They had been out for a short ride with Isabelle and James first thing and then had arranged to meet up later. He was determined that although he could not avoid meeting them during the day, his evening entertainment would be somewhere that the Arnold family would not be if he could help it and approached the Pump Room with dread at seeing them again. An old acquaintance of his father accosted him before either he or Sophie could ascertain if the Arnolds were already in attendance. “Ah, Standish, I saw your name in the visitors book, wondered what the blazes brought you to Bath. This is the last place I should expect to see you,” the older gentleman said in greeting. “I thought it was time my sister saw it,” Tom replied, but not with his usual growl. Mr Davies was the type of person he liked, including his abrupt manner. He was one of the few people who had visited his family home when he was younger and did not bring back memories that he would rather forget.
