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“But you are hiding a part of yourself from them.”
“By not wearing spectacles?”
He shook his head. “No,” he replied. “You could be extraordinary, but you settle for mediocrity.”
“I daresay that you are reading too much into this.”
“That may be true, but I tire of Society dictating our every action.”
Miss Locke gave him an understanding smile. “I must agree with you there,” she replied. “Some of the rules are rather ridiculous.”
“That they are.”
“But who are we to change them?”
Before he could reply, Lady Frances stepped into the room with a cane in her hand. “Good evening, Mr. Stewart.”
He rose from the bench and bowed. “Good evening, my lady.”
“I have been informed that dinner is ready to be served,” Lady Frances shared.
Walking over to her, he offered his arm and said, “Allow me to escort you to the dining room.”
Lady Frances gave him a grateful smile. “I would appreciate that,” she responded. “I’m afraid I don’t walk as fast as I once did.”
“I think you are doing so brilliantly.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
After he led her into the dining room, he assisted her into her chair before claiming the seat across from Miss Locke.
A footman placed a bowl of soup in front of him. He was about to pick up his spoon when Lady Frances asked, “How long do you intend to stay in Anmore?”
“As long as it takes to do a thorough investigation of the conditions at the colliery,” Guy replied. “It could be days, or even weeks.”
“What do you think of our lovely town?”
“I have found the people to be most accommodating,” he replied.
Lady Frances nodded her head in approval. “It has been that way since I was a little girl,” she said. “Not like London.”
Miss Locke spoke up in an amused voice. “I do believe you made your distaste of London already known to Mr. Stewart.”
“I just can’t fathom why people live in Town,” Lady Frances said. “It is dirty and immensely crowded.”
“That it is,” Guy agreed. “Trying to secure a hackney is nearly impossible during certain hours of the day.”
Lady Frances picked up her spoon, then asked, “Do your parents live in Town, as well?”
“I’m afraid my father passed away, but my mother and sister reside with me,” he replied.
“My condolences for your loss,” Lady Frances said.
“Thank you,” he responded. “It was quite some time ago.”
“Did your father attend Cambridge?” Lady Frances asked.
A smile came to his lips at that question. “He did not,” he replied. “My father was a brickmason.”
