Page 7 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
He shrugged. “Let us not dwell on my comments, then.” He pushed the book toward her so that one corner rested on her knee, while the other stayed on his. As their knees touched one another’s, Christianna shifted position, but as she did, that made the small curve of her hip collide with his. She could feel the blush of mortification as it crept up her neck, and she shifted her posture once more.
She was not sure what was happening to her, as Doctor Radcliff seemed unfazed by this slight touch. But she had to make a concerted effort to focus on what he was saying next rather than allowing her mind to meander back to the exhilaration that made her blood sing just from that slightest of touches. “I would love to hear more about your thoughts on Doctor Buchan’s work. Have you read the bit about the care of infants?”
“But of course,” Christianna replied. “I read the entire book very quickly. I was hardly able to put it down once I got started.” She did not always relax so easily in the presence of strangers. Because she strived to make a good impression on everyone she met, Christianna often came off as being reserved and perhaps even a bit austere.
But she found that she liked Doctor Radcliff at once. His manners were very forthright, and even now as he expressed an interest in her thoughts, she had the feeling that he was speaking sincerely. He genuinely cared about her impressions of the work. She settled into her seat, pulled the book nearer, then flipped a few pages. “I cannot say with any certainty, but I think Doctor Buchan must be right about his musings on the benefits of mother’s milk.”
“Yes,” Doctor Radcliff agreed readily. “His suppositions must be accurate, for who has not known a babe who is inclined to suckle?”
Christianna shifted closer to him and pointed at a particular passage. “Do you mind if I read this bit out loud, Doctor Radcliff? I should like to get your opinion.”
“Please read it,” he said encouragingly.
And so, right there in the library, just as she hoped, Christianna began to feel at home in Bixby Hall. With Doctor Phineas Radcliff by her side, they spent the next hour reviewing the work of others and sharing their thoughts on the subjects. Just as her legs were starting to cramp from sitting in one position for too long, Doctor Radcliff pulled a pocket watch from his vest.
“I did not hear the gong sound, but I imagine you must go get dressed for dinner, my lady.”
Christianna nodded, then stood. “I am sure you are right.” She walked quickly toward the door, then turned and looked at him once more. “Thank you for spending the afternoon with me, Doctor Radcliff. I cannot say when I have had a more lively and splendid conversation.”
He closed the book, then leapt to his feet. “Say you will come back again sometime,” he said as he crossed the room. “I should hate to think that this will be the only pleasurable afternoon I have at Bixby Hall over the next two weeks.”
Christianna smiled at him, already feeling a fondness for him growing in her heart. “I am sure we will meet again, Doctor Radcliff. We are to be brother and sister, you know, so I daresay we will spend more time in each other’s presence.”
“Yes, but you shall be preoccupied with this wedding nonsense, and I…” He paused and tucked the book underneath his arm. “Perhaps if I ask Mama nicely, she will let us sit together at dinner this evening.”
“I would like that very much, Doctor Radcliff,” Christianna murmured, then she let herself out of the library and sauntered toward the staircase. As she mounted the stairs and thought of what her lady’s maid might have prepared for her to wear to dinner this evening, her mind drifted back to the afternoon she spent with Doctor Radcliff.
His green eyes had danced with happiness each time she reached for the book so she could read a passage aloud, and when he spoke to her, expounding on his own theories, his quiet voice had a measured, rhythmic quality.
I do hope the dowager duchess consents and allows me to sit next to Doctor Radcliff at dinner.
For even though Christianna knew there would be other people in attendance, people she admired, like her auntie, or those she should endeavour to know better, like His Grace, she wanted to sit next to Doctor Radcliff.
She had to agree with him. This one bright spot during the afternoon had not been enough to satiate her appetite for intelligent conversation. And she hoped, very much, that she would be permitted to spend more time with the duke’s brother.
Chapter 4
Phineas sat with the book open in his lap, re-reading the same sentence for the fourth time.
I do hope she arrives soon.
Last night, after having supped together, Phineas had extracted a promise from Lady Christianna. She vowed to meet him in the library once more, if she could get away, and he waited, watching the door every time he thought he heard a flurry of motion out in the hall.
While he sat there, he stared at the spot she had occupied yesterday and thought of how she had beamed at him when she agreed wholeheartedly with his pronouncements but how her brow had quirked quizzically when she wished to dissent. Each time she had done as much, he had to resist the urge to reach over and smooth her brow, for her face was flawless, and the temptation to caress away her worries was nearly overpowering.
“Ah, I was hoping I would find you here,” Lady Christianna said quietly as soon as she flung open the door to the library. Phineas looked up at her and snickered.
“I was not trying to hide, my lady,” he returned as he motioned for her to come further into the room.
“Of course not,” she retorted. “But I am. I fear that if my auntie and your mama had their ways, I would be standing on a dais right now, having my measurements taken.”
Phineas baulked. “But is that not something which you must do? Should you not be fitted for your wedding apparel?”
Christianna rolled her eyes heavenward. “I do love my auntie, and your mama, she is a dear woman as well, but I have been standing on a pedestal all morning. One would think I am their favourite doll and that they both have no greater pleasure than seeing me dressed up in a wide array of finery.”
“Hmmm…” Phineas hummed as he observed Lady Christianna keenly.
It is funny how she described herself as being a doll because her features are very doll-like.
