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Susan was ready to perform. Although it was difficult to ignore his obvious desire to continue their conversation, to understand her sentiments, she managed to devote her entire attention to Susan’s uninspired playing and fell into discussion with the younger girl when she had concluded her recital. To Ralph she accorded only a smile before she retired to bed for the evening.
    Several days later there were letters for most of the family. Charity received a missive from her mother, who was happy to have her daughter spend additional time at Montgomery Hall. She asked only that Charity return to Bath for the week before her own departure for Daventry.
    Mrs. Montgomery received a pretty gilded sheet from her old and dear friend, Lady Stockton, who had found the perfect house for them to let during their London stay. Lady Stockton had originally insisted that Mrs. Montgomery and Susan stay with her, for she had visited them often, but Mr. Montgomery had been firm about their having a house of their own. He meant to accompany them to town and see them established before returning to the Hall.
    Susan had a letter from Lady Stockton’s daughter, Laura, who would be having her first season as well. Laura shared the London gossip and talked of the magnificent wardrobe she was acquiring, of the fittings and outings her mama took her on. The season would not begin for some time, but Laura was being quietly introduced to the ton by way of morning calls and informal evenings.
    “But you must not think that my head is entirely filled with these entertainments, dear Susan, for I continue my studies when there is time. I have conceived a passion for reading Shakespeare’s plays, and to see them acted at the Theatre Royal is beyond my greatest dreams. You would scarcely credit it, but the majority of those who attend pay not the slightest attention to the work performed. They are all concerned with seeing and being seen,” the young lady concluded scornfully.
    Ralph received a message from Mr. Drew’s solicitor advising him of the date his and Mr. Karst’s purchase would be concluded. This sent him off to his studies once more.
    The letter from Aunt Eleanor was addressed to Kate, but of course was intended for the entire family. She and Mr. Hall, whom she referred to as Dawson, were having a splendid time, had enjoyed the Alps and the Low Countries, but were beginning to think of returning to Daventry to pick up their lives there together. They intended to visit Montgomery Hall on their return. Kate laughed over the part which read, “Dawson makes quite as agreeable a traveling companion as you, my dear, and it is so very comfortable to have a man in charge, since people listen to men. I shall never forget the experience you and I had in Paris where the concierge would not understand our French until we had inveigled that dear Mr. Thompson to vouch for us.” Dear Mr. Thompson, Kate remembered well. She had successfully foiled his attempts to assume the role of suitor and she had been much relieved when the colorful dandy had married a young woman from Nottingham and had settled there.
    When the letter was read by Ralph he made a valiant effort, in Charity’s presence, to draw Kate out on her travels. She was not loath to talk of them, for they were among her fondest memories. And although she might have been somewhat mystified by his sudden interest, his attention was everything it should have been. He even absently offered her snuff during her recital, so intent was he.
    “No, thank you, Ralph,” she demurred politely, and, seeing that he was about to do the same for Charity, continued, “I do not think Charity is in the habit of taking snuff, either.”
    “Sorry,” he murmured, recollecting himself. “Didn’t know what I was doing. Shame we don’t do the Grand Tour anymore.”
    “I imagine more people will travel now that things are settling down in France,” Charity suggested.
    “Would you like to go there?” Ralph