Page 59 of Lady for a Season
Printing claims prior place, which at one view,
Erects monument of THAT and YOU.
Printed on the River Thames,
February 4,
in the 54th year of the reign of King George the III.
Anno Domini 1814.
One printer, a man named George Davis, had gone a step further, creating not just poems or amusing sayings but an entire book of one hundred and twenty-four pages: titledFrostiana; or A History of the River Thames In a Frozen State: and the Wonderful Effects of Frost, Snow, Ice, and Cold, in England, and in Different Parts of the World Interspersed with Various Amusing Anecdotes. He had typeset and printed the title page on the ice and the book itself promised a wide range of topics, from histories of extreme weather toIce Palaces and Icebergs, information about how to save someone from drowning, as well as how to make a fruit ice-cream. Apprentices were busy hanging up copies of the title page to dry and Edward stopped bythe stand and paid for a copy of the book to be sent to Atherton House, which address occasioned a great deal of bowing and scraping.
“We surely have to add that to the library,” said Edward as they strolled on, “since we were here in person to see it being made and experience its delights. Perhaps we can give the recipe to Mrs Barton, and she can make us an ice-cream to remember this day.”
He seemed happy and light-hearted, and it made Maggie’s spirits rise to see him like this, although she did wonder if, one day in the future, he would come across the book and think of her, think of the day they had spent laughing together in a strange white world so unlike their everyday life. Would he be married and safe with his family, perhaps have children? Or would he have been taken back to Ivy Cottage or elsewhere to live out his lonely days recollecting the few days of freedom he had ever known?
They waited to see the elephant, which plodded slowly across the ice, surrounded by crowds of wide-eyed spectators who broke into rapturous applause as it reached the other side in safety. Maggie watched in awe, she had never seen such a beast, towering above them all, its grey wrinkled skin and strangely dangling ears like no other creature she had ever seen.
“They say they can suck up water with their trunks and spray it at you,” said Edward. “A good thing all the water here is ice.”
“Buckingham!”
They turned to see Lord Comerford making his way towards them.
“Comerford,” said Edward with pleasure. “Are you here alone?”
He made a face. “I’m supposed to be meeting Lady Celia Follett, but I haven’t caught sight of her yet. Miss Seton,” he added, bowing.
“Lord Comerford.” Maggie curtseyed.
“I’ve seen the Godwins,” Lord Comerford said to Edward, as though imparting helpful information. “They’re over by the swings.”
“Thank you,” said Edward politely.
“Lady Follett is just there,” said Maggie. “In the red coat.”
“Ah yes,” said the earl. “Much obliged. Good day to you both.”
They nodded their farewells as he made his way towards the woman to whom he was supposedly engaged. Maggie wondered whether he was pleased to see her or felt any dread in being promised to the young woman. He had pointed out the Godwins and their daughter Miss Belmont, which made her wonder if the whole of thetonconsidered the alliance a done deal for Edward.
“You look doleful, are you too cold?”
Maggie startled out of her thoughts. “No, no, I am well,” she said, reluctant to spoil the adventure.
“Good,” he said. “I will buy you a hot chocolate to keep you warm and then we must seek out our turn at skittles.”
He made no mention of the swings. Was that omission on purpose or accidental? Was Edward deliberately avoiding the Godwins?
The sweetness of the hot chocolate, spiced with ginger and cinnamon, warmed Maggie’s hands and belly, turning her mind away from sad thoughts of the future and back to the glittering present. Everywhere was the smell of meat roasting on large braziers, from goose and mutton up to a vast ox.
“Is it wise to have so many fires?” Maggie asked.
“Who knows, but the ice seems thick enough still and the smell is making me hungry.”
“You are always hungry these days,” said Maggie, as they received thick slices of bread stuffed with roasted goose and pickled red cabbage. It amused her to see Edward eatingsomething so inelegantly served after months of fine fare and delicate table manners at Atherton Park and Atherton House.
He grinned and took another large bite. “I think I must still be growing,” he said. “My tailor will be most displeased with me if all my coats become too tight.”
