Page 16 of Taming a Beastly Duke
“Did you know this bathhouse was first built in 1706?” he asked.
Edith’s heart fluttered, surprised at the subject. She enjoyed discussing the history of buildings. While she understood little of architectural intricacies, she also enjoyed admiring beautifully constructed buildings. The Pump Room was one of her favorites, in fact.
“Yes,” she said. “The first was designed by John Wood, I believe.”
Thomas turned to her, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“I am impressed, my good lady,” he said with a smile that indicated a challenge. “Do you know when construction on the building in which we now stand began?”
Edith thought for a moment, trying to recall what she had read.
“It was in the late 1700s, I am certain of it,” she said. Then, her expression brightened. “Construction was complete in 1795.” She paused, giving her companion a playfully smug smile. “And the main block was built from Bath stone.”
Thomas laughed heartily, bowing to her with amazement in his eyes.
“Fair lady, you are refreshingly delightful,” he said. “And you are correct. However, do you know what was discovered during the excavation for this place?”
Edith frowned, shaking her head and looking at Thomas with curiosity.
“I suppose I do not,” she said.
Thomas grinned, seeming pleased that he could give her new information.
“The foundations of the Roman Temple of Sulis Minerva,” he announced proudly, his eyes bright with excitement.
Understanding dawned on Edith and she smiled.
“She was the Roman goddess associated with healing waters,” she said. She had enjoyed reading about Roman mythology during her years receiving education from her governess, so she knew who Thomas meant at once.
Thomas looked at Edith again, letting his gaze linger before he spoke again. There was admiration and appreciation in his eyes. But there was something else, too, which reminded her of a hungry man observing a feast of freshly baked treats and savory wine.
“Correct again, my lady,” he said, his voice low and husky. The trance broke when he reached for a passing waiter, taking two glasses of water from the waiter’s tray. He handed one to Edith, his fingers brushing hers. The contact flooded Edith’s cheeks with color, and butterflies flew into a frenzy in her stomach. However, it was nothing compared to the way she felt when he offered his free arm again, leaving his hand on her arm far longer than propriety allowed.
Edith’s breath caught, suddenly aware of how close he stood to her. Her entire body was alight with a tingling heat, and she found it impossible to look away. His light brown eyes suddenly looked like molten gold, smoldering as he looked at her in a way that no other man ever had before. She shivered, the intense heat slowly making its way down to her lower stomach. Why was she having such a reaction to a man she had known for much of her life?
She scolded herself, keeping her smile as she tried to compose herself. He was handsome, and she was perfectly aware of the bond that seemed to be forming between them. But her duty to Marcus would forever prevent her from marrying Thomas. He was a good, wealthy man, but she was expected to marry a man with a higher noble title. Thomas might be Marcus’s best friend, but that would not be enough for Marcus to ever consider a man like him as a match for Edith.
And yet when Thomas led her back to the grand hall and pointed to the white marble pump fountain and grazed her wrist in a way that could only be intentional, gave her a jolting thrill. And from the look in Thomas’s eyes, he felt the same. Despite the things she had just been thinking, she lost herself in his eyes. She knew they would draw curious glances from other bathers, perhapsincluding her family. But the attraction was impossible to deny, and for the moment, she did not want to try.
***
Marcus was relieved when Thomas rejoined him. He had abandoned his spirits for a glass of mineral water, yet he felt no better than if he had consumed an entire bottle of wine in the time they had been there. Thomas noticed his friend’s discomfort at once, giving him a kind pat on the back.
“Shall we move to the King’s Bath?” he asked.
Marcus nodded. He was still uncertain whether he believed that hot water could have any notable healing qualities. But soaking in the bath might, at the very least, help ease the tension that had been such a constant for him since his illness began. He followed Thomas to the men’s wing of the bathhouse, the white marble-clad pool resembled a fantastical rectangular lake. Arched recesses surrounded it, reminding Marcus of something one might find in the king’s palace.
He and Thomas had just submerged themselves into the green, steaming waters when another familiar voice called to them.
“Exquisite, is it not?” Edwin chirped merrily, joining the men without hesitation.
Marcus glared at his cousin’s intrusion which had now added tension to what should have been a relaxing activity. Edwin did not seem to notice his cousin’s irritation as he waded through the water beside Marcus.
Marcus tried his best to ignore his cousin, sinking into the steaming water. He closed his eyes, concentrating to coax his muscles to relax, despite Edwin’s proximity.
“It is a terrible shame what is happening to textile workers,” Thomas said cordially.
Marcus kept his eyes closed, grateful for his friend’s ability to maintain peace in tense situations.
