Chapter 5After leaving the Pump Room, Charles needed solitude. No doubt, should he stroll towards the semi-rural Sydney Pleasure Gardens for some peace in the fresh air, he would meet acquaintances and be obliged to engage in the polite chit-chat he was attempting to avoid.
He crossed the Piazza and entered the ancient Abbey, grateful there was no service since these were regarded as yet another social event. Even now, a stray acquaintance might hail Charles and attempt to engross him in tittle-tattle as openly as in the nearby Pump Room. Sliding into a corner seat in a pew, Charles reckoned no one would dare disturb him if he appeared immersed in private prayer.
But his thoughts weren’t fixed on the Almighty but on Avery. Perhaps Avery’s anger at Charles’ rejection might have been easie
