“That it is,” Lady Glenfinnan agreed.
Miss Fraser sat down on the settee and reached for a book. She opened it and settled back into her seat.
Alden went to sit down next to Elinor and pointed towards the book in Miss Fraser’s hand. “May I ask what you are reading?”
Miss Fraser’s eyes flashed with annoyance before lowering the book. “Principia,” she responded.
“Ah, you are interested in physics, then?” Alden asked.
She nodded. “I am,” she confirmed. “This is the book where Isaac Newton introduced his three laws of motion and so much more.”
Lady Glenfinnan interjected, “Dear, put the book down. We have guests.”
With great reluctance, Miss Fraser closed the book and placed it onto her lap. “Are you familiar with the law of universal gravitation?” she asked, addressing Alden.
Alden put his hand up. “I’m afraid not. I attended some lectures about the subject at Oxford, but I studied Latin.”
“Latin?” Miss Fraser repeated. “What a useless thing to study.”
“Isobel…” Lady Glenfinnan warned.
Miss Fraser continued. “I am just merely saying that if I had been lucky enough to be born a man, I would not have wasted my time at university on Latin.”
“What is wrong with Latin?” Alden asked.
“It is boring,” Miss Fraser responded. “I would prefer to read books by Galileo Galilei or Daniel Bernoulli. I find fluid dynamics to be rather fascinating, especially Bernoulli’s principle.”
Alden quickly realized that he had little in common with Miss Fraser, considering he was at a loss for words. He knew little about physics. “I am not familiar with that principle,” he admitted.
Lady Glenfinnan cleared her throat, drawing her daughter’s attention. “Will you pour tea for our guests and stop with this physics nonsense?”
“It isn’t nonsense,” Miss Fraser defended. “But, yes, I will pour. After all, what else am I good for?”
Turning her attention towards Alden, Lady Glenfinnan brought a smile to her face. “I do apologize for Isobel. She can be rather passionate about physics.”
Alden put his hand up. “You do not need to apologize. I appreciate a young woman who finds her passion.”
Miss Fraser extended him a teacup. “Thank you for saying so. May I ask what your passion is?”
“My passion?” Alden asked.
“Yes, I am passionate about physics, my mother is passionate about marrying me off, and Elinor is passionate about the horse farm,” Miss Fraser said.
Alden accepted the teacup as he debated about his answer. What was he passionate about? After a long moment, he replied, “I suppose my passion is to become one of the largest landowners in England.”
Miss Fraser looked unimpressed by what he had revealed. “Do you at least like to read?”
“I do,” Alden responded.
“What was the last book you read?” Miss Fraser pressed.
Alden shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “It has been a while since I have had the time to read a book.”
Miss Fraser frowned as she handed out the rest of the teacups and saucers, clearly unimpressed by his admission. “It is a shame that you don’t take advantage of the written word, sir.”
“That is enough, Isobel,” Lady Glenfinnan insisted. “You are not being a very good hostess to our guests.”
“I do not take offense, my lady. I find Miss Fraser’s frankness to be refreshing,” Alden said.
