Page 40 of A Winter By the Sea
“Exactly.”
9
WARM SEA BATHS established by Mr. Hodge. Having been exclusively used by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent, are best known asthe Royal Baths.
—The Beauties of Sidmouth Displayed
On Monday, Viola and Emily accompanied Mamma to the warm brine baths, traveling there in the Huttons’ carriage to avoid the frigid weather. Emily had no plans to repeat her one disastrous experience bathing in the open sea, but she enjoyed the heated indoor baths on occasion. And on such a cold day, a long soak sounded heavenly.
The carriage descended Glen Lane, then turned left, traveling east past Fort Field and the Marine Library to Mr. Hodges’s Medical Baths, located near the middle of the beach.
A single carriage stood outside the premises, a bundled-up coachman and shivering groom waiting to carry home the bathers there before them. The place was certainly less busy than it usually was, with nary a sedan chair in sight.
They entered, paid their fees, and followed an attendant into the ladies’ dressing room. There, they changed into the provided brown linen petticoats and jackets with tie waists.
When they were ready, they stepped out and descended the stairs into the large sunken bath. The warm water enveloped Emily’s body like a welcome embrace.
On the other side of the bath, two women sat with water up to their necks. The younger one wore a stylish hat sporting an ostrich feather, while the older woman was bareheaded, as they were.
They looked up as the Summers ladies joined them, nodding across the water in acknowledgment. Then the women returned to their own conversation, in another language. German, Emily guessed.
Viola leaned near and whispered, “That is the duchess with, I believe, her lady-in-waiting.”
Emily looked again with more interest.
The pretty woman was in her early thirties, with dark hair, large eyes, and an aquiline nose over thin lips.
“How do you know?” Mamma whispered back.
“The major and I met them when she and her husband walked past Westmount with their daughter.”
Emily regarded the woman in admiration. “I should have known. Only a duchess could look so elegant in these drab costumes.”
An hour or so later, the Huttons’ carriage dropped them back at Sea View. After bidding Viola farewell, Emily retreated into the library to write, while Mamma went to her room to rest.
When Mr. Thomson returned from work that day, Emily greeted him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Thomson. How are things at Woolbrook?”
“About the same. The duchess is busy with her English lessons and taking sea-water baths.”
“Yes, we saw her there today,” Emily interjected.
He lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “And the duke remainsbusy with correspondence. He is making plans to return to Bavaria soon.”
“And you would go with him?”
He glanced up quickly, as if surprised by the question. “Yes, of course. Why?”
“Oh, I ... just curious. Silly question, I suppose.” She quickly changed the subject. “Thank you again for agreeing to meet with the ladies from the Poor’s Friend Society this evening.”
“My pleasure. Will you join us for the meeting?”
“Oh. I am not sure if my presence would be helpful. Viola will be here, but I certainly could attend as well, if you’d like.”
He held her gaze. “I would.”
Her pulse skittered and her stomach felt oddly tingly. “Very well, then.”
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