Chapter 4The very next morning, Charles’ blithe assumption of Avery’s absence was abruptly dispelled. After breakfast at the coaching inn, Charles visited the Pump Room, part of the essential morning rounds for both the sick and robustly healthy.
As he entered the room, acknowledging people while they stood chattering, he saw that amongst those sitting in the chairs that ranged the walls was Aunt Clarissa, attired in her old-fashioned splendour. She was exchanging spirited gossip with a select group of ladies of a similar vintage.
If this was not awkward enough, Avery was standing nearby, waiting on the ladies good-naturedly, fetching and passing out glasses of the murky but health-giving spring water on which the spa had built its fame. Charles froze before he could escape scrutiny by h
