Henry was entirelyconfounded. What was he meant to think? Lady Verity was looking into the parameters of a fish’s eyesight out of water? What on earth was he to make of it?
On the one hand, when Lady Verity had entered the drawing room, he’d had to steady himself a bit. She was so striking looking, and he was so attracted to her. She was perfection. He’d really been a little bit breathless.
He had expected that the duke’s household would land on the eccentric side of things. After all, His Grace had been in Town for four prior seasons and word did get around. He wasnot even that surprised to encounter a youngest sister practically knocking him out of the way to show off her dog to his aunt.
Hewasrather surprised at the tacked-up wallcovering of some sort of Indian scene and the very odd American butler who’d seemed to be at the bottom of it.
All of that, though, would have been nothing. He knew very well that his Aunt Pegatha had been teasing when she’d inquired into Lady Verity’s studies. His aunt could not resist it when Lady Winsome had claimed her sister had been in the library all day, deep in study.
The strange part was, she must have looked into it at least a little bit. She’d mentioned that letter between Carlisle and Symmons from years ago. It was what had piqued his interest in the subject of circulatory systems in the first place.Hadshe been investigating the matter? Or had she lied about it and then scrambled to find something on the subject?
And then she claimed she’d given it up to investigate if fish could see out of water. How would a lady go about doing those experiments?
Perhaps it was just an idea, and she would soon enough encounter the impracticalities of it.
Was she a lady interested in scientific pursuits, or was she a complete fibber, as his aunt believed?
The conversation had gone on to more usual topics, led by Lady Felicity and Mr. Stratton. Those two seemed determined to steer far away from any conversation around science.
Mr. Stratton said, “Wembly, I don’t know how familiar you are with Dales ponies, but the duke’s daughters all ride them—they are something to see.”
He’d turned to Lady Verity. “Are you fond of riding?”
“Yes, goodness, we all are,” Lady Verity said. “Except Valor.”
“I’m fond of going slowly, that’s all,” Valor said.
“Perhaps we might meet in the park for a ride,” he said, “assuming the duke’s permission.”
“I’ll tell you what, Wembly,” the duke said, “Verity and Winsome can ride with the grooms and I’ll bring Valor and Mrs. Right in the carriage. How is Monday at four?”
“Excellent, yes,” Henry said. Though, he had not the first idea of who Mrs. Right was.
“And Sir Galahad,” Valor said.
“Why not?” the duke said. “Now, what say you, sons-in-laws of mine? Were you planning to warn Wembly about what he could expect in the drawing room? A game with tickets, perhaps?”
Henry did not know what game the duke referred to, but he was not encouraged by the three gentlemen’s expressions.
“Fact or Fib!” Lady Valor shouted.
“Fact or Fib?” Henry asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Lord Stanford said. “We’ll bring the brandy and port in to make it easier.”
Make it easier? Make what easier? He’d never heard of the game. Was it something peculiar to the Dales?
“Sorry,” Mr. Stratton muttered.
Lord Thorpe shrugged. “It can’t be helped.”
Henry did not at all understand what they meant by it. The gentlemen were all looking very down about it, but then their wives seemed to think it terrific.
“You’ll love it,” Lady Winsome said.
“A very hopeful prediction,” the duke said, laughing. “Well, let’s get on with it. Klondoom, Klondike, whatever your name is, take the bottles and glasses into the drawing room. And Lady Pegatha, might I interest you in a sherry?”
“You find me very interested, indeed,” Lady Pegatha said. “What a delightful idea.”
