Chapter 19
The baths at the Tonnelet were at last completed. As James returned from the final inspection, he thought of what a shame it was that Mr. Bridwell would not even try them. But he could not force the issue with a man so many years his senior, and a patient of someone else’s besides.
When he arrived at home, a summons awaited him from Mr. Vroomen. He was grateful for anything that could distract him from his despondency over a betrothal that was a weight around his neck and the knowledge that Amy would soon slip out of his life again.
He knocked on Mr. Vroomen’s door, and the physician himself answered it, dressed to go out.
“Good. You are here. I received a message from Lady Spencer saying she wishes to see me. I can only guess that Miss Bainesworth has informed her mother that she has consulted with a physician. It would be best if you were there, especially as you are to take over my cases next week when I leave.”
James had almost forgotten about that fact with all else that occupied his mind. He turned to walk with the physician. “I am perfectly ready.”
It was a good thing if Miss Bainesworth had found the courage to speak to her mother—that was, assuming her mother did not learn of her medical consultations another way.
Perhaps it meant Miss Bainesworth was ready to take a stand against Lady Spencer’s wishes and remain in Spa.
For Morry’s sake, he hoped it would all end well.
As they walked to the hotel where the baron had rooms, James shared his good news that the Tonnelet baths were finally ready for public use.
Now all he had to do was find a way to announce them to Spa’s visitors.
Mr. Vroomen, ever optimistic, expressed his faith that they would become as famous as Spa itself.
They were admitted and shown to Miss Bainesworth’s room. This time, Lady Spencer sat in the chair by the window, her hands folded and her mouth drawn in displeasure. Her daughter’s face revealed no trace of emotion.
“Good morning, Lady Spencer. I hope you are well.” Mr. Vroomen bowed to her before greeting her daughter. “I have brought my collaborator, Mr. Fletcher, who will be taking over my patients next week in my brief absence.”
Lady Spencer stood and acknowledged them both with a nod. “What is this I hear about your recommendation that my daughter remain in Spa to improve her health?”
James glanced at Miss Bainesworth and saw a flash of pleading in her eyes before her expression reverted to neutral. He looked at Mr. Vroomen, hoping he had understood the hint.
“It is precisely so,” Mr. Vroomen replied. “Miss Bainesworth suffers from a lack of minerals, which is causing her slender frame and excessive fatigue. If she leaves Spa, I cannot guarantee she will be able to raise the ferric levels in her blood sufficiently to make a full recovery.”
Lady Spencer frowned. “We can purchase bottles of the water. I have seen that they are sold, and I will ensure that we have enough for the next several months.”
“It is not only drinking the chalybeate waters that will be necessary to Miss Bainesworth’s recovery,” James said, surprising himself by speaking aloud the idea that had just occurred to him.
“She will also need to bathe in them at least three times a week to increase her energy. This is the reason Mr. Vroomen has recommended her extended stay.”
The news displeased Lady Spencer, and she turned to her daughter. “Rebecca, if you would but eat, all of this would be resolved. I have told you time and again. You will never catch a husband with the bosom of your gown hanging loose like a ship’s sail without wind.”
Miss Bainesworth met her mother’s tirade with a blank stare.
It was painful to watch, and James was sure she had to endure this sort of berating often.
Her only prospect for a happy future seemed to be escaping the household through marriage, hopefully to someone kind like Morry.
That, or hope her mother listened to Mr. Vroomen’s advice and left for Paris without her daughter.
“I cannot tell you what you must do,” Mr. Vroomen said, “but I hope you will consider my recommendation. Mr. Fletcher and I are only concerned with what is best for your daughter.”
Lady Spencer produced no more arguments, nor did she make any promises before going to open the door and summon a servant. James glanced back at Miss Bainesworth, and she flashed him a quick smile, mouthing the words, “Thank you.”
He only hoped it might serve.
Despite Mr. Bridwell’s firm decision to leave Spa as soon as it could be arranged, Amy knocked on the princess’s door for their first English lesson at one o’clock and was admitted.
She had brought some books she thought the princess might like.
It was her first time attempting to improve someone’s English, and she hoped she would be fit for the task.
It took her mind off her solemn meeting with James on the Promenade.
There had not been anything else to say after she informed him that her father had decided to leave Spa.
It was nearly impossible to meet James with an expression of disinterest without seeming cold, but this was what she had to do.
She still didn’t understand why he had insisted on apologizing for giving up on their relationship or learning her reasons for not communicating with him before he went on tour.
What was the point when he was betrothed to someone else?
She did not think it had been to expose the depth of her attachment and inflate his own pride, not with the way he had looked at her.
After that dizzying moment on the path when he had caught and held her with that look, what must he do at the Promenade but leave Miss Prexley’s side to come and speak to her.
It made no sense at all, and if she did not know him as well as she did, she would have impugned his character and accused him of feeding her with vain hopes.
But she did know him, and he must have had his reasons.
The evening had not improved, not with the way Mr. Lambert had singled out Marianne with his attention.
Amy had tried to speak to their father about it, but he had glanced at the pair at just the moment when others had joined their circle, so it looked less like a determined seduction.
Her father replied that it was in the nature of two painters to find much to interest each other.
Marianne was in no danger, he had assured her.
The servant returned and bid her to enter the parlor, where the princess was seated in front of a small table that held a folded newspaper and a pot of tea.
“Miss Bridwell, enter,” the princess said. “Someone give me copy of London Gazette. We might read together.”
Amy curtsied deeply before taking her seat, for even though she was invited to be on friendly terms with the princess, she could not forget her rank.
“That is an excellent idea,” she replied. “Before we begin, however, I must tell you that my father has decided we are to leave Spa and is hoping to do so in only a week’s time. I fear I will not be able to tutor you and your children for as long as I had hoped.”
The princess looked at her with a mix of curiosity and disappointment. “Why hurry to rush off? I not think you find better company than Spa. Not even in Paris.”
“I am inclined to agree with you, ma’am.” Amy smiled. “However, my father has an arthritic complaint, and it has not been cured by drinking the waters. He believes that the damp air in Spa is making his condition worse, which is why he wishes to remove from here without delay.”
“Ah. I not find Spa damp, but we use good our time, then.” Turning to a maid who had entered the room, she spoke in Russian, then explained to Amy, “Children begin first. My lesson after.”
Both lessons combined lasted two hours, and Amy was able to forget her troubles in the pleasure of introducing the children to English.
The princess wished for them to be capable of communicating and understanding basic phrases, while she desired a more extended vocabulary in the English tongue and to improve her pronunciation before they left for London.
The visit improved Amy’s frame of mind, and she was glad that the princess agreed to continue to receive her every day until they left.
It would be a trial to leave behind the rooms, routine, and friends she had grown accustomed to in their short time only to depart for some other unknown territory.
And there was something else. Despite how much it hurt to have been reunited with James only to learn he could not be hers, she would regret leaving him behind.
Their departure presented one advantage: Marianne would not be given a chance to further her relationship with Mr. Lambert.
When Amy confronted her sister after they had returned to the hotel, her sister’s reaction was of such violence—although she spoke only of his artistic instruction—Amy felt sure she had fallen in love and would not see reason.
It would be best to sever that connection as soon as possible.
Amy entered their suite and in the parlor found Hannah pacing back and forth. She paused on the threshold, instantly alert. Hannah did not pace.
“You have come back. If you had been anywhere else but with the princess, I should have called for you immediately. I am beside myself with worry.”
A tingle of alarm shot through Amy. It was unlike Hannah to worry about anything, so there must be something seriously wrong. Perhaps their father was unwell?
“Where is Papa? Did something happen to him?”
“It is not him. Father went to speak to Mr. Batowski and has not come home. It is Marianne. After we returned from La Redoute, she told me she was going with Mr. Lambert to paint the monument of Pierre le Grand in the Promenade de Sept-Heures. She said she would return in two hours, but it has been three. I went out to look for her, for I thought that she should have come home sooner.”