‘Call me if you need anything, okay?’
James shook his head. ‘I’m sure I’ll cope.’
Both girls turned for the door, but then James called Rose back.
‘Wait; I almost forgot.’ He got up and picked up the bouquet from Rose’s desk, still pretty and giving off a lovely scent, and handed it to her. ‘You have been, as always, a star this last month, Rose. You never cease to amaze me. Thank you.’
Rose smiled widely, burying her nose in the flowers. ‘They’re lovely. Thank you, James. You didn’t have to do that.’
He dropped a brief kiss her on the cheek. ‘You’re worth it; I’d be lost without you.’
To Rose’s surprise, Morgan frowned, but before she could ponder on it, James turned to her friend.
‘I’m sorry it’s not as personal as flowers, Morgan, but thank you, too – here, it’s the best I could do at short notice.’ He handed her the information folder she’d left at the office on the previous day. ‘I hope you enjoy it!’
Morgan looked taken aback for a moment, then she laughed. ‘You’re welcome! And thanks for this.’ She waved the folder before shoving it into one of her carrier bags.
James opened the door for them both.
‘Off you go and enjoy your evening. And Rose – forget about work for a week.’
Chapter Seven
Morgan seemed unusually quiet as they made their way down the stairs and into the street, and Rose cast her an anxious glance as they paused on the kerb, waiting for a chance to dash across the road.
‘Is everything okay?’ Rose touched her friend’s sleeve to gain her attention.
Morgan looked surprised. ‘Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?’
‘I wondered if – well,’ Rose gestured helplessly with her hands. ‘This wasn’t exactly how we’d hoped to spend our first few days, was it?’
‘Rose, you warned me it was a busy time – I’m not disappointed – I promise – kinda the opposite. I mean, not that I wouldn’t have been happy to have the time with just you.’ She shrugged. ‘But you are free now, aren’t you? A whole week off work.’
Rose nodded, casting her friend another concerned glance. ‘Yes – I am. But something isn’t right. This may be our first meet-up in person, but I’ve known you long enough to know something’s troubling you.’
‘I love how British you are.’ Morgan grinned. ‘I suppose I am a little preoccupied – but I’m not troubled; not at all. I’m having a blast.’
‘Is it Roger? He was so rude, I could’ve hit him.’ Rose shook her head regretfully.
‘Rose, Roger is not your fault. He’s just…’ Morgan rolled her eyes as she searched for the word she wanted to use. ‘Clueless. He thought he was being funny. He wasn’t. But, whatever. I think I’m made of stronger stock than to get upset by someone with those kinds of opinions.’
Rose shifted her bouquet of flowers from one arm to the other. ‘Well, thank goodness James came back when he did. Roger was getting out of order.’
The thoughtful expression returned to Morgan’s face. Damn Roger and his narrow-mindedness.
‘Rose?’
‘Hmm?’
‘James… you’ve never thought…’
Rose frowned. Morgan couldn’t possibly be upset by James, could she? ‘Thought what?’
‘He’s a very attractive man… maybe not the romantic god that is Dr Aiden Trevellyan, but you and he seem… close? I mean, all that car boot stuff on weekends you once mentioned to me – the antiquing together…’
Rose’s blush returned unbidden at the mention of the doctor. ‘Oh no. That’s something I’ve been doing forever – I just let him tag along when he was at a loose end over recent months. He’s like… I don’t know – a cousin to me? Maybe not as close as you are to your brother, but certainly – no, nothing like that.’
‘Hmmm; seems to me like he’s sweet on you.’ Morgan nodded towards the bouquet, but Rose choked back a laugh.
‘James? Good grief, no!’
‘But he gave you flowers. That was sweet.’
‘Yes, it was, but he does it quite often.’
‘Really? And the kiss? I thought you Brits were into shaking hands.’
Rose rolled her eyes at Morgan.
‘Seriously, we’re good friends, that’s all. And we work well together.’ Rose glanced over her shoulder at the office. ‘When I began working with him, he was already dating a woman called Mandy, and they seemed practically engaged. So honestly, I’ve simply never thought of him like that.’
‘And – are they? Engaged, I mean.’
‘Thankfully not.’
‘But they’re still together?’
‘No, no. Thank God.’
‘So – has it been long… since they split?’
‘About six months?’
‘Oh – right.’
Rose glanced over at her friend as the traffic slowed to a halt and they took their chance to hurry across the road. Morgan was displaying a marked curiosity about James. Was she… could she be interested in him? What would that mean?
‘Where are we going?’ Morgan gestured around at the milling crowds of people. ‘Do we eat around here?’
‘No, I booked us a table further up the town. Friday night is always so busy, but with the festival people here and the home rugby game tomorrow, it’s worse than ever. I wanted us to go somewhere we could hear ourselves think.’
‘Good call.’
‘Morgan.’ Rose felt like she was missing something, but her friend’s face was just as clear and open as ever. Rose shook her head. ‘Never mind.’
They began to walk up the street, passing a gathering of people all dressed in Regency attire; for the most part, they were talking animatedly as they waited to enter one of the buildings on this side of the square, and Morgan caught Rose’s eye and grinned.
‘Looks like fun!’
‘It’s the pre-festival get-together. They always hold one on the first Friday so people can reconnect with friends they’ve made here or new people can go along to meet others.’
‘Did you ever go?’
Rose nodded. ‘I did once. I had a few friends over attending, so I went along with them. It was fun, but I don’t know that I’d have had the nerve on my own.’
They had almost reached the corner when Rose noticed the young woman she’d seen in Waterstones lingering by the railings. She was watching the commotion behind them, but this time she was dressed in full Regency costume herself, though Rose noted on passing it looked a little worn in places – perhaps second-hand or maybe she just attended lots of these events?
‘Wait.’ She tugged at Morgan’s arm as they paused on the kerb again, waiting to cross, and Rose turned and walked back to the woman, who took a startled step backwards when she joined her.
‘Hi,’ Rose said brightly, feeling far less confident than her tone implied. ‘You should go in.’ She pointed along the street to where the queue had diminished substantially now the door had been opened. ‘I know it can be tough attending things on your own, but this is a great way to start making friends with everyone.’
She half-expected the young woman to bolt; there was something about her demeanour, her whole aura, which spoke of uneasiness. Perhaps it was the first time she had dressed up in public? To her surprise, however, she raised her head and stared at Rose with what could only be described as a curious look from surprisingly bright and intelligent hazel eyes.
She said nothing, however, merely inclined her head, and Rose gave a tentative smile, said goodbye, and turned to rejoin her friend. She had the horrible suspicion the young woman had been amused about something, and she had no idea what it might be.
As they crossed the road, Morgan threw her a curious glance. ‘I thought it wasn’t usual for Brits to make friendly overtures to total strangers?’
‘It isn’t, but somehow she didn’t feel like one. I saw her earlier, when you were choosing your books. She’s clearly an avid fan but, unlike most people her
e, she appears to be alone. I can still remember the first time I attended a costumed event. It’s not easy on your own.’
Morgan frowned. ‘It isn’t?’
Rose resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ‘Some of us don’t find it comes naturally – it’s not easy – to walk out in public dressed in a costume and especially to make small talk with strangers.’
‘What, like Mr Darcy, you mean?’ Morgan was grinning.
With a laugh, Rose nodded. ‘Precisely. But not out of pride, I would add; from shyness or a lack of self-confidence. We can’t all charm our way through life, Morgan.’
‘What d’you mean?’
Rose gave her friend a resigned look. ‘You’ve been in Bath for just over twenty-four hours, and I’m pretty sure you’ve made more new friends than I did in primary school.’
Morgan laughed. ‘Well, that’s just cuz you’re not trying. You could charm the pants off anyone – literally and figuratively – if you just gave it the old college try.’
Rose’s mouth dropped open. ‘The old what?’
Morgan laughed again. ‘Oh, Rose! Come on, I say the Doc is about two dinners away from being completely smitten by you. Can you really not see it?’
‘You see love everywhere.’ She dragged her friend around the corner and up Gay Street.
‘I’m not the one who’s been kissed today – twice!’
‘On the cheek. Both times.’ Rose shook her head as they headed up towards the Circus. ‘My life was very normal and orderly before you dropped in.’
‘I don’t doubt that you thought it was. What I doubt is that you were paying the right sort of attention.’
The friendly debate continued as they walked, and before long, they had arrived at the Chequers Inn, a small but extremely popular pub, located slightly off the main tourist area in Rivers Street and therefore less likely to be found by the visiting festival-goers. For just a few minutes, as much as she loved them all, Rose wanted a breather from the excitement and build up to have some quality time with Morgan and hopefully to hear what her plans were for her remaining time away from home.
Rose pulled open the door, standing aside for Morgan to enter. ‘Here we are. Let’s change the subject, shall we?’
‘Sure, and while we’re changing things…’ Morgan swept past, deftly snatching Rose’s clip out of her hair on the way.
‘Hey, that hurt!’ Rose ran a hand through her curls as they sprang back into life and rolled her eyes as she followed Morgan into the pub. It looked like there would be no let-up this evening.
The venue turned out a perfect choice. Tucked away in a corner so the comings and goings through the door didn’t disturb them, the girls talked animatedly through their meal and before they knew it, it was time to order dessert.
‘I’d like the lemon meringue, please. Morgan?’ Rose turned to her friend, who had pounced on the menu with delight and still had her nose buried in it.
‘Whose idea was it to forego an appetiser and have a dessert?’
‘Yours!’
‘Oh, yes, so it was!’ Morgan peered at Rose over the top of the menu card. ‘But it’s so difficult. I mean, I’d like to try some of all of them, just to say I have. Except perhaps Eton mess. I don’t know what that is. Or should I play it safe with this Chocolate Delish thing?’
‘We could make you a taster plate with a sample of three or four things if you like?’ The waitress had been extremely helpful.
‘Sounds like a plan.’ Rose nodded encouragingly at Morgan, who flashed her warm smile at the young girl by her side. ‘It’s a deal; bring it on.’
As soon as the waitress had disappeared with their order, Morgan fixed Rose with a compelling eye – one she was becoming familiar with.
‘Now, where were we? Oh yes, your insistence that the lovely Aiden doesn’t “see” you.’
‘As a woman, I said. I mean, I know he can see me, literally. He knows I’m there – sort of – like today when I was of use to him.’
‘Really?’ Morgan raised a brow.
‘Morgan! Look at me.’ Rose gestured to herself. ‘I’m pale and uninteresting. What could someone… someone like him, find of interest?’
‘Well, I dunno. You’re striking, beautiful even,’ Morgan persisted as Rose shook her head, feeling highly embarrassed by the praise. ‘That jackass of a fiancé has scarred you! You’re lovely, and more than that, you’re friendly, kind – and funny.’
‘You find me funny because I’m British.’
‘Sure. But I’ve seen you make others laugh, too.’
Rose wished the subject could be dropped. Perhaps she should start talking about James, see if her suspicions were true? Before she could think of what to say, however, Morgan continued.
‘Do you think the Doc ever figured out what you were doing taking all those pictures of him that first time you met?’
A wave of embarrassment swept through Rose – the force of which rendered all other embarrassments from her life inconsequential. She instantly lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘That could hardly be called meeting.’ She sighed heavily. ‘Though it was the first time I humiliated myself in front of him.’ Then she smiled ruefully at Morgan. ‘To be fair, I think the rapid photo bursts were nothing to the distraction of my applauding him like a frenetic seal later! And I told you, I never want to speak of it – ever.’
Morgan laughed. ‘You do have it bad. We have to do something about this.’
Rose shook her head frantically, her insides lurching at the sheer thought of what Morgan might do. ‘Can we please stop talking about him? Other than attending his lecture, I won’t see him again until next year – and that’s only if he decides to come back again. The last thing I want is to feel down about that on our first proper evening together.’ She picked up her wine glass, unaware of just how melancholy her face looked. ‘And the thought of not laying eyes on him does make me sad.’
Morgan snorted. ‘Be prepared to be happy right now, then.’
Rose swallowed quickly on her mouthful of wine, then coughed. ‘What? Why?’
‘He’s over there.’ Morgan inclined her head towards the rear of the pub. ‘At a corner table. Alone.’
It took all of Rose’s willpower not to turn her head. ‘We must leave,’ she hissed at Morgan. ‘Now.’ Her friend merely raised a comical brow at her. ‘Did he just come in? Perhaps he hasn’t seen me – us.’
‘Why must we leave? Our dessert hasn’t come yet! Besides, he’s been there all along – oh, and yes, he has seen you – us.’
Rose blanched. ‘How – how do you know?’
‘Because…’
‘Good evening.’
Heart leaping into her throat at the sound of his voice close behind her, Rose threw Morgan a frantic look and took another swig of her wine to try to ease the constriction.
‘Hey, Aiden! How are you? Did you eat already?’ Morgan was beaming her usual warm smile, and Rose drew in a quick breath. She felt incredibly flustered and could only put it down to the sudden recollection of their leave-taking and the way the conversation had just been turning. Had he overheard any of it?
‘Just leaving. Thought I’d say hi and goodbye.’
‘Won’t you join us for a nightcap? Coffee or something?’ Morgan indicated the spare chair at their table, presently playing host to Rose’s pretty bouquet of flowers.
Aiden glanced at it, then looked from Morgan to Rose. ‘No – thanks. I’ll head off. Don’t want to disturb.’
‘Too late for that,’ Morgan muttered under her breath at Rose, who went from white to red in an instant.
‘Pardon?’
‘Too bad. I just said it was too bad.’ Morgan winked at Rose, who was trying very hard not to die of embarrassment.
He glanced at the flowers again. ‘Nice bouquet. Someone have an admirer?’ He was looking at Morgan, who smiled sweetly.
‘Aren’t they awesome? So pretty. James gave them to Rose; wasn’t it sweet of him?’
‘Very.’
>
‘Are you sure you won’t stay for a moment?’ Morgan made as though to remove the bouquet, but the doctor shook his head.
‘I shall leave you to it. Have a good evening.’ He turned for the door, pausing on the threshold to raise a brief hand to them before disappearing out into the night.
Chapter Eight
Rose glanced at her watch: gone half-ten; time she went home. She waited for a pause in the conversation Morgan was having with her stepmother via Skype – it was quite a wait – then made her excuses.
‘Bye, Mrs Taylor.’ She waved at the lady sitting far away on the west coast of America, who beamed widely at her and waved back. ‘Time I went home – lovely to see you again.’
‘You, too, sweetie.’ Mrs Taylor blew her a kiss. ‘Look after our darling girl for us!’
‘I will. Time’s already going too fast – I intend to cherish every single moment.’
Rose was shrugging into her coat and bent down to pick up her bag.
‘But wait. Didn’t she—’
‘I’ll just see Rose out, Mom.’ Morgan got quickly to her feet and followed Rose out into the hallway. ‘This call could go on for hours. She wants to know every single detail of every single hour so far.’
With a laugh, Rose gave her a quick hug. ‘I’ll text you when I’m on my way down in the morning. Make sure you get some beauty sleep before the promenade.’
Five minutes later, Rose was back home and soon settled on the sofa with a glass of wine and a book, and she sighed contentedly as she found her page and began to read. The peaceful moment was not to last, however, as the shrill bleeping of a smoke alarm emanated from the floor above.
Rolling her eyes at the ceiling, Rose sighed. Again? She would have to have a word with the landlord.
Discarding her book, Rose walked over to her iPod dock and pressed ‘play’, turning the volume up a little to hide the piercing beeping from above.
For a while, she lost herself in her book, but when she paused to reach for her glass, she frowned. The alarm normally stopped within a minute or so, but she had a feeling this time it hadn’t.
She hurried over and turned off the music. Yes, definitely still going. Was there really a fire? Should she go up there? Visitors so often weren’t sure how to operate things in holiday lets.
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen Page 5