Page 59 of Sincerely, the Duke
She laughed softly. “Which would you rather, YourGrace? For me to be out here by myself or be out here with a gentleman?”
“Either one will ruin your reputation,” he argued. “Get yourself inside.”
Crossing her arms over her chest in defiance, she asked, “Did Edwina or Aunt Pauline send you looking for me?”
“No, though one of them should be wondering where you are. How long have you been out here?”
“Not long.” She looked toward the brightly lit Great Hall. “It is hot, stuffy, and filled with people I prefer not to meet. They are excited about dancing, fashion, and what others are wearing or saying. I am not interested in any of those things.” She looked at him imploringly. “Can I stay out here now that you are with me?”
He scoffed. “I am not a chaperone.”
“And I am not a Society lady. Tonight proves this kind of life is not for me.” She waved her hand toward the lighted building. “Edwina will be happy in this life. Elle will do fine too. I would rather be out here even if I can’t see as many stars or constellations as I could see in York. Papa’s old telescope is of no use with all the lights.”
“The Stonerick estate would be a good place for you to visit and watch the stars. Most any man you marry would have either an estate in the country or have access to one by a family member.”
“I want to visit Mr. Frederick Herschel’s Observatory House in Slough and look through his telescope.” She shrugged and looked away for a moment. “I’ve written him letters. Not that he has replied to any of them. I always hope that one day he will.”
“I’ve read about his discoveries, but we can have that discussion another time. You need to get inside. Perhapsyou should search for gentlemen in the ballroom as carefully as you search the stars.”
He started to steer her back toward the ball but only took a few steps before she stopped and turned to him. “As a duke, you have more privileges than most. Have you ever met Mr. Herschel?”
Rick shook his head as he stopped too. “His life is far different from mine.”
Eileen smiled. “Do you ever imagine what it must be like to see the end of the sky?”
Rick grunted a laugh as he shook his head and tried to be tolerant of her lofty aspirations.
“I can’t envision how big the stars might be,” she continued. “Mr. Herschel has discovered, studied, and plotted many of them. His sister helps with documenting his research as well as making discoveries on her own. I want to talk with her and perhaps assist with her notes. I have a nice hand and I’m quite fast.”
“An admirable goal, but she probably has all the help she needs from many qualified people.”
“How will I know if I don’t ask?” she whispered, sounding almost encouraged. “I wish you had met him so you could make an introduction for me. He’s written many articles.” She pressed her lips together for a moment. “I haven’t read any of the more recent ones. When Papa fell ill, he wasn’t where he could get the interest to find copies for me.”
Rick felt a pang of sadness for her. She aspired to do something far different from what her father or Edwina envisioned for her, and he wondered if a young lady should be forced to marry if she didn’t want to. That seemed restrictive considering they were nearly twenty years into the new century. Nevertheless, he couldn’tallow her thirst for knowledge to direct her to unsafe places that would damage her reputation or place her in danger. Under his household and protection there were certain rules all ladies had to follow.
Hearing voices nearby, Rick looked behind him. As if from nowhere, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Everly Smith walking toward them.
Hell’s gate! First Malcolm and now this. What was going to happen next? He didn’t need to be seen in the darkest area of the garden with his wife’s sister. He should have made her go back inside immediately instead of listening to her woes.
“The couple coming toward us will expect me to acknowledge them but I don’t have to stop and speak. Just act natural and smile at them as we pass.”
“Yes, of course. I don’t want there to be a scandal about being out here. Especially with you.”
He swallowed down his frustration. “It’s you I’m worried about, Eileen. Not me.”
They started walking and as they met the couple, he nodded and said, “Good evening, Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith.”
“Good evening Stonerick, Duchess,” the man spoke first and then the lady mirrored his words.
A few steps past the couple, Rick heard a suppressed childish giggle.
“What are you doing?” he asked irritably. “This is not a humorous situation you are in.”
“Of course, it is.” She laughed softly again. “They thought I was Edwina and called me Duchess.”
“I heard,” he mumbled.
When they made it back to the Cupid fountain, Rick stopped. “Make your way back inside from here. I’ll come in a little later.”
