Page 24 of One Bed for the Bluestocking
Instead, his only chance to show his mettle in the field would be his upcoming trip to Lewis.Now, the success of the expedition was more crucial than ever.
Professor Kerr was still speaking.“Frankly, I don’t know how I’ve managed to carry on for all these years.I’m ready for a quiet life, and I know just where I’ll pursue it.Ten years ago, an uncle left me a cottage in the village of Dingwall.It’s up in the Highlands, about fifteen miles from Inverness.A very pleasant prospect…”
While Professor Kerr prattled on, Nat’s gaze strayed to Andrew.Tonight, they had struck up the beginnings of a friendship.But Nat knew that Andrew wanted the Natural History Chair every bit as fiercely as he did.
Andrew gave him a sad sort of smile, and Nathaniel knew instinctively that he understood.Only one of them could win the professorship, although there was no guarantee it would go to either of them.The coming months would be awkward.
But Andrew had turned out to be a fine sort of fellow.Nat suspected they would get through them with their nascent friendship intact, no matter the outcome.
“Well!”Professor Kerr gestured with his pint glass, which was almost empty.“That’s that.Let’s go inside and get another round.”
He took a step forward but immediately swayed into the wall.Gracious, but this was awkward.Professor Kerr was already as drunk as a wheelbarrow.Nat needed to figure out how to nudge him toward the door, but he could hardly risk offending the man who might very well cast the deciding vote on his replacement.
Nat was trying to figure out a diplomatic way to get out of this mess when a guardian angel appeared in the unexpected form of a dark-haired young man whose clothing marked him as a groom.“Professor Kerr?”he called as he crossed the courtyard.“Professor…Thereye are.”He turned and called over his shoulder.“He’s over here, Sean.”
Another young man, this one with a shock of orange hair, hurried over.
The professor started, spilling the remains of his drink into the dirt.“Finlay?Sean?What are you two doing here?”
Finlay removed the glass from his hand and placed it on a nearby table.“The missus sent us to collect ye.”
“What?I wasn’t finished with that,” Professor Kerr protested.“And what do you mean, collect me?I was going to have a few more.”
The ginger-headed groom, Sean, took the professor’s arm and draped it firmly across his shoulders.When he spoke, he had an Irish lilt to his voice.“We can’t be angerin’ the missus, now can we?”
Finlay had already positioned himself beneath the professor’s other arm.“Come, sir.Let’s get ye home.”
Nathaniel watched in relief as they led a protesting Professor Kerr toward the door.
“Thank God,” Nat muttered.
“Thank God, indeed,” Andrew agreed.
An awkward silence ensued.Nat was trying to formulate his words, to tell Andrew that, although they would both be competing for the Natural History Chair, he hoped they could still be friends.
Andrew suddenly frowned, turning his head.“I recognize that voice.”He squinted across the courtyard.“Is Iain Galbreath here?”
Nat turned.Surely enough, there was Iain, a smug look upon his pale face.“He is, indeed.”
Andrew rubbed his eyes beneath his spectacles.“And here we’d just managed to sort Professor Kerr.Out of the frying pan, into the fire.Dare I to hope that Iain isn’t causing trouble?”
Nat craned his neck, trying to see around the crowd.“It looks like he’s going to play a game of skittles.His opponent is warming up.”Nat winced as the young man made his throw.“Poor sod.His form is absolutely wretched.”
“Worse than mine?”Andrew asked brightly.
“Much worse.More like Professor Kerr’s.”
“That bad,” Andrew mused.“Well, I suppose Iain is allowed to play a game of skittles, the same as the next man.So long as he’s not causing any trouble, I think I’ll head home.”
“Indeed.It was a pleasure talking to… Oh,hell.”
Iain’s opponent had just turned to pick up another ball.Nat’s stomach sank as he saw a very familiar face.
Andrew spun around, squinting across the courtyard.“What is it?What has Iain done this time?”
“Nothing yet.But trouble is afoot.”He caught Andrew’s eye, grimacing.“Iain’s playing against Kit Witherspoon.”
Chapter12
