Page 67 of A Well-Trained Lady

“And yet I plan to do exactly that.”

Ruth bounced to our side, nearly bumping into me in her excitement.

“What is it, Ruth?” I asked, too contented to hide my amusement.

“Mr. Treynor is leaving us in two days’ time.”

“That hardly seems a reason for such a state of delight,” I said.

Ruth giggled. “Oh, but that is not why I am delighted. I was thinking we should go on our outing tomorrow so that Mr. Treynor could join us.” She looked at Augustus. “You did promise to take Bella to the sea.”

I gave Augustus a pointed glance. “That is the truth of it.”

He dropped his shoulders in mock defeat, and his gaze moved to the others. “What say you all to a trip to the coast tomorrow? If the weather is anything like it was today, it should prove to be ideal, indeed.”

Miss Whitmore looked to her mother, giving a small nod of encouragement.

Mrs. Whitmore’s consideration stayed on me an uncomfortable moment. “I fear I have obligations tomorrow. But, if you are going, Mrs. Brundage, I don’t see why Candace cannot accompany you. As to Mr. Treynor, he is under no obligation to me, and is therefore able to make his own choice on the matter.”

“Count me in.” Mr. Treynor’s exuberant confirmation sent Ruth giggling in excitement, and Mrs. Whitmore’s eyes flicking toward the ceiling.

Augustus’s regard shifted. “Mother?”

Mrs. Brundage’s cheeks rounded with a smile. “Of course we should go. It has been far too long since our last outing to the seaside.”

Ruth squealed, and I touched her hand as a gentle correction, though she hardly appeared repentant. “Forgive me. I fear I am a touch too excited.”

“But only a touch.” I said, realizing my own eagerness was nearly comparable to hers, despite my ability to conceal it better.

“What time were we hoping to depart?” Miss Whitmore asked, joining me and Augustus as Ruth made her way back to an awaiting Mr. Treynor.

Augustus’s gaze shifted between us. “Do either of you hold a preference?”

I gave a small shake of my head in near unison to Miss Whitmore.

Augustus glanced toward his mother, who was once again in conversation with Mrs. Whitmore. “What if we were to leave late morning? Say around ten? That way we will arrive before the warmest part of the day. We can bring a picnic for sustenance and depart from the shore with plenty of light left to avoid travelling home in the dark.”

“Mr. Treynor and I will be here at quarter to ten,” Miss Whitmore said, taking a hesitant step away, her expression full of indecision.

Augustus stepped toward Miss Whitmore. “Are you leaving?”

She halted her retreat. “I thought to make a request of Mother to be on our way.” Her head tipped slightly to one side, her eyes on Augustus. “I know you wish to talk to your family about what you discovered in Bath, and I fear our presence is delaying that from happening.”

“If it were only you …” Augustus’s voice trailed off.

“But it is not, so I can wait until tomorrow for you to enlighten me.”

“Of course. And, Candace”—Augustus gave an appreciative smile—“thank you.”

My gaze followed Miss Whitmore as she rejoined her mother. “She is most considerate.”

Augustus’s notice had already returned to me. “Yes, she is.”

I tried not to feel disappointment at his confirmation, but the need for comparison was too deeply embedded in me, and I doubted if I would have done the same. Miss Whitmore seemed to be everything Augustus should love, and a part of me was astonished that he had not yet discovered it. Would he once I was married to Lord Thorton? My heart sank at the thought, and I secretly wished he would never see her as anything but a friend.

“Farewell,” Miss Whitmore called from the doorway, her mother looking anything but pleased as she bid us a parting nod as well.

Mr. Treynor stepped from Ruth’s side and waved as exuberantly as Ruth often did. “Tomorrow then.”