Page 15 of An Heiress and An Astronomer (Gentleman Scholars #3)

T he night sky was completely clear and even with her own eyes she could see the vastness of it all. Greta was thrilled right down to her toes. It would have been the perfect moment if not for Aunt Gertrude’s grumbling. Greta’s shoulders tightened along with her jaw. She only hoped she didn’t break her teeth while gritting them to keep from telling her aunt exactly what she thought of her behaviour.

“It would be far later than this if we were attending a ball, my lady,” Greta reminded her. “I think we’ll probably be abed far earlier than usual, or, if we’re having too enjoyable a time out of doors, perhaps at the same time as usual, but despite it being unusual to be outside rather than in a ballroom, the hours are much the same, don’t you think?”

Since the woman had been arguing the opposite, she wasn’t about to agree with her niece, so she let that subject lie for now.

“But why do we have to all huddle around this strange contraption?” Gertrude asked, not as quietly as Greta would have liked.

Through her gritted teeth Greta still managed to keep her tone pleasant. “You don’t have to. I am sure Lucy has arranged for chairs and maybe even blankets or scarves for anyone who isn’t actively watching the stars. You will be perfectly comfortable, I’m sure.”

“I won’t be comfortable,” Gertrude argued, determined to be cross. “We are out of doors.”

“The apparatus is to better see the stars. It magnifies the view,” Greta said, studiously ignoring her aunt’s newest complaints and returning to the original one.

“But it’s so unusual.” Her aunt’s plaintive tone nearly set Greta over the edge of her endurance.

“My lady, you accepted the invitation,” Greta nearly hissed the words, at the end of her patience. “Wouldn’t you be appalled if I were acting as you are now? This is how I feel about everything connected to the Season and yet you have made me come up for two years in a row. You are an earl’s daughter. Ought you not to be acting with more decorum than this?”

Gertrude blinked at her niece with shock and anger warring for supremacy on her features.

“It is irregular,” Gertrude insisted with emphasis. “And you should not speak to me in this manner,” she added with her dignity pulled around her like a mantel.

Greta was satisfied that the woman had ceased her whining but wouldn’t put it past her to recommence. Settling her into one of the chairs that had been placed about as expected, Greta left Gertrude to her own devices and approached the small group gathered around Mr. Darby and his lenses. Despite the discomfort dealing with Gertrude’s displeasure stirred up within her, Greta was nearly giddy with excitement to use the scholar’s invention and see the stars more clearly for herself.

Everyone took turns looking through the devices. Greta hadn’t realized there were to be a few different ones set up. Anticipation swept through her.

“I got more skilled at the magnification through experimentation,” Mr. Darby said, sounding bashful. Greta suspected she would see him actually blushing if there were enough light to see that well. The sensation of butterflies in her tummy was disconcerting. She had never been out of doors with a gentleman in the dark.

Of course, the darkness was necessary for viewing the stars.

But perhaps Gertrude hadn’t been completely wrong about the questionable nature of this excursion. If anyone were to wander slightly it would be beyond scandalous. And there were many opportunities to do so.

“Don’t get lost,” Lucy called to a couple who had strayed away from the furthest apparatus.

Greta grinned. Apparently, everyone had the same concerns. And inclinations, she thought as her gaze encountered that of Mr. Pierce Darby.

Greta had never experienced such sensations before. Perhaps there had been something wrong with their supper. Or the strangeness of being in the dark with other people was affecting her oddly. These sensations weren’t completely unpleasant, but their unusual nature caused her concern. They couldn’t be trustworthy.

Surely, she wasn’t developing warm feelings for a gentleman! She almost stepped away from where she was standing next to the apparatus with the highest level of magnification. She hadn’t looked for very long when it was her turn, not wanting to monopolize it.

She was awaiting a second turn. But she wasn’t sure now if she could remain there, standing by the gentleman, while all these strange sensations boiled within her.

“Ah, Miss Billingsley, there you are.”

She didn’t think she would ever consider having the too high tones of Lord Eustace directed toward her to be a saving grace, but wonders never ceased. Certainly, his lordship’s uncomfortable pursuit would be a distraction. Of course, Aunt Gertrude was sure to involve herself shortly, as well. It took every effort not to roll her eyes and sigh.

“I believe it to be your turn, Miss Billingsley, if you were wishing to look again.”

Greta managed not to yelp when Mr. Darby addressed her anew. And she didn’t shiver either despite the thrill that shimmied down her spine. Which was a feat of massive proportions, she was certain, considering the extreme self control that had been needed not to do so. Despite being relieved by Lord Eustace’s interruption, Greta was grateful to be able to turn her back on him as well.

“Thank you, Mr. Darby, I would very much like to look again.”

“You ought to take your time,” he admonished gently and quietly as he helped her adjust the viewing angle for her shorter height from the last person. “I know you have an appreciation for the celestial bodies.”

Greta wanted to swoon due to his deep voice and strong presence. How ridiculous. But she couldn’t pull away from him despite that instinct at self-preservation. She truly did wish to see everything in the night’s sky.

“You aren’t truly interested in such pedantic things are you, Miss Billingsley?” Lord Eustace asked from behind her.

Both she and Mr. Darby ignored the pestilent man. Why would he ask such a rude question in front of the scholar? Whatever Aunt Gertrude thought of the nobleman, Greta had no interest in someone who had such little human kindness or decency within himself.

“Are you able to identify the constellations with this augmented view?” Greta could hear the eagerness in Mr. Darby’s voice and wished she could see his face.

“It is a challenge, isn’t it?” she asked softly. “Everything looks so different than when looking with just my eyes.”

“To be sure,” Mr. Darby replied immediately, with approval sounding in his tones, warming Greta down to her toes. Which was completely silly. She rejected the thought as soon as it entered her head.

“Oh, there was a shooting star,” Greta called, lifting her head. “Did everyone else see it? It was likely bright enough to see with just your eyes.”

“I saw it,” Lily called from the other lens, lifting her feet in an excited little dance where she stood. Greta smiled indulgently even as she returned to the viewing bracket.

She was nearly breathless with delight over both the stars and Mr. Darby’s nearness. It was surely not a healthy state to experience. But she couldn’t force herself to move away. She could stand there all night if anyone would let her.

Of course, they wouldn’t.

“Come along, Greta, there are to be some refreshments served,” Aunt Gertrude called out.

Greta sighed softly. Her aunt never pestered her at tonnish events. This was completely out of character. Or perhaps not out of character, but still unusual. Clearly the woman didn’t enjoy being out of her usual element. She never should have accepted the invitation.

“My apologies, Mr. Darby,” Greta whispered before she took her leave. “And thank you ever so much.”

“You can return after the refreshments,” he returned, sounding eager to show her more.

“I probably cannot. But hopefully tomorrow night it will be as clear.” Greta felt terrible about her aunt’s behaviour, and even some of the other guests, like Lord Eustace.

Why had they come if they had no intention of enjoying the experience?

Lucy didn’t appear dismayed by the disinterest of some of her guests, so that was a relief to Greta as she nibbled politely on whatever had been served. She was still feeling too embarrassed to be able to taste anything or even rightly pay attention to the conversations swirling around her. But after a moment of churning emotions, Greta pulled herself up short.

It was not her responsibility if her aunt behaved badly. Yes, it would reflect upon her, but there was nothing to be done about that. She had allowed Lady Gertrude to bully her into making her debut, so she deserved some responsibility over the situation. It was obvious to Greta, though, that Lucy was a reasonable woman, she wouldn’t necessarily paint Greta with the same brush as her aunt.

But it wasn’t likely they could remain friends if Greta’s chaperone was offensive. Lucy Northcott was far too popular and connected to be bothered with a nobody like her if it was made uncomfortable for her.

Greta had to put forth considerable effort to maintain her composure and remain stoic when all she wanted to do was rail against the unfairness of her life.

If her parents hadn’t died so suddenly and tragically, they would be escorting her for her Season. Or they might have agreed that she needn’t debut. Greta’s mother had spoken of it from time to time, but they had never made any real plans for it, so perhaps her mother hadn’t been nearly as determined about it as Aunt Gertrude tried to insist.

That had been the argument that had convinced her when Lady Gertrude had shown up at her door. Gertrude had insisted that it had been Lady Evalina’s dearest wish that her daughter contract a Society marriage. At the time, Greta had been so delighted to have family to spend time with after having lost all of hers so suddenly that she hadn’t questioned the truthfulness of the words.

Now she finally realized that her mother might not have been so insistent as Gertrude implied.

It didn’t change the current situation though. Greta couldn’t just up and leave the party nor Town. She had committed herself to this course. She wouldn’t respect herself if she just up and quit.

But she needed to do something about Lady Gertrude.

“Perhaps we ought to retire,” Gertrude said, loud enough to make it an announcement of sorts.

“It’s still early, Aunt Gertrude,” Greta returned in a calm voice. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No,” Gertrude returned, sharp in her tone and gaze. “I am just finished with the night air. Surely it isn’t healthful.”

“I am certain this far from Town it is fine for us to spend time out of doors, even in the dark. Isn’t it lovely?” Greta asked in a brighter than usual tone, hoping to goad her aunt into cooperating. “The temperature is nearly perfect for being out of doors. And we so rarely get to see a sky so full of stars.”

Gertrude must have realized that she was being ignorant, so she didn’t offer much of a reply aside from a sniff of disapproval, letting Greta know that she had heard her but wasn’t going to say anything to agree.

Greta grinned in the dim light cast by the flickering candles.

“These pastries are delightful, Mrs. Northcott. Do you know what your cook has put in them? I cannot see clearly enough to be able to quite discern it for myself.”

“I’m glad you are enjoying them, Miss Billingsley,” Lucy countered with a smile and laughter dancing in her gaze, letting Greta know she understood what was taking place with her aunt. Or so Greta supposed, at the very least. “Unfortunately, my cook is a tyrant who refuses to discuss some of his recipes with me. Since he is so very skilled, I haven’t wished to ruffle his feathers, so I haven’t insisted. This is one of his secrets, I’m afraid.”

Gertrude mumbled her disapproval from her place next to Greta but was careful not to be loud enough for Lucy to hear. She at least still had sense enough not to wish to insult the Northcott family.

“Perhaps one of the scholars could use their science to figure it out,” Greta said with a light laugh that she managed to force out in a manner that still sounded genuine.

“They likely could, but they know who rules the roost. They live in terror of going hungry so they would never be so bold as to try to do so,” Lucy countered with laughter of her own.

Finally, the evening concluded without Greta having a chance to return to the lenses. Her heart was heavy in her chest and her limbs reflected her disappointment as she climbed the stairs to the room she had been allotted with Aunt Gertrude.

Gertrude was prattling about Lord Eustace, but Greta barely heeded her, so deep was her disappointment in the evening. She couldn’t even find any curiosity within herself to wonder why her aunt favored the rather aloof nobleman. Lifting her head and shaking it a little, Greta called herself to task.

“It was a lovely evening, wasn’t it?” she asked her aunt, interrupting her chatter about the viscount Greta had no interest in.

“To be sure,” Gertrude murmured with little enthusiasm.

“It makes me a trifle homesick to be in the country. You must miss your home after so long away,” she added.

“Not overmuch. Being with you is a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make on behalf of your dear, beloved mother.”

Greta almost snorted but managed not to be so uncouth.

“It was a novel way to spend the evening. What a delightful idea Mrs. Northcott had to invite the lot of us here.” Greta was determined to remain positive about the experience despite her natural inclination toward pessimism. She was trying to exert her independence and perhaps adjust her own outlook at the same time.

“Of course,” Aunt Gertrude managed to choke out the words. What else could she say? Greta stifled her smile.

“I’m certain parties such as this will become ever so popular. She will set a new fad.” Greta couldn’t help her enthusiasm after the delight of seeing the stars so clearly even if it was too short a time.

“Surely not.” Lady Gertrude had clearly reached the limit of her forbearance on the topic. It was good that they had reached their chamber before she burst with her disapproval. “If it would not cause greater talk than our presence here likely will, I would have our carriage readied at first light and return to Town.”

Greta was stunned. “But my lady, why?” She frowned at her aunt as their maid hurried forward to help with getting them ready for bed. “I know this isn’t your favourite event, but surely it isn’t as bad as all that. I, for one, am quite enjoying myself.”

“Well, that’s your father’s blood showing, isn’t it? This is why you need me to guide you. You don’t know the right way to go on. You’ll waste yourself on some no name cit if I don’t watch out for you. Just like your mother did and lived to regret it.”

Greta pulled back from her aunt. “You’d best watch your tongue, my lady. I mean you no disrespect, but I shan’t attend to words spoken against my father.” Greta lifted her chin and stared at her aunt, making an effort not to allow her expression to turn into a glare.

Gertrude clearly saw she had overstepped. “No, no, I meant his dear soul no disrespect, do not get yourself into a taking. But you know you don’t know the best way to go on. Your poor mother was always lamenting that you were much more in the Billingsley mien than in our family’s tendencies.”

“And is that so very terrible? My mother did choose to wed with my father, after all.” Greta countered her aunt’s words, trying to hold onto her temper.

“Young love can be so blind,” Lady Gertrude pronounced with a firm nod. “That is why I am trying to guide you toward a fine, titled gentleman despite your more plebian leanings. It is for the betterment of your lineage, don’t you know.”

“My lineage is just fine,” Greta replied with as much dignity as she could muster when all she wanted to do was throw herself on the bed and weep over her losses. “And there is no need to be rude to our hosts, my lady, just because you might not find it as fascinating as some of us. There is nothing wrong with showing a bit of interest in the sciences. Lords Northcott and Adelaide certainly lend their support to these worthy endeavours so you cannot claim that it is bad ton .”

“No, no, of course not, I just do not wish for you to develop the reputation of a bluestocking.”

“I really doubt we need fear that,” Greta countered as she turned away from her aunt to start disrobing, her tone very dry. “I’m hardly intelligent enough in any case.”

Now Lady Gertrude bristled in her defence. “That is far from the truth. Your mother often crowed about your intelligence. She was both proud and despairing of it, to be frank with you. Now don’t take a pet with me. I truly do mean the best for you. I hope you know it.”

Greta sighed. For the most part she believed that it was true. The trouble was that they disagreed on what that best really was. But it wasn’t the time or place to argue about it. She only hoped her aunt could keep her true thoughts to herself for the rest of their time at the Scholarly Estate.

The next day dawned sooner than Greta would have liked considering it had taken her some time to settle into slumber after her conversation with Gertrude the night before. As usual, though, she was awake much earlier than her aunt, a fact for which she was grateful.

Who would she encounter in the breakfast room?