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attentions to the two of them. And an opportunity to introduce Trelenny to just a taste of society. Perhaps then she would realize that Cranford was an unexceptionable match, that her exotic fantasies were merely a dream. “I think, my love, that we might. But, Cranford, I would hate to impose on you. I do have a friend in Bath just now, as it happens, but we would need your escort there and back.”
    “There is no imposition, Mrs. Storwood. Shall we plan to leave in the morning?”
    “Tomorrow morning?” asked the poor woman.
    “The sooner the better, I think. I’ll just have a word with Mr. Filkins before I leave, with your permission."
    “Yes, if you would. Can we be ready by tomorrow morning, Trelenny? What will your Papa say to such unseemly haste?”
    “He will say that the sooner we leave, the sooner we shall return. I promise you I can have everything ready for the morning, Mama. You go speak with Papa and I’ll see Cranford out.” Trelenny smiled encouragement to her flustered parent, who rose to give her hand to Cranford before she hesitantly left the room.
    When they were alone, Trelenny did not speak for a moment, could not even bring herself to look at him. “That was especially kind of you, Cranford. I ... I’m sure I can never repay you, but I shall try. You won’t mind going so very much, will you?”
    “With all those antiquities to look forward to, how could I?” he asked ruefully.
    “To be perfectly honest with you,” she said miserably, “I am not sure where they may be found. That is, I could find no information on who has them now.”
    “Trust me, Trelenny. I shall find them.”
    She breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, I hope you may, Cranford, for I can see no other pleasure for you in Bath.”
    “Can’t you? No, I suppose not. Never mind. I’ll come at ten tomorrow if you can be ready by then.”
    “We’ll be ready.”
    “Good. Now I’ll just have a word with Mr. Filkins.”
~ ~ ~
    Relations between Cranford and his father had been cool, as might be expected, since the incident of the sidesaddle. No mention had been made of it, and the two men had frequently partaken of their meals together, when a desultory conversation ensued between them, but it was not the father’s habit to apologize for his mistakes nor the son’s to concern himself overmuch with being misunderstood. Lord Chessels had some stake in not antagonizing his son to the point where Cranford abandoned Ashwicke Park and his pursuit of Trelenny. For his part, Cranford had his own reasons for continuing his suit, and he was inured by past experience to his father’s uncontrolled temper.
    When Cranford returned to Ashwicke Park he sought an interview with Lord Chessels, who was perusing the Shooting Directory in the Lower Saloon, his feet propped up on a stool whose embroidered cover Cranford could remember his mother patiently laboring over.
    “I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving tomorrow for Bath. I—”
    Lord Chessels flung the magazine from him. “Damn you! You haven’t made the least push to engage that girl’s affections! Now you’re wanting to run off and enjoy yourself at some mushroomy watering hole. Don’t think I’ll stand the blunt, my boy. Not a tuppence will you see from me.”
    “Sir, I am escorting Mrs. and Miss Storwood there, and I had not the least intention of asking you for money. You should not let this raise your hopes as to a match, however, as Miss Storwood has in effect told me that she won’t have me. It is nonetheless an opportunity for us to become better acquainted, which may or may not prove beneficial.” Cranford stooped to pick up the magazine which lay at his feet, and straightened it out before handing it to his father.
    Lord Chessels grunted. “You should take the traveling carriage. If you go post you’ll not have an opportunity to sit in the carriage with them now and again. It’s well sprung; I had it worked over not six months past.”
    “I’ll be