Much to Horatio's surprise, his morning passed quite pleasantly. After a pause to put on the shoes that were waiting outside his door-polished so expertly as to appear almost new again-Archie took him down to the morning room. It was as elegantly appointed as the drawing room, just a little softer, all pale yellows and pink and cushioned armchairs, lit well by the large windows looking over an interior yard. While there he was quizzed by Lady Anne about the comfort of his room and the satisfaction of his breakfast, and by young Anne about his preference for Mayfair over St. James. He praised the hospitality, of course, and deferred the choice of shopping district, not having spent time in either on his one voyage through London.
It was only the two ladies present, with the younger Kennedy's with their tutors, and the men either out or still abed. So with his guest duties done, Horatio was free to partake of a second, more leisurely cup of coffee and watch his fellow midshipman among his family. These two, at least, clearly doted on the boy, who was drawn down to sit next to the lady and forced to let the maid bring scones and tea. If her mother's eye had noted her son's recent weight loss, it was less clear that Lady Kennedy discerned anything else amiss, making no comment even on the faint bruising shadowing one cheek.
To Horatio, Archie seemed uncommonly languid, sprawled upon the couch with none of the usual restlessness. Fits were often enervating, Horatio had noted, though aboard ship there had been little accommodation. Perhaps, though, Mr. Kennedy was simply relaxed in the safe bosom of his female relatives. The mid did look happy, eyes crinkling at Anne's teasing, all cheerful interest as his mother talked of friends and family. When young Margaret came in to play the pianoforte for her brother and guest, Archie listened indulgently and with applause,.
The conviviality came to an end when a manservant arrived to request Kennedy attend the Earl in the study. Archie dragged up with a sigh and a quip. "Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! And lips, oh you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death!"
Kennedy hugged the lady amid this declamation and tried to buss Anne who shrieked indignantly and bapped his nose with her teaspoon like a naughty puppy. "It's just father, why would he even be angry with you? You've a fine posting on Indefatigable, so whatever mess happened on Justinian, it will soon be forgot. He just wants to talk it over, and strategize."
"Never mind the why, I am certain he is angry with me, as he told me as much last night. But you're right, he's not likely to murder me, when the French might do it for him in a month. Saves the expense of a bullet, and the Earl is always economical." Archie's tone was light and satirical, but those blue eyes had lost any sparkle. "Have fun, and take good care of Mr. Hornblower for me."
With a wave Archie went out the doors, and Horatio was left with the three women.
The countess rolled her eyes, and then smiled and tried to smooth it over. "Pay no mind to Alexander, Mr. Hornblower. I fear too many hours in playhouses has left him rather dramatic. The Earl can be a bit stern, especially when it comes to naval matters, but it is nothing more than the high expectations of a devoted parent. I expect your own father is much the same."
Horatio thought of Dr. Hornblower, distant and irritable, awaiting him in Kent. His own father would be unlikely to take him to task over any inadequacies in his naval record short of mutiny. His disappointment over Horatio's choice of career had been grave, but quiet, and long settled. It was up to Horatio to make the most of his opportunities, and not the doctor's concern. But he could not admit this, and instead simply nodded. Eager to dispel the remaining tension, Anne announced it the perfect time to begin her shopping. In just a few minutes Horatio found himself on the walk around Portman Square, arm in arm with Miss Kennedy.
He had been quietly dreading being alone in a carriage with a young woman, but as it happened, the shops of Mayfair were under a mile off, and Anne proposed they walk. Horatio found the stroll intimidating. Clearly an area of great wealth, it was staid and quiet, for London. Every few blocks interrupted by another fashionable named square, with gardens in the center and rich mansions and townhomes wrapping round in imposing grandeur. South and east the grid of streets became narrower and more tangled, peppered with shops and taverns, residences and offices. By this point, he had become almost comfortable with his walking companion, at least.
Miss Kennedy refused to allow there to be any undue formality. While not going so far as Christian names, she shared her brother's engaging volubility, happy to own more than her share of the conversation, but managing to pry out of him a selection of his own thoughts and observations. Though her energy was less manic than her brother's had been in Portsmouth, still Anne became quite animated as they entered the warren of stores and alleys, tugging Horatio along with quick little steps and abrupt halts to peruse the contents of any shop window that caught her eye. Yet she was equally attentive to the increasingly crowded streets and passages, keeping Hornblower out of the way of carriages and errand runners, whose erratic movements disoriented him.
The primary object of their shopping was apparently a birthday present for Archie. But more generally Miss Kennedy seemed to have in mind a restocking of sea chests and wardroom supplies. Horatio found himself consulted on the most properly naval ribbon for tying hair, a complicated equation of color, width, sturdiness, and texture needed to stay in place through a winter squall. As well, his opinion on soap scents was solicited-he was partial to lavender- and he was used as an exemplar in the choosing of replacement uniform buttons. Clearly she knew her brother well, for Anne purchased an amount sufficient for three ordinarily careless midshipmen.
A trip to the apothecary resulted in a bewildering assortment of tiny bottles, patent pills, and special medicines folded into papers. Horatio's father had gifted him a suspicion of these general remedies, but he kept his thoughts to himself, resolving only to study the ingredients later. He should like to assure himself that they would cause no harm. And If there were anything in them which might help Kennedy after a fit, or prevent them entirely, it would be worth knowing as well. He was waiting as Anne paid for her purchases, working out how best to ask his father for advice, when a small package was pressed into his hand.
"That is for you, Mr. Hornblower, for taking such good care of my brother." He looked it over, but it was unlabeled. "For ailments of the stomach," Anne explained, with a familiar puckish smile. "A family recipe, one teaspoon brewed as tea, morning and night." Horatio flushed red with embarrassment, remembering of a sudden that Archie had written of his sea sickness. Being kinder than her brother, Miss Kennedy simply handed him the rest of her bundle to carry, tucked her arm into his, and let him master his blush on the way to the Twining's tea shop.
They did not add to their burdens there. A generous order was placed, but to be shipped to Portsmouth to be loaded with Indefatigable's provisions. Similarly, at Fortnam's at assortment of spices, jams, dried fruits, hard cheeses, and other delicacies were chosen, but delivery scheduled for the ship. Knowing that he would have a share of all these-wardroom meals were communal, and stinginess would only make enemies-Horatio rather enjoyed the exercise of sorting through the bewildering array of options at the grocers. He might be able to face burgoo with more equanimity with a spoon of jelly stirred in.
Fortnum's was known for its carry away meals, including an oddity called a Scotch Egg, which Anne insisted that they try. It felt quite hedonist to take their parcels down to Green Park and eat side-by-side on a bench under the trees, watching the crowds along Piccadilly. The egg proved delicious, wrapped in cooked sausage and breadcrumbs. It washed well with the small bottles of cold cider, and thus fortified, Horatio and Anne made their last stop, Hatchards bookseller.
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