Page 24 of An Heiress and An Astronomer (Gentleman Scholars #3)

G reta was wearing a trail in the floor of the front receiving room with her pacing from the settee to the window. She was a fool. He had likely been in his cups the night before. Why would such an intelligent gentleman wish to match with her? He hadn’t even wanted her to be included in his treasure hunt. Had she completely misunderstood his intentions?

Her sigh filled the room.

“Whatever is the matter with you? You’ve been full of fidgets all day,” Lady Gertrude complained as she walked into the room. “Are you expecting someone?”

Greta didn’t have an answer for the other woman. She was well aware that her aunt was less than enthused about the scholar and even seemed unconvinced that Greta ought to wed sooner than later. Greta didn’t intend to confide in the less than helpful woman.

“All is well,” Greta finally answered, ignoring her aunt’s sceptical expression.

“Well, I am on my way to Bond Street to replenish my supply of certain things. Would you care to accompany me?”

“No, thank you, my lady. I think I would likely irritate you with my fidgets.”

“I thought you said you were well,” Lady Gertrude countered, suspicion colouring her tone.

“I am perfectly fine, just restless.”

“Then you ought to accompany me, in that case,” Lady Gertrude said firmly.

“Thank you, my lady, but I think perhaps I ought to lie down.” Greta never napped and really had no intention of doing so that day, either, but she needed to be rid of her aunt if Pierce was to call. She couldn’t have the older woman interfering before she had things settled one way or the other. Surely her maid would be sufficient for lending her countenance.

Gertrude looked at her niece askance but allowed herself to be persuaded from the room. “I shan’t be long,” she said by way of leave-taking.

“Perhaps you ought to bring one of the footmen,” Greta called out with a smile, hoping her aunt would consider her agreeable.

“What a delightful idea, thank you, dear,” Gertrude said, quickening her pace to go about her errands.

Greta resumed her pacing after she heard the door closing behind her aunt. Thankfully before much longer there was the sound of the knocker resonating throughout the house.

Greta ran to the settee and settled her skirts just as the footman came to enquire if she was available to callers.

“Thank you, Hubert, you may show him in,” she said, making an assumption that she hoped wouldn’t embarrass her.

“Mr. Pierce Darby to see you, Miss,” the footman announced as Pierce stepped into the room.

It took considerable effort for Greta to remain seated and seemingly unaffected by the announcement.

“Thank you, Hubert,” she said to the footman. “Could you please have the housekeeper deliver us some refreshments?” She thought to ask for her maid to attend her as well but then decided having the servants milling about would be sufficient, besides the fact that Aunt Gertrude could return at any moment.

Greta finally got to her feet and turned to face her caller, bidding her heart to remain in its place and not to bring her untold amounts of embarrassment.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Darby,” she greeted even as she dipped into a slight curtsy.

“Thank you, Miss Billingsley,” he said with a formal bow to her. “I hope I am not inconveniencing you by my call. I know this isn’t your day to be at home to visitors, but I had presumed to hope you would see me.

“How do you do?” she asked in lieu of anything else to say. Awkwardness swept through her as she wondered how to ascertain the purpose for his call. Anticipation quickly followed the awkward sensation. He had called. That was the point that mattered, at least to her.

He began pacing in front of her, running a hand roughly through his hair. The way the strands settled Greta was reasonably sure it was far from the first time he had made the gesture.

“Are you well? Would you care to take a seat? I have asked that refreshments be sent up if you would care to stay for a few moments.”

“Thank you, Greta. I’m not sure if I can be seated, I’m just that upset at the moment.”

“What has happened?” Dismayed, Greta hurried toward him, her hand outstretched as though to offer some sort of comfort. She hadn’t thought it through, but it would seem neither did he as he grasped her hand and held it fast between both of his.

“The Royal Society wants me to present them with my telescope,” he said, sounding as though he were overflowing with despair.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Greta was confused. “I thought you were thrilled that they would see you.”

“I was,” he exclaimed. “But that was when I thought they would trust me and believe the evidence I presented to them. I had no idea they would demand to claim my lenses.”

“Claim them,” Greta repeated, a frown forming as she tightened her hold on his hands. “For themselves, do you mean? Can they do that? Have they ever done that to anyone else?”

“I don’t know,” he answered with a mournful shake of his head. “I fear I may have taken offence and panicked like a schoolboy. I’m not certain of anything at the moment. Not about the science at any rate.”

He sighed heavily, running his hand through his hair once more but retaining a firm grip on her hand with the other, his focus clearing and his gaze settling on her.

“I came straight here. I probably shouldn’t have done so as I’m unlikely to be fit for company, but I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted to share my feelings with.”

Greta blinked as warmth spread from the tips of her toes to the top of her head and anywhere in between, settling delight deep in her heart even as she tried valiantly to keep her head.

“Have you need of a solicitor?” she asked quietly. “I have done business with a couple whom I would trust with any of my personal affairs, but I am uncertain if they would have any knowledge of your type of situation.”

Pierce’s smile melted what was left of any resistance she might have felt toward him, and it took considerable concentration not to throw her arms around him. For comfort, of course, she insisted to herself even as she knew she was deluding herself.

“I appreciate that. I won’t return to them without a lawyer by my side, but I’m not sure if I will be returning.”

Greta nodded in agreement but really wanted to understand what he was thinking. “Why did you want to meet with them in the first place? What can they do for you that you cannot do on your own or with the Northcotts’ assistance?”

Pierce’s smile dimmed somewhat, and he sighed anew. “I thought they would garner me the respect I hunger for. Now I’m not sure I even respect them.”

“You don’t feel respected?” Greta asked, surprised and dismayed. “By anyone specifically or in general everyone?” Heat flushed her cheeks. “Forgive me if this is an unforgivably rude question.”

“Not rude in the least,” Pierce replied, smiling into her attentive gaze. “I would say everyone. I don’t feel as though anyone truly respects what I have discovered.”

Now Greta found herself patting his hand where it clasped hers. “I am so dreadfully sorry that you feel that way,” she said, meaning it for all she was worth. “If it’s any comfort, I respect you immensely. I cannot even begin to fathom the amount of time and effort that must have gone into refining your lenses and make it so that we can see even more than was previously discovered. And I’m certain Roderick and Lucy have a great deal of respect for your discoveries.”

“I appreciate that, thank you,” Pierce said.

Greta began to get worked up. “Do the other gentlemen at your institute not support you? I was surprised several had left when we were coming, but I thought it was because they didn’t want their home overrun with guests, not out of a disrespect for your work. How terrible for you.”

“Oh, no, you were correct, they left so that their bedchambers could be used, and they didn’t wish to witness the property being taken over by those who cannot appreciate what we do.” His lips twisted with wry amusement. “That was a direct quote, not my words. I know you had an appreciation for the sciences.”

“I think some of the others did, too, they just are not used to thinking about things out of their usual realm.”

“Greta, I must say it is immensely gratifying to hear your support.”

His words sounded heartfelt, and Greta’s stomach clenched with anticipation as his gaze searched hers. His free hand rose as though of its own volition to caress the back of her neck.

“I fear I must kiss you now,” he whispered as his head lowered toward hers.

Greta’s lips parted but she wasn’t certain if it was to grant permission or to question why he feared. But before she could voice either thought, all further thought fled her mind as his lips suited words to action and she finally experienced the first kiss of her life.

It did not disappoint. Except for its brevity. Before she could uncurl her toes or lose her senses completely from lack of breath, he was lifting his head from hers even as he continued to search her gaze.

“Ought I to apologize once more?” he asked with a lopsided smile, his voice rougher than previously.

Greta was relieved that he continued to hold onto her for she feared she would float right out of the room if not for his hands upon her.

She shook her head and grinned. “It’s kind of you to offer, though.”

Suddenly the clatter of the cart approaching startled Greta enough that she nearly leapt across the room, but again Pierce’s firm clasp held her in place. Finally, before the housekeeper bustled into the room, he unhanded her, and she made her way across to her seat with as much dignity as she could muster.

Had she just thrown herself at a gentleman? Greta was mortified. Did she owe him an apology?

“Thank you,” Greta murmured to the housekeeper as that good woman cast her knowing glances even as she poured the tea for them and arranged biscuits on plates. When she couldn’t busy herself with any more tasks, she finally made her way from the room, making a show of leaving the door open but then pulling it halfway shut with a wink directed at her mistress.

Greta was embarrassed but there was little she could do about the matter.

“Do you really have multiple lawyers and solicitors?” Pierce asked, his voice restored to its usual timber, leaving Greta further embarrassed when her hand shook as she reached for her tea.

It took a moment for her to clear her throat and take a sip of tea before she could answer him coherently.

“I do have need of them for various business dealings that were left to me by my father and grandfather.”

Pierce nodded before grinning at her. “And to make sufficient arrangements for your future children, right?”

Greta didn’t think her blush had yet faded so it was likely that her face was turning crimson at this point, but she offered him a smile and nodded.

“Do you think you would consider my suit?” he asked, not quite able to meet her gaze now. “I know you have been considering various gentlemen with titles and if that is your desire, I will try to understand as that isn’t something I will ever be able to provide for you. Not unless terrible tragedy were to befall my family so I cannot wish it for you.”

“No, of course not,” she stammered, unsure how to answer him. Of course, she would consider his suit. But was he actually asking to pursue her or merely inquiring if she would consider it? “A title isn’t of high importance to me. I cannot see that it does one much good unless you had a mind to sit in the House of Lords.”

“So would you, then?”

“Would I what?” Greta had no desire to put herself beyond the pale by proposing to him herself.

“Would you consider me a candidate for your husband?” Pierce burst out.

Before she could answer him, and without any desire to put her own heart on the line, Greta required a bit more information.

“Are you offering yourself as a candidate?”

“But of course,” Pierce said immediately. “I just kissed you, didn’t I?”

“Does that automatically mean we must wed?”

“No,” he said, “But I wouldn’t have done so if I wasn’t hoping.”

His bashful, hopeful smile made Greta grin.

“Since you are a man of science. A highly respectable man of science at that,” she began, “Could you tell me why I ought to consider you a candidate for marriage?”

“I will never mistreat you or our children,” he began earnestly. “I will offer you the respect that I would hope to receive. I will especially respect your wishes when it comes to the dispensation of your inheritance. And I would like to think that I am in a position to understand the duality of your background that seems to confound you.”

The breath caught in the back of Greta’s throat at his last words.

“How do you know about that?”

“It is evident to anyone who comes to know you, I would think,” Pierce said with a frown before his face cleared. “I suppose it might take a studious person to see it, perhaps. But I can see that you’re torn between your mother’s world and your father’s. I understand this conflict as I have one foot still in Society while most of me is in academia.”

“What of your search for treasure?” she asked. “Would you let me help? I truly don’t have need for any more wealth if it did turn out to be something of intrinsic value. But I would be thrilled for you if we were to find that it is a lost library as you hope.”

“How rich are you, then?” Pierce asked with a laugh before waving away his question. “Never mind, that hardly matters. I am not asking to wed you for your wealth, although if you have sufficient to ensure we have a roof over our heads until I can decide what to do about my lenses, that will be very helpful. But I would be more than thrilled to have your help with the search.”

He paused, appearing sheepish before he continued. “That being said, though, I would rather focus on my scientific endeavours for a time rather than pursuing the treasure. If you want to continue the investigation, I am sure the other fellows will appreciate your help. I will introduce you to Adriana. She will be delighted to have another woman involved.”

“Thank you,” she replied primly even as she had to control the urge to throw herself back into his arms.

“So then you’ll have me?” Pierce asked eagerly. “I apologize that I must refine too much on certainty, but it is the scientist in me, I’m sure you understand.”

Greta laughed with joy as she finally did what she had been wanting to do, throwing herself at him in a literal sense as he opened his arms and engulfed her close to his heart.

“I am thrilled that you need certainty as it is something I appreciate as well,” she whispered into his shoulder as she held him tight. “And I would be completely honoured to become your wife. Thank you.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Lady Gertrude nearly bellowed, causing the pair to flinch, but to Greta’s delight Pierce didn’t completely let go of her. They stood to face her aunt while he held her hand tight.

“Good afternoon, Lady Gertrude, the meaning is that your niece has just honoured me by agreeing to become my wife.”

Greta ignored her aunt, turning to Pierce with laughter threatening to spill out of her, so deep was her delight. “How soon do you think we could wed and leave Town?”

“I am sure we could arrange it all in a matter of days.”

“No, you cannot,” Gertrude stammered. “You haven’t consulted with me. I do not agree to this.”

“But aunt, you have already put yourself out so much on my behalf, you ought to be relieved that I am freeing you to return to your husband.” Greta didn’t care if she was stretching the truth. She herself was relieved enough for the two of them.

“No, Greta, my dear child, you cannot throw yourself away on this nobody.”

It was exactly as Pierce feared, but Greta wouldn’t allow her aunt to speak in such a manner. “He is far from a nobody, Lady Gertrude. He is a distinguished scientist and scholar. That is enough for me. But for Society’s gratification, he is also well enough born to be received in the highest circles. He is an Ingleshire, remember. We shall do quite well, I am certain.”

Gertrude huffed her disdain for her niece’s words and so turned to Pierce. “If you are so high and important, why would you want someone so insignificant as her?”

Greta flinched but awaited Pierce’s answer. He didn’t leave her to wait long. He tucked her under his arm in a warm side embrace as he faced her aunt.

“She is far from insignificant on any count,” he began, “but to answer your question, despite the illogical nature of my answer, it is simply because I love the woman and cannot bear the thought of living my future without her.”

Greta reached around and pulled his head down toward her, eager to prove that she returned the sentiment, ignoring Lady Gertrude’s sputtering in the background.

Delight poured through Greta as she realized the future was opening before them.