Page 10 of Appointment in Bath

“Is your sister back from London yet?” Meg couldn’t resist asking.

It was common knowledge that Lady Kate had gone to town for her first season. Meg had heard Mrs. Church and Mrs. Stapleton speculating on the wealth and rank of Lady Kate’s future husband. It was presumed the young beauty would make a spectacular match.

“Not yet,” Mr. Beresford said. “She’s due back by Christmas. So are the rest of my family. I’m on my own until then.”

“I prefer b-being on my own.”

A smile tilted his mouth. “Do you? That’s singular.”

“It’s all I’ve known. Since m-my mother died, it’s only b-been me at the Hall. My brother is gone away. And the servants have their duties to occupy them. I had a companion for a time in m-my governess, but she’s recently departed as well.”

He gave her a puzzled look. “What of Sir Frederick?”

“My father k-keeps to himself. I rarely see him.”

“It’s not a preference then,” he said.

She gazed back at him uncertainly. “I’m sorry?”

“Your being alone. You can’t prefer something that’s not of your own choosing. Not if you’ve had no other experiences to weigh against it.”

* * *

Ivo realized almost immediately that he’d once again gone too far. Miss Burton-Smythe’s expression attested as much. A spasm of pain crossed her face, as though he’d said something that had hurt her profoundly.

“But you know yourself best,” he amended. “To be sure, there are many of my acquaintance who enjoy their solitude. Scholars and—”

“I’m n-not a scholar, sir.” Miss Burton-Smythe fidgeted with her reins. “Forgive me. I m-must ride on. I’m…I’m expected back.”

Ivo wondered.

She’d said she’d been on her own since her mother died. What she’d failed to mention was that the late Lady Burton-Smythe had died giving birth to her. Everyone knew that. Sir Frederick had been a widower since Ivo was five years old.

It meant that Miss Burton-Smythe had, essentially, been alone all of her life.

She had an older brother, for what the fellow was worth: the perpetually absent Roderick Burton-Smythe. A strapping, ginger-haired cretin, he hadn’t lingered long in Somersetshire. Ivo hadn’t seen the man in over a decade. Lord only knew where he was or why he’d been so callous as to abandon his sister to such a fate.

An older brother should do better. He should be interested in his family. He should care.

Ivo had naturally gone away from home himself for a time, just as any young gentleman must do, first for his schooling and then to broaden his education with travel. But he hadn’t disappeared completely. He’d visited regularly during his years at university. And while in Europe, he’d written Kate and his brothers often. Indeed, Ivo had been a better correspondent than the three of them had been.

“I’m afraid I’ve offended you,” he said.

“No, no,” she demurred, ducking her head. “But I m-must go. You’re n-not continuing this way…are you?”

A fork in the road loomed ahead. To the right lay the path that led past the church and on to the main road out of town. To the left was the way toward Beasley Park and Letchford Hall.

“No, indeed,” he said. “We must part company here.”

Miss Burton-Smythe was visibly relieved.

Ivo supposed he should be insulted. He wasn’t. Not deeply, anyway. In truth, he was intrigued by her. The quieter she was—the more shy and self-effacing—the greater his desire to engage with her. It was the most damnable urge.

“I have an appointment with Mr. Colfax at the vicarage,” he explained. “It’s why I was in the village.” He patted the pocket of his greatcoat. “I’ve bought him a packet of cigars. My housekeeper claims they’re an indulgence of his.”

An unreadable emotion flickered in Miss Burton-Smythe’s eyes. It might have been wistfulness. “Are you acquainted with Miss Colfax?”

Ivo hesitated. He couldn’t imagine what would bring such a look to Miss Burton-Smythe’s face. “I’m not acquainted with any of them,” he said. “I was still in Italy when Mr. Colfax arrived to take over for old Mr. Applewhite last year.” He slowed Snap, reluctant to part ways with her just yet. “Is Miss Colfax a friend of yours?”