Page 9 of Enamored with the Bluestocking (Romances of Intrigue #4)

“You say you are waiting for her next mystery to be given to you?”

Matthew nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“She was surprised at your revelation, then?”

A small smile touched Matthew’s mouth. “Yes, indeed.”

“Though you did not mean a single word of it, I suppose?” Lord Dover remarked, as Matthew shot him a quick look. The gentleman shrugged and indicated Lord Rutherford. “He and I may have been talking about your situation and the difficulties that are presented with it at the present movement.”

Lord Rutherford shrugged. “I informed him that you had a great deal to say to Lady Sarah but that you were not going to mean a single word of it.”

“Except, I did.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Matthew blinked in surprise, his eyes rounding as astonishment filled him. He had not meant to say anything like that, had not meant to express any sort of truth to his friends and now found himself a little embarrassed by it.

“You… you did?” Lord Stephenson, who had only recently come to join their conversation as they stood in Hyde Park, sounded almost upset. “I did not think that you would be willing to admit to anything like that. From what I understood, you were deeply frustrated with all that Lady Sarah had put to you.”

“I was… I am, of course.” Matthew cleared his throat as he attempted to sort out his thoughts, one from the other. “It is only to say that what she said of me was, much to my frustration, quite true. This figure, this literary character showed more sympathy, consideration and kindness than I ever had. That is not something that I could continue to pretend was not true.” He looked away and lifted his shoulders. “Besides, if I had said such things to her without ever really meaning them, I am quite certain that Lady Sarah would have been aware of it. And then I would have been dragged through further questions and the like and I was certainly not interested in doing such a thing as that! No, I would much rather get on since I have three mysteries still to go until she is done with me.” He did not say a word to any of his friends as regarded his present feelings for the lady, finding that they were confusing him and, in a way, upsetting him greatly. He did not want to have anything other than irritation directed towards Lady Sarah and yet, as they had waltzed, he had found his heart beginning to quake with a sense of delight, of a happiness which he had never expected to feel.

“I suppose that makes sense,” Lord Dover said, after a short silence following Matthew’s words. “She certainly has a great many demands, does she not? I am surprised that you are enduring it so well and without any great complaints!”

At this, Lord Rutherford snorted. “He has been complaining a great deal, Lord Dover. It is only that you have not been around to hear it!”

Matthew opened his mouth to protest, only to close it again as he offered nothing more than a wry smile. Lord Rutherford was quite correct, despite Matthew’s desire to pretend he had not said a single word of complaint as regarded the situation.

“Do you know what her next mystery is to be?” Lord Stephenson’s interest played out in his voice. “I must say, this first one about Tom Jones does have me somewhat intrigued. What sort of young lady reads all eighteen parts of that novel?”

“A young lady who enjoys reading, I would think,” Matthew found himself saying hastily, a defensiveness over the lady beginning to wash over him. “She is the youngest of five children and evidently, had a good many hours by which she might read.” His three friends turned to look at him and, seeing the slight surprise in each of their eyes, Matthew flushed hot. “The next mystery, however, is to do with art of some sort. I do not know what precisely but it is something to do with the French, that much I know.”

“The French?” Lord Rutherford repeated, as Matthew nodded. “Goodness, Lady Sarah must be very well informed as regards the latest offerings of art in France, for even I do not know a great deal about that.”

Matthew considered this as his other friends made much the same remark, silently wondering how it was that Lady Sarah was, in fact, so highly educated. Yes, it was clear that she loved to read but he had only ever considered that she would read novels and other foolishness. Surely she would not be reading articles about art nor, as she herself had said, about crop rotation? That was not something that a young lady ought to be reading, surely?

“There she is.”

Matthew jumped as Lord Rutherford touched his arm, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I beg your pardon?”

“There is Lady Sarah,” Lord Rutherford explained, gesturing to her. “Do you wish to ask her what her mystery is for you? That way, you can begin to proceed and remove yourself from this situation all the more quickly.”

A sudden lurch of Matthew’s heart left him a little off balance and it took him a moment to gather himself. It was almost as though he were pleased to see her, almost as though he was already happily anticipating being in her company. Surely one dance with her could not have brought about this sudden change? It seemed that, after he had spoken with her, after he had admitted to her all that he had recognized about himself in comparison to Tom Jones and after they had danced together, his heart towards her had entirely changed.

It was most disconcerting.

“Yes, I suppose I shall. You are quite right.” Fearful that his friends might notice something in his expression should he linger even a moment longer, Matthew strode directly towards Lady Sarah who was, as always, in the company of Lady Catherine.

“Good afternoon, Lady Catherine, Lady Sarah.” He bowed low, only for the two ladies to exchange a glance, with Lady Sarah offering him a bright smile.

“It seems as though you have remembered that you are to greet us first, rather than simply beginning your conversation,” she remarked, a twinkle in her eye. “Mayhap you will now go on to ask if we are enjoying the afternoon or if we find the fashionable hour too busy?”

Matthew found himself smiling, despite the wry tilt of her lips. “On this occasion, I shall have to disappoint,” he said, as Lady Sarah laughed. “I have, instead, come to ask if you have your second mystery for me, Lady Sarah? I should like to begin my next assignment, if you can call it that.”

Lady Sarah tipped her head, her hazel eyes full of vivacity and life. When she smiled, it was as though the sun shone a little warmer, her curls dancing lightly in the soft breeze. Matthew swallowed hard and looked away, all the more astonished and confused by this strange feeling which was now beginning to take a hold of him all the more strongly. He did not want this game to continue, he reminded himself. He did not want to take part in any further games that Lady Sarah had for him.

So why do I find my heart leaping in hope and anticipation?

“Very well.” Lady Sarah glanced to Lady Catherine, who gave her what appeared to be a reassuring nod. Did she feel some sort of concern in speaking as she did? Or was this nothing more than friendly solidarity?

“There is a new exhibition in Paris, one which features a particular artist, though, sadly, the artist is no longer with us. This work is to be shown for some time and, I believe, will show some pieces which have never yet been seen by society. It is a rather exciting moment and I confess, my own interest has been piqued in reading of it.”

“And you wish for me to know the name of this painter?”

Lady Sarah smiled. “Ah, I did not say this person was a painter now, did I?”

Matthew paused for a moment, considering. “No, you did not. Though I do hope you do not expect me to make my way to France in order to discover the truth?”

At this, Lady Sarah laughed gently and Matthew’s face broke into a smile – a smile which sent a flurry of delight all through him. Lady Sarah’s eyes were dancing and though he had seen such an expression upon her before, he had never felt himself so happy with it. When she had first laughed in his company, he had taken it to be mockery, a teasing which he had been utterly displeased with.

His brows furrowed and he looked away. And I was wrong to think that. I jumped to a hasty judgement and considered the lady very poorly indeed.

“Oh, good gracious, Lord Downfield, do not look so concerned!”

A soft hand touched his and Matthew looked up quickly, seeing the concern now in Lady Sarah’s eyes.

“I will not expect you to go to France, of course not! The news of this exhibition has been in many publications and I am certain you will be able to find it without too much difficulty.”

Matthew smiled quickly, wanting to remove the worry from her expression. “That is a relief. I shall go on with my considerations at this very moment, Lady Sarah.” When she took her hand away from his, Matthew clasped his own behind his back, trying to ignore the way that warmth had run from him, crashing away from him. “Thank you, Lady Sarah. Good afternoon to you both.”

With a nod and a smile, Matthew turned away, only to walk almost directly into Lord Rutherford who was, Matthew noticed, not looking at him but instead, directing his attention towards Lady Catherine.

“I do hope you were not about to take your leave? I was only just coming to join you!” Lord Rutherford exclaimed, as Matthew was forced to turn back, a little astonished at the warmth in his friend’s voice. “Might you be so good as to introduce me, Downfield?”

Shaking off his surprise, Matthew quickly did so, and almost immediately, Lord Rutherford began to strike up a conversation with Lady Catherine, leaving Matthew himself as well as Lady Sarah, to stand quietly and simply listen. Try as he might, Matthew could not think of what he might say to the lady in order to begin a new conversation and, as the minutes dragged on, the more uncertain and confused he became. He did not know what to do nor what to think. He was now standing beside Lady Sarah, a hint of sweet honey in the air which he was certain came from the lady herself, and his entire being was beginning to burn with a confounded heat which he was sure did not only come from the sun.

He glanced at her, seeing her give him a brief smile before turning her gaze away again.

Why can I think of nothing to say?

“Might I ask you something, Lord Downfield?”

Relief poured into him as he turned to face Lady Sarah entirely, nodding fervently. “I should be delighted if you would.” Was it just his own mind or was there a light flicker of color in her cheeks?

“Have you been to France before? My brother went on the Great Adventure and came back with a good many stories which quite ignited my imagination!”

“To France?”

She nodded.

“I have, yes.” Warming quickly to the conversation, Matthew began to talk about all he had seen and heard during his time in France and in other countries besides. “I too went on the Great Adventure, as so many gentlemen do when they are a little younger – before they are then in search of a wife – and found it a most enjoyable experience.”

Lady Sarah smiled and then let out a soft laugh. “I think that must be quite true what you say about gentlemen going there before they are in search of a wife, Lord Downfield. My brother returned from his Great Adventure and, thereafter, found himself engaged within the month! He is quite contented now.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Though you have not done the same as he,” Lady Sarah continued, quietly, her eyes searching his face. “You have not returned home and immediately found yourself a bride.”

Matthew did not quite know what to make of this. Was it a simple observation on her part or did she mean something more by it?

“We certainly shall dance at the very next ball, Lady Catherine, I can assure you of that!”

Lord Rutherford’s exclamation caught Matthew’s attention and, much to his relief, the end of the conversation soon followed thereafter. Lord Rutherford bid farewell to Lady Catherine and to Lady Sarah and Matthew added his own farewell to it though his mind remained filled with questions as regarded Lady Sarah’s last remark to him. Had she simply been making a note of something, remarking upon it as any young lady might do? Or was there a hint of interest, of hope there?

“I do think her a very fine young lady. Thank you for introducing me.”

Coming back to himself rather than remaining lost in thought, Matthew looked to Lord Rutherford who was doing nothing but grinning broadly. “Lady Catherine?”

“Of course Lady Catherine!” Lord Rutherford slapped Matthew on the shoulder, his eyes sparkling. “I must say, she is a very fine young lady indeed! I am looking forward to dancing with her already.” His smile dropped just a little though a flicker of interest remained in his eyes. “I noted that your conversation with Lady Sarah was not altogether terrible. Might it be that things are a little improved between you?”

“Mayhap a little,” Matthew answered, refusing to divulge even the smallest amount of the new consideration he had for the lady. “Though I must say, I am surprised to see you so taken with Lady Catherine so quickly!”

Lord Rutherford chuckled, his attention quickly diverted from the conversation about Lady Sarah. “I did not realise she was as beautiful as she is! I have heard you speak of her tenacity –”

“Her blunt manner and sharp tone,” Matthew interjected, though Lord Rutherford simply waved that away.

“And since I had opportunity now to be introduced, I thought I should take it. I must say, she is a remarkably fine lady indeed!”

“Mayhap your opinion will change when you are on the receiving end of the sharp edge of her tongue,” Matthew remarked dryly but Lord Rutherford only laughed. The conversation continued on but Matthew’s thoughts lingered on Lady Sarah. Their conversation had been very pleasant indeed and though he told himself he ought not to be letting his mind continue to think on her, Matthew could do nothing but that for the rest of the afternoon.