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She supposed if her parents knew there was a nobleman also studying at the library, they would be encouraging her to engage with him. But, honestly, what was the point? She had done Society, and tried her best to fit in. She’d even found a man she quite admired, but none of it had worked out. Now she was so close to being a spinster, she could almost taste it. Her time in Society was done. It was far better to concentrate on her academic pursuits and carving out an interesting spinsterhood for herself than sitting around and hoping like a sad old maid.

“Do not fear, Papa.” She gave him a sound kiss on the cheek. “I am quite content with my studies. You never know, it might actually be published, and then I shall not be a complete burden on you and Freddy.”

“You shall never be a burden.” He patted her hand. “Enjoy your day.”

Prudence donned a light spencer jacket and her bonnet, then pulled on gloves, giving the few dogs milling around the hallway a pat on the head each. “I will be home to fuss over you soon,” she promised.

The library was within walking distance of her parents’ townhouse, which made it the perfect location for her research. And as much as she did not enjoy walking around Regent’s Park, where one was at risk of being flattened by curricles going toofast or having one’s ankles nipped by unruly dogs, she did like the brief bit of exercise the walk gave her.

The librarian greeted her at the door, and they exchanged brief formalities about the weather and such like. Prudence tolerated the conversation with a polite smile but her feet twitched and she had to bunch her hands at her side to prevent herself from tugging open the door and hurling herself inside the building. She had come across some interesting texts the previous day and she could not wait to delve deeper into them.

When she stepped inside and her eyes had adjusted to the murky light, she stilled. What was he doing here again?

Like a reminder of him, she could feel the quill he’d gifted her weighing down her inner pocket. Which was ridiculous. Quills did not weigh anything. But the little gesture had plucked something inside her, some invisible string that she had not known existed—or had at least been dormant for some time.

That did not mean, however, she owed him anything, not even her time. She would be polite if needs be, but she hoped he would not be making a racket again. The past week she had been the only person in this library and she’d rather hoped it would remain that way. How much easier it was to study in silence.

Books were stacked high on the table, several flung open and scattered about him. His fingers were twined through his golden hair, leaving it in a messy state. She drew in a long breath and straightened her shoulders. She need not do anything apart from offer him a polite good morning. There was no need to know what he was up to, what he was desperately searching for.

And she was certain he was desperate. There was a look in his eyes and a tension in his body that told her he was not doing this for fun or in the pursuit of education.

He glanced up as she sat and offered her a smile but it was tight with tension. Prudence frowned. She had anticipated another attempt at charming her. Maybe one of his smiles again.A smile that lit his handsome face from the inside and no doubt turned every female within a twenty-mile radius to mush.

It almost worked on her, though she had managed to control her reaction. There was no reason for him to charm her so she had to conclude it was simply from habit that he used such a smile on her.

She returned to her work from yesterday, pleased to see her books had not been moved. Pulling out her notes, she readied the quill he’d gifted her and turned her attention to the book in front.

The words blurred together. She looked sideways.

No, who cared what he was doing? She had proper work to do. Whatever this lord needed, it was nothing to do with her. She forced her attention back, mouthing the words to herself in an attempt to force her concentration to remain.

Her gaze slid sideways. Lord Seth switched hands, shoving the other through his hair and ruffling the golden locks further. Creases marred his perfect profile that was finished off with attractive lips that were strangely mesmerizing when he spoke.

But he was not speaking now so what reason did she have for looking at him?

After another hour of trying to concentrate and several more ruffles of Lord Seth’s hair by his own hand, she shut her book and sighed.

“What exactly are you looking for?”

He glanced at her, brows raised. “Pardon?”

A perfect imitation of her yesterday yet the seriousness in the straight line of his mouth told her he was not toying with her.

“What are you looking for?” she repeated. “Perhaps I can help.”

He rubbed a hand across his face, and Prudence found herself staring at the hand. In her younger years, she had even had a little attention from handsome men. Most had given upwith haste once they realized she was not one for mindless small talk, but their looks had never interested her anyway. She had always found a person’s mind the most interesting thing of all. However, hands had always appealed to her.

And this man’s hands were incredibly appealing. Large, with long, capable-looking fingers. The sort of fingers that could untie one’s stays with ease.

Good Lord, what was she doing? She was in a house of learning, not some silly ball where one was expected to spend a great deal of time thinking about the attractiveness of the opposite sex.

She forced her gaze away from his hands and to eyes that were ringed with dark shadows. “I know this library extremely well. Better than Lord Wilson I’d wager. I can help you find the right book if you wish.”

He offered a strained smile. “That is extremely kind of you, Miss Hastings, but even I do not know for what I am looking.”

She supposed she ought to correct him. She was no miss. But she did not much fancy explaining her past, and for some reason, this lord had mistakenly had her noted as a miss and it seemed easier to go along with his assumption.

“Perhaps you can explain your conundrum and then I may be of assistance.” She smiled what she hoped was a helpful-looking smile. Goodness knew, she should be back to ignoring him and not even attempting smiles, but she could never resist a challenge. Whatever he needed, she would wager she could find.