In a Teashop Near Blythenhale
Henrik has been hoping to come across Scarlet at some point during their daily routines, but more often than not, circumstances have prevented their union--he has taken his morning tea at home, or at the wrong shop; he has caught sight of a dark-haired woman crossing a bridge, too far away to be hailed; on one memorable evening, he has been waylaid by a lascivious society matron in the parlour of the Crimson Ring, and extricated himself with haste and poor grace.
This afternoon, he is not seeking her, but she is nonetheless on his mind. The first lemons are beginning to come in on the dirigibles that communicate with the surface, and they make him remember Narciso's half-fantastical accounts of Scarlet's miraculous healing draught: the hot rum toddy.
He takes only tea, of course, but if he wants to spend fifty pence on a wedge of sun-touched lemon, who will gainsay him?
This afternoon, he is not seeking her, but she is nonetheless on his mind. The first lemons are beginning to come in on the dirigibles that communicate with the surface, and they make him remember Narciso's half-fantastical accounts of Scarlet's miraculous healing draught: the hot rum toddy.
He takes only tea, of course, but if he wants to spend fifty pence on a wedge of sun-touched lemon, who will gainsay him?