Page 19 of The Scholar's Key
“I hope so.”
“I know Lord Chesterham in passing,” he said, answering her initial question. “I believe he enjoys the card room. I will join a game with him and see if I can uncover any answers.”
“Good,” she said with a nod. “Just be sure you do not ask him directly if he bought them for her.”
“How else am I supposed to ask?” he said, furrowing his brow.
“You will have to think of something, but the man is married, so you can hardly ask if he bought a gift for his mistress. Perhaps say you are considering buying rubies for a woman and would like to know where to find them.”
“That is a good idea,” Noah mused, tilting his head to the side, and Percy laughed as though amused that he would have considered it to be anything else.
“Now, as for Mrs. MacNall…” Percy pressed her lips together, looking over his left shoulder. “You will have to try flattery. See if you can get close. Impress her with your connections.”
“But—”
“I understand, you do not want to be known by your brother. But in this case, you might have to try it. Fortunately, she is alone and at the refreshment table at the moment. You could speak to her without it appearing that you are having a private conversation.”
“Very well.”
“Best of luck, Noah. I know you can do this,” she said as the song came to an end and he reluctantly released her, having enjoyed her proximity far more than he should have.
He turned from Percy, not knowing how else to part with her, and took in a breath as he looked for the woman, finally seeing her over by the side of the room. He would far prefer to retreat to the card room first to see if he could locate Lord Chesterham, but he was aware that if he didn’t do this now, he might lose both his opportunity and his nerve.
He hurried over before she walked away, leaning over to pick up a glass of pale yellow liquid, unsure exactly what was in it but guessing it was lemonade. He was not a fan. Far too sweet and syrupy for his liking.
She was standing next to the table, looking out over the dancers now. Noah stood beside her facing the table, needing to speak to her but not wanting to attract too much attention.
“Mrs.—” but he wasn’t to know who she was. “My—” She was not a lady. He should not refer to her as such. “Excuse me, there.”
She didn’t turn, and he realized he was not being loud enough. He cleared his throat. “Madam?” Oh dear. Now she might think he was calling her a madame.
“Are you speaking to me?” she asked, turning dark eyes upon him, although they were not without interest. He swallowed at the attention.
“Yes.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I—that is—you look lovely.”
She lifted an artfully defined brow. “Thank you.”
“Are you—that is, do you have a gentleman?”
She appeared vaguely amused. “You will have to be more clear.”
She was not making this easy on him. He tried to take a closer look at the necklace, but his cheeks warmed when he realized that by doing so, she assumed that he was looking at her ample bosom – although she didn’t seem to mind. He pushed his glasses farther up his nose.
“Are you here – at the Assembly Rooms – with a man?”
“Not particularly,” she said. “Why do you ask?”
“I—that is, my brother is an earl, and he has suggested—” What did his brother suggest? Why would his brother have anything to do with this? Percy had told him to mention his brother but now this was all muddled.
“Tell you what,” she said, leaning in close. “If you would like to find me later – whether that be tonight, tomorrow, or the night after that, then come to the Queen’s Hand.”
“Where is that?”
“Ask around — you will find it,” she said with a smile that was both suggestive and amused. “But Mr.…?”
