Earlier that day, she had felt so safe in his arms.Mantheria had almost allowed herself to imagine more between them.But she should have known better.Men did not think of physical relations like women did.Or black vultures, according to Papa.If a male vulture were to stray from their mate, the rest of the flock would brutally attack it.But that was not the case among theton.No, infidelity was all too common as long as the husband put on the “appearance” of faithfulness in company.Mantheria had already experienced one of those marriages, and she would rather die than suffer through another.
She did not wish to know how many Bridgets or barmaids Sunny had kissed.It did not matter.They were friends, and as friends, she did not have to feel hurt or jealous when he enjoyed the attentions of other women.
Just friends.
Somehow, the thought of Sunny kissing another woman made her feel worthless and even more alone.Her ribs grew tighter, and her heart felt as if it were shrinking.
The carriage pulled in front of the Pump Room.She could see through the windows that it was dark and empty inside, despite the several lanterns which were lit outside of it.Pushing open the door, she sprang out of the carriage before it had even come to a full stop.She rushed to the doors of the Pump Room only to find them locked.
Blast!
“Is it locked?”Sunny asked from behind her.
Mantheria yanked the handle, but it did not budge.“How are we to get in?”
“The Lower Assembly Rooms are not far from here, and the master of ceremonies should have a key to the Pump Room.That’s where they keep the subscription book.”
Sunny held out his hand to her, and Mantheria hesitated for a moment before taking it.He was just trying to help her.It wasn’t Sunny’s fault that she was jealous and anxious and not at all feeling like herself.They walked past the Bath Abbey that was bathed in moonlight and down a small street lined with carriages.Unlike the dark Pump Room, the Lower Rooms were well-lit inside and out.There must have been a concert or a ball tonight.Mantheria was not dressed for either, but for the first time in her life, she did not care what Society thought of her.They could gossip and criticize her as much as they pleased.
Dropping his hand, she rushed to the lit door that led to the assembly rooms.Two men were wearing white wigs and livery, standing at the door.One of them stepped in front of her, blocking her view and her way.
“What is your name, ma’am?Do you have a ticket?”
“No, I do not.I am not here for the ball, but for my son, who is missing.I am the Duchess of Glastonbury and I believe that he may have come to see the Roman Baths.I believe the master of ceremonies has a key to the Pump Room?”
The footman stepped back, and the master of ceremonies came toward her.He was an older man and dressed like a dandy in a pale purple coat with long tails.He swept Mantheria an elaborate bow.“Lady Glastonbury, what a pleasure it is to have you at the Lower Rooms this evening.”He turned to the two footmen.“Gentlemen, a duchess never needs a ticket.”Then he bowed once again to Mantheria.“I am Mr.Heaviside, please allow me the great pleasure of introducing you to the many weekly pleasures that can be found in Bath.Every Monday night, we have a dress ball.On Wednesdays, a concert.On Thursdays, which, of course, is today, we have a fancy dress ball.And on Friday nights, we have a card assembly, but the rooms are open every day for cards—except for Sundays, of course.”
Mantheria did not care what the residents of Bath did on Sundays or any other day of the week.She merely wished to find her son and make sure that he was safe.“I am more than happy to pay for a ticket, Mr.Heaviside, but I am not here to enjoy your lovely ball.My son, Andrew, has goneon an adventure,and I believe that he may be near the Roman Baths.He is quite a little classical scholar.I would be most appreciative if you could find me someone who could open the doors to the Pump Room and escort me through to them.”
Mr.Heaviside tilted his head to one side.“But the Pump Room and the Roman Baths are closed in the evenings.”
Sunny cleared his throat loudly.“I don’t think boys care much about whether or not something is closed.”
The master of ceremonies appeared nonplussed and looked over Mantheria at Sunny as if to find another man to reason with her.“Why, if it isn’t Lord Sunderland!We are doubly honored this evening.The young ladies will be all in a twitter when I announce your arrival, and perhaps you can convince the lovely Lady Glastonbury to wait until the baths are open tomorrow morning to look for her son.”
Sunny bowed his head to the man.“I am afraid that time is of the essence.As you are probably aware, Lady Glastonbury’s son is the new Duke of Glastonbury, and his safety is of paramount importance to us and all of England.He is the godson of the Prince Regent.”
Unfurling his matching purple fan, Mr.Heaviside began to wave it quickly at his cheeks that were already turning pink.“A missing duke!You don’t say.Well, of course everything must be done to find him right away.Lord Sunderland, I entrust to you my sacred keys.May you guard them with your life.”
Mantheria’s nostrils flared with indignation.It was her son, and she should have been given the bloody keys.
Sunny took the key ring from Mr.Heaviside.“I shall return them to you immediately after we have completed our search.”
The master of ceremonies gestured with his arm.“Tim, why don’t you escort them?”
If they had hoped for anonymity during their search, they would have hoped in vain, for the music stopped just then, and every eye in the large ballroom was upon them.Mantheria might not recognize the people, but she was certain some of them would know who she was on sight.And Sunny’s crooked nose and handsome countenance already appeared to be well-known in the area.No doubt tongues would wag about them, but Mantheria was too worried about her son to care.Rumors were rarely true anyway.They only told a small pinprick of the larger picture.The truth was never in the details; instead, it was carved in the hearts of those who had lived it.
The footman who had blocked her way inside earlier bowed his head to them and then led the way back to the Pump Room.Mantheria and Sunny followed behind him.She was grateful when they reached the Pump Room door and walked through the large and empty chamber out to the courtyard.Tim took one of the torches that lit both sides of the entrance and used it to light their way to the old Roman Baths.
Mantheria could see the back wall of the Pump Room and the many windows.It looked brand-new next to the ruins of the baths.There were remnants of pillars and the suggestion of antiquity, but the Roman Baths had not yet been restored to their former glory.Still, the old site was walled in on all four sides.Even in the dim light cast from the torch, Mantheria could tell that the water was not blue, but green.She wondered what algae and other noxious plants were growing there and sincerely hoped that Andrew had not decided to go for a swim in the ancient baths.The large square pool reminded her of a great fountain.It was certainly a fascinating site, particularly since the Romans had been expelled from Britain in the year 409 BC.Andrew had his governess, Miss Robinson, to thank for that particular fact.
“Is this the only bath?”Mantheria asked, after they had walked completely around it, and there was no sign that Andrew had visited there.Or anyone else, for that matter.
The footman bowed.“There is another smaller pool, Your Grace.”
“Please take us there.”
Again, they followed Tim through the building and to a narrow courtyard where there was another green pool of water.Only this one was not perfectly rectangular; it was an irregular shape.