Page 12 of Beauty and the Baker
The man gave a quick bow and exited the compartment, the door slamming back into place behind him. “There is nothing better to calm the nerves than a cup of tea.”
“My mother says that,” Georgina laughed, pouring herself a cup of tea. “Are you nervous, Mrs. Pennyworth?” Georgina settled back into the bench nibbling on the biscuit.
“Oh no, not me. I was worried about you.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Mrs. Pennyworth took a sip from the cup in her hand. “Aren’t you nervous, headed out West on your own?”
Georgina shrugged. “Not really. I suppose many women made the journey by themselves.”
“You are headed West to get married.” It wasn’t a question.
Georgina nodded. “He is a shipping magistrate. He owns a fleet of three merchant ships.”
Mrs. Pennyworth sniffed. “Three does not a fleet make. But I suppose it is a good start.” She looked at Georgina. “Do you know what he looks like?”
Georgina shifted. Lawrence never sent a picture. “I know he has brown hair and brown eyes. He must be terribly handsome because women have been vying for his attention.”
“He told you that?” Mrs. Pennyworth said, raising her eyebrow.
“Well, yes.” Georgina put her tea cup down. “And it is no wonder. Hard to believe that someone so rich is still eligible.”
“How did you meet him, if you don’t mind me asking.” Mrs. Pennyworth put her cup back in the basket. Georgina returned her cup to the tray and rooted in her bag for an envelope. She pulled it out and opened it up, removing a piece of newsprint. She handed it to Mrs. Pennyworth. “Read it to me.”
Georgina cleared her throat. “Gentleman Shipping Magistrate seeks young woman with appetite for travel. Advertiser can introduce her to some of the best society in Europe as we sail around the world. Address is…” Georgina put the paper clipping down on her lap. “Well, the address isn’t the important part.”
“San Francisco, eh?”
Georgina sat straight up on the bench, nearly spilling her tea. “How do you know that?”
“The envelope. Remember?” Mrs. Pennyworth adjusted her cape, so it was like a blanket. “What do you know about this man?”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you know about his character? How long have you been writing?”
“I responded, at the urging of a friend. I guess it has been about six months now.”
“What do your parents think?”
“Isn’t this a terribly intrusive line of questioning?” Georgina asked. She didn’t want to know what her parents thought. Right now, they were probably worried sick about her.
“I don’t think that this is the man you are supposed to marry. You probably don’t even have a picture of him.”
Georgina reached into her pocket and pulled out the envelope from Lawrence. A second envelope came out with it and fell to the floor by Mrs. Pennyworth’s feet. “You should read that letter, dearie. It looks like it is from someone important.”
Georgina reached down and snatched the letter up with two fingers. “It is just a letter from my aunt.”
“But it might be important.”
“I’ll read it when I get to San Francisco.”
“Your aunt probably needs you. I would read the letter,” Mrs. Pennyworth insisted.
“Why are you doing this?” Georgina cried. “Telling me to buy tea. Saying you are my guardian angel. Knowing that my aunt needs me.”
“But I am.”
