An uncharacteristic solemnity edged into Miss Appleton’s normally cheerful voice. “Unfortunately, in the rest of the world, wealth is important.” Then she attempted to brighten, but Dot could tell something must be troubling her friend. “Expect my brother and me to call on you Thursday.”
Just knowing she would see Lord Appleton again lightened her step. Dot said good-bye to Miss Appleton in front of the glovemaker’s shop on Milsom Street, and they each walked in different directions to return to their homes.
As soon as the Pankhursts reached their home, Mr. Pankhurst put a hand to his head and spoke in a feeble voice. “I do believe I’ve overtaxed myself today. I must take to my bed.”
Dot felt dreadfully guilty that she was responsible for her father’s discomfort. Her brows lowered with concern, and she spoke in a tender voice. “Shall I have Cook send up a tray? Or have you completely lost your appetite?” When Dot felt poorly, she could never eat.
“I shall have to force myself to eat. One in my condition must keep up his strength.” Her father—whose slightly portly physique gave testament to his always hearty appetite—turned and began to mount the stairway, groaning with each step. “I may have to procure a sedan chair and have two strong footmen hoist me up the stairs in it.”
“Or we could put your bed in the saloon.”
“Never! I must have the privacy my bedchamber affords.” His voice had suddenly increased in stridency.
Dot wasted no time in getting down on the Turkey carpet in the drawing room and playing with her kitties. “Did you miss me today?” It wasn’t often she was away from them for this many hours.
Of the four, only Nellie came to climb upon her, her purr vibrating as she came to settle on Dot’s lap. As happy as Dot was to see them, she felt as if something were missing. Her thoughts kept wandering to Lord Appleton. Everywhere they had gone that day, she had looked for him. Being with Miss Appleton without her brother was rather like going about with only a single glove or a solo shoe. She felt his absence acutely. How could it be that after just one day’s acquaintance she had become so attached to him?
Would he approve of her new dresses? More importantly, would he find her attractive in them? She thought of the indecent waltz she had witnessed the previous night. Her face flamed when she thought of waltzing with Lord Appleton, yet she could not deny she longed to find herself waltzing in his arms in her new green silk dress.
She wondered which dress Mrs. Gainsworth would deliver tomorrow afternoon. Dot was impatient for Thursday to come. She grew impatient to see his lordship. Would his attentions to her still be as marked as they had been the previous day?
* * *
When Appleton and his sister arrived at the Pankhurst residence, he was astonished at the number of servants required for this family of two. Astonished and somewhat intimidated. Two towering footmen had met them at the door. How in the devil had Pankhurst found two specimens of exactly the same size? And rather an impressive size it was!
As Appleton stood in the gracefully appointed marble entry hall with its curving staircase, a third servant—an austere butler—went to announce him and his sister to their master. Appleton understood what it must feel like to be the runt of a litter, though he was a bit above average height himself.
To give Pankhurst his due, the man did not give off airs as did many vastly wealthy men. He personally came to greet them in a most agreeable manner. “So good of you to call, my lord. Do come into the drawing room. My Dot will be down momentarily. Wait until you see her in her new finery! Don’t mind if I say so myself. She’s a beauty!”
He led them into an elegant chamber, furnished in high quality French furnishings and painted a sunny yellow. “Indeed she is,” Appleton agreed as he took a seat on a silken sofa in the same bright yellow.
How fortunate Appleton was to have discovered the Pankhurst wealth before the rest of Bath had the opportunity to swoop down on the unmarried lady like vultures. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the city learned of her father’s vast fortune.
According to his sister, no expense had been spared the previous day in making Miss Pankhurst into the finest dressed lady in all of Bath. All the city’s shopkeepers would be spreading the word about the new heiress in town.
It was imperative that he secure her affections before the onslaught.
Miss Pankhurst then entered the chamber wearing a snowy muslin dress sprigged with tiny purple flowers. He deemed it most fashionable, but it was her figure with its meaty bits that was even more to his liking. What had happened to the old Miss Pankhurst? This young woman really was lovely. Even that mahogany-coloured hair of hers was elegantly styled.
He then noticed a parade of cats following her into the room.
“Miss Pankhurst!” Annie exclaimed. “You are provokingly beautiful. You’ve procured a maid to style your hair. Such envy-worthy loveliness!”
Dot patted her coif. “Thank you. I’m so pleased.”
“Pray tell, how did you find her?” Annie asked.
“I asked our exceptionally competent housekeeper, and before I knew it, she had this wonderful girl here. Did she not do herself credit?”
“Indeed she did,” Annie said. “She’s astonishingly talented.”
“I thought so, too.” Miss Pankhurst then did a most unladylike thing. She plopped on the rug and began to play with her cats. There were four of them altogether.
Appleton was gratified that Elvin had not accompanied him and his sister this day. If he had, there would be no end to the teasing Appleton would have to endure over that lady’s obsession with her demmed cats.
One of those cats—quite a fat one the colour of marmalade—strayed
