“We’ve just arrived from the country,” Mr. Pankhurst explained. “My daughter and I were just on the way to the dressmaker’s. She’s to have a new wardrobe.”
Lord Appleton’s gaze whisked over her. “She’s delightfully charming just as she is. A breath of country air.”
“Oh, please, I implore you to come with us,” Miss Appleton urged. “Bath is so thin right now. I’m frightfully in need of friends. My beastly sisters have deserted me and gone to Weymouth.”
Already reeling from Lord Appleton’s referring to her as delightfully charming, Dot was flattered to think this lovely young woman wanted to be friends with her. She’d never had a friend before. “I fear I’ll be an embarrassment to you both.”
“Never!” Lord Appleton said. Then he did a most peculiar thing. He offered her his arm. Her heartbeat exploded. She trembled as she settled her hand on his proffered arm and began to walk beside him. Had she done that correctly? Was there a right way or a wrong way?
She worried if she’d trip and fall on her face. What other ways could she embarrass this well-mannered man, who happened to be a nobleman—and a profligate?
He might be a seasoned rake, but the man was being exceedingly kind to her. She was neither pretty nor fashionable nor a figure in Society. How could she ever show him her appreciation?
How excited she was to finally be seeing the Pump Room about which she had read so much. And to be accompanied by the handsome Lord Appleton!
When they reached the Pump Room, her Papa gave Fur Blossom back to her. They began to stroll the massive chamber. She made some quick observations, the first being that Fur Blossom was the only animal in attendance. If she came again, she would be wise to leave her pets at home or suffer potential ridicule.
A few hundred people strolled the impressive room—more people than she had ever seen inside of a single building before. Other than those lined up for the small queue to obtain their cups of water, most of the attendees were circling the lofty room, and a small orchestra provided soothing music.
It soon became obvious to her that others were staring at them. It must be a peculiar sight to see the fashionable Appletons accompanied by so dowdy a country miss. Dot knew enough from reading the Bath Chronicle to know that Lord Appleton was a highly sought-after bachelor. And now she understood why. What lady would not be attracted to him?
As they circled the chamber, she counted more than a dozen lovely young ladies far more suited than she to be walking beside the attractive young peer.
She felt even dowdier when his lordship stopped to introduce her to two beautiful sisters who were married to friends of his. A stunning copper-headed Mrs. Glee Blankenship was married to his life-long friend whom they all referred to as Blanks, and her sister was Mrs. Felicity Moreland, a graceful blonde. Dot wondered what their husbands looked like because both women were so extraordinarily lovely, and their welcoming manners matched their beauty.
“Please, Miss Pankhurst,” Mrs. Blankenship said, “may we pay you a morning call?”
Her father stepped in. “I believe I speak for my daughter when I say she would be delighted, but she would prefer that you wait until her new clothing is delivered. We’ve just arrived from the country—where such finery as you ladies display was not available.”
Dot nodded. She’d never thought she would ever care a whit about clothing. Until today. It was suddenly important that Lord Appleton see her more favorably. She would never be as beautiful as these sisters were or as lovely as Miss Appleton, but for the first time in her life, Dot looked forward to having fashionable clothes.
The two sisters took their leave to continue around the chamber, and Lord Appleton and her father went to fetch them water. Bath’s famed medicinal water. “You know, Miss Pankhurst,” Miss Appleton said, “I don’t mean to offend you, but I have noticed that you and I are the same size, and it would mean a great deal to me if you would accompany me to the Upper Assembly Rooms tonight. You could wear one of my dresses.”
Dot froze. “But you see, I have never learned how to dance. I’ve never had any need to do so.”
Miss Appleton nodded slowly. “You simply must come back to our house. My brother and I can teach you enough to get by tonight. You don’t have to dance with anyone save Timothy.”
Dot assumed Timothy was Lord Appleton.
When Lord Appleton returned and offered her the water, she sipped it, grimacing. “It’s nasty!” she exclaimed.
Lord Appleton chuckled as he shook his head. “Observe that I did not partake.”
“I can certainly see why,” Mr. Pankhurst said. “I can now say that I’ve tried it. For the first and last time!”
“But, Papa, it might help your infirmities.”
Her father rolled his eyes. “I shall take my chances.”
Lord Appleton offered her his arm. “I beg that you do me the goodness of walking about the chamber with me, Miss Pankhurst.”
Because she put her right hand on his sleeve, she hitched Fur Blossom over her shoulder almost as if she were a sack of grain, pressing her left hand to her back. To her mortification, half way around the chamber, her cat leapt from her arms and scurried across the floor.
When she brushed against Glee Blankenship’s skirts, that poor lady tumbled to the floor. Lord Appleton rushed to help her up while Dot raced after her errant cat. Every time she got near the animal, the feline sped forward. Dot’s speed was no match for the exasperating cat.
“Fur Blossom!” she called in her most commanding voice. But it was rather like speaking to a brick wall. The cat definitely had a mind of its own.
As she sped to and
