Page 16 of A Winter’s Romance

A warm glow filled Jane’s chest despite the cold weather as she walked briskly up Milsom Street. It was uphill all the way to Camden Crescent and she’d get another lecture from Miss Pugh if she was late. She really shouldn’t have agreed to help that gentleman in choosing ribbons but there was something about him that had made it difficult to refuse. He’d almost knocked her over, but the reason for that had been obvious once she’d caught sight of his face. Initially, he’d looked forbidding with his black eye patch and scarred cheeks, but then a smile had lit up his face, making his scars and eye patch disappear.

At first, she’d formed the impression that he was unsure of himself, which seemed strange. Everything about him spoke of a military background – his firm step when he’d walked her into the shop with his head held high, as if on parade. His clothes too, spoke of quality and good taste.

She sighed. How nice it would be to have a suitor like that, but very unlikely at her advanced age. She had nothing to recommend her. She swiped at her eyes with a gloved hand. Goodness, the cold air was making her eyes water.

Lansdowne Road was steep but less crowded. Jane slowed her pace. The shadows were getting longer. A cloud of misery descended on her. If only she had somewhere other than the Academy to spend Christmas, which was fast approaching. Advent and Christmas used to be her favourite times of the year. As a small child, she’d enjoyed helping her mother to stir the pudding and always hoped that she would be the lucky one to find the coin hidden in it.

Jane’s mouth tightened. Miss Pugh considered Christmas pudding an indulgence. The most any pupils who were unlucky enough to be at the Academy for Christmas could hope for was a handful of raisins and nuts.

Jane’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

If she didn’t convince Meg’s new guardian to keep his ward at the school, Miss Pugh would carry out her threat and she would be homeless this Christmas.

Breathing heavily now, Jane continued her trek back. The Academy was situated on Camden Crescent, an elegant, curved terrace that had some of the most beautiful views over the city. Jane smiled ruefully; the price paid for the incredible view was the steep climb. A climb that she might not need to undertake much longer if she didn’t carry out Miss Pugh’s instructions.

After a breakfast of bread, butter, a slice of plum cake, and an excellent cup of tea – a life on the march had accustomed Nicholas to a rather abstemious meal in the early hours of the day – he donned his greatcoat and beaver hat and set off for Miss Pugh’s Academy. Mr Lucas, the manager, kindly accompanied him to the entrance of the hotel and gave him very clear instructions on the location of Camden Crescent, pointing out its elevated position above the town.

‘It’s quite a climb, I’m afraid, Colonel, and it’s starting to rain. You might be better summoning a chair.’

Nicholas roared with laughter. ‘I’m not quite in my dotage. If you saw some of the terrain my men and I were forced to cross in Portugal – and, I might add, in much worse weather – you wouldn’t suggest it.’

Mr Lucas gave an embarrassed smile as Nicholas clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I meant no offence, Colonel.’

‘None taken,’ grinned Nicholas. ‘It’s a good thing I’ve brought my umbrella. Thought the clouds were gathering when I looked out of the window this morning.’

With a cheery wave to Mr Lucas, Nicholas set off on his journey. The manager had indicated that the road he needed was the one across the street. A crossing boy stood on the corner, his eyes watchful. The boy scampered up to Nicholas, then hesitated as he caught sight of Nicholas’ face.

‘C-c-clear your way, Mister?’

Nicholas sighed and touched his hat. ‘Indeed, thank you.’

There was a momentary lull in the stream of carts and carriages coming along the road and the young lad darted out, sweeping away the muck and droppings. Nicholas followed closely. It wouldn’t do to turn up at the school smelling of the stables. Safely on the other side, he tossed a coin to the lad. Grabbing it mid-flight, the young boy sent him a curious look.

‘How’d your face get like that, Mister? Wos you in a fire? ’

Nicholas paused. Might as well let the inquisitive little chap know. ‘No, not a fire. It was a Frenchman who took my eye. Debris from a cannon explosion caused the rest of the damage.

The boy’s eyes widened like saucers. ‘You’re one of those wot’s fighting old Boney?’

‘I was.’

‘Blimey, wait till I tell my pals I’ve seen a hero.’ The boy leaned on his brush, a broad grin on his face.

‘Not a hero,’ Nicholas muttered under his breath.

Walking at his usual punishing pace, it didn’t take Nicholas long to reach Camden Crescent. Since setting off, the wind had picked up and the rain had begun to lash down. He stood for a moment peering at the Bath stone frontages of the terrace, both hands clutching on to his umbrella. He squinted at the polished brass plaque near the front door of the first building; the words Pugh’s Academy were just about discernible.

With brisk determined steps, Nicholas marched up and hammered a loud tattoo with the door knocker.

With one leg crossed over the other, Nicholas leaned back in his seat and let his gaze roam about the room. Miss Pugh’s brief absence was the perfect opportunity to examine his surroundings. At his feet was what looked like an expensive Turkey rug; the polished oak desk was at least as large as the one in his late father’s study. And was that an extravagant ormolu clock on the mantelpiece? Nicholas stood up to examine it. Above the porcelain clock face adorned with cupids, a gold eagle was attacking a serpent.

Nicholas tutted. It might be the fashion, but in his opinion, it was hideous .

He rubbed his newly shaven chin thoughtfully – Penrose had done a good job that morning – what a twittering, encroaching woman Miss Pugh was! His lip curled in disgust. She’d started fawning over him as soon as he’d declared his business there. According to her, his ward, Meg, was a ‘wonderful, darling, and apt pupil’, who’d made so many friends at the school that it would be a disaster to the poor child if he should remove her. Nicholas smiled sardonically as he continued to examine the clock.

But at the time, he’d nodded to Miss Pugh and given a non-committal grunt.

No need to let the enemy know your intentions. And yes, he was definitely regarding Miss Pugh in the light of an adversary.

Were all her staff as bad? She’d sent for a Miss Mortimer, his ward’s main teacher, and when the woman hadn’t arrived, Miss Pugh had gone off in search of her, muttering what he was sure were curses under her breath. He chuckled. Miss Pugh was no paragon.

Would the absent Miss Mortimer be as frosty-faced and unpleasant as her employer? Undoubtedly.

Poor little Meg Wilson, to be compelled to live in a household with two such ogres.

He held out his hands to the fire blazing in the grate. Well, Miss Pugh didn’t stint on the coals. If her pupils enjoyed the same luxury, he just might forgive her a little for being a Friday-faced harridan. There was nothing worse than being cold and no reason for little girls to suffer that hardship, especially when the headmistress’s well-furnished study was so cosy.

‘Ah, I see you are admiring my clock.’ Miss Pugh’s voice caught him unawares.

‘I’ve not seen one as … intricately worked as that before.’ He kept his tone neutral.

‘It was a gift from a parent,’ she trilled. ‘A family heirloom that they had no use for. Such good taste, don’t you think?’

Nicholas smiled and ignored her question. ‘Miss Mortimer?’ He raised his eyebrow.

Miss Pugh’s mouth thinned. ‘I’m afraid she has taken the girls for an outing. So inconvenient, when I wished particularly for her to speak with you about your ward.’

‘And I take it that my ward is also absent?’

Miss Pugh sniffed. ‘Yes. It seems you have had a wasted journey.’ Her face brightened. ‘Well, perhaps now you’ve satisfied yourself that she is being well looked-after, you can continue to leave her here.’

Nicholas pursed his lips. ‘I couldn’t possibly depart Bath without seeing my ward. As I’m sure you’ll agree, that would be most remiss of me.’

Miss Pugh’s eyes narrowed. Her reply came through gritted teeth. ‘Of course.’

Nicholas turned as he got to the door. ‘I’ll call back tomorrow. Please ensure that my ward is present.’

Bolstered by this easy success at outmanoeuvring an enemy, Nicholas couldn’t prevent himself grinning all the way back down into town.

It was Jane’s second time in a week to be summoned to Miss Pugh’s room. The maid had told her that the headmistress wished to see her as soon as she returned that afternoon.

Jane frowned as she removed her hat and pelisse and handed them to the maid. What did she want now ?

She patted her hair back into place and called to the giggling girls, who were heading up the stairs. ‘Go and tidy up, girls. It will soon be dinnertime.’

She tapped on the headmistress’s study door and stepped inside.

‘There you are, Miss Mortimer, at last,’ snapped Miss Pugh. ‘Where have you been?’

‘I thought I’d take a few of the girls out for a walk. Some of them were keen to make purchases, you know, as it is getting near to Christmas. Small gifts to take back for their families, that sort of thing.’

‘I hope you did not encourage them to make frivolous choices.’ Miss Pugh’s face was stern.

Jane sucked in a breath. Why did the woman have to be so disapproving? Had she not heard of Christmas?

‘Of course not. Mostly they were improving books for their younger brothers and sisters.’

‘Hmm.’ Miss Pugh was still eyeing Jane with displeasure. ‘Miss Wilson’s guardian called and he was most disappointed that both you and she were not here to receive him. He was quite angry in fact and, I have to say, your absence put me in a most awkward position. He was not the best tempered of men and so forbidding-looking.’

Jane’s stomach coiled. Oh dear, how awful for Meg if she should have an ill-tempered guardian.

‘Is he returning?’ she asked nervously. Perhaps Meg would be better off staying at the school.

‘Yes. Tomorrow.’ Miss Pugh scowled.

‘Very well.’ Jane turned and with leaden steps went to inform Meg of her guardian’s imminent arrival.