Page 68 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

Matthew spun around so quickly that he knocked another book from the shelf. “Your Graces!” His face flushed crimson as he scrambled to retrieve the fallen volumes. “I was just, ah, examining the poetry selection.”

“So we see,” Selina said kindly, noting how the young lady had glanced up with interest at the mention of his title. “Are you finding anything to your taste?”

“Oh yes, quite.” Matthew held up the book he’d rescued, then realized it was a treatise on animal husbandry. “That is, I meant this one.” He grabbed blindly at another volume, which turned out to be a cookbook.

The young lady barely suppressed a giggle. Matthew looked as if he wished the floor would open and swallow him whole.

“Lord Penderwick is quite the scholar,” Georgiana announced to the young lady with a warm smile. “Though I believe his interests run more toward astronomy than agriculture. Isn’t that right, my lord?”

Matthew seized on this lifeline gratefully. “Yes, precisely. Astronomy. The stars. Celestial bodies and such.”

“How fascinating,” the young lady said, setting down her own book. “I’ve recently begun reading about the constellations myself. Papa brought me a book from London about Greek mythology and the night sky.”

Matthew’s entire demeanor changed. “You’re interested in astronomy? How wonderful! I mean, that is, it’s a worthy pursuit. For anyone. Including ladies. Especially ladies.”

Selina bit back a smile at his flustered enthusiasm. The young lady seemed charmed rather than put off by his stammering.

“Perhaps we should make proper introductions,” Georgiana suggested smoothly. “Lord Penderwick, may I present Miss Amelia Thornton. Miss Thornton, the Viscount Penderwick.”

“Miss Thornton.” Matthew executed a bow that was only slightly too deep, nearly hitting his head on a shelf. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“And mine yours, Lord Penderwick.” Miss Thornton curtsied prettily. “Do you observe the stars often?”

“Whenever the weather permits.” Matthew’s confidence grew visibly as he warmed to his favorite subject. “I’ve recently acquired a new telescope from Germany. The clarity is remarkable. Just last week I observed the rings of Saturn.”

“Saturn has rings?” Miss Thornton’s eyes widened with genuine interest. “How extraordinary. What do they look like?”

“Like perfect circles of light surrounding the planet,” Matthew explained, his hands moving animatedly. “Galileo first thought they were moons, but Christiaan Huygens correctly identified them as rings in 1659.”

Selina and Georgiana exchanged pleased looks as the conversation flowed more naturally. Matthew had forgotten his nervousness entirely, focused on sharing his passion with an appreciative audience.

“I would so love to see them,” Miss Thornton said wistfully. “But I suppose a proper telescope is quite costly.”

“Oh, it’s not about the cost,” Matthew assured her. “It’s about the quality of the lenses and the stability of the mount. Actually, if you’d like…” He paused, suddenly remembering propriety. “That is, with proper chaperonage, of course, perhaps you might visit some evening when the sky is clear. To observe. The stars. Through the telescope.”

“I think that sounds delightful,” Georgiana interjected before Matthew could qualify himself into incoherence. “Perhaps Miss Thornton’s family might join us all for dinner first? I know the Duchess and I would be fascinated to learn more about astronomy.”

“Would you really?” Miss Thornton turned to them with shining eyes. “Oh, that would be wonderful. Papa is always saying I need more intellectual pursuits.”

“Then it’s settled,” Selina said, catching Matthew’s grateful look. “Lord Penderwick, perhaps you could write to Mr. Thornton with a formal invitation?”

“Yes, absolutely. I’ll do that immediately. Today. This afternoon.” Matthew clutched his stack of random books like a life preserver. “I should go do that now, actually.”

“Perhaps purchase the books first?” Georgiana suggested gently.

Matthew looked down at his armload, which included the animal husbandry text, the cookbook, and what appeared to be a manual on millinery. “Ah. Yes. Though perhaps not all of these.”

“Might I suggest this one?” Miss Thornton held out a slim volume. “It’s Ovid’sMetamorphoses. Wonderful stories about the constellations.”

“Perfect,” Matthew breathed, accepting the book as if it were made of gold. “Absolutely perfect.”

After a flurry of farewells and promises to correspond, Matthew departed with his single, carefully chosen purchase. Miss Thornton watched him go with a soft smile before turning back to Selina and Georgiana.

“He’s not at all what I expected,” she confided. “When Mama heard a viscount was interested, she painted a picture of some stuffy, pompous lord. But he’s rather sweet, isn’t he?”

“One of the sweetest men in London,” Selina agreed. “And quite brilliant when you get him talking about his interests.”

“I could tell.” Miss Thornton glanced toward the door again. “Do you think he’ll really write to Papa?”

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