Page 61 of A Lady's Past
“It took longer to dress than I expected.” It was a half-truth. Diana was still leery of socializing with the Horsemen. However, her meeting with Mrs. Fallcraft had changed her opinion of them more than she’d expected, and eased her mind.
As soon as Jacques had finished helping her to her seat, Sebastian asked, “What did you think of our Mrs. Fallcraft, Miss MacLeod?”
Diana took a sip of the wine. “She is a remarkable lady.”
“We had a lovely time.” Honoria had already drunk more than half her glass and the footman refilled it. “We heard much about the school and not nearly enough about the four of you.”
Even Alex smiled at that. “I’m glad to hear we are not completely exposed by the headmistress.”
Dove was served as a first course. Diana’s stomach grumbled. “Mrs. Fallcraft only divulged that she was very fond of each of you and that perhaps one of you might take over for her when she retires.”
Alex’s smile faltered. “I suppose it is inevitable that one day she will not be able to continue.”
“She is getting on in years and it’s a rigorous schedule,” Oliver said.
Nathaniel looked at Oliver. “What do you say, Oli? Ready to take the reins?”
“What makes you think she was referring to me? I’m no teacher.” Oliver stabbed his poor dove brutally and it was a good thing the bird was already dead.
“Oliver is too short-tempered to be a headmaster at Buckrose. He’d do better as the headmaster at Eton.” Sebastian laughed and ate his food without looking up.
“There is no need to be insulting.” The dove slid across Oliver’s plate. Finally, he gave up on the utensils and tore into his food with his fingers.
Sebastian continued without lifting his gaze. “Can you imagine the thugs that would come out of Buckrose with you in charge?”
Waving his dove as a pointer, Oliver said, “I could do it. I just have no desire to. I’m certainly smarter than the three of you.”
“That is certain.”
Diana was both amused and surprised by Alex’s agreement and the nods from the other two Horsemen.”
Honoria asked, “Exactly how smart are you, Mr. Graham?”
“I don’t know how to answer that, my lady.” He’d devoured his dove and wiped his hands on the napkin.
A footman came with a bowl of warm water and placed it on the table beside Oliver. It must have been quite normal for him to eat with his hands. Diana kept her giggling behind her hand as he washed and dried his fingers.
Undaunted, Honoria put her fork down. “Well, for example, are you as smart as Miss MacLeod?”
Putting his index finger to the side of his head, Oliver stared at Diana. “Can you do complex calculations in your head, Miss MacLeod?”
“Is that important?” Diana leaned back while the footman cleared her plate and brought soup. Spices filled the dining room, and she struggled to wait for everyone to be served before taking a taste.
Jacques cocked his head. “I think Miss MacLeod is embarrassed by your directness.”
“I apologize. I don’t mean to put you on the spot, miss. I just wondered how your mind works. Some people must do all things on paper. Some do it all in their head. I have often struggled with putting my work to paper, but I am quite adept at giving a complex calculation its final result.”
Everyone focused on Diana. The thought of crawling under the table appealed to her. “If I answer, can we change the subject?”
Oliver smiled. “It will depend on your answer, I should think.”
All gazes remained focused on her. “Oh, for pity’s sake. I can do calculations of a complex nature both in my head and on paper. I can tell you every discovered element and all the known and some unknown properties of each. I have not written any papers because women are not taken seriously in the scientific field. Further, I am adept at most forms of mathematics, physics and alchemy.”
“There’s no need to brag,” Oliver quipped, and everyone at the table laughed, including Diana. He turned back to Honoria. “Miss MacLeod might be smarter than me, my lady.”
Nathaniel put his spoon down. “Oli writes poetry as well as prose.”
Grinning, Diana said, “I have no talent for words, Mr. Graham. Perhaps we may call it a draw.”
