Chapter 25
Halfway along the journey they changed horses. Mrs Owen went to refresh herself while the Earl of Southwell ordered ale and some of the simple fare served by the coaching inn. Mrs Owen’s absence gave Jemima the chance to raise some questions that were troubling her on the subject of her second - or supposedly first - visit to London. Such a conversation could not be held in the presence of her companion, since that lady was unacquainted with the legend of Lady Julia.
"If I am to attend assemblies, might there not be people who will think that I should recognise them? I fear they will be offended if I feign ignorance of who they are," Jemima said.
Marcus tore off a piece of the thick, heavy bread they had been served, dipping it into a dish of stewed turnips. “There will be, I
