Kitty took her mother’s hand. “You did not like him from the beginning,” she said. “Were you able to see something that I could not? For that matter, that Penny could not see either? She did think he would be so suited to me, and I did think maybe, at least, if I tried…”
“You should nottryto like anybody. As for Sir John, I found him a tiresome person,” Lady Penderton said. “Though, I cannot claim that I could have predicted precisely how arrogant and insistent he would turn out to be.”
“I am relieved to hear that, at least,” Kitty said. “I was beginning to think that perhaps his true nature was there for everyone to see, and then I did not see it until we had come to this.”
“I will not say I comprehend anybody’s true nature outside of my own family,” the baroness said. “However, Iwillsay that Sir John seems a tedious person who cares little for anything other than his own feelings and opinions. His wife, whoever that poor soul may someday be, will lose her sense of self. Her own opinions will dry up as she is forced to take on his own.”
“Yes!” Kitty said. “That is what is so frightening about him. When I told him an opinion he did not wish to hear, he did not hear it. It was as if I’d said nothing at all.”
The baroness played with the wisps of hair that framed her daughter’s face. “And let us not discount his dullness. He is so dreary with that grim visage of his and taking everything in the world so seriously. Who would wish to live withthatday after day?”
Kitty realized she had never really considered that aspect. “I initially thought, that is, I wondered if it would not be pleasant to be always having intellectual conversations.”
The baroness looked kindly at her daughter. “Perhaps consider that it might be pleasant to marry somebody who is actually pleasant. There is no sin against fun, my dear.”
Kitty nodded. She suspected her mother might be right. Her mind had been so consumed with the idea that she must find a gentleman who was interested in her thoughts and opinions on the discoveries of the day that she had not considered anything else.
“What about Lord Grayson?” Lady Penderton asked. “He is handsome, he is fun, and his prospects are excellent. I think, when you’d buried yourself too deeply in your books, he would reach in the pile and pull you out into the sunshine.”
Before Kitty could answer, the baroness shook her head as if she remembered something amusing. “Oh, I know, they all say he is an unrepentant flirt and he will never be caught. It’s all noise of course, every gentleman is caught eventually and I do not think him the type to carry on with that nonsense after he marries. And, Idothink he takes more than a passing interest in you.”
Kitty had no idea how to explain to her mother all that she thought of Lord Grayson. Hewashandsome, hewasfun. She was drawn to him as she had been to no other. But she feared he would never have any real feelings for anybody. Beyond that, he might well be Veritas and playing them all for fools. At least, all signs pointed in that direction.
“Never mind,” the baroness said. “Do not answer me. It is only your first season and you need not decide on anybody.”
*
Despite Crackwilder thinkingit a horrible idea to take him to Mrs. Herschel’s salon, Giles had insisted upon it. He would see for himself what Sir John said of the missing diary. What a man did not say was often as illuminating as what he did say.
Though he had nearly convinced himself that observing Sir John was his sole reason for going, his more honest self knew there was another cause. He would likely see Miss Dell there too.
He had made a commitment to himself and he would keep it, he would cease his chasing of Miss Dell. Though, might he not look upon her? Or even have a civil conversation with her?
It would have been ideal if he’d been able to deliver the diary to Miss Dell ahead of time, and then she could have revealed she had received it anonymously. Everybody might question why Sir John had not immediately let the company know that he’d had it and that it had been stolen from him.
However, LaRue was taking ages to copy it out. Never was a valet so complaining! To hear LaRue tell it, his arm was nearly broken, his fingers gripped with the rheumatism, and ink stains were appearing in his dreams.
No matter, the scoundrel ought to be done with the job by the morrow. In the meantime, he would see what he could discover in the lady astronomer’s drawing room.
As they entered Mrs. Herschel’s drawing room, Giles could not help but note the looks of surprise on the other faces in the crowded room. Not the least of which was the look of surprise on Miss Dell’s features. He supposed he could not fault her for her astonishment, it was the last place he might be expected to turn up.
She was lovely as ever, startled though she might be. She reminded him, just now, of a lovely sprite in the forest who had been amazed to be seen.
Giles had not initially spotted Sir John, though he had done a quick scan of the room. Now, he suddenly saw the fellow peer around a column and look straight at him. Though curiosity was on most of the attendees’ faces, Sir John’s expression was far different. It seemed some combination of fear and wrath.
The only person not in wonderment or otherwise put out by his arrival was Mrs. Herschel. Crackwilder had spoken to her prior of his wish to attend. Giles was not certain, but he believed his lieutenant had told some story of his having an interest in mysteries in general and had offered to lend his assistance. Whether or not Mrs. Herschel believed that story, or was interested in whatever help he might offer, he knew not. At least the lady appeared friendly enough.
“Lord Grayson,” she said, “Mr. Crackwilder has told me of your fascination for the details of our current mystery. We are always happy to welcome more minds to the case.”
Giles bowed and said, “You are too kind to invite me into your circle, Mrs. Herschel. I must confess that I do not attempt to understand all that you have contributed to our understanding of the heavens, and so you must allow me to be only a member of the admiring public on that score. In this matter, however, I am at your service.”
“Charming,” Mrs. Herschel said. “Very charming.”
Giles thought he had indeed been sufficiently charming, though he could almost feel Crackwilder’s eyes rolling to those just mentioned heavens.
“I believe you know some who are here,” Mrs. Herschel said. “The baroness and Miss Dell, I think?”
As Giles bowed, Lady Penderton smiled at him and said, “How interesting to see you here, Lord Grayson.”
