Page 37 of Persuading Penny
“Are you?”I said, inexplicably pleased.
“I’ve been looking to leave London, but I’ve not found a place I find suitably interesting. Then again, I know little of the city. Perhaps I’ll discover some atrocious secret that will repulse me.”
“I doubt it.”
He looked at me with a more serious gaze. “I don’t mean to impose, and I have no doubt you have better things to do, but...would you mind showing me around a bit. I could sure use a knowledgeable guide and seeing that you’ve lived here all your life...”
“Me? Oh, I don’t know. I mean, you know more about Jane Austen’s whereabouts more than I do.”
“Actually, I don’t just mean all things Jane Austen. I mean, the real heart of the town; the architecture, the abbey, the baths, Pultney Bridge.”
I hesitated for a moment.
“Oh, my God. Look at me going on like this,” he said suddenly, sitting back as if to berate himself. “Here I am a perfect stranger and I’m asking you to take time from your busy day to accompany me on this tour of the city. Forgive me. I am completely and utterly gauche.”
“No. It’s really alright. I think I could enjoy visiting my town as a tourist...you know, seeing it through your eyes.” I mentally ran through my schedule. I wasn’t needed on set and as long as everything was in order, I should have the freedom of an afternoon or two. “Okay. I would love to accompany you through Bath. We can perhaps meet here tomorrow...let’s say...ten o’clock?”
“Sounds good. I very much look forward to it.”
As did I. Not only would it be a well-needed change of pace from work and home, but it would be the perfect antidote to my growing heartache over Cliff and Bridget’s romance.
ELEVEN
As planned, Steve andI met at the bakery at ten o’clock the next day. He was casually dapper in dark gray pants and a deep red silk shirt, while I was the reverse with my dark red skirt and pale gray sweater.
“Where shall we start?”I said.
“The Abbey,” he said.
“Very well.”
As we walked to the Abbey, I pointed out various buildings of note; buildings that’d been built two hundred years earlier or more. He was dutifully impressed by the Abbey’s architecture and eager to learn everything about it. As we left, we passed by the Roman baths, then back around to cross Pultney Bridge, taking our time to admire all the shops on the way. We then headed down to Sydney Place where Jane had once lived and Sydney Garden where the labyrinth once stood. Finally, we made our way to the Kennet and Avon Canal waterfront to take a leisurely boat ride.
“This is nice,” he said as the gentle breeze ruffled his hair. “Such a small town with so much to do. I doubt if we’ll have time to see everything today.”
“Then we can continue tomorrow, if you like,” I said.
