Page 50 of Who Wants to Marry a Duke
Just as they reached the top step, a new voice sounded from behind them. “I don’t know where your mind is either, sis. Perhaps back with all the questions you keep asking poor Miss Norley without waiting for an answer.”
“Thorn!” Gwyn said as she turned on him. “I thought you were planning to be here when she arrived.”
“I got a bit caught up buying dangerous chemicals and funny-looking glass-bulb things for her laboratory. But it’s finally all on its way to Rosethorn, so we can leave tomorrow.” He met Olivia’s gaze and smiled. “Unless you need some time to rest from your journey, Miss Norley?”
“No, indeed. I’m eager to get started again.”
Thorn winked at her before telling his sister, “That’s how it’s done, Gwyn. You ask a question and then youwaitfor the person to answer you.” When she lifted her eyes heavenward, he said to Olivia, “Gwyn talks very fast when she’s nervous. Give her a little while to get to know you and to settle down. Then she’ll behave more normally, I swear.”
“Or as normally as I can,” Gwyn said saucily, “when dealing with Mr. Know-It-All.”
Olivia laughed. She was certain she and Thorn’s sister would get along just fine.
The three of them entered the foyer through the open front door. As two footmen scurried to take both Olivia’s cloak and Thorn’s greatcoat, Thorn asked Olivia, “How was your trip?”
“Dull,” she said. “But I read my journals and took more notes, so it wasn’t a complete loss.”
He smiled at her. “Admit it—you missed having me there to keep the conversation lively.”
“Lively!” Gwyn said. “Is that what you call it when you go on and on about the latest plays and such? And that is a rhetorical question, Thorn. No need to answer.” She stopped short. “Oh, dear, I almost forgot—your friend Mr. Juncker has been waiting almost an hour for you.”
That knocked the wind right out of Olivia. Mr. Juncker?Here?She’d never even seen her favorite playwright, much less met him. And he was here? Dear heavens! She had to remind herself to breathe.
But Thorn’s face had turned a peculiar shade of gray. “Inyourhouse, Gwyn? He’s waiting just down the hall?”
“Of course,” Gwyn said, apparently as surprised by his reaction as Olivia. “How would I know about it otherwise? He’s in our drawing room.” When Thorn muttered a curse under his breath and changed direction to head that way, Gwyn said, “He didn’t make advances toward me or anything, if that’s what worries you.”
“Not a bit. I’m just surprised he knew I’d be here.”
Gwyn hurried to keep up with Thorn’s long strides. “I offered him tea but he said he wouldn’t be staying long.”
“He won’t,” Thorn said grimly. “I’ll get rid of him quick enough.”
Olivia must have made some sound of disappointment because at that moment, Thorn and Gwyn apparently realized she wasn’t right behind them and halted to stare back at her.
“Are you quite all right, Olivia?” Gwyn asked.
“Not . . . entirely.” Olivia thought she might actually faint.
Thorn took one look at her and groaned. “I forgot you’re an admirer of Juncker’s plays.”
“Is she really?” Gwyn smirked at her brother. “How intriguing.”
“I—I don’t suppose it would be . . . possible for me to meet him, would it?” Olivia asked.
“I can’t imagine why not.” Gwyn lifted an eyebrow at Thorn. “You can introduce them, can’t you?”
Thorn uttered a heavy sigh. “Certainly. Just . . . give me a moment alone with him, all right?”
Olivia bobbed her head. She would give him anhouralone with Mr. Juncker if that was what it took. Because for the first time in her life, she was actually excited about meeting someone who wasn’t a chemist.
Now if only she could keep from making a fool of herself in front of him.
Chapter Ten
After Thorn entered Gwyn’s drawing room and shut the door, he wasted no time coming right to the point. “Why are you here, Juncker? How did you even know where to find me?”
Juncker, wearing his usual “romantic writer” attire, was sprawled unrepentantly across the settee. “I heard you were in town, so I went to your house, where your servants told me that you were over here. And youknowwhy I came. Vickerman blistered my ears for not having the play finished. So, did you get any writing done during your travels?”
