Page 13 of A Well-Trained Lady

“Very much. I have never been to the sea.”

Ruth sighed. “There is nothing like it in this world. The waves crashing against the beach. Oh, and the smell. Cousin, tell Bella of the way the air smells. It is almost as though you can taste the salt in the air. And the way the water covers your feet … it feels as though you are being pulled out to sea, like the ocean is yearning to keep you if you’d only let it.”

I attempted to hide my dismay at such a notion. “I am certain I shall not be brave enough to venture in.”

Ruth blinked rapidly. “But to go all the way to the ocean—and for the first time—to not go in?”

I sensed Augustus watching me again, and I tilted my head, allowing a kind smile to touch my lips. “Observing your enjoyment will be quite enough to satisfy me.” I glanced at Augustus. “And do you enjoy the ocean as much as your cousin, Mr. Brundage?” I asked, hoping to make him aware of his unpleasant habit of staring.

He did not look away but offered a thoughtful grin. “I’m not certain anyone can enjoy the ocean as much as Ruth, but I certainly try.”

I gave a nod and looked back to his cousin.

Taking it as permission to continue, we listened as Ruth described the shells, the sea birds, the quality of sand and on and on with whatever came into her mind. By the time we reached our first stop, I felt desperate for some quiet.

Augustus saw to acquiring the next team of horses while we took our midday meal inside the posting-house. Ruth was thrilled with the food and spoke of her love of all types of pies, from minced meat to fresh blackberry. At the second stop she recounted the first time she had tasted ice cream and by the next we had discussed her favorite teas to alarming detail.

By the time we reached the coaching inn that night, I felt strangely exhausted. I hardly received as much interaction in a day with my parents as I did in five minutes with Ruth. Now, after ten hours of her endless chatter, I realized that the constant pace had worn me down more than I cared to admit.

Eager to sleep, I went directly to my room. But the lumpy bed and the rancid smell of the place made sleep hard to come by. I tossed and turned with dreams of Papa and Mother quarrelling with the Setons. Then came my repeated nightmare, one I thought I had finally quelled.

In the dream, I stood at a window staring out at countless people passing by, none of whom I recognized. Each movement, each sound, disquieted me, but I waited. And waited.

Augustus never came.

Chapter Four

I squinted into the morning light, the throbbing in my head too insufferable to take in much else besides Augustus awaiting us near the carriage. “I trust you ladies slept well?”

I wasn’t certain any person could sleep well in such a place, let alone with the torrent of nightmares I’d endured, but I forced a smile. “Perfectly. And might I inquire about the length of today’s journey?”

Augustus held out a hand to assist Leah into the cab then offered the support to me. “Not half a day’s travel from here. If we encounter no complications, we shall arrive with ample time to rest before dressing for dinner.”

My head throbbed, and the thought of another moment bouncing about in a carriage was unbearable. “Superb.” I accepted his offered hand and ascended the steps, my aching body protesting each movement. I settled myself across from Leah into the same seat as yesterday. Ruth soon followed, resuming her rear-facing position before Augustus again moved onto the bench next to me.

When the carriage lurched forward, I looked to Ruth. “I still desire to know more of Fairhaven before our arrival. You had begun yesterday, but we changed topics before you were able to relay much of it.”

Ruth clasped her hands at her chest. “I could talk of such things for hours.”

“By all means, please do,” I said, relieved I would not need to offer much in the way of conversation once Ruth began.

Augustus’s gaze was once again on me, but I did not meet it as Ruth began her explanation of Fairhaven’s scarcely noteworthy history. With a few nods and well-placed smiles, Ruth continued on with little need of encouragement.

By the first stop to change horses, she had finished detailing the rose garden—apparently Fairhaven’s most mentionable feature—and moved on to describe the orchard. As Ruth launched into the different varieties of fruit grown, my eyelids grew insufferably heavy.

I stifled a yawn and glanced at Leah enviously, her head resting against the window, and her eyes closed. How fortunate she had no one to make a good impression on. Refocusing on Ruth, I forced myself to remain attentive. The rhythmic movement of the carriage lulled me deeper into exhaustion, but I would not succumb. It would be completely improper for me to fall asleep while Ruth spoke, especially sitting next to Augustus.

* * *

“Miss Godwin.”

A light tapping on my arm followed the voice.

“Miss Godwin,” the deep voice was familiar and exceptionally close.

Despite the heaviness of my eyelids, I forced them open. The vibrant colors of a summer afternoon were framed by a tilted window contrasting the interior of the swaying, more dimly lit—coach? I lifted my head and a strong hand helped me upright.

“Don’t let her miss it, Augi!”