Blame It on Bath Page 0,79

walking. Feeling very pleased to have a friend her own age, she answered Cora’s message in the affirmative, and that afternoon they set out.

Cora turned out to be a passionate walker. She suggested climbing Beechen Cliff, saying the view was beautiful, and Kate agreed. Together they crossed the river and climbed to the top of the cliff, which loomed just across the river to the south of Bath. It was a steeper climb than it looked from the safe confines of the town, and Kate, not much used to climbing hills, felt rather winded by the time they reached the top, and she paused to catch her breath. Showing no such signs of fatigue, Cora urged her on to a particular spot. “You can see all of Bath,” she said, laughing. “Come! If I sit down here, I’ll not get up for an hour, and the view is so much better from over there.”

Kate was sure she could sit anywhere on the hillside and enjoy the view, as long as she was off her aching feet. But she let Cora tow her to the desired spot and was immediately glad. “How beautiful,” she exclaimed. The town lay below, nestled into the curve of the River Avon, like a mosaic of white stone and dark slate roofs set into the surrounding green hills, spiraling out from the Abbey Church in the center. It seemed one could see for miles, and for a moment she felt almost dizzy at the endless stretch of landscape below her.

“I think so.” Cora directed her servant to spread out the blanket on the grass and settled herself upon it. “I could sit here all day sometimes.”

Kate made her way to the blanket and sat down, holding her breath for a moment as her ankles throbbed with relief. “I could certainly sit here for a while today.”

Cora smiled. “It’s not as bad going down. But I understand. The first time I came, I was afraid I’d never be able to make it back to town.” She drew up her knees in a very unladylike posture and folded her arms around them, gazing over the view. “Now I walk here every week if the weather permits.” She flashed a quick smile at Kate. “Though normally without such pleasant company.”

“It’s very peaceful.” And solitary. It was the sort of retreat Kate liked, a quiet, lovely spot where she needn’t feel dull or awkward. But she was quiet by nature. She wondered what brought vivacious Cora out here alone every week. “Thank you for inviting me to come with you.”

“Nonsense! I’m so glad to have a friend who appreciates it. Most people think only of the other people in Bath—much like London, I understand. It grows tiring.”

“Have you been long in Bath?”

Sorrow flickered over the other woman’s face. “Since Danny was wounded last year. It would have been too hard on him to spend the winter isolated in the country.”

“Yes,” said Kate softly, thinking of the long years at Howe Manor in Sussex. Even she had found it dull and constraining. “It can be hard.”

“But you must tell me of London, for I’ve never been,” said Cora with renewed brightness.

Kate smiled ruefully. “This was only my second visit, and it was no happier than the first. I confess I haven’t a good account of the city to give. I was still in mourning for my late husband when we went this year.”

“Oh my dear,” gasped Cora. “Forgive me—I’d no idea—”

“No, no! I didn’t mean to . . .” She stopped, mortified. “I only meant I didn’t get to enjoy many of London’s delights.”

“The fault is mine, for prying.”

“How could you have known?” asked Kate simply. She avoided Cora’s dismayed eyes. “In truth, don’t think you caused me any pain. It wasn’t a true mourning. I didn’t love my first husband; we hardly knew each other. His death was merely like another of his long absences.” She looked over the town below them. “I do believe I like Bath a great deal more than London anyway.”

“You have taken it by storm.” Cora took the hint, much to Kate’s relief. “I vow, even Danny commented that he wished he could dance, when you and the captain arrived the other evening at the Assembly Rooms.”

“I would have been very happy to dance with him.” Kate hesitated. “Perhaps you would feel free to dance yourself, then.”

Cora held up her hand in mock horror. “Come now—don’t you take his side against me! I shan’t dance