Page 36 of Persuading Penny
“I...I just...I mean...” I stood to face him, no doubt blushing profusely.
“I told you I was soon coming to Bath, and I did specify that I hoped to see you once here. Please don’t think I’m stalking you. It is purely coincidental. Though I have been keeping my eyes open since arriving.”
“When did you arrive?”
“Late last night. I’m staying at the Royal Crescent Hotel.”
I noticed then how we were just standing there on the terrace, me over my Chelsea bun and coffee and he with nothing at all.
“Would you care to join me?”I said. “The bakery has wonderful treats.”
He nodded. “I think I might just do that. I’ve been walking around quite a bit, and it has made me a little hungry.”
He went inside and came out to join me moments later, a ham sandwich and a Bakewell tart on his tray.
“You say you’ve been walking,” I said. “Are you following in the footsteps of Jane Austen or are you simply wandering aimlessly.”
“A little of both. You know, I was thinking...uh...” He stopped suddenly and smiled. “I just realized I don’t even know your name.”
“Oh. You’re right. We never did get around to introductions. I’m Penelope Copperfield, but you can call me Penny.”
“Nice to meet you, Penny. I’m Steve. Steve Seagram.” He looked at me with a touch of expectation, as if I should have had a particular reaction.
“Now, to answer your question about visiting Jane Austen sites or just wandering...” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone to scroll through it a moment. “Ah. Here we are. For a little while, Jane stayed with her aunt and uncle who owned No.1 The Paragon.” He looked up at me. “I’ve not found it yet. Then she moved to 13 Queen Square, then 4 Sydney Place and then to 27 Green Park which is where her father died. That building is no longer standing so there was no point in looking for it. Then the family moved to 25 Gay Street where, unfortunately, her mother died. And finally Trim Street, but the address is unknown.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. I knew about Green Park and Gay Street, but the rest...” I nodded in appreciation of his thoroughness on the matter. “And have you found any of these?”
He shook his head as he laughed. “Not all. Only the two you’ve just mentioned. But I was hoping to go to Sydney Place tomorrow. Apparently, it overlooks Sydney Garden and there’s a huge labyrinth you can walk through...if you dare.”
I laughed. “Yes. Yes, I’ve heard of it.”
“You’ve never been?”
“Oh, no,” I said still laughing.“It’s not really my cup of tea.”
“And yet you are quite amused.”
“My apologies,” I finally said. “I believe the labyrinth is long gone. But I’m sure you could find where it once stood.”
“Ah, so I’ve been misinformed. I warned you that could happen.”
“So, I take it you’re enjoying Bath so far?”
“Gorgeous. I have to say it’s one of the prettiest little towns I’ve ever visited, and I’ve visited many places. Here, it seems that everywhere I turn, all I see is beauty.”
“I’ve lived here all my life and I’m still amazed by the architecture. It’s a shame we don’t build anything like this anymore.”
“I’m in full agreement with you there. We need to bring back fine architecture and pride in what we build.”
Finishing my coffee, I looked at him over the rim of my mug. He had a charm about him that came so easily to him, and yet there hung about him an air of mystery.
“How long will you be staying in Bath?”
“Depends,” he said. “Could be weeks. Could be years.”
“Oh?”
He smiled. “I’m seriously considering moving here.”
