Blame It on Bath Page 0,123
Should we sit down in the lounge over there?” Mrs. Bates’s desire to maintain her post was clear, but she dutifully gestured to the small sofa on the other side of the room.
Tessa, who was tired and did want to sit down, patted her hand. “I’m perfectly fine. And here comes the earl now.” She was glad of that last part. Eugenie could have her glimpse of the noble personage, the hotel staff could grovel at his feet, and the sooner that was done, the sooner Tessa would have her own peaceful room. She obligingly stepped back to allow her companion an unimpeded view of his progress.
“Good heavens, an earl!” Eugenie hurried forward, her face alight. “I encountered a marquess once, but it was quite by accident—I expect he thought I was a woman of low morals, for he was very forward! For my own part, I was so amazed he spoke to me, I’m sure I gave no very good account of myself, either. And of course I was acquainted with your dear papa, and now your brother, but otherwise I’ve never seen anyone of such rank!”
“Not true. You once saw one of the royal princesses in Wells taking the waters.”
Eugenie waved it off. “That was from afar, dear! This is very near, only a few feet apart. I shall be able to see every detail of his person, and whether he has a kind face, and what sort of gloves he wears. Lady Woodall will be so anxious to know what is fashionable for gentlemen in London, so she might order accordingly for young Lord Woodall . . .”
Tessa stopped listening whenever issues of fashion arose, especially anything to do with Louise’s idea of fashion. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about her own appearance, or didn’t wish to look smart. She just had no patience for endless dithering over the merits of ivory gloves versus fawn gloves, or whether a blue gown should have white ribbons or blond lace or perhaps seed pearls for embellishment. She had been born with an unfortunately firm and decisive personality, much to the dismay of her frivolous sister. In the time it took Tessa to change her dress and arrange her hair, Louise could scarcely choose a handkerchief. Eugenie fell much too easily under Louise’s spell, although she did improve when away from her. And since Tessa had been persuaded that she had little choice but to bring Eugenie with her on this trip, she could only pray the lingering influence of her sister faded quickly.
Her mind drifted as Eugenie breathlessly narrated the earl’s infuriatingly slow progress into the hotel. She had a great deal to accomplish this week, and she did hope for a few days of seeing the sights before leaving. Tessa might be immune to the lure of a milliner’s shop, but she loved to spend a pleasant hour in a bookshop, and the coffee houses of Bath occupied a special place in her heart. Eugenie was looking forward to visiting her sister and seeing the famous Pump Room, with strict instructions from Louise to take note of what all the ladies wore. If Tessa could have left her companion behind in Bath, she would have done so, to the greater happiness of both of them. Eugenie would have enjoyed herself a great deal more than out in a small town in the coalfields, but Louise had insisted Tessa couldn’t possibly go alone. And once Louise set her mind on something, it was best just to admit defeat. Pyrrhus himself would have conceded the battle was not worth fighting.
“My dear!” Eugenie’s voice went up a register in excitement. “My dear, he is coming!”
So much the better, thought Tessa, since no one would serve them until he came through; but she obligingly stepped forward to see what sort of man could upend the entire York Hotel.
Mr. Lucas, the hotel proprietor, ushered the earl through the door himself. Lord Gresham was moderately tall and wore clothing of unmistakable elegance and quality. He turned on the doorstep to speak to someone still outside, and she studied his profile. A high forehead, square jaw, straight nose. His dark hair curled against his collar, just a bit longer than fashionable. From the tips of his polished boots to the crown of his fashionable beaver hat, he exuded wealth and privilege.
“Such a handsome gentleman!” breathed Eugenie beside her, clinging to Tessa’s arm as if she would faint. “I’ve never seen the like!”
“I would like