Page 6 of Enamored with the Bluestocking (Romances of Intrigue #4)

“Sarah?”

Looking up from her embroidery, Sarah’s smile of greeting fixed in place as her father barreled into the room, something in his hand.

“Your father and I would like an explanation for this ,” her mother demanded, flinging out one hand as her father held up a book. “We told you, Sarah, we insisted that there would be not a single book in this house and yet here you are, finding yourself another book to read and – ”

“It was a gift.” Sarah spread out her hands, her shoulders lifting gently. “I could not simply refuse it, Mama, could I?” She watched as her mother looked to her father, a silent exchange going on between them. Her heart began to pound, fear beginning to grab a hold of her. She had not meant to leave the book lying around, had meant to hide it away so that it would not be discovered and yet, somehow, she had managed to do precisely the opposite.

“Who gave you this gift?” Lord Harcastle demanded, his voice low and filled with an anger which Sarah could not hide from. “It is not the sort of thing that a gentleman would bring and therefore, it must have been a friend or acquaintance.”

“Yes, it was,” Sarah answered, refusing to speak Lady Catherine’s name for fear that her parents would refuse to permit the lady to call upon her again. “I have been blessed with a good few visitors since my accident and it was one of them who brought me it. I could not say that I was not permitted such a thing, for that would have brought about a good many questions and I was well aware that you wanted to avoid such things for fear that I would reveal myself to be a bluestocking.” This all came out in something of a rush as Sarah tried to recall where that book would have been and how it could have been found. Closing her eyes, she briefly recalled reading it the previous evening before she retired – though it had only been for a few minutes, given that she had been so very tired. In that tiredness, she had clearly forgotten to put her book back in a hidden place and mayhap either the maid had discovered it, or her mother had found it herself when she had come in search of her.

“There was nothing wrong in accepting it,” her father said, slowly, his eyes still searching hers as though to make certain that he understood everything, “but thereafter, you should have given it to us. You know that there is an understanding between us – we have taken you to London knowing that there is to be no reading on your part, no furthering of your bluestocking tendencies and if you insist on returning to it, then I will insist on returning you to our estate! I do not want to have a bluestocking for a daughter and therefore, it is to be hidden from everyone in society… and clearly, it is not being hidden if you are receiving gifts from acquaintances!”

“It was from someone who knows me well, father, that is all,” Sarah said quickly. “It is not as though it is some new acquaintance who has learned this about me.”

With a sniff, Lord Harcastle looked away. “I do not like to hear of it, all the same. From now on, Sarah, if you are given a gift of a book, then they are to be immediately given to your mother or to myself so we can place them in the library. Do I make myself clear?”

Wanting to say that she thought her parents were being both a little ridiculous and that there was nothing that would stop her from finding a book to read even if they took every single book from the house and burned it, Sarah simply nodded, not trusting her voice.

“Good.” Lord Harcastle seemed to deflate a little, handing the book to his wife. “It is just as well you went to find our daughter this morning, my dear. We might not have discovered this otherwise.”

A scratch at the door caught everyone’s attention and, after a moment, Lord Harcastle called for the footman to enter.

“Lady Catherine has called,” the footman informed them all. “She is waiting in the carriage.”

“We are to go to look for some new ribbons for our bonnets,” Sarah explained quickly, getting to her feet. “I will be careful on my foot, of course. That is why the carriage has come to take us.” She glanced from her mother to her father and, after a moment, Lord Harcastle sighed and then nodded.

“Very well. Though you are not to set foot in a bookshop, Sarah.”

“I understand,” Sarah said, refusing to give him her promise that she would do as he said but all the same, saying something that would content him. “Might I be excused?”

“Are you going with her, my dear?” Lord Harcastle asked his wife but Sarah quit the room just as quickly as she could, refusing to give her mother any time or any reason to join with them. Stopping only for her bonnet and gloves, she hurried into the carriage and sat back opposite Lady Catherine.

“Do hurry,” she said, urgently. “I fear that my mother may decide to attend with us after what has been said to me this afternoon!”

Without hesitating, Lady Catherine reached up to rap on the roof and the carriage immediately pulled away. Sarah glanced out of her window, just in time to see her mother coming to stand on the front step of the house, her elbows akimbo and frustration lining her expression.

Letting out a long sigh of relief, Sarah closed her eyes and rested her head back against the squabs.

“Has something happened?” Lady Catherine asked, as Sarah let relief soften every part of her frame. “You appear a little distressed.”

“My mother and father found the book you gave me,” Sarah explained, opening her eyes. “They told me that I must give them any book that I am given as a gift now. Thereafter, my father reminded me that if I am caught with a book in my possession again, if I am continuing on with my bluestocking ways, then he will have no other choice but to return me to his estate.”

“Goodness.” Lady Catherine’s eyes widened. “Are you quite all right?”

“Of course I am.” Sarah sighed and shook her head. “It is disappointing to hear them speak in such a way, I confess, but what can be done? I would much rather that they supported me in my determination to expand my mind as much as I can but if they refuse to do so, then I must do so secretly.”

Lady Catherine’s eyes twinkled, her lips quirking. “Then I presume you are not in the least bit turned away from the idea of going to the bookshop today?”

“Not in the least!” Sarah answered, spiritedly. “My father stated that I was not to set foot in a bookshop and while I told him that I understood, I did not say that I agreed. Therefore, I have every determination still to go there with you, though I may have to rethink how I am to get those books home! I did not hide my book last evening and that is why it was discovered.”

“I am certain that you will think of a way,” Lady Catherine answered, glancing out of the window. “Though we can rest as much as you require during our time here at the shops. I do not want your ankle to grow all the more painful.”

Sarah smiled. “It is getting better and better every day, I assure you though I thank you for your concern.”

Lady Catherine chuckled as she glanced out of the window again. “I wonder if Lord Downfield will spy us here? It may be that he has come to find out this Tom Jones and will spend many hours looking for him.” She laughed again as Sarah grinned. “I did think that your little helpful comments to him were very well done though I personally would not have been as generous!”

“I do not know if he was more angry or frustrated once we finished speaking,” Sarah answered, as the carriage came to a slow stop. “I think he thought that I would be very generous indeed with my clues and yet, when I was not, he appeared all the more upset.”

Lady Catherine shrugged. “It will do him good to be spoken to in such a way, even though he does not appreciate it. To be told that you are prideful and that this will do you good must be very difficult to hear, though I know that I do not shy away from saying it and that you do not either!”

Sarah laughed again as the carriage door opened. “I do not either, of course. I do wonder how long it will be until he discovers the truth… and how upset he will be thereafter!”

“Indeed. Mayhap we shall go to the milliner’s first?”

Sarah nodded. “If we are to go to the bookshop, it must be when it is quiet and when there are not many others present. I do not want any young lady to tell my mother that they saw me there, for fear of what that might do!”

“I quite understand.”

So saying, Lady Catherine stepped out of the carriage and Sarah was handed down next. Her ankle twinged as she set her foot on the ground and she winced, catching the concerned look from her friend.

“It will pass in a moment,” she said, trying to reassure Lady Catherine. “So long as we walk slowly and not for too long, all shall be well.”

“Very well. You may link arms with me too, if that is any help.”

Sarah made to do so, only for someone to catch her eye. Her breath hitched, catching in her chest as she looked straight into the face of Lord Downfield. He was some distance away, his brow furrowed and his eyes a little narrowed as though he was displeased about seeing her, but Sarah forced herself not to look away. Instead, she inclined her head just a little but kept her gaze steady, seeing the gentleman do the same.

Then, he began to approach.

“Oh, goodness,” she breathed as Lady Catherine caught the movement, looking out ahead of them. “He is so close to the bookshop and so determined, I am sure, to get the answer. Do you think he has gone inside as yet? Do you think he has realised that it is in literature that this gentleman can be found?”

There was no time for her question to be answered for Lord Downfield was within hearing distance and, seeing him still gaze at her, Sarah forced a smile.

“Might I hope that your presence here this afternoon is to introduce me to this acquaintance of yours?” he asked, seeming to forget that there was even a greeting to be offered. “Perhaps you have decided that all of this is nothing more than a foolishness and you are now to bring it to an end?”

“Good afternoon, Lord Downfield,” Sarah said, pointedly. “And are you enjoying this fine afternoon sunshine we are enjoying?”

Lord Downfield blinked and then, much to Sarah’s surprise, a deep flush began to creep up his neck and into his face. Evidently, he had not realized that he had been a little rude in his approach and now, perhaps realizing so, was a little embarrassed by it. That was interesting, certainly for she had not expected him to be so.

“Good afternoon, Lady Sarah, Lady Catherine.” Lord Downfield inclined his head and looked away, even though he had lifted his head from his bow. “I am not, however, enjoying this fine afternoon, given that I have been forced in a hunt where I have very little idea as to where to look.”

“That seems a little ungrateful, given that you are now no longer searching through all of London but are, instead, given only a very small place whereby you must search,” Sarah answered, firmly. “I do not feel any sympathy for you in this, Lord Downfield.”

The edge of his lip curled. “I believe that sympathy is a trait that should be found in every young lady.”

A slight flicker of annoyance etched itself into Sarah’s expression. “And might I ask if you believe that every gentleman should have the same trait, Lord Downfield?”

His chin lifted. “Of course.”

“Then,” Sarah answered, warming to the conversation, “you must feel rather ashamed that you showed me so little sympathy when you stood so heavily upon my foot and caused me to wrench my ankle?” She did not look away from him but kept her gaze fixed and steady, her eyes determined and, as the silence grew between them, Sarah’s heart lifted in an ever-increasing sense of triumph. Lord Downfield, it appeared, was unable to answer her question and therefore, had chosen to linger in silence. He turned his head, rubbed one hand over his chin and then shook his head before opening his mouth… and then closing it again.

“I think you are without an answer for my friend, Lord Downfield,” Lady Catherine interjected, as the gentleman’s flushed face began to heat to an even greater color than before. “That is quite all right, you know. You can simply say nothing if you please.”

“I am not without words,” came the answer as Lord Downfield shot an angry look towards Lady Catherine. “I – I admit that I may have spoken a little hastily there.”

“You spoke in the hope of making me feel a little embarrassed about something lacking within myself while refusing to recognise that you had no sympathy whatsoever when it came to the injury you caused,” Sarah stated, without hesitation. “Now, as regards your issue with Tom Jones, I will give you no more than I have already given. I do not think it would be fair to do so otherwise.”

Lord Downfield said nothing, giving her only a long look, a small sigh and then, with a shrug, made his way from them. Sarah let her gaze linger on him for a few moments longer, taking in his broad frame, his tall stature. He was someone who could easily intimidate others simply by leaning over them or by standing too close but she herself was not about to permit him to do such a thing. She had enough courage within her to stand up to her parents – whether they were aware of it or not – and Lord Downfield was no different, at least not to her mind!

“The milliner’s, then?”

Sarah laughed and nodded, linking arms with Lady Catherine and, putting Lord Downfield out of her mind, walked with her friend towards the milliner’s.

***

“Do you think that we can step inside now?”

Sarah glanced from right to left. It would soon be time for her to return home so they could prepare for the evening and as yet, they had not stepped into the bookshop. “I – I suppose that we could, yes.”

“Do you still want to go?”

Sarah nodded. “I certainly do. There are so many books that I should like to read and new publications that I must simply know about! It does not look as though many of the ton are present, so I think that – ”

“He is in a book ?!”

Before Sarah could even make her way into the shop, before she could even step towards the door, it was flung open and a gentleman tore out of it, one finger pointed in her direction.

“I spoke to the shopkeeper and he laughed at me!” he exclaimed, as Sarah caught her breath, Lord Downfield’s upset a little overwhelming. “He tried to hide it but I could see it in his expression. How dare you trick me in such a way? How dare you pretend that this was someone I ought to be acquainted with?”

Despite the clamoring of her heart, Sarah did not back away, nor did she even step back. Instead, she moved forward, lifting her hand to knock away his finger. “I hardly think that you need to be upset over the fact that you are not well read, Lord Downfield,” she said, clearly, her hand clasping his so that he could not point it in her direction again. “That is hardly my fault. I did not ever tell you that Tom Jones was a real and genuine person, did I?”

Lord Downfield blinked, his face red. “I... ”

“Did I?” she repeated, a little more firmly now. “Or did I simply make it clear that he was someone you ought to acquaint yourself with? I am surprised to know that a gentleman who has been to Eton had not read Henry Fielding’s book!”

Again, Lord Downfield blinked, only for him to step back and then shake his head. “I – I suppose you did not.” His voice was quieter now, his eyes no longer holding hers.

“I can see that you are incensed by this supposed duplicity of mine, but I am certain I told you these questions of mine, these little tricks would be mysteries, did I not? And if I called them that, then surely you would understand that they were not about to be simple and straightforward?” She squeezed his hand and then released it. “Or was that unclear to you?”

The gentleman did not answer. Instead, he shook his head again, passed one hand over his eyes and then shoved his fingers through his hair, his hat held in the other hand. The sunshine brushed across his fair hair, making it appear almost golden and when he looked back at her, Sarah snatched in a breath.

Despite this moment, despite the tension and the clear upset, there was something about the way that Lord Downfield was looking at her that seemed to pull all of the air from around her so that she could not take in even the smallest amount. She had already admitted to herself that he was handsome but now that they were standing so close, now that they were so near to each other, it was as though she were seeing him in an entirely new light.

It swept over her and Sarah swallowed hard, stepping back so that she could be beside Lady Catherine again. Suddenly, the notion of stepping into the bookshop when Lord Downfield was present was now no longer as welcoming a thought.

“I think we should take our leave, Lady Catherine,” she said, looking to her friend who nodded in clear agreement, her gaze a little icy as it swept over Lord Downfield. “Good afternoon, Lord Downfield.”

“Wait!” His hand reached out and caught her wrist, sending a rippling shock up over her skin. “I have given you the answer, have I not? I have told you that it is Tom Jones, the literary character in Henry Fielding’s novel.”

She shook her head, tension raking up her spine. “You have not told me about his character and his behaviour and how it differs from your own,” she said, as steadily as she could. “You do recall that this is what was required, I hope?”

Lord Downfield scowled. “But that means that I shall have to read the book.”

“And by reading it, further educate yourself,” Sarah answered, pulling her wrist from his grip. “That cannot be too bad a thing, can it?” Without giving him a chance to answer, she slipped her arm through Lady Catherine’s and, limping slightly, let her friend lead her back towards the carriage.