He watched as she marched to the carriage, the familiar splash of the red cape spun away, each gust of wind driving like a cold knife into his heart, a defiant insignia against his will. The footman assisted her into the carriage and the door shut. He waited, waited for her to glance back, if only for a mere second, to see his heart tearing into pieces. The door shut with a jolt; the carriage lurched forward and sprang to the road, leaving him behind in a whirlwind of bitter salt rising from the ocean beyond the cliffs. He moved to the steps, ignoring the peel of thunder cracking over the leaping waves. Cormoore had descended into a mist of darkness; gloom replaced the summer. What he had shortly come to love had returned to the bitter pains of childhood misery. He was alone, unwanted, facing the storm brewing.

Esmeralda jabbed the needle into her embroidery. Mr Thomson was continuously chattering about his four and twenty hounds had just purchased. A distant relative of her dear papa, Mr Thomson had come for no other reason than to insult and weave tales about gambling in London. The man had the nerve to criticise his cousin when all he did was gamble. Esmeralda threw her embroidery aside and moved to the window, conscious of Thomson’s gaze following her. She wished heartily that her mother was well, then she would not have to entertain the odious man. Peering down the empty lane, she sighed. Tabitha Lockhart and her brother Cecil had yet to pay an evening call. Living in the nearby estate, Cormoore, the Lockharts frequented the Hardy family, as they were the two prominent families in the vicinity of —shire. The two families had gone through periods of rivalry to comaraderie; at present, it was a mingle of both. What a riveting diversion the two friends would make compared to the odious toad by the fireside, gulping his fifteenth cup of tea.

“I assure you, I have never tasted such miserable tea even in the whole of London, not even Cheapside. My dear child, how come you have no taste?”

Esmeralda glared at Mr Thomson. “You must be unused to country water, sir.”

“Unrefined water, for sure, country bumpkins never know how to purify water. The healing rooms in Bath have the most luscious water. One can imagine sitting in Italy or the Riviera, drinking from the springs of ancient antiquity. You feel the presence of the gods drifting through the air. How calm the continent is to this roar. How do you sleep with the draft, the salty air, and the smell of fish? You are quite uncultured, I must say. The coast has destroyed any sentiment of sanity in the people of these parts. It is a shame Helen is determined to live outside of London. What is so amusing outside the window? I must tell your dear father that you lack manners.” He placed his cup on the table.

“My mother found the countryside and the coast refined enough for an excellent education rather than the diversions of London. I assure you, I have no interest in the place and would sooner drink this impure water than the sweet drinks of Bath.”

Mr Thomson chuckled. “You are so much like your father, but let me tell you. You cannot sacrifice your desires for another. London is where you are meant to be; see, your father even thinks that despite Helen’s protests. Come to London and I will introduce you to my acquaintances.”

Esmeralda turned to him. “No, thank you. Pray sir, are you spending your stay in the inn or returning to London?”

“Have you now room in the confoundable mansion?” He reclined on the chair, stretching his legs across the hearth.

Esmeralda clenched her fists and counted to ten. “Surely you would not wish to catch the fishermen’s fever upon your stay? I am afraid I cannot host you since my mother has taken ill.”

“I am not surprised she is feverish; she always is when I visit. I wonder if she does it to spite me; perhaps you should check to see if she really is sick.”

Esmeralda marched to the door, “Excuse me, sire, I must attend to some duties. I trust you will not wander off along the cliffs and drown in my absence.”

“Dear Esme, I am gratified that you care for the well-being of your dear cousin.”

Esmeralda grabbed the door handle and flew from the room.