Page 15 of Persuading Penny (Jane Austen Association #4)

A s planned, Steve and I met at the bakery at ten o’clock the next day. He was casually dapper in dark gray pants and a deep red silk shirt, while I was the reverse with my dark red skirt and pale gray sweater.

“Where shall we start?” I said.

“The Abbey,” he said.

“Very well.”

As we walked to the Abbey, I pointed out various buildings of note; buildings that’d been built two hundred years earlier or more.

He was dutifully impressed by the Abbey’s architecture and eager to learn everything about it.

As we left, we passed by the Roman baths, then back around to cross Pultney Bridge, taking our time to admire all the shops on the way.

We then headed down to Sydney Place where Jane had once lived and Sydney Garden where the labyrinth once stood.

Finally, we made our way to the Kennet and Avon Canal waterfront to take a leisurely boat ride.

“This is nice,” he said as the gentle breeze ruffled his hair. “Such a small town with so much to do. I doubt if we’ll have time to see everything today.”

“Then we can continue tomorrow, if you like,” I said.

And we did, only this time we met at the entrance to Prior Park.

We strolled along the pond, crossed the Palladian bridge and took the footpath that ran behind private homes.

“I like this very much,” he said, his tone deep and thoughtful, as if implying something profound.

“It is lovely, isn’t it? And we have the perfect day for a stroll, too. The sun is warm without being harsh.

“Yes, it is lovely. But actually, I was referring to this.” He pointed to me to himself and me again. “I’m enjoying your company very much. You have a calm about you that is so comforting, so reassuring.”

Blushing, I didn’t know what to say.

“Am I being too forward again?”

I shook my head.

Letting out a sigh, he looked forward and took a deep breath of fresh air. “I do like the place a lot, more than I would have thought possible.”

“Have I convinced you to make the move then?” I said.

He smiled and nodded. “It certainly is different from London, and that’s precisely what I need; what I want.

Coming from a banking family, certain things have been expected of me over the years; behave this way, dress that way, go to that school, get that job, move to that city.

.. Few things that I’ve done in my life have been of my choosing. ”

“That’s a shame.”

“Oh, it wasn’t all bad. My parents had some good ideas.

For the longest time, following their advice – if you could call it that – meant living in London.

Then came the time for me to go abroad to Paris, then Dubai and then Tokyo.

Since returning to London, more than ever, I feel the need to live my life for me.

.. not for my parents.” He looked up at the homes that we passed. “These are lovely. Very nice.”

“The Georgian architecture is very special.”

“Do you know of any places that are for sale?”

“I don’t really know. I’m sure there are a few.”

“I would want a large enough estate. I hate to sound posh, but I’ve grown accustomed to a certain level of luxury. It pleases me to be in beautiful surroundings, and I’ve always had a need for plenty of breathing space.”

“I’m afraid you’d have to consult a realtor. They would be better able to find what you need.”

“I think I might just do that.”

*****

A fter our walk, we headed into town to have lunch at the Pump Room.

“Original and strange name,” he said.

“So called for the water pumped from the Roman baths next door. But, more importantly, what makes this place special is that this is one of the place Jane came to socialize and dine.”

He nodded. “That’s right. I’d forgotten about that.”

While it was crowded with many conversations filling the air, he loved the atmosphere, and we had a pleasant time.

“This has been a glorious day,” Steve said as we prepared to part ways.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I hope it was helpful.”

“Very. A very thorough tour, indeed, and more importantly, in the most charming company.”

I’m sure I blushed profusely as he took my hand and gently kissed it.

“I do hope we’ll bump into each other again.”

I nodded my agreement, and he turned to go to his car.

I stood there for what I’m sure was a full minute. Passers-by must have thought I was lost. But I was simply soaking it all in. What a wonderful, wonderful afternoon. Such a pleasant day. Such a pleasant man.

I could hardly believe it. Steve Seagram would be moving to Bath. Would we meet again? We hadn’t exchanged numbers. While Bath was relatively small, it could still be impossible to simply bump into someone.

No matter. I got into my car and drove home, eager to tell my mother about my day with Steve. She’d been thrilled the previous day when I’d told her I’d met a nice young man.

“It’s about time,” she’d said.

“Please don’t tell Dad,” I’d told her. “You know how he can be sometimes.”

But when I arrived home this time, I didn’t care if my father knew about Steve or not. After all, he couldn’t forever keep me from finding a man I might care deeply about.

“Is that you, Penny?”

“Yes, Mum.” I hurried to the kitchen to find her, quickly coming up behind her to plant a kiss on her cheek.

“I suppose that means you had a nice day,” she said, stirring the mashed potatoes in the pot she’d cooked them in.

“I did. Very nice. Today, Bath seemed brighter than it’s ever been. It’s funny how we come to take certain things for granted... we just don’t see them anymore. They’re just there and we pass by without taking notice.”

“Yes, dear.” Smiling, she glanced at me as she poured gravy into a gravy boat.

“I can’t remember the last time I walked through Prior Park, and yet it’s right there for anyone and everyone to go to.”

“It certainly is.” She handed me the gravy. “Bring that to the table, dear.”

I brought the gravy to the dinner table, then returned to her.

“Do you know of any homes for sale along Prior Park... or anywhere else?”

“Dear, I haven’t a clue.”

“A nice, large home... an estate, really.”

“Hand me the oven mitts, would you, dear,” she said as she opened the oven door to pull the roast out.

I grabbed the mitts off the hook and handed them to her, then dipped my finger in the Eton Mess sitting on the counter. As I licked the meringue and whipped cream off my finger, Mum glared at me.

“Penny. That’s for dessert.” She put the finishing touches to her roast, then shouted, “Boris! Dinner’s ready!”

I followed her to the dining room just as my father arrived from the living room.

“Something sure smells good,” he said as he took his seat at the head of the table.

We settled in to eat.

“What’s this I hear about you giving some young man a tour of the city?” Dad said through bites of his roast. “Did you lose your job on that movie? You know we need that money.”

“No, Dad. I did not lose my job, and don’t worry. The money will keep coming in. I just had a few days off and chose to spend them with a nice young man who is new to Bath and wished to know more about it.”

“What young man?”

“A young man I met in Southampton. He’s also a fan of Jane Austen.”

He grimaced in annoyance. “I don’t care about that. Who is he? Where’s he from? What does he do? How much does he do?”

“Oh, Dad. Really. You’re incorrigible. If you must know, he’s from London, from a banking family and his name is Steve Seagram. Is the interrogation over now?”

He froze, his loaded fork midway to his mouth. “Seagram? Like in the Seagrams?”

“I don’t know, Dad. I didn’t ask for his pedigree.”

“But you just said that he’s from a banking family.”

“Yeah. So?” I said with a shrug.

“Ah. Yes. Yes,” he went on, a dreamy look in his eyes.

“I’m sure it’s the Seagram family... with that huge Seagram fortune.

If I remember correctly, they are not only a very wealthy family, but they have ties to German nobility.

.. or perhaps it’s Austria... something like that.

Well, my dear, I fully approve of this new gentleman.

If this is the nice young man you wish to see, by all means, spend as much time with him as you can.

Hell, why not invite him to dinner here?

” He looked around at the modest dining room.

“Or, on second thought, perhaps somewhere else... a posh restaurant in town.”

I shrugged. “I don’t even know if he will really move to Bath. He’s in the market for a home, a large well-appointed home.”

“Like Copperfield Corner? Yes. That would solve everything.”

“Dad!” I cried out. “Stop it. I will not offer him the possibility of buying my home... our home. How can you even say that? I thought you wanted to keep Copperfield Corner in the family.”

He smiled like I’d never seen him smile before.

“I do. I do, my lovely daughter. Think of it; not only do we no longer face financial woes, not only do we no longer have to hide here in this wretched cottage, but as this young man acquires Copperfield Corner, you’ll acquire a husband. .. finally.”

“Dad!”

“Admit it, Penny. Your old dad is right. We need the money, and you need a husband.”

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong,” I said with a firm tone I’d never used with him.

“We don’t need the money. We’re doing quite well now with the rent that’s coming in and my new salary.

And as for need of a husband... I’ll be the one to decide if and when I marry, and I can assure you it will not be for convenience’s sake.

It’ll be for love. I will find a man who loves and respects me, a man who’ll find me interesting to talk to, and a good man who is kind and generous.

And, of course, I will be more than happy to reciprocate all that to the man that I will love. ”

“Love? You’re being silly, Penny. A silly, silly girl,” he said with a wag of his finger. “And that’s where your problem lies, my girl. All of this fanciful romance crap.”

“Boris!” Mum cried.

“Well, Molly. You know I’m right. And someone has to set the girl straight.” He looked back to me. “You’re behaving like a silly schoolgirl who thinks that love conquers all. Well, it doesn’t.”

“Really?” I said, shooting a glance at my red-faced mother. “And is that how you feel about Mum?”

Surprised, he was silent a moment, then, “No. That’s not the same thing. Well... that was a different time.”

“Admit it, Boris,” Mum said. “We didn’t exactly have a whirlwind romance. You knew very well that I came from a good family, a family that would uphold your status in Bath.”

“Indeed, but...”

“You were not in love with me at the time of our wedding.”

“Oh. All right. So, I wasn’t in love... but admit it, my darling. I grew to love you, and I’ve loved you well.”

She reluctantly nodded.

“You see,” he said, pointing his knife at me. “You marry, you spend time together...in that nice big house... and you learn to love one another.”

“I do not want to learn to love, Father ,” I said sternly. “I want to simply love. And I do not need a man for the reasons that you claim.”

“Whatever. Never mind,” he said as he resumed eating. “I’ll take care of this myself. If I have to take the bull by the horns, then that’s precisely what I’ll do.”

“You most certainly will not,” I said, my tone rising. “I don’t know what you mean by that, but you will not take matters into your own hands. You will not meddle in my life again, Dad.”

“Penny,” Mum said gently. “Don’t speak to your father like that.”

“And this is the thanks I get for working two jobs to try to save us from ruin; to try to save us from losing our family home.”

“Dear,” Mum tried again.

“I’m sorry, Mum.” I set my fork heavily to the table and stood. “But I’ve heard enough from... from... him.”

“Please sit down, dear. You’ve hardly eaten.”

“I’ve eaten plenty.”

Dad, after taking a final bite of his roast, slammed his fork to the table and also rose. “And I’ve got work to do.”

“Good!” I shouted at him.

“Fine!” he grunted back.

Poor Mum simply sat there. “What just happened?”