Page 9 of The Viscount’s Forgery (Bluestocking Book Club #4)

L ooking around the room at her friends, Eugenia could not help but feel a slight pang of sorrow, this despite their happiness!

She and Lady Isobella were now the only two ladies without a gentleman, and while that did make her very happy for her friends, she was very aware that there would not be the same connection between them all as had been this Season.

“Well, we have nothing more to decipher, it seems!” Lady Rosalyn said as the ladies set their tea cups down.

“We have had three things to resolve and have managed to come to a satisfactory conclusion with each! The Season will come to a close within the next few months and then we shall all be parted.”

Miss Trentworth chuckled. “Ah, but I am sure we will find more mysteries to discover in the meantime, for I am not quite ready to marry and settle myself down, not as yet. And Lord Albury has been very kind in stating that we can remain in London for a month or two longer before preparations are made for the wedding.”

“Though we will all soon be parted,” Eugenia found herself saying, her heart aching a little. “I shall miss you all dreadfully… especially if I have only my sister for company upon my return to my father’s estate!”

Lady Isobella smiled sympathetically. “Is there no hope of a reconciliation between herself and the Marquess?”

“I cannot say as yet.” Briefly, Eugenia recounted the conversation she had shared with Lord Suffolk, seeing her friends listening carefully so as not to miss any details.

“And thus, I must hope that Lord Suffolk will tell Lord Bothwell all I have said, so that he will make a decision – though what that decision will be, I cannot say with any certainty.”

There was a short silence as each of her friends considered what they were to say. Then, Lady Amelia leaned forward just a little, looking straight at Eugenia. “You are very good to speak so about your sister, especially when she has made things rather difficult for you at times.”

Eugenia winced. “Do not think that I have found it easy, I would not want you all to think me a saint. Yes, I have found it very difficult indeed with Polly, for she not only blamed me for what occurred but declared that I was a bluestocking to both my father and my mother – although my mother has subsequently seemed to ignore all of that and has focused only on Polly.” She sighed and then closed her eyes briefly.

“Yes, she has always fought to be better than I and has pushed herself to the fore, but that has never truly concerned me. I have always had different values and interests than hers, but… but seeing her so very sad has made my heart soften towards her, that is for certain.”

“She does truly love Lord Bothwell, then?”

In answer to Lady Isobella’s question, Eugenia nodded.

“Yes, I think that she does. That does not mean that I disagreed with the Marquess’ statement at the time, when he said he did not feel as though he truly knew Polly; he most certainly did not.

This, mayhap, might be a very good thing if it means that they become better acquainted, but it has been a very long time indeed, and that has caused Polly a good deal of distress. ”

“Then let us hope that Lord Suffolk does share with Lord Bothwell all that you have said.” Lady Amelia’s brow furrowed. “It must be very difficult for Polly, for I cannot imagine what it would be like to find yourself in love with a gentleman who then turns away.”

This brought a moment of somberness to the group, making Eugenia’s heart twist with a fresh wave of sympathy for her sister.

Yes, they had not been the best of friends, and yes, there was much that she would change about their connection, but all the same, Polly was still her sister, and she did still care about her happiness.

These last few months, she had seen her change significantly, going from a vibrant, bright character to someone who had dulled and faded.

Eugenia did not want that for Polly any longer, even if Polly still pushed her away.

“I do not think I know Lord Suffolk,” one of her friends said. “Is he a new acquaintance?”

Eugenia nodded. “Yes, he is close friends with Lord Bothwell.”

“I know of him,” Miss Trentworth said quickly. “He has a vast fortune and is one of the richest gentlemen in England, even if only a Viscount. He has the very best of nearly everything, able to throw his coin in whatever direction he wishes!”

A wry smile touched Eugenia’s lips. “There is a little arrogance within him, certainly, though he did apologize for being a little quick in his remarks about my sister and her motivations.” Seeing the curiosity in her friends' faces, Eugenia quickly explained.

“When Lord Bothwell approached Polly and suggested a walk, Lord Suffolk and I followed with them, and we spoke at length. Alas, nothing of significance came out of that conversation – from my sister and Lord Bothwell, I mean. I think they spoke generally rather than with any specificity.”

“Though mayhap that will come,” Miss Trentworth suggested. “It is good that they were able to speak, at least.”

“Yes, that is true.” Eugenia shrugged. “I may speak to Lord Suffolk again, to see if he has spoken to Lord Bothwell.” She allowed herself a smile.

“I know that he is of a good ilk, for he found me becoming distracted by a painting in the hallway at one of the balls, and he did nothing other than suggest I return to you all.”

The other ladies laughed, though Lady Rosalyn did look a little concerned.

“It is very much like you to be distracted.” Eugenia flushed with a touch of embarrassment.

“But yes, you should be careful. The next time you find yourself drawn to a piece of artwork, it may be that a gentleman without so much merit finds you!”

“I will be careful,” Eugenia promised, with a smile before the conversation turned to what books of interest the other ladies had been reading.

Everyone, Eugenia knew, was aware of her passion for artwork, and on reading just as much as she could about the subject.

It was often somewhat trying when neither her father, mother, nor sister had any interest in the matter and did not like to speak of it, but here, with the other bluestockings, Eugenia had found herself contented and understood.

She did not know what she would do when it all came to an end.

“Good afternoon, Miss Sherwood.”

Eugenia turned quickly, only to see the smiling face of Lord Suffolk drawing near to her. “Oh, Lord Suffolk. Good afternoon.”

“You are here… alone?”

With a small smile, Eugenia shook her head.

“No, my father is present here also, though he is in deep discussion with an acquaintance at present.” She gestured behind her.

“I have my maid with me also.” When her father had expressed an interest in making his way to the British Museum to meet with a few particular acquaintances and inspect some recently discovered wonder, Eugenia had begged to go with him – not for the same purpose, but with the express desire to see the art so prominently displayed.

Her father had not protested, for it was not as though other young ladies did not venture there!

It was a place for society to gather and had increased in popularity a good deal of late, meaning that it was quite reasonable a place for her to attend.

“I see.” Lord Suffolk cleared his throat, his smile fading a little. “I do hope you did not think me improper just now. I did not mean to suggest that you often wander through London without consideration for good company nor propriety.”

“Not at all.”

He nodded, appearing a little relieved. “I hear there is some new curiosity brought to the museum,” he said, waving one arm around vaguely. “I do not know what it is particularly, but I thought, like so many of the ton, that I would come and look at it.”

Eugenia could not help her smile. “You do not know what it is, and yet you thought to come and see it?”

Lord Suffolk’s face reddened. “That sounds quite ridiculous, does it not?” Letting out a hiss of breath, he rubbed at his neck and then lifted his shoulders. “The truth is, Miss Sherwood, I am here in London to enjoy myself and thus, I will go wherever the ton has found something of interest.”

This statement made Eugenia’s heart drop suddenly, though there was no good reason for her to feel any sort of disappointment.

What was it that troubled her so? Was it because she had thought him a sensible, upright gentleman, only to hear him speak of the pleasures he might gain from being present here in London?

He had every right to do just as he pleased.

“You have not seen it, have you?” he asked, when Eugenia said nothing. “This new curiosity?”

She shook her head. “My father went to see it with his friends, but I did not go with him.”

“No?”

The question in his voice made her hesitate.

She could not reveal that, before he had interrupted her, she had been on her way to the art display, could she?

He had already seen her once gazing at a painting on the wall instead of dancing.

Should she tell him the truth, then he might wonder at her interest, might learn of her keen interest in the subject for she certainly would not be able to restrain herself!

Given the many years she had spent keeping her knowledge a secret, hidden from the rest of her family, Eugenia was not certain she ought to do so.

It was not as though she was hiding every part of herself, given that she was a member of the bluestocking book club, but to be so specific might draw Lord Suffolk’s attention – and his disapproval.

If he told Lord Bothwell of it, then was there not a chance that he too would turn against her? And, in turn, against Polly?

“It is much too crowded,” she answered, seeing him smile ruefully in understanding. “I confess, I am not in the least bit inclined towards large gatherings.”

“Something which I noticed at the last ball we attended together,” he said, with a chuckle as Eugenia’s face heated. “Do you find it all a little overpowering?”

“Yes, precisely.” Eugenia resisted the desire to fan at her face.

“There is so much to be aware of! I must think of whom I have already spoken to, who I am expected to speak to, and what I must speak of. I must make sure I have danced at least a few dances, eaten enough to keep me contented, and at all times, behave with propriety and elegance.”

Lord Suffolk’s eyes rounded at the edges. “I confess, I was unaware of just how much was required of young ladies. Gentlemen do not have such concerns.”

“No, they do not.” Eugenia paused briefly, aware of the tug of frustration in her heart. “That is partly why a quieter occasion suits me a good deal better, for there is not so much to think about.”

“Or people to speak with, I suppose,” he added, making her smile.

“That is something to consider, I think. I will, of course, have to do something this Season, whether it be a grand ball or a quieter soiree.” His eyebrows lifted as he considered her.

“Mayhap a quieter soiree would be better, especially if I am to invite your family as well as Lord Bothwell.”

Eugenia’s heart quickened. “You intend to do such a thing?”

“Indeed. I must, as a gentleman of the ton , hold some marvelous occasion whereby some of my friends and acquaintances can come and drink all of my good brandy and make a mess of my townhouse, but at the very same time, I am also aware of your sister’s distress and Lord Bothwell’s confusion.

I did share with him all that you had said, but I cannot tell you whether or not it has made any particular difference to his heart.

If there is more that I can do, however, then I would be willing to do it.

He is my friend, and I do not like to see him so unlike himself. ”

Eugenia clasped her hands at her heart, sympathy and compassion settling there.

“I quite agree, though I have no thought as to what might be put in place by way of encouraging their connection.” She sighed and dropped her gaze.

“Sometimes, I think it would be best for them both to pretend as though none of this had happened, as though they were near to strangers to each other.”

Lord Suffolk’s eyebrows lifted. “You think that would help?”

“I do not know.” With a twist of her lips, she lifted her shoulders.

“I do not have any personal experience of the present state of their hearts, but to my mind, it seems to me as though all that has passed between them has complicated matters. Lord Bothwell is confused over what he knows of her and what he thinks he knows of her, and my sister is fighting against nothing but fear, meaning that she has not even considered her own heart!” Her shoulders dropped.

“If they pretended as if they were newly acquainted, setting aside the past and instead imagining themselves as just considering courtship and nothing more, I do wonder if it might bring some clarity to the situation.”

Lord Suffolk said nothing for a few moments, only to then nod slowly.

“It is an interesting suggestion, I suppose. I can give no other advice nor thought, for as you have said, my heart has no experience of the present situation.” He smiled.

“But what I can do is host a soiree and bring them both to it, so there might be an opportunity for connection and conversation.”

Hearing this, happiness burned up in Eugenia’s chest, spreading into her heart. “That would be very much appreciated, Lord Suffolk.”

“Then I shall do it,” he stated, making her think all the better of him given his instant determination. “And I shall do it very soon indeed.”