Page 16 of A Lady's Past
It was safe to say that Doris, Honoria and Diana were the only women in attendance. Diana had worn a dark russet dress that was very modest. Doris was in her typical gray skirt with a crisp white blouse. In contrast, Honoria was in a peach confection with lace and ruffles. She made no effort to go unnoticed.
A tall man with a monocle rushed over. “Lady Chervil, I had no idea you were interested in the newest inventions.”
“I have a great many interests, Lord Graves.”
“Excellent. May I escort you in?” He offered his arm.
“I would be delighted.” Taking his arm, Honoria turned her head toward Diana and gave a wink.
Francis grinned. “Come, ladies. We don’t want to be late.”
“May I join you?” Jacques approached from the street. He offered his arm as they walked up the stairs.
“I think we will be tossed out,” Doris whispered.
Patting her hand, Francis said, “Not at all. We have seats and I am a long-standing member.”
Diana didn’t take Jacques’s offered arm, though she did stay close to him. “I think Doris might be right.”
“Nonsense. No one will say a word.” He shrugged. “At least not to your face. It will be all the gossip tomorrow that three ladies dared invade the male-dominated world of the Royal Academy.”
Of course, he was right. She laughed. “I’m interested to see how Sir George intends to create loft.”
“How are the experiments with the lamp coming along?”
She liked talking science with him. It was nice to think there were people who took her seriously and who were also taken seriously in society. When her father was alive, she’d been his assistant, and they had made many discoveries. Father never questioned her ability to work in a man’s world, but she’d believed him alone in his forward thinking. Certainly, her few suitors had believed her abilities unladylike. Jacques Laurent was a most unusual fellow. “They’re going well. We’ve identified two combustible vapors that the flame is sensitive to. We just need a bit more time to make sure the lamp is safe and practical.”
He chuckled, and a grin transformed his face from handsome to stunning. “I can’t imagine practicality is a major concern for Francis.”
It was undeniable that Francis was loose with his safety concerns. “Perhaps not, but he did have the good sense to request help. I feel it’s my responsibility to remind him of such things.”
“You are the perfect assistant for him. I’m pleased he found you.”
A man with dark hair and fierce eyes approached. He was lean and reminded her of a cat on the lookout for danger at every turn. “Laurent, it’s good to see you.”
“Kerburghe, shouldn’t you be in Scotland with that enormous brood of yours?” Jacques spoke as if they were old friends.
Relaxing, Diana stepped back so as not to intrude.
Jacques took her elbow and gently pulled her forward. “I would like to introduce my friend, Diana St. Cloud. Miss St. Cloud, this is Michael Rollins, the Duke of Kerburghe.”
He stared her in the eye as if he knew something, but then bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss St. Cloud.” He added an emphasis on her name.
Unable to meet his gaze, she lowered her eyes and curtsied. “Your Grace.”
“Michael helped me get out of France before my head met the guillotine. We have been friends a long time.” Jacques looked from her back to Michael. “He also called in a favor to get my parents passage to England.”
“You must be a very powerful man, Your Grace.” Diana didn’t know if she should attach herself to this friend of Jacques’s and beg his help, or keep as far away as possible. He had no reason to help her, and he could know the people who might lock her away for her lifetime, however long that might be.
“I’m just a retired soldier who managed to get himself a title. My only power is my very large family, and really, Her Grace holds all the strings.” Charm and modesty oozed from this duke.
With a laugh, Jacques said, “Your lady has to be formidable with all those children to keep in line. What brings you here, Michael?”
“I couldn’t resist the chance to see George Cayley’s flying machine. I’m always curious about what great minds come up with.” Someone called his name, and he excused himself.
Diana and Jacques entered the assembly room. Her thoughts lingered on the Duke of Kerburghe. “Is your friend the duke very well connected in Parliament?”
“He is a war hero. He receives a lot of respect and has some friends that come in handy from time to time, though not so high as Parliament.” He guided her through the crowd of men, who looked at her as if she had grown another head.
