Carolina's Walking Tour Read Free Page A

deepest
thoughts."
    His cold assessment of his situation and their association appalled Carolina. She had not
before seen this side of his nature. "You cannot wish to keep the world at a distance for the rest
of your life!"
    "Yes, I can." He paused and stared at her once more. "I can, and I will."
    She shivered under the coldness of his gaze. Her dreams were only that, and her fragile
hopes were destroyed almost before even they were admitted.
    He returned to his usual manner as if the exchange had not taken place. "Now I think
you are correct. My planned walk is too ambitious. Let us instead go up Bathwick Hill and return
by Sydney Place if you tire. If not, we may continue to the Bathwick Ferry and return to Queen
Square by the Paragon and Axford Buildings."
    Carolina knew her answer before he had finished speaking. She would accept his every
suggestion, even if it proclaimed her a sycophant. "A good plan. Very well, do let's go."
    It was not too long a walk. Despite her lowered spirits, Carolina found herself
invigorated by the exercise. Since his outburst, the baron seemed to lay himself out to be good
company. It was four of the clock by the time she was returned to Queen Square, and the hours
had flown by.
    As always she greeted Quainton's brisk farewell with regret, but she produced a calm
good-bye. She watched him walk down the Square and realized that his clothes no longer hung
upon him, but rather fit his lean and muscular frame to a nicety. There was no longer any
hesitation in his stride. She could be thankful that their summer had at least returned him to
health.
    She went within to discover her grandmother awaiting her return in the drawing room.
She drew off her beribboned straw hat slowly. Lady Chersham was seated on a chaise with a
light shawl over her legs. She regarded Carolina with stern consideration and looked to be in a
combative mood.
    "Well, miss, I need not ask where you have been. Walking with Quainton again, no
doubt. What you do on these walks, what you discuss, I cannot imagine. At first I thought he
must be looking to fix his interest with you. I was quickly disabused of that notion. Then I
thought he must be a mere trifler, or making game of you, but in closer converse with Lady
Quainton I discovered him to be honourable and reliable. So I have allowed you to be constantly
in his company for weeks now."
    Carolina subsided to a straight chair, smothering a sigh. Today of all days, she felt
unequal to cope with her grandmother's strictures. She had hoped to escape to her chamber to
consider all that Alexander had said, and all that she had felt. Instead she straightened and
prepared herself to hear more of Lady Chersham's reflections.
    "The exercise has benefited you; I must needs be blind not to see it. You are more
robust, you have a blush in your cheeks and can dance at assemblies for hours. As well you have
more assurance in your manner; you can converse with anyone without embarrassment. So the
baron has done you some good. Yet I am not certain his company is entirely efficacious. Several
gentlemen have expressed an interest in you, but they have been frightened off by Quainton's
constant attendance.
    "So it is a good thing his mama is retiring to Wakeridge Court, and that he is to attend
her there."
    Carolina, who had allowed her mind to wander during her grandmother's declamation,
was brought to attention by the lady's last words. "Lord Quainton is leaving Bath?"
    "Ah, mention of that captured your notice, did it?"
    "He...he said nothing of it today." Carolina put her hat aside, and stared at her tightly
clasped hands.
    "Well, he would not. Typical man. Don't know how to broach a difficult subject." The
dowager snorted delicately. "He's made you notorious, and now he'll depart leaving me to patch
your reputation."
    Carolina uttered a horrified gasp. "Grandmama...surely not..."
    "Oh, very well, notable not notorious. As you've been striding about in full view of
everyone all the summer, your