Page 110 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Her heart was more tender than she wanted to admit, even to herself. More vulnerable. For so very long, she hadn’t wanted to take the chance it might shatter.
Only Finn had made her feel she could take that risk.
Sitting up, her attention fixed on her trunk. When her heart was aching for Finn, a journey far from London had seemed to be the cure she needed.
Now, she knew she’d been mistaken. What she needed most was time. Time to consider that perhaps, just perhaps, Nell was right. Time to fully realize the yearnings of her own heart. Time to hear the truth from Finn’s own lips.
In that moment, she knew precisely what to do.
*
With each bumpof the hansom cab against the cobbles, Macie clutched the edge of the seat with one hand while holding tight to the braided handle of her satchel with the other. With any luck, her teeth would not rattle out of her head before her meeting with Professor Aylesworth. Thankfully, the route to the café where they were to meet was mercifully brief and the extraordinary find she’d stashed in the handbag was not fragile.
She arrived with time to spare. A rare feat, she smiled to herself. Well, she certainly did not want to keep Professor Aylesworth waiting.
“Miss Mason, I’m pleased you could come.” The professor stood to greet her as she walked through the door. With his dark hair combed neatly back, the fashionable tweed jacket that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, and the silver tie athis neck accenting the hues of his gray-blue eyes, he cut quite a handsome figure.
Waving off the maître d’, he escorted her to a table in the shadows of a back corner. They made pleasant, meaningless conversation as the waiter brought a pot of oolong tea and cold finger sandwiches. After the server took his leave, Aylesworth’s expression turned more serious.
“You’ve made your decision, Miss Mason?”
“I have,” she said. “I must remain in London. For the time being, at least.”
“You’re quite certain?”
She nodded. “Perhaps at another time.”
“I’d be lying if I said I was surprised,” he said. “You have distinct ties to this city. I understand you have plans to renovate Bennington Manor.”
“The planning is underway.” She met his intent gaze. “With the success of his recent ventures, my father is more amenable to funding the project.”
“Excellent.” He tapped a finger against the rim of his cup. “As you know, I worked with your grandfather for nearly five years. His library deserves to be preserved.”
“I quite agree,” she said.
“If it were not for this expedition to Greece, I would be willing to assist you in assessing the collection. No doubt some of the texts are antiquated, but much of it should not be cast aside.”
“I see no reason why we cannot keep the collection intact until you return. Your expertise would be quite valuable.”
“Very good. I will rest easier now.”
Macie reached for her cup and took a sip. “He spoke well of you, Professor.”
“It’s good to know. Even though we did not always see eye to eye, I held Andrew Bennington in the highest regard.”
“The most brilliant minds will often see things through a different perspective.”
“Indeed,” he agreed. “I attempted to convince him of that very fact. But he could be quite a stubborn man.”
“Oh, Grandpapa had his moments,” Macie agreed with a smile. “Professor, before you leave, I do have a favor to ask of you.”
His brows lifted. “How might I be of service?”
She pulled in a breath, steadying her nerves. A sudden doubt crept into her mind. Perhaps she should not impose upon Professor Aylesworth, especially with such a troubling matter.
“Is something wrong, Miss Mason?”
“I’m tempted to deny it, but I have reason to fear something had happened before my grandfather died... something that was most definitelywrong.” She took another sip. “I found something in my grandfather’s library. I don’t quite know what to make of it.” Opening her bag, she removed neatly folded journal pages. “Perhaps you might analyze these notes. Hopefully, you will allay my fears. Or at the worst, confirm them.”
