Free A Proper Companion by Candice Hern Page B

our dear Emily relinquish all her old,
dark round gowns in favor of more fashionable ones. She will set
London on its ear, do you not think so, Robert?"
    "Undoubtedly," Robert said, his eyes still fastened
to Emily's.
    "Right you are," the dowager said. "Now, let us go
in to dinner. I am quite sharp set."
     
     
     

Chapter 6

The last days in Bath passed fairly quickly in the
wake of feverish preparation for the removal to London. The
household staff was well organized under the leadership of Barnes
and Mrs. Dougherty, leaving Emily free to accompany the dowager,
along with the earl, to the Pump Room most mornings. The brief walk
from Laura Place across the Pulteney Bridge and along High Street
was a favorite ritual of the dowager's. Although the distance was
inconsiderable, the dowager encouraged her reputation as an
eccentric by refusing to take a chair. She was frequently heard to
claim that the exercise was more beneficial to her health than
drinking the nasty-tasting waters of the ancient spring for which
Bath was famous. Holding court in the Pump Room, the dowager was
able to make her temporary farewells to the numerous friends and
acquaintances she found there.
    The earl seemed to find wicked amusement in making
note of the presence of the ubiquitous Sir Percy on each of their
trips to the Pump Room. Robert generally had a lady on each arm as
they strolled along the perimeter of the elegantly collonaded room,
stopping frequently to allow the dowager to greet an acquaintance.
"But before we reach the great Tompion clock" he would tease, "we
can count on Sir Percy having joined our group, relieving me of
Miss Townsend's arm."
    At such times Emily deliberately avoided catching
Lord Bradleigh's eye, as he would surely make her laugh.
    On one occasion Emily asked to be excused from the
dowager's side in order to speak with Lady Mary Haviland. Lady Mary
had become a particular friend of Emily's, as they shared many
interests in common. A spinster only a few years Emily's senior,
Lady Mary had established herself in Queen Square a few years
before, after her father's death had left her a comfortable
independence. She stood several inches shorter than Emily, had
straight brown hair, and generally unremarkable features, with the
exception of fine hazel eyes. Though she might be considered plain,
her natural vivacity and good humor elevated her from the ordinary.
Emily found Lady Mary to be a constant source of entertaining and
intelligent conversation. Though she felt her position should not
allow friendships with wealthy, titled women, Lady Mary encouraged
their acquaintance, and Emily was pleased to have a friend near her
own age.
    The young women strolled arm-in-arm through the
crowded room, so rapt in their conversation that they scarcely
noticed the small chamber group in the western alcove playing a
Haydn quartet, and they skirted without a glance the busy counter
overlooking the King's Bath, which dispensed glasses of the prized
mineral water. They were chattering excitedly about Emily's
impending departure for London, when Emily looked up to find Lord
Bradleigh approaching. She introduced him to Lady Mary.
    "Your servant, my lady," he said as he bowed over
Lady Mary's outstretched hand.
    "So," she said, making a show of ogling his lordship
from top to toe. "This is the notorious Lord Bradleigh. Tell me, my
lord," she said, a twinkle in her eyes belying her stern
expression, "are you quite as wicked as one hears?"
    "Much more so, I assure you." He offered a grin that
was positively wicked.
    "But I am told you are soon to marry," she said.
"Surely that will interfere somewhat with your... er ... normal
activities?"
    "You are quite right, my lady. I have in fact
determined to forsake my evil ways. I intend to become a pattern
card of respectability."
    "How very tiresome," she said, and then sighed in
exaggerated boredom. "I always find a rogue far more
entertaining."
    Emily suppressed a giggle at her