Page 13 of An Heiress and An Astronomer (Gentleman Scholars #3)

G reta was making every effort not to fidget as she sat in the carriage beside Lady Gertrude. Traveling with her aunt was dispiriting at the best of times, let alone when she was filled with excitement for their destination.

She could hardly believe it when the invitation had arrived at their door.

“Star viewing?” Lady Gertrude had read with a disdainful curl to her lip. “How very odd. This is from that woman who took you to the Park recently. Mrs. Northcott, isn’t it?”

Gertrude turned the card over multiple times as though to examine it for more information. “Good family. Good connections. It wouldn’t do for you to snub the acquaintance. But what a strange time to ask you to leave Town. It’s the height of the Season. What if you miss an opportunity here in Town?”

“It appears to only be for a couple of days,” Greta said, taking the card from her aunt. “Surely that isn’t long enough to miss out too drastically, is it?”

Not that Greta was really involved in anything of note that would carry on without her. She thought a respite in the country sounded absolutely delightful. But she couldn’t appear too eager or her aunt would insist they absolutely couldn’t leave Town. Greta was afraid Gertrude would consider the scholars beneath their notice.

That would drive her mad, surely. Greta held her breath along with her attention on the eggs congealing on her plate until Lady Gertrude issued her decree.

“There really isn’t any way to refuse an invitation like this, not unless we had already planned to host an event of our own, which of course we haven’t. I suppose we ought to consider it a triumph to receive such an exclusive invitation as surely, they cannot house very many at this Alldred estate of theirs. Do you know anything about it?”

Greta wasn’t sure what her aunt was asking by her question, but she tried to answer as best she could. “The estate? I know nothing about it, unfortunately.”

“No, I mean this event. Star viewing. Does that not strike you as decidedly odd?”

Greta tried not to stare at her aunt as though she were an imbecile. “I think it sounds delightful, honestly. When I couldn’t sleep as a little girl I used to stare at the stars at home. It was a comfort to me as a child. I think it will be quite enjoyable.”

“Could it not have been arranged closer to Town so we wouldn’t have to stay over, do you think?” Gertrude asked as though their potential hosts could just conjure another property.

“It likely has something to do with the smoke that often hangs over the city, my lady, don’t you think?” Greta offered in a mild tone, returning to her breakfast so her aunt wouldn’t suspect she was agog to go to the star viewing house party.

Lady Gertrude sniffed as though still full of disdain for the entire concept. Greta nearly held her breath awaiting the verdict of whether or not they could go.

“I don’t suppose she will have invited any eligible gentleman,” Gertrude complained. “Just those scholars and scientists. How gauche .”

“Are they all terribly bourgeois, my lady? I thought some of them were at least connections of the gentry.” Greta knew her aunt well enough to understand how to redirect her thoughts.

“Well of course they’re all gentlemen. Mrs. Northcott herself is a gentlewoman so she wouldn’t so demean herself I’m sure, but I don’t think any of them are titled. Surely an heir to a title wouldn’t be puttering around a classroom at this late date in life, would he?”

“Wasn’t the new Lord Beaverbrook one of their scholars up until very recently?” Greta asked, keeping her face and tone as innocent as possible. Greta didn’t want to start a philosophical argument with the woman. But she was well aware of her aunt’s views on titles.

Gertrude appeared much struck by this reminder and her disapproving frown lessened.

Greta had already tried to convince her aunt that she had no interest in a title for herself but there had been no swaying the woman. Greta still wasn’t certain how she was going to persuade her to allow Greta to wed with someone of her own choosing.

Not to say that Lady Gertrude really had any control over Greta’s future. She had already come into her inheritance. Her father had ensured there were no strings attached even though he had obviously not intended to die from that dreadful disease that swept through the village.

Lady Gertrude was the only family she had left, though, so Greta had no desire to offend her sensibilities. She could only hope she could enjoy the house party while also keeping in her aunt’s good graces. Greta wished her parents were there instead.

Greta had to bite her lip and look out the carriage window as she thought of her parents. Travelling had always given her a pang ever since their deaths. It was almost a phobia. It would seem she never wanted to leave the last place she had been with them. But she had agreed with her aunt that staying home for the rest of her life wasn’t the solution either.

Greta had found it necessary to take a dose of laudanum for that first day of travel from home up to London. After that, travel by carriage had been getting easier and easier. Now, if she could manage to control her thoughts not to think overmuch of her losses when actually in a carriage, she did reasonably well.

Of course, now, on the way to the one social event Greta was certain her father would have loved, she couldn’t help but miss him. She missed her mother, too, of course, but having Lady Gertrude with her put her in mind of some of her mother’s characteristics so it was almost a replacement.

On the other hand, though, while Greta and her mother often disagreed on how they thought of things, Greta was always absolutely convinced of her mother’s affection, which could not be said of her aunt.

Greta tried not to allow her melancholy to show as they drove out of town. She wasn’t truly melancholy. She was actually quite excited for the party they were about to attend. But she missed her parents and lamented her aunt’s presence at her side.

She should have had the courage to enforce some boundaries with her aunt.

She had just been so surprised by her aunt’s arrival. And comforted at first, if truth be told. To have someone swoop in and take over when she was struggling with her grief as well as the running of all her assets.

Thankfully it hadn’t entered her aunt’s mind to try to take over Greta’s holdings. Greta didn’t think her aunt even realized how much control Greta actually had over the managing of her wealth. It didn’t occur to her that a woman would have been entrusted with such things. And Greta was happy to let her keep thinking that. The woman had taken over enough of her life as it was.

A glance at her attire was a case in point. While Greta was now used to the clothing her aunt had insisted upon, it had certainly not been her first choice at the beginning. And the fact that the older woman was so freely capable of spending Greta’s money was disconcerting to Greta.

Thankfully, Greta was well aware that her pockets were deep enough to handle the intrusion. But it was the principle of the matter. And one of the many reasons Greta was determined to find her future husband this Season.

She didn’t want her aunt on her hands forever. But she also didn’t wish to alienate the only family she had. Greta could only hope that the husband she found for herself had family. Because while she hoped for children, it would take years before they were a comfortable family.

That was what she missed the most and why she tolerated her aunt’s interference. She was family. There wasn’t much else to be said.

These thoughts chased around in her head as they bounced along the road leading to the Scholarly Society’s estate. Greta’s excitement ratcheted higher with each mile outside of the city. She only wished she knew who else would be in attendance. The invitation had indicated it would be an intimate affair but surely there would be others.

Not that Greta really cared. She was beginning to suspect that one of the science minded fellows might be a good match for her. With their loose connections to the ton and logical thinking, they might be able to accept her views about her wealth. And if they aren’t in line to inherit a title, it might not be so important to them. In fact, a fellow with no inheritance due to being a younger son or what have you, could better understand how she felt about leaving something to every child.

How could that be too much to ask?

Frustration bubbled below the surface of her veneer of calm. It really wouldn’t do to allow Aunt Gertrude to know what she was thinking about, nor remind her that Greta had no interest in marrying into a title no matter what her aunt’s advice might be.

“Are you abiding the drive in good health?” Greta finally broke the silence to ask solicitously.

“Of course,” Lady Gertrude announced immediately, ignoring the fact that she had taken quite ill on their drive to Town both years they’d made the trip.

“It shouldn’t be much further, I don’t think.” Greta added the comment in an effort to keep her aunt in good humour for their arrival. Gertrude took it into her head upon occasion to get onto her high ropes if she was thrust into a circumstance that she considered beneath her. Greta feared this might be one of those occasions.

“Have you been here before?” Lady Gertrude asked with suspicion ringing in her voice.

Greta forced a light laugh. “When would I have had occasion to do so, my lady?” Without waiting for an answer she continued, “I recalled that Mrs. Northcott mentioned it was less than two hours drive for them to come up to Town from their estate. It was one of the reasons why this property was particularly good for their purposes. If the gentlemen ever needed to attend to matters in Town, they could have the option of returning home in the same day.”

She paused, looking out the window and then glancing at her watch pin. “Surely it has been more than an hour and a half since we departed. So, I would think we must nearly be to our destination.”

Gertrude merely sniffed with an air of dissatisfaction at the logic Greta had displayed.

Why did the woman insist upon keeping her company, Greta wondered. It wasn’t as though she appeared to enjoy the experience. And surely Greta was of age to care for herself.

She allowed her breath to sigh from her in a display of some of the aggravation she was feeling. It was a source of frustration to her that she hadn’t invited the intrusion of her aunt into her life. Why did the woman insist upon being there? And how, aside from wedding, could she rid herself of the woman’s presence? Did she even wish to be rid of her relative? What a quandary!

Greta sat up straighter in her seat in the carriage despite the rolling nature of the travel. Thrusting her shoulders back and lifting her chin, she refused to dwell on what she couldn’t currently change. They were on their way to an event that she was looking forward to for possibly the first time ever. She wasn’t going to allow doldrums to interfere with her enjoyment and anticipation.

She hadn’t known what to expect and so found herself with her face pressed to the window of the carriage trying to see what the estate might look like. It was both smaller and larger than she expected, which was a rather ridiculous thought.

It seemed to her as though the grounds must be vast. There were more outbuildings than she could count, which ought to look messy but seemed to be well ordered from what she could tell. Greta suspected these must be each assigned to a different fellow or perhaps different elements of science. That would make sense considering some things would interfere with others, she supposed.

The house itself wasn’t overlarge which reminded her that there might not be very many guests invited to the event. Hopefully the appearance of the house was deceptive as Greta suspected it would be uncomfortable for her aunt if they were the only guests.

When the carriage pulled to a stop a footman hurried forward immediately to let down the step and open the door. Aunt Gertrude clucked about that. It was both gratifying and intrusive according to Lady Gertrude’s mumblings. “The servants were well-trained and attentive, but what if we hadn’t been ready for the door to be opened?”

Greta couldn’t argue with her aunt’s logic in this matter, so she merely pasted on a smile and accepted the servant’s assistance to descend.

It had only been two hours, but she felt slightly dishevelled and disoriented from the rocking and swaying of the carriage. Greta tried to bolster her spirits with her trust that her maid had sufficiently pinned her hair that she needn’t be troubled about her appearance but was afraid she might be a trifle wan from being cooped up with her ladyship for an overlong period.

“Welcome, welcome, we are delighted you could join us. Do come in and make yourselves at home.” Lucy Northcott’s greeting was sufficiently exuberant to make Greta feel truly welcomed but not so much as to completely alienate the very exacting Lady Gertrude who managed to thaw herself sufficiently to accept Lucy’s curtsy and offer a slight one of her own.

Lucy Northcott might be a mere Mrs. now, but she was a viscount’s daughter and an earl’s daughter-in-law, so a modicum of respect at least was owed to her. And she was their hostess so surely Greta’s aunt would manage to comport herself correctly.

“Thank you for having us to your quaint entertainment,” Lady Gertrude managed to choke out. Greta was relieved that quaint was the adjective she had settled upon after her slight hesitation. It carried an air of condescension but did not go so far as to be insulting.

“We are delighted that you were available to accept the rather short notice invitation,” Mrs. Northcott exclaimed, ignoring the lack of warmth in Lady Gertrude’s tone. “I have it on good authority that there will be some sort of celestial phenomena these two nights, which is why we chose the timing thusly. But never mind that right now, do come in and get yourselves settled.”

Lucy bustled about, escorting them into the house. “Would you prefer to join the others in enjoying a spot of tea or would you rather be shown to your room so that you can leave off your outerwear?”

“Are we to share one room, then?”

Greta wanted to sink through the floorboards but managed to keep her head elevated. She wasn’t the one uttering the snide question.

“We tried to find a balance between having enough people to be convivial but not so many that we wouldn’t have room for everyone. I do hope you won’t mind sharing. It’s a lovely, rather oddly shaped room that will allow you each sufficient space, but it is only the one room. I can try to rearrange if you feel it shan’t work once you’ve seen it.”

“I’m sure it will be perfectly fine for our needs, thank you, Mrs. Northcott,” Greta answered before Lady Gertrude could say anything in reply. “It might be best if we take a moment to leave off our cloaks and hats before we make the acquaintance of the rest of your guests.”

“Of course, right this way.” Without appearing put out by Lady Gertrude’s seeming displeasure, Lucy swept up the staircase, not bothering to wait and see if they followed.

What a beautiful space , was all Greta could think everywhere she looked. It was going to be a pleasure spending time there. She only hoped she could bear to leave when the time came. And that Lady Gertrude wouldn’t ruin the experience for everyone.

They were shown into a large, airy room that, true to Mrs. Northcott’s word, was built in such a way that although it was one room, they would each have their own space for their use. It was perfectly adequate, more than adequate, really, for their needs for the few days of their visit.

“Thank you, Mrs. Northcott, this is lovely,” Greta said as soon as they had been ushered in.

“Please, let us not be so formal, at least not while we’re at home here in the country. Surely you ought to call me Lucy for the duration of your visit.”

Greta was gratified but suspected by her aunt’s silence she didn’t agree.

“And you must call me Greta,” she answered with a brighter than usual smile. Greta wasn’t the gregarious sort, by any means, but she couldn’t stand her aunt’s putting out the pleasant young matron for her hospitality.

“I’ll leave you to freshen up. Here’s your maid with some of your bags, it would seem,” Lucy added as she turned to leave the room. “When you’re ready, just return down the stairs and someone will be able to direct you. If you’re quick, there will still be some tea,” she added with a grin.

“This is going to be far too informal,” Lady Gertrude grumbled as she allowed the maid to help her remove her pelisse and hat and settle her onto a stool by the mirror.

“Allow me to comb out your hair a trifle, m’lady,” the maid murmured, barely above a whisper, obviously concerned for her employer’s temperament.

Well, in reality, Greta was the girl’s employer. The maid had been in Greta’s household for a few years now, serving as Greta’s mother’s personal servant until her death and the housekeeper found her something else to keep her occupied until Lady Gertrude swept into their lives.

“Shall we be quick so we can go meet the rest?” Greta asked as brightly as she could manage.

She didn’t particularly enjoy meeting new people, not if she feared they would look down their noses at her, at any rate. But she suspected that was less likely to happen in a place such as this. Surely anyone who had accepted the invitation to visit the Scholarly Society would have to be somewhat open-minded.

Her aunt’s sniff recalled her to her senses. Perhaps not everyone, Greta revised. But there must have been a reason for the invitations to go out as they had. Greta was uncomfortably aware of the likely reason for their invitation. But she was happy to be there despite that.

Would the other guests also be women Lucy was trying to matchmake? Were they going to only spend time with the scholars, seeing which of the heiresses would suit which scientist?

Greta didn’t think there were many unwed heiresses available, at least not ones with her level of wealth. Once again, that thought reminded her to be grateful to Lady Gertrude for having kept the details of her inheritance under secrecy.

Greta suspected Lady Gertrude wasn’t even aware of the true extent of her holdings. She intended to keep it that way, forever if she could manage it, but certainly until after she was done signing any marriage paperwork.

Anticipation and nerves warred within her as the maid quickly stuck a couple extra pins in her hair and declared her ready.