Laurie Benson – Mrs Sommersby’s Second Chance (страница 8)

Humphrey barked and licked his hand.

‘Come now, gentlemen shake when they meet. Give me your paw.’

Humphrey barked again.

‘He doesn’t understand what you’re asking.’

‘Then we will teach him.’ He tapped Humphrey’s right paw. ‘Paw.’ He held his hand out to Humphrey. ‘Give me your paw.’

Once more Humphrey barked and a few more times the gentlemen tapped his paw and repeated the word.

Each time, Humphrey barked. But the last time when the gentleman held out his hand and requested his paw, Humphrey placed it in his hand. He closed his fingers around the little paw and gave it a small shake, while he scratched Humphrey’s neck with his other hand. The dog let out a series of happy sounds as if he was letting him know how proud he was that he learned a new trick. Then he looked at Clara with his big brown eyes and let out another bark.

‘Yes, I see. You’ve learned something new.’ She took a step closer as the gentleman gave one last pat to Humphrey’s head before standing up.

‘You seem quite at ease with him. Do you have a dog of your own?’

‘Not any longer. I did for a while a long time ago. I travel too much now.’

‘Travelling a lot sounds like an adventurous life.’

‘I suppose some people may see it as such. Most times the travelling is rather tedious.’

‘I’m surprised to see you here. This small stretch is not typically frequented by visitors. They normally enjoy promenading up by the Crescent.’

‘Crawling might be a better word. They were moving much too slowly for my liking.’ He took a step closer.

‘Moving at a sedate pace can be enjoyable when you find your companions entertaining.’

His eyes held hers for a few heartbeats before he looked around for Humphrey. ‘But when you are alone and have some place to be, walking behind people being entertained is irritating.’

The candid statement was made with such a gruff delivery it almost made her laugh. ‘I imagine it would be. So where did you need to be?’

‘Today?’

She nodded and waited for him to respond.

‘Nowhere...exactly. But that doesn’t mean it was any less bothersome.’

A small laugh crept out before she could hold it back. ‘So, you came here to avoid the people out there enjoying themselves.’

His brows drew together and he crossed his arms. Standing tall with his legs apart, he appeared to be preparing for battle. ‘You seem to enjoy having fun at my expense.’

‘I am not having fun at your expense. But you must admit you take the most benign things quite seriously.’

‘I do not.’

‘You do. I have lived most of my life in this town and not once have I witnessed anyone inspect the water as carefully as you did yesterday. And today you couldn’t even enjoy a walk along the Crescent.’

‘That does not mean I have a serious disposition.’

She crossed her arms in return. ‘How would your friends describe you?’

‘That is neither here nor there.’

‘That tells me that you know they would not be describing you as jovial.’

‘I should have left you in the bushes.’

The off-the-cuff comment didn’t insult her, but made her laugh instead. ‘So perhaps you aren’t so serious all the time. What have you found enjoyable while you’ve been here in Bath?’

‘I have yet to have the opportunity to see much of the town.’

‘How long have you been here?’

‘Eight days.’

‘Eight days and you haven’t seen much of Bath? What have you been doing all this time?’

‘I’m here on business and haven’t really got out much.’

‘Apparently. I think we need to remedy that. It might help with that disposition of yours.’

‘And what do you think I’d find enjoyable here?’

My company is enjoyable, she wanted to say. ‘I suppose it depends on what you like. Perhaps it would be better to ask what kinds of activities you find enjoyable.’

He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.

It seemed he was not going to make suggesting what he should do an easy endeavour. ‘Well, one can assume you do not enjoy long strolls.’

‘No. That is not true. I do enjoy a brisk walk. It helps me clear my thoughts.’

‘Then we will put brisk walking on the list. Perhaps you would enjoy visiting the Lower Assembly Rooms. They are near the bowling green and close to some lovely walks that are laid out by the river. If you time it just right, you might be able to walk the pathways before the crowds descend. And the public breakfast that is served there every Wednesday is quite good.’

‘That’s a much too leisurely way to spend my days.’

‘Well, you could always attend the dress and fancy balls in the evenings in the Upper Assembly Rooms. I prefer the dress balls, myself. And there are cards rooms at those if you do not dance.’

‘What makes you think I do not know how to dance?’

‘Forgive me. I meant if you were not inclined to dance.’

‘I find balls rather tedious. Too much talking about the weather and the state of the roads.’

‘Of course. Who would want to speak to all those people enjoying each other’s company?’

His lips pressed together which made her laugh again.

‘Then perhaps you would prefer a concert or the theatre. Bath has a vast array of ways to entertain yourself while you are here. Your wife might enjoy those activities.’ She waited to see if he would confirm that he was married. It hadn’t occurred to her that he might be until now.

‘Was that your way of finding out if I am married?’

She was not one to hide her inquisitive nature so she smiled up at him. ‘Are you?’

Instead of appearing affronted by her question, the hint of a small smile played on his lips. ‘No. I am not.’

‘Neither am I.’ Clara held back a groan. Why, oh, why had she offered that bit of information? It wasn’t as if he had bothered to ask her.

‘I know. I assumed from the Pump Room that you are widowed. I’m sorry for your loss.’

‘Thank you, but my husband passed a long time ago.’

The small creases at the corners of his eyes deepened as they looked at one another.

Humphrey’s head nudged her ankle, drawing her attention down to her dog. When she saw him eyeing the gentleman’s boot with that expression she had come to know, a sense of dread filled her chest. She held tight to his leash and tugged him back, closer to her.

Humphrey let out a series of barks in protest.

‘I really should be taking him home. He is probably hungry.’

‘Would you like me to escort you back from where you came?’

‘No, thank you. That won’t be necessary. I don’t have far to go.’ Humphrey pulled on the leash in the direction of the gentleman, making their departure all the more urgent. ‘I do hope you’ll take my suggestions. It would be a pity if you spent your time here without enjoying some of what this town has to offer.’

His eyes seemed to darken momentarily. ‘I’ll consider your suggestions.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’