Free Candice Hern by The Regency Rakes Trilogy Page B

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 friend's outrageousness. Lady Mary was often bold to a fault, still relishing her independence from her late father's strict household. Emily