Page 44 of Her Notorious Rake
Gemma blushed beneath Aunt Philippa’s confused glance. “It’s just as wonderful as I remembered. I’ve been poring over it every night. It is just as comprehensive as I recall.”
“Yes, it is very detailed, is it not?” Lord Blakemore smiled. “David Gregory’s knowledge of the stars is fathomless, I think. Have you been to one of the academic salons yet?”
“Oh, what would Gemma have to do at one of those places?” Aunt Philippa interrupted, sniffing.
“Well, your niece’s passion for the study of astronomy would be one reason,” Lord Blakemore replied, unabashed by Aunt Philippa’s glare. “She would meet a great many learned scholars on the subject, who I’m sure would be pleased to make the acquaintance of a young lady of her learning and caliber.”
Gemma’s chest ached at his words. “You truly believe so?”
“I do,” Lord Blakemore turned to her, his smile broadening. It transformed his usually serious face.
“How often do you visit those salons?” Gemma asked him.
“Not as often as I did in my Oxford days. I still keep up with the recent scholarship on the subject, but it is something I’m eager to delve back into.”
“Astronomy? The study of the stars?” Aunt Philippa asked in astonishment. “Why, do you intend to become William Herschel?” she laughed at her own joke, though Lord Blakemore nodded earnestly.
“I would be honoured to one day assume such a place in the scientific community as William Herschel once did.” He directed this to Gemma, who nodded with a soft smile.
“Have you ever read through his catalogues?” she asked him.
“All three. I find his class system most impressive and comprehensive. What do you think of it?”
“Remarkable,” Gemma clasped her hands together, heart beginning to race. Aunt Philippa glanced between the two of them, stunned by this turn in the conversation. “It is my dream to study the comets, like Herschel’s sister. And someday publish my work in thePhilosophical Transactionsjournal as she did.”
“Perhaps we could write something together.”
“I should like that very much,” Gemma laughed breathlessly. She couldn’t help it. Surely nothing could match the exhilaration in this moment, and nothing could take it away. Ever. If he washere to call, he couldn’t be toying with her, could he?
The arrival of the tea interrupted their conversation but they presently resumed it and spent more than half an hour discussing Herschel and his sister Caroline, and how it was said that Caroline these days was studying stars of similar polar differences.
Aunt Philippa began to work on her embroidery of a handkerchief, clearly bored by the conversation, and gave up on trying to participate.
Gemma’s heart sank when Lord Blakemore at last rose. “I ought not to intrude upon you any longer. Thank you for having me, Lady Kenway. And Miss Gemma, it has been a pleasure.” He bowed low over Gemma’s hand, and a shiver went through her when his lips brushed her skin.
And then, with a last smile for her and her alone, he strode out.
He was not gone five minutes when the butler entered the drawing room, and Gemma’s heart leapt. Had Lord Blakemore returned?
“Lord Neville here to call on Miss Hayesworth.”
Aunt Philappa flew to her feet with a cry. “Oh, how wonderful!”
***
On his way out of the Kenway house, Dalton met Lord Neville in the hall. He bowed to the older man, and Neville returned the gesture with a tight smile. His eyes were wide with surprise, however, to see Dalton here.
Dalton returned the smile stiffly, even as envy twisted in him. There would be no objection from Lady Kenway about Lord Neville’s visit, surely. She made it no secret that she distrusted Dalton, if her glares and compressed mouth was anything to go by. She’d barely managed to speak more than a few words withhim.
But, Dalton reminded himself as he slipped out the front door onto the street that he could understand why. He’d made a name for himself in the upper echelons of London society, as the man who danced with girl after girl but never called, who spent too many nights out carousing. He’d seen nothing in the scandal sheets reporting that he’d withdrawn from that lifestyle. But of course, they were thescandalsheets.
Lord Neville, if dull, was at least graced by a pristine repute here in London. And with his wealth to recommend him, Gemma could not hope for a better suitor. But Dalton’s visit might have spurred Neville to question if his suit would be accepted by her.
Dalton clenched his jaw, telling his footman that he would walk home rather than go by carriage. He needed to clear his head. And walks were quickly becoming the best way for him to do so.
Instead of going directly home, he meandered his way through the streets, thinking. He’d been doing a great deal of thinking lately. Too much, perhaps. For some of the revelations he’d experienced were unpleasant to face.
Gemma was a remarkable young woman, with beauty, intellect, kindness…she deserved only the best. Dalton paused, frowning. With his past lapses into irreverent pursuits and infamy…how could he hope to think himself the best suitor for her? Lord Neville was everything he wasn’t. And even at Dalton’s best, she deserved far better.
