The Regency Season: Hidden Desires: Courted by the Captain / Protected by the Major

‘It is a particularly beautiful area,’ Lady Dawlish agreed. ‘Some of the beauty spots are close enough to make it possible to drive out in an afternoon and be back in time to change for dinner. We may hire an open chaise if we wish—but I dare say we shall be invited to drive out with friends. I am certain we shall find several of our acquaintance settled here for the summer. Picnics would be quite acceptable for you to attend.’

‘I hope we shall make new friends,’ Lucy said. ‘I think that many people who frequent Bath seldom visit London.’

‘Yes, indeed. I dare say a great many visitors come here for their health—but I am certain they will have young relatives with them. You may meet some young ladies and, indeed, gentlemen that you have not met before.’

‘I only wish to have friends so that I may talk and laugh,’ Lucy assured her. ‘I would not think of... It is too soon, Mama.’

‘Yes, of course, my love—but acquaintances made here may become more in time. I would not encourage you to think of marriage for at least a year, Lucy. This visit to Bath is merely the start of my plans for you. I think in the autumn we might travel to the Italian lakes, if your papa can be prised from his home—and perhaps even if he cannot. We might find some other travelling companions.’

‘I think I should like that,’ Lucy said. ‘I feel better already. At home everything seemed so grey and dull.’

‘Yes, I saw how you were feeling.’ Lady Dawlish hesitated, then, ‘Would I be right to think that you were a little unsure about the wedding, dearest?’

‘Would you think less of me if I said I had considered asking Mark to delay it? I could not be certain of my feelings for him. I loved him dearly as a friend—and he looked so handsome in his uniform when he proposed that I was swept away by emotion—but I was not certain I was in love with him. I thought it might be better to wait so that we could both be sure of our feelings, for I am not certain he was in love with me, Mama. Though I know he cared for me, I think he felt our marriage was expected and did not wish to let me down.’

‘Thank you for your confidence. I had thought it might be that—you have been feeling guilty, have you not?’

‘Yes, Mama. It was so terrible of me. I grieved for Mark, truly I did—but my heart is not broken, as it must surely have been had I been in love.’

‘I quite understand. We shall not speak of this again, dearest. Nevertheless, neither Papa or I could countenance an engagement before a year has passed. It would look very bad and we should not wish to give offence to the Ravenscar family for they are our oldest friends.’

‘I do understand, Mama,’ Lucy said and held back a sigh. ‘But you would not think me wicked if I fell in love with someone else?’

‘If you should meet someone you like very much, I should be happy, my love. We should continue to socialise so that you could meet in company, but there would be no formal agreement for twelve months.’

Lucy nodded. ‘Thank you, Mama. I feel better for our talk. May I walk out with Jenny now, please?’

‘Providing you take one of the maids with you.’ Lady Dawlish smiled. ‘Do you intend to go shopping?’

‘We have spoken of it. Jenny wishes to have some pretty gowns made and I need one or two evening gowns in grey or lilac.’

‘Yes, you must have at least one of each and perhaps a dark-blue silk,’ her mother agreed. ‘I think you need three afternoon gowns, two at least for mornings—but you will not need a ballgown. By the time we attend such an affair you will be wearing colours.’

‘I should not wish to dance just yet.’ Lucy kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘It would be disrespectful of me. I did think the world of Mark, truly I did—only not in that way. Jenny is waiting for me. I must not keep her any longer for I only came to tell you of our plans.’