“Isn’t it, indeed?” he replied, his voice sounding from far away. He cleared his throat. “I had a thought that I should have invited you to dinner. You must be starving.” He helped with her wrap, glad to see it was heavy wool lined with satin.
“My lady’s maid sent me off with a luncheon this morning,” she replied. “In a metal snap tin,” she added, lifting her reticule to indicate the tin was inside. She placed her hat at an angle on her head, quickly securing it by tying the ribbons beneath her chin. “Despite this weather, I have been looking forward to a bergamot pear ice all day,” she added. “But if you haven’t yet had your dinner—”
“I shall not deny you your wish,” he said, offering his arm. “Gunter’s will have something for both our appetites.”
She placed her hand on his arm, ignoring the two men at the circular desk who openly gawked at them as they took their leave of the Temple.
“How was your day?” Matthew asked once Catherine was seated in the direction of travel. Although he had been tempted to sit next to her, he didn’t want her feeling uncomfortable and had instead settled onto the opposite bench.
“I made far more progress today than I did yesterday,” she replied brightly. “It seems someone in the past shelved all the books on botany together on the same bookshelf. They only required alphabetizing by author’s last name.”
Matthew chuckled softly. “Botany? You’re referring to plants?”
“I am. Large gardens and conservatories are quite in fashion these days. Seems there are a number of aristocrats and naturalists who collect plants whilst on their travels and attempt to grow them here in England. I think some of the more exotic ones require a greenhouse, though.” She motionedto the window, where snowflakes appeared beyond the glass. “Otherwise, they would not survive this weather.”
“I believe my mother acquired a rhododendron in that manner,” he said.
“Does she still have it?”
Matthew blinked. “Well, she doesn’t, since she died many years ago—”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“—but that bush is still growing next to the house in Berkshire. It’s quite large, and the flowers are pink,” he explained.
“My mother has been gone for nearly a decade.”
“I’m sorry for your loss as well,” he replied. “Have you a stepmother?”
Catherine scoffed softly. “Not yet, but my father is courting, so I expect there will be one shortly.”
Matthew gave a start. “You don’t seem pleased.” He noted how she dipped her head before she directed her gaze out one of the windows. The coach lantern illuminated her face in a golden glow, and he was struck by how lovely she appeared despite the conflicting emotions that played across her face.
“I am happy for them both, but their impending marriage is the reason I sought a position at the Temple of the Muses. I’m losing my position in my father’s household, you see,” she explained. “To my best friend.”
Her last words had Matthew wincing. “That must be awkward.”
“Indeed. But I am making the best of it by working with books,” she said, a wan smile appearing to lighten her face. “Arranging them by subject and by author’s last name. I would catalogue them as well, but I was told that’s only required at the lending libraries. I think the clerks must keep track of themsomehow, though. They’re advertised in a catalogue for buyers, so they must know what they have so they can fill the orders.”
Matthew thought of the note another caddie had delivered earlier that afternoon. Once again, Chessings had been vexed that a street urchin would come to the front door, but the boy wasn’t the least bit apologetic as he insisted the missive be given directly to Lord Wingfield and not to any servant. He was willing to wait if necessary, especially if he there might be a mug of saloop involved.
“He ’as to read it ’afore he meets his lady for ices,” the boy had insisted.
Matthew had to suppress a laugh as he listened from his study. Then he realized exactly what the boy had said and quickly sobered.
How did a caddy know Matthew was taking Miss Kingston to Gunter’s Tea Shop later that day?
Emerging from his study to confront the young boy, he asked, “What is your name, and how is it you know my business?” He took the note from the boy’s grubby hand.
“Teddy, my lord, and they was Titan’s instructions,” he said as he pointed a stubby finger at the folded note. “Said you’d want ta’ know before ya’ meet your lady for ices,” he repeated.
“How…?” Matthew clamped his mouth shut. The only other person who knew he was to fetch Catherine for a trip to Gunter’s Tea Shop was Catherine.
“Titan has ’is ways, my lord, as does Mrs. Dove-Lyon,” Teddy claimed. “G’afternoon, my lord.”
Matthew watched as the caddy raced off before he turned to discover Chessings regarding him with a questioning gaze. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I am courting a lady, Chessings,” he admitted, deciding the servant should know.
The butler’s eyes had rounded before he resumed his usual staid expression. “Very good, sir.”
