Chapter 7 #2
I didn’t have time to form a reply before Aunt Julia’s voice echoed from behind me.
“Does this bonnet make me look like a Christmas pudding?” She froze at the sight of Mr. Campbell.
I turned just in time to see the flicker of surprise on her face.
The ruffles of her cap contrasted with the sudden flush of pink on her cheeks, and she quickly offered a curtsy. “Mr. Campbell! What a…surprise.”
“Mrs. Cresswell, it is a pleasure to see you. I know you didn’t ask for my opinion, but your bonnet is very complimentary, indeed.
” He bowed, and I took the opportunity to glare at the top of his head.
His eyes met mine before I managed to wipe the glare from my face.
He had never paid any mind to Aunt Julia.
He had always acted so far above her—and above me.
The sudden attention and charm was alarming to say the least, but Aunt Julia was already devouring it like a Christmas pudding.
She blinked in surprise for a short moment before her features melted into a bashful smile. “The pleasure is mine, to be sure.” She released a sound that was akin to a giggle. My face burned with mortification. “Have you come to call upon Arabella?”
“Indeed.” Mr. Campbell shot a glance in my direction. “She informed me that she was about to join you for a walk. The weather is fine today, is it not?”
“Oh, yes.” Aunt Julia gave an enthusiastic nod. “It’s the perfect day for a stroll through Sydney Gardens. Would you like to join us? My nephew is accompanying us as well.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, deliberately avoiding Mr. Campbell’s gaze. He was looking far too proud of himself, I was sure of it.
“I would be delighted to join you. That is…if Miss Sharp doesn’t have any objection?
” His innocent voice grated on my nerves.
Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet his. With my back to Aunt Julia, I didn’t feel the need to control my expression.
I darkened my gaze, but Mr. Campbell was undeterred, a gleam of amusement tucked carefully behind his false sincerity.
“Of course not,” I said in a voice just as false as his smile. “Why would I ever object to that?”
Aunt Julia spoke again, snapping the connection of our gazes in half.
“Splendid! Frederick should be down any minute now.” She shuffled forward in the narrow space until she was right beside me.
I couldn’t blame her for her excitement; Mr. Campbell was thus far the only gentleman to call upon me during our visit to Bath.
When most gentlemen learned that I was renting rooms on Milsom Street, they made assumptions—true ones—about my status and lost interest.
Men were not the only ones sought after for money, even though they liked to make themselves victims over it.
I eyed Mr. Campbell again. Walking with him in public would cause a stir, no doubt.
It was no secret that he was among the most eligible bachelors in town, and I was among the least eligible young ladies.
If there was reason to believe an attachment existed between Mr. Campbell and me, gossip would spread faster than Freddy spread butter on his toast.
Much like Aunt Julia, Freddy strode up behind us before catching sight of Mr. Campbell at the door. “Am I dressed to your standards, Bella?” He wore a yellow and orange paisley waistcoat with a blue jacket, gray hat, and walking stick. He strutted forward with a grin. “I look dashing, do I not?”
I grimaced, my heart jumping to my throat. He had obviously chosen his attire as a joke, but he hadn’t seen Mr. Campbell yet. His grin faltered at the sight of our guest, his cheeks turning white.
Aunt Julia’s jaw dropped. “Dear me,” she whispered. “Mr. Campbell, may I present my nephew, Mr. Frederick Sharp. He often jests with his sister. He doesn’t usually dress so…” her voice trailed off.
“Brilliantly?” Mr. Campbell said. “There is nothing wrong with a daring choice when it comes to fashion.” The smile on his face seemed to put Freddy at ease. “I’m certain Sydney Gardens has seen wilder choices than this.”
Freddy’s shoulders relaxed again, and he laughed. “I don’t doubt it. Shall I wear this simply to mortify my sister?” His eyes slid in my direction with a smirk.
I adjusted my gloves calmly. “You may. But I am the last person anyone should like to start a war with.”
Mr. Campbell nodded, his eyes settling on my face. “I don’t doubt that either.”
Freddy laughed, but I hardly noticed anything but the challenge glinting in Mr. Campbell’s eyes. At least he understood that I wasn’t to be trifled with. And that was precisely what he was doing now, I was certain.
He was trifling with me.
“The sooner you learn that about my sister, the better. I suppose I should go change so as not to provoke her.” Freddy grinned in my direction.
He looked ridiculous in his colorful clothing, but Mr. Campbell didn’t seem to mind.
I found that even stranger than his friendly demeanor.
He was known for dressing elegantly and looking down upon anyone who did not.
So why was he being so forgiving of Freddy’s appearance?
He was definitely up to something, and I was going to find out what it was. If he thought he was the only one who could play his game, he was mistaken.
“Frederick can meet us outside when he is dressed properly,” Aunt Julia said. “Shall we?”
Mr. Campbell gave a swift nod as he extended his arm toward me. I took it cautiously, certain that I was the only one who caught the smirk on his lips as we started toward the stairwell.