The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(84)

"Your friend was very nice," Alexander commented as they drove away, "but I am glad she won't be coming to Bath."



She kissed him, relieved that he hadn't seen the way Jo had ogled him. He tended to have that effect on even the most sober matrons, and she tried not to feel resentful of his magnetism. After all, being blind, he had no idea, could not be blamed for their desires. She kissed him again, drawing an even more delightedly warm response from him, and clicked the horses on.



They had dinner at an inn on the outskirts of Bath, and arrived at the townhouse in the Royal Crescent just as the first red rays of dusk began to descend on the lovely city.



They were shown to their rooms, having requested a suite. The servants were too well bred to comment on the arrangements. If they were at all suspicious, they were more than understanding when they saw that the handsome young gentleman was blind and would require every assistance.



Sarah asked for a male servant to be assigned specially to him to assist him with his toilette. The young open-faced boy was soon eagerly helping Alexander unpack, and talking a mile a minute about all the wonderful things to do in Bath.



Young Bob was intelligent enough to realize that the room ought to be easy for Alexander to walk around. Though she left the adjoining door open just to keep an ear out in case she were needed, they got along fine.



"Shirts in the first drawer, cravats second, stockings third," she heard Bob telling Alexander, before giving him a tour of the rest of the room.



Her abigail Alice was told not to bother ever coming in until she was rung for. Sarah settled into her own room, she and the girl working to unpack. Then she dismissed the girl for the evening. Once all the boxes in both rooms were empty, Sarah and Alexander sat down to tea in the small parlor and began their plan of attack.



"We'll make an early start in the morning, with breakfast, first, and a ride if you like. Then we shall go to the Baths, and spend about two hours there. I can go in with you, and can also sit on the side and read to you. Just make a list of your preferences for reading materials. Once we've changed, we can spend some time in the Pump Room taking the waters.



"Then it will be time for luncheon, and a walk if the weather is fine, or a visit to the Abbey or acquaintances if it is not."



"What day are you going to make your at home?"



"I don't know that I should. Most people will be up to London for the season, and your health is far more important than the meaningless social round."



"Still, it would be good to have one day to rest and re-group, would it not? And perhaps stay in bed late?" he murmured.



"Ah, but you haven't heard the schedule for the rest of the day. I did actually include going to bed early, dearest."



He laughed happily. "But we can't go to bed early every night or you'll feel we're missing out on the best Bath has to offer."



"How could I possibly feel that? I'm with him," she said, giving him a torrid kiss.



"Still, I don't like the thought of you giving up your friends on my account."



"I've told you, the only reason why we're not absolutely surrounded by dozens of people is because my friends are all away for the summer. Once they all get back, you'll be sick of them, I'm sure."



She tried to keep her tone light as she said, "That reminds me. We've had an idyllic situation at the vicarage, but will need to face Jonathan's return home at some point. He and his wife are the best of people.



"However, two women taking charge in a household is never a good idea, and he is a vicar after all. I can't have my immoderate behavior reflect badly upon him."



He hated the thought of taking her away from her family or them falling out because of him. Of them having to flee from so pleasant a district as though they had committed some crime, when all they had done was fall in love.



"What about that house you said was vacant nearby? The one your brother inherited unexpectedly."



"Oh, yes, Ashton Manor. Jonathan never expected to inherit anything so fine. We didn't even know we were related to the Ashtons, the connection goes back so many generations. But they couldn't find any other heirs except the Earl of Ferncliffe. Who came by that title by some fairly obscure means."



She mentally went through the little property. It was awfully fine. But it would be a lovely home for them and their child. "Hmm. That could be the best solution all around."



"Yet still you hesitate?" he pointed out quietly.



"Oh, not because of us, I assure you. No, it's more that I really don't like taking advantage of another's misfortune. And of course Pamela ought to have a say in what happens to it, since she should have been heir herself were it not for all that nonsense about entailing away from the female line."