Page 9 of A Hint of Scandal (The Mismatched Lovers #2)

I n the chilly hallway, Max watched Serafina as she donned a shabby pelisse and bonnet, brought to her by a middle-aged woman whose black outfit gave her a rather austere appearance. This must be the aforementioned Roberts. It dawned on him that the maid was possessed of what appeared to be a newer dress than her charge—no doubt because she received remuneration for her services and Serafina did not. What was this strange feeling of protectiveness that was inching its way over him since he’d encountered her in the summerhouse last night? Most uncharacteristic.

And what sort of household didn’t provide a young lady of Serafina’s age, who was a member of their family, with a maid of her own? He’d done a little of his own surreptitious research, and had discovered further information about the Gilbert family. More than Maria had been able to tell him last night, anyway. Not that he would have enquired further of her, anyway, as that would only have aroused her hopes for him.

He’d discovered Serafina was the daughter of the previous baronet, and only half-sister to the portly man he’d seen her standing with, and that this was the first time the family had come to Town for the Season. His informant, an older acquaintance he’d known in Spain and whom he’d bumped into at the ball, had told him that the present baronet, Sir Ogden, rarely frequented London and when he did, he stayed at his club as he was renowned for his tight-fistedness. Something Max could have guessed from the appearance of the baronet’s sister.

The fellow, an ex-cavalry officer, on being casually questioned, had proved quite forthcoming. “Sir George Gilbert was a friend of my father’s. A good sort, but that son of his is nothing like him, I’m afraid to say. I remember meeting him as a boy and thinking he would not make a good lord of the manor at Milford. I pity his tenants.”

Max, uninterested in Sir Ogden’s unfortunate tenants, had steered his friend towards talking about the family. He seemed quite happy to oblige. “Well, I met that stick of a wife of his when she was a debutante. Must be nearly twenty years ago.” He frowned. “All I can say about her is that they’re well-matched. And as for their daughter… I suspect she’s rather a selfish young woman from what I’ve seen of her tonight. I’d steer well clear of them if I were you. If that woman gets you in her sights she’ll be determined to have you for the girl. You being third in line to an earldom.” Although Max itched to enquire about Serafina, he held himself in check, content to have discovered the composition of their household.

However, he hadn’t missed the way Lady Gilbert had looked at her niece, as though she were less, even, than one of the servants. One thing he couldn’t abide was anyone who treated their servants as though they were lesser mortals. The army had done that for him. And for someone to treat a relative even worse than they treated their staff made the blood rise in his veins. A cold anger he was unused to experiencing coursed through his body, accompanied by an absurd inclination to snatch Serafina away from her family and into safety. An inclination he really ought to curb. Unless…

Serafina pulled on a pair of faded gloves, the fingertips betraying where they’d been carefully darned, and smiled up at him as though her shabby ensemble meant nothing. Her whole face shone with an anticipation that rendered her beautiful. How had he ever made the mistake of thinking her plain? “There. I’m ready.”

He held out his arm as the footman opened the front door for them, and Roberts hastened in their wake. Outside, any vestiges of the morning’s London fog had cleared, and the afternoon promised to be fair, with even a hint here and there of blue in the sky. Max’s spirits rose, and he pushed the anger he felt at Serafina’s poor treatment to the back of his mind. Today was for giving her some pure enjoyment. And for relishing her reactions. He couldn’t deny to himself that if she were happy, then he would be too. And no, he wasn’t about to analyze the reasons for this.

He looked down at her. “I thought we would walk, as the museum can’t be above a mile distant, and the day bids to be a good one for late February. I hope that suits you.”

Her candid gray eyes met his. “Very much so. I have a fondness for walking and do it often when we are home at Milford House. The countryside in Berkshire is most beautiful.”

Probably that sour-faced sister-in-law of hers didn’t allow her the luxury of travelling in a carriage. Nor even the lowliest of pony carts. Max was happy to mentally accuse the woman of all sorts of crimes against Serafina. But it was good to be in the company of a girl who liked exercise. He matched his stride to hers, and found she set a good pace.

They walked in silence for a short while, Max watching Serafina as she gazed about herself in wonder at the streets they were passing through, drinking in the vendors on street corners hawking hot chestnuts, gingerbread, matches, pies, and suchlike. Had she not been out in the streets before today? Did her family keep her immured within the house in Great Titchfield Street, at their beck and call?

Perhaps he should tell her a little about where they were going. He cleared his throat. “The British Museum stands in Great Russell Street in what was once called Montagu House.” Good heavens, he sounded like a guidebook.

She nodded. “I know. As I already said, I’ve done my research. I believe a new gallery has been opened there quite recently—the Townley Gallery?”

His turn to nod. “You’re well informed. I’ve heard it houses Charles Townley’s excellent collection of classical sculptures. Something I’m anxious to see for myself.” Keeping the conversation to what they both hoped to see seemed easiest. He wasn’t used to making polite conversation with gently bred young ladies. The mess room or a tent on campaign with his fellow officers was more his cup of tea.

“As am I. But I have to confess that I’m deriving almost as much pleasure just from being out walking along the streets of this great city. I’ve peered out of the windows, of course, and watched what goes on in Great Titchfield Street, but it’s nothing compared with being amongst the throng of people, breathing in the life of the city. I really must thank you for taking pity on me and taking me out, although you must think me a terrible country bumpkin.”

Max’s heart swelled with something he couldn’t identify. “Nonsense. It’s my pleasure to be able to initiate you to the wonders of London.” And he meant every word of it.

She laughed, a throaty chuckle, rather than the sort of girlish giggle that would have annoyed him. “You can have no concept of the joy I’m feeling to be able to explore these streets. I’ve grown quite fed up with being inside all the time and, as this is my first ever visit to London, I’ve been itching to get out and see it for myself. The carriage ride last night to the ball was simply not enough.”

How refreshingly honest she was. “Is it that bad at home?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself, and he could have kicked himself for his audacity.

Her brow puckered in a frown. “Please don’t take my words to mean I’m ungrateful to my brother and his wife. They took me in when I was an orphan of barely six-years-old, and I’m beholden to them for that. I had no other relations in the world, and they have been most…kind… in providing me with a home all this time. I owe them a great deal.”

He noted her hesitation over the right word to use to describe their behavior towards her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have implied I thought anything of the sort. It was very impolite of me. I’m sure you’re very lucky to have had their care.” Did he mean that? No. Of course not. She was anything but lucky to have fallen prey to such heartless people. His dander well and truly up, he could have cheerfully drawn Sir Ogden’s cork right now if he’d popped up in front of them. Only one arm or not.

She seemed to accept his words, and a small frown settled between her eyes. “I have not been the easiest of charges for them. My sister-in-law has been very patient with me. And I love my nieces and nephews with all my heart. Being with them and being able to help them gives me great joy.”

They walked on a few more steps while Max digested this. That behind her words lurked something unspoken, that he’d suspected from the start, went without doubt. But he wasn’t going to get her to admit this, at least not while he remained a stranger.

“I myself have four nieces and nephews,” he said, by way of lightening their conversation. “And two step-nephews—at least that’s what I suppose one would call them. They’re not a lot younger than I am, but are inclined to behave like a pair of schoolboys still. And I think you might have seen my oldest niece, Arabella, at the ball, as she seems to have made a friend of your niece.”

“The pretty girl with the lovely green gown?”

“The very one. She and your niece are a well matched pair—the belles of last night’s ball. I know Arabella was expecting a number of young gentlemen to call on her today. I was glad to be out of the house before that occurred. I can’t bear the niceties of socializing with people I don’t much care for.” Again, that last just popped out, as though her easy company had provoked him to speak his mind. Had he gone too far in his honesty?

Serafina laughed again. “A wise move, I think. I, too, am not fond of having to make polite conversation with people I don’t know. And Letty, my niece, was expecting a similar experience this afternoon. I believe her mama, Lady Gilbert, was a little put out that our first caller was here for me.” She’d disguised her own satisfaction well, but he caught a small hint of it in her voice. The petulant expression on young Letitia Gilbert’s face at her aunt having beaten her to having the first caller leapt into his head.

“In that case, I’m glad I was the first to call. And it shouldn’t be a surprise to Lady Gilbert that gentlemen should wish to call on you.”

Color surged up her cheeks, and her grip on his arm stiffened for a moment. “It is very kind of you to say so, Captain Aubrey, but I fear Lady Gilbert is correct. I’m not here in London expecting any kind of romantic interest. I’m here merely to assist Letty and assure myself that she makes no mistakes. My future lies at Milford, caring for my nieces and nephews, and eventually, I hope, for their children. I believe I shall live my life out in deepest Berkshire.”

He smiled, deciding to ignore her disclaimer of not wishing to garner romantic interest. “Is Miss Letitia likely to make a mistake, in your opinion?”

She pursed her lips. Was she hiding something? “Letty is very young and inexperienced, and a little willful and unwise.” She certainly sounded as though she were choosing her words with care. “She sometimes has been known to make the wrong decision. I don’t intend to allow her to choose a potential husband who will not suit her.”

The urge to cover her hand with his useless right one swept over him, an urge he’d never experienced before. Impossible, despite the longing. Instead, he squeezed her hand with his elbow. “And you consider yourself equipped to guide her?”

She peeped up at him, her gray eyes sharp. “I am no fool, Captain Aubrey, despite my lack of experience. But I am a full five years older than Letty, and I like to think with more calm commonsense than she will ever have. Fortunately, she has always looked to me for guidance, and I trust she will continue to do so in this matter. Her mother is keen for Letty to secure a husband with a title and money, whereas Letty and I have agreed that he must above all be kind—and also have at least some money. A title is immaterial to us. We have made a pact.”

He smiled, not at all sure this was going to be the success she anticipated. “A good idea. If it works. You seem so sensible, that I myself would value your assistance with Arabella. Her mother, whom I love dearly as a sister, has far less commonsense than you appear to possess. Although the fact that my own mother, the redoubtable dowager, has taken it upon herself to join us in Town is a comfort to me.”

They’d nearly reached the gates into the museum, and her footsteps slowed. Max looked down at her, a little puzzled. “Is there something amiss?”

She shook her head, letting her breath out on a sudden huff, as though she’d been holding it in. “Nothing at all. I’m just so excited that I’m about to enter a place I’ve longed to see. At last. I can’t tell you enough how much this pleases me.”

Nothing can rival causing someone else pure pleasure, and Max was not immune to the sense of satisfaction that crept over him at the sight of her face, shining with anticipation in the pale morning sun. As before, he was struck by how beautiful her happiness had rendered her. His heart, so long unused, had occasion to soar. He swallowed. Better not let her see the effect she was having on him, although, as he had to marry someone, why not a girl like this one? He shook himself. He mustn’t confuse the pity he was feeling for her circumstances with anything else. And besides, surely a young woman as sensible as she so obviously was would not want to ally herself with a man such as he was. Disabled by having only one arm of any use. He cleared his throat. “Is there anything in particular you would like to see first?”

She nodded with determination. “I should very much like to see the famous Rosetta Stone—from that same city in Egypt you told me you besieged. I believe it’s on display in the Townley Gallery amongst the other Egyptian antiquities the museum now possesses. That would be my dream come true. I’ve read everything I could find about it.”

He nodded, amused by her description of seeing an old, inscribed stone as being her dream come true. “I believe you’re correct in your assumption. But first we should look at the main part of the museum. The Townley Gallery is in a new wing to the rear.”

With her hand holding firmly to his arm, he led her through the gates into the museum’s spacious courtyard. At the far side, a wide flight of stone steps rose to the enormous front doors of the main building.

Serafina caught her breath as they stepped out of the shelter of the splendid gatehouse. Before her lay what remained of the original Montagu House, a vast brick and stone building stretching all the way across the far side of the courtyard. Down either side, lesser buildings ran that perhaps might be accommodation. The house itself, however, rose to four lofty stories, and was something in the way of French in architectural style. She’d never seen anything so big before. It made Milford House, that had belonged to her father and was now her brother’s seat, seem tiny.

Beside her, Captain Aubrey paused, an almost proprietorial smile on his handsome face. “I’m pleased to see it lives up to your expectations.” She couldn’t be certain, but he sounded as though, perhaps, he was enjoying this outing. That anyone, any man, that was, might do so while in her company astounded her. And that the man doing so was the most handsome man she’d ever set eyes on astounded her even further. She still couldn’t quite believe she was there with him. A warm sensation that had kindled in her very core tingled out to the extremities of her body. She resisted the impulse to jump for joy. He might have been startled.

Instead, she kept her reply businesslike. “It surpasses them. But what will really impress me will be the contents.” In truth, what was really impressing her was coming here with him, with her hand on his arm, feeling the muscles beneath his coat, and with his tall, masculine presence so close. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. How embarrassing it would be were he to divine the real reason for her delight. A man such as he could never be interested in such a plain little nonentity as she was.

She let him escort her across the large, square courtyard, where other people were already heading in the same direction as they were. Mostly men, in ones and twos, with very few ladies present. Of course, the British Museum had been founded fifty years ago to enhance learning and was intended for the perusal of scholars. Not many of those to be found amongst the fairer sex. Feeling a little like a pioneer, Serafina matched Max’s confident stride, her heart making leaps and bounds within the confines of her stays, and not just at the thought of seeing the Rosetta Stone.

Up the wide stone steps and through the front doors of the main building, and the captain steered her to the right, through an archway. Before her lay the most impressive staircase she’d ever seen, climbing with grace towards the first floor. But it was not the staircase that held her breathless. It was the sight of what stood at the top of the stairs.

Not one, not two, but three giraffes. A family group, perhaps. She recognized the exotic creatures from a book she’d found in Ogden’s library, a book that had once belonged to her father. One of eight books in a series, in fact—George Shaw’s General Zoology or Systematic Natural History . Books she’d devoured with fervor since her childhood, poring over the beautifully executed copper engravings of animals she’d never hoped to see.

She sighed. “I never thought to see a real giraffe in all my life.”

Captain Aubrey looked down at her with a far too attractive twinkle in his eye, and for a moment Serafina had a brief insight into why women were wont to swoon when faced with such masculine perfection. “I see your interests extend to the world of nature, and with that I can help you as well. Do you know of the Exeter Change at all?”

She shook her head, a little apologetic and humbled by her own lack of town polish. “I’m afraid I know nothing about London apart from a few details about this museum.”

“Then if Lady Gilbert will allow it, I’ll take you to see it one day. To see live animals, not stuffed ones. I think you might find it diverting. I haven’t been myself since I was a boy, and I’ve a hankering to see it again.”

If Araminta would allow it. That was the question. But wasn’t she a woman grown who’d passed her majority? Did Araminta have any right to stop her? Guilt that she was even considering this small rebellion washed over her. They’d not needed to take her in after her father died, but they had. She must be eternally grateful to them for that. And now they’d brought her to London, and she’d met Captain Aubrey. That in itself was something she should appreciate them for, rather than considering how to disobey them.

They were now continuing up the stairs, approaching the little family group of giraffes, that someone, somewhere, had lovingly stuffed. She couldn’t help but be impressed by their industry. They were huge. How did anyone go about stuffing something as big as that?

She came to a halt again, staring up at them. “Do they have giraffes at the Exeter Change?”

He smiled, and her heart did another painful leap. “Not as far as I know, as they are so tall and might not fit, but they do have an elephant, I hear. And a zebra and some big cats—at least one lion and a tiger.”

Good heavens. Was there no end to the wonders of London? “Then I should very much like to go. If, of course, my sister-in-law can spare me.”

That oh so charming smile again, that melted her heart to sticky goo. “Then we shall just have to make sure she does, won’t we? Come. Let’s go inside the first gallery and see what they have on show.”

Feeling like a princess, she let him lead her past the giraffes and through the large doorway into the body of the museum, Roberts still trailing behind them. This was going to be the best day of her life so far.