Page 45 of Her Notorious Rake
Chapter 21
As soon as Lord Neville departed, Gemma excused herself to retire upstairs. But instead, she decided to slip out of the house, and hurry down the street to visit Prudence. It would be a brief walk, and Gemma needed to talk to someone other than Aunt Philippa about Lord Blakemore’s visit. Her mind was whirring with confusion over it, over its abruptness, his intentions…was he attempting to announce his desire to court her? And if he did, would Aunt Philippa even allow it?
She’d thankfully not had the chance to lecture Gemma about it since Lord Neville almost immediately after Lord Blakemore departed. But Gemma could tell that her conversation with him about the Herschels, and publishing something together, had disturbed her aunt.
Aunt Philippa had gone upstairs to rest after the busy morning, so Gemma hoped she wouldn’t be missed.
Prudence received her in a quiet back drawing room, away from the rest of her family, so they could chat in privacy.
“Lord Blakemore called this morning,” Gemma whispered to her.
Prudence’s eyes went wide. “He did?”
“Yes—for but half an hour.”
Prudence’s voice trembled with excitement. “And what did you speak of?”
“Astronomy, of course,” Gemma covered her hand with her mouth.
“And what did your aunt think of that?” Prudence giggled.
“She disapproved. Gravely.” The two of them dissolved into muffled laughter. “But mostly, I think she was mystified by it.”
Prudence shook her head. “He truly called on you? He’snever done so before. Should this get out, the scandal sheets will certainly have something to say.”
Gemma studied her hands in her lap. “Do you suppose he means anything by this? That this is his way of announcing his intentions?”
“It may be,” Prudence smiled. “Would you accept should he ask to court you?”
“I think I would,” Gemma whispered. She and Prudence dissolved into another fit of giddy laughter. Gemma covered her warm face with trembling hands. “It’s strange, for I had just wished that Lord Blakemore would come, that he would somehow show me whether he was serious or not, and it was as if this wish had been heard…for he walked through the door a moment later. And almost immediately after he left, Lord Neville called. I wonder if they met one another in the hall.”
Prudence’s eyes widened. “Perhaps. Do you believe that Lord Neville will take this as a challenge to his suit?”
“Aunt Philippa fears it, I’m certain.”
“But he wouldn’t be discouraged, would he? Half the girls in London were vying for him, as he is a most eligible bachelor in London this season.”
“Then they may have him,” Gemma sighed. “He is very kind, and good. But something lacks between us.”
“Not at all like it is between Lord Blakemore and you,” Prudence sighed. “Well, perhaps you have reformed him.”
“Me? Reformed him? Do you think someone of his nature could change?”
“For love, it is possible.”
***
“You called upon her?” Theodore said slowly, and then let out a laugh. He slapped his knee. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m not sure what came over me. This morning I awoke andrealized just how dearly I wished to see her and—”
“Did your uncle find out where you went?”
“Well, he might yet. I haven’t been home since this morning.”
“Ah. And he’ll realize his designs for Celeste and you are utterly ruined.” The butler hurried in with a tea tray and Dalton gratefully sipped some, hoping it would ease his restlessness.
“So much the better,” Dalton chuckled.
