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“An excellent book,” he said, enjoying the surprise in her eyes.

“I came upon a copy purely by chance. Elizabeth Elstob is found somewhere far back on my family tree, and naturally a kind-hearted ancestor purchased her book but never actually read it. It remained pure and untouched on the shelf, like Perrault’s sleeping beauty, until I found it. ”

What was wrong with him? Could he not avoid sensual allusions even for a sentence or two? Hastily, he added, “And learned to pick my way through various selections.”

“What interested you about reading such old English?” she asked.

“Boyish flights of fancy. Being, in my imagination, Beowulf defeating a monster, or a seafarer on a vessel plunging through stormy seas….” He grimaced. “And you?”

“I like languages. They’re a kind of code, you see—as well as windows on the past, in the case of Anglo-Saxon.

It was fun reading it aloud and comparing how it might have been pronounced to present-day English, and noting what has changed greatly and what hasn’t.

I learned to read Greek and Latin for the fun of it, as well as the usual French and Italian with my governess, many years ago. ”

“You’re a scholar!” He grinned.

L ucinda narrowed her eyes at Restive. Was he mocking her? Perhaps, although his smile seemed genuine. It made her want to like him, not just a little, but very much—as much as she’d done years ago.

But then, didn’t all libertines have beguiling smiles? With a shrug, she said, “I like to think so.”

“The bluestockings will be thrilled,” Dorothea said.

Ah, so that’s what pleased Restive. He didn’t want her to come, but he recognized the value of her ability to fit in with ladies she was obliged to suspect of sedition or even treason. Nothing to do with her actual scholarly bent.

Thank heavens for that. She wouldn’t want to actually start believing him.

All too soon, dinner was over, and before she had time for a bracing cup of tea, Restive hurried her into his carriage.

It was uncomfortable being shut into a vehicle with him.

It felt far too intimate, which only went to show that the rules against a single lady riding in a closed carriage with a gentleman made a great deal of sense.

He was far too large and male and close.

Seductive, even, which both attracted and appalled her.

She clasped her hands in her lap and prayed he wouldn’t start another of his stupid flirtations.

He gazed out the window, saying nothing. She fidgeted with the fingertips of her gloves.

“Fretting about the upcoming meeting?” he asked after a while. “You needn’t.”

“If you must know, I detest the idea of suspecting perfectly innocent ladies.”

“But you didn’t mind suspecting me?” he grated.

“Actually, I was horrified at the thought, but I feared it was a case of treason—which may seem unfair to you, but how was I to know? This is different. These ladies are more likely to be involved in sedition, if anything, and even if some aren’t innocent, I shan’t like to inform on them.

Most likely they sincerely believe in the necessity of whatever they are plotting. ”

“Perhaps, but they’ll harm others in the process—as do traitors. You’d be surprised how many seemingly respectable people find themselves dabbling in treason,” he said with more than a touch of bitterness, then took a breath. “I don’t like spying much either, but needs must.”

“I suppose so, but why must you do it? Your estate appears profitable. Do you have gambling debts?”

“No, I never wager beyond what I can afford. In fact, I find wagering to be a dead bore.”

Some devil prompted her to prod him further. “Do you see espionage as a sort of adventure, then, like Beowulf or a seafarer?”

“Not at all,” he said shortly. “I’m not a lad anymore.”

“Then what?”

He didn’t respond, and she said with a tiny chuckle, “I suppose it’s none of my business.”

“It’s not, but feel free to rudely pry into my private life if it makes up for my odious behavior.” The coach came to a halt. “You’ll have to wait till later, though. Here we are at Lady Alice’s.”

The groom had scarcely let down the steps when Lady Alice hurried out her door and across the pavement. “Algy dear, so very kind of you to accompany me to my meeting.” She climbed into the coach. “Oh, who’s this?”

“You’ve met Miss Belair before,” Restive said, relinquishing the place beside Lucinda and moving to the rear-facing seat. “Her family are my neighbors in the country.”

Lady Alice peered at Lucinda. “Why yes, of course, my dear. Are you interested in scholarly matters? I expect your mother doesn’t allow it. What a pity she didn’t go to her eternal rest first, for your papa was such a reasonable sort of man—and those are far and few between.”

“He was, wasn’t he?” Lucinda couldn’t help but smile at Lady Alice’s frankness. It certainly made it more comfortable to tell the truth. “Mother isn’t in town, so she doesn’t know I’m going to the meeting. I’m staying with Dorothea Hale.”

By now the door was shut and the coach had begun to move. “Miss Belair is coming tonight to do some eavesdropping for me,” Restive said softly. “However, to distance her from my objectionable self, please introduce her as your young friend or something of the sort.”

“Roped her into your little spying game too, have you?” Lady Alice made a face.

“Better you than I, dear child. I’m going deaf, so I don’t hear half of what goes on, thank God.

It’s mostly nonsense, poetry and novels, some politics and philosophy, leaning toward pretentiousness—but no worse than what gentlemen natter on about. ”

“It’s not a game, Auntie,” Restive said.

“True, but I find it easier to think of it as one,” she said.

“One appears light-hearted and amused, the opposite of deadly serious, so no one suspects our true purpose.” She patted Lucinda’s hand.

“I can’t imagine how you escaped your mama, but I’m glad you’re here. How is your little sister doing?”

“Very well, I hope,” Lucinda said. “A few days ago, she eloped with Humphrey Ball.”

Lady Alice laughed. “Truly? How lovely for her. Such a fine young man—but no title and only a smallish estate, so your mama must be furious.”

“Yes, she flew into a rage and threw her vinaigrette at me.”

“So you came to London to give her time to calm down. How practical of you. You must have as much fun as possible before she comes to fetch you. Your year of mourning must be up by now, so she’ll be full of plans to marry you off next.”

“Precisely, which is why I don’t intend to return home,” Lucinda said. “I’m of age and may do as I choose. I shall find employment as a governess or teacher until I come into my inheritance.”

“You don’t wish to wed?”

“And have a man natter at me day after day? Thank you, but no.”

Lady Alice chuckled. “They’re not all bad. My husband was great fun, rest his soul. But you’re quite right, dear. If your inheritance is enough to keep you in comfort, why tie yourself to a tedious man?”