years? She knew that her curiosity would be her downfall one of these days, but she couldn't help it.
“It is rather silly of me, Mr. Hutton. Now that I think about it, I am sure that Papa would have mentioned an engagement to me had he accepted one for this month,” she explained rather lamely.
“I would like to accept your invitation now as I am sure I would enjoy Mrs. Pemberton's concert.” She realised then how her statement had omitted him in the equation, so quickly added as social niceties obliged, “And of course, it will be all the better for sharing the event with someone who enjoys music, too.” Again that stunning smile.
There was nothing untoward about going to an evening's entertainment at a known matron's home. She was considered out of the marriage mart now, so the fact that she would be accompanied might give rise to speculation the time it took to raise eyebrows and then lower them. No doubt, those knowing her would assume that her cousin James had coerced his friend into escorting her as a favour.
It was Alistair's turn to smile in such a way that her stomach turned over, in spite of her stays.
“If you are quite sure? I don't mind waiting until tomorrow,” he proposed, more from politeness than conviction.
She nodded with a blush tingeing her cheeks.
“Yes, I'm quite sure, Mr. Hutton. I seriously doubt that there is anything of any consequence planned.”
What have I done? she wondered. I do believe that there must be something in the stars because I have been behaving quite out of character today. Her cheeks even ached from her unaccustomed smiles.
Peggy had finished her tea and cake, and although she'd pretended that she hadn't been paying attention to them, she'd heard every word the two of them had exchanged. It was easy to see that they were both attracted to the other.
This should prove interesting, Peggy was thinking as she was a romantic at heart.
As no one wanted more tea, Mr. Hutton offered, yet again, to accompany them home. He hailed a cab easily, and they were soon on their way. A half hour later, they were back at the terrace of Georgian houses where they lived side by side. Peggy rushed ahead to knock on the door, while Alistair came up the flight of steps with Bathsheba. Patterson, the butler, opened the door for the women.
They had already established in the cab the details for their evening at Mrs. Pemberton's so there wasn't a lot left to say.
Bathsheba thanked him one last time for the tea and stepped over the threshold.
“Miss Baxter,” Alistair caught her attention one last time before the door shut.
“You may like to keep this as a souvenir or as an indication of what is still awaiting your perusal.”
He thrust the gallery's programme into her hands with a chuckle and left without waiting for a comment. It was probably just as well because Bathsheba had been caught off guard and didn't know what to say. She watched him turn right at the bottom of the steps before Patterson shut the front door.
Her stomach was doing strange things once more.
“Blast!” she said, much to Patterson's surprise, who quickly opened the door again, afraid that he had been too hasty in closing it.
She was not aware though, because her mind was already focussing on the 21st of the month. Patterson stood wondering if his mistress was ailing? In any case, she was behaving most peculiarly.
Chapter 3