Page 58 of The Austen Escape
“I think it’s the dress. Gives me courage.”
His chuckle wasn’t quite audible and it wasn’t quite suggestive. It was something mysterious, quiet and intriguing. Before I could react, he pulled at my hand to catch up to Isabel.
We found everyone already seated for lunch. They’d heard of Nathan’s arrival, so after well wishes and warm exclamations, we circled the table for introductions—real names, then fictional. When we reached Nathan, he stalled.
Helene tapped her finger on the dining room table. “Out with it. Introduce yourself, young man.”
Nathan, who had just picked up his knife and fork, laid them down again. He glanced to me, then focused on Helene. He took a beat before replying. “Henry Tilney.”
“Who? Who is that?” Herman tapped his wife’s hand. “I have never heard of him.”
Helene’s eyes widened. She looked to me and smiled, and before she could answer Herman, Nathan did.
“He’s the hero fromNorthanger Abbey. A clergyman, clumsyat times with his delivery, but an all-around good guy.” He glanced at me. “He’s curious. Some might call him a conundrum, but he gets his girl in the end.”
Helene clapped her hands together. “This is fun. I thought I’d have to winkle a romance out of you all, but this is blossoming splendidly. It’s more than I could have hoped. Oh... Dancing will be such fun tonight.”
I shook my head at Nathan. I didn’t trust myself to speak.
After Sonia cleared dessert, everyone drifted away. Gertrude had printed a list of activities on linen paper, but the women chose to rest—and Clara wanted her iPad. Aaron slapped Nathan on the back with an invitation to go shooting.
Isabel looped her arm through mine. She tucked me close like a lifeline. “Will you come upstairs with me?”
“Of course.” There was a concerning fragility about her voice and look.
Nathan caught it too. He hesitated outside Aaron’s grasp.
“I’ll find you later?” I asked him before leading Isabel to the stairs. Nathan nodded and followed Aaron.
“Do you feel okay? Shall we rest?”
“I’m so tired and heavy feeling.” Isabel dropped to the bed and curled up.
I pulled out my phone to text Dr. Milton. “Do you have a headache? Chills? Fever?” I pressed my hand to her forehead.
She swatted at it. “You are such a worrier. Did I know this about you?”
I dropped next to her. “Probably not. You’ve never given me cause to worry before. Not like this.”
“I’m fine. A nap will set me right... Sonia was looking for you earlier. She wanted to show you a center?”
The business center.
“If you nap, I’ll go find her.” I tucked my phone back into my pocket and grabbed my computer.
Isabel’s eyes were already closed. “Mmm... hmm...” was her only reply.
I headed through the front gallery, now cool, as the sun had passed above the house and it lay in shadow. Down the stairs, I walked toward the back and the kitchen. It was bathed in light. I paused outside the ballroom.
A budding romance. It’s more than I could have hoped. Oh... Dancing will be such fun tonight.
Perhaps Mrs. Jennings was right.
“Do you want to see the business center? I’m headed there now.” Sonia approached, carrying a multi-armed candelabra. She gripped the base in both hands. It wobbled within her grasp.
“I was just coming to find you. Can I help you with that?”
“If you could grab the candles tucked under my arm. They’re slipping.”
