Page 7 of The Unassuming Curator

“Yes,” Lady Millward said. “At your age, Phoebe’s passion lay in fashion. Her sister, Jane’s, was in art. What is yours?”

“I believe I would have to say that it is reading,” Emily said. “Reading consumes the better part of my time.”

Lady Millward nodded encouragingly. “And do you have a favorite novelist or poet?”

Emily had read the works of many novelists and poets, but none of them had captured her heart or imagination the way her favorite books in the Dunsbourne library had done. If Lady Millward truly wished to know where her passion lay, Emily would need to be fully honest with her. “I appreciate the writing of many skilled authors, my lady,” she said, “but, in truth, my passion lies elsewhere. I love reading about the world—about far-off lands, animals, plants, rivers, and mountain ranges.”

Lady Millward raised her eyebrows and Emily’s heart sank. She’d seen similar expressions of disbelief followed by disapproval amongst members of Berkshire’s gentry. “My former companion, Miss Glover, taught me to knit,” she added, attempting to infuse her voice with the same level of enthusiasm she’d exhibited for reading. Knitting was not the musical talent most young ladies aspired to, but it was surely more ladylike than studying world geography and biology. “I have spent significant time improving my skill and can now create a reasonably well-shaped scarf.”

“Is that so?” Lady Millward said. “How remarkably refreshing.”

Emily blinked. She caught Adam’s eye. He was doing an admirable job at hiding his surprise at the older lady’s response.

“R . . . refreshing, my lady?” Emily said.

“Absolutely. Knitting a scarf would seem a very practical use of one’s time. And I, for one, am excessively tired of hearing young ladies attempt to sing higher or play the pianoforte with greater gusto than anyone else in the room. I believe our social gatherings would be far more interesting if we spent time discussing the latest expedition to the Alps or the migratory patterns of African elephants.”

Emily attempted to gather her wits. “I . . . I am very glad you think so.”

Lady Millward dipped a teaspoon into her drinking chocolate and stirred it absently. “Do elephant herds relocate on a regular basis? I’m not sure that I have ever considered the subject before.”

“According to Mr. Conrad Gesner’s book, Historiae Animalium, they do.”

“Well, I have learned something new today.” Lady Millward’s expression cleared. “I look forward to your enlightening me further, Miss Norton.”

Emily’s smile was instant, as was the bubble of hope that rose within her.

“I would be happy to discuss such subjects with you, my lady. Although, I think it fair to say that you have a great deal more to teach me than I can teach you.”

Lady Millward took another sip of her beverage and studied Emily over the top of her teacup. “Lord Dunsbourne,” she said, setting the cup down on the saucer, “your sister and I are going to get along very well.” She gave a satisfied nod, and her voluminously coiffured white hair wobbled. “Very well, indeed.”

“I was quite sure that you would, Aunt Millward.” Phoebe’s voice reached them from the doorway, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. Adam rose to greet her, kissing her cheek softly as she took the chair beside him. “I hope you have not decided upon the best way to launch Emily into Society without me.”

Emily recognized Phoebe’s teasing tone, but Lady Millward was completely unperturbed.

“We should begin with something intimate, I think. It never hurts to allow a small group of people to meet someone rather special first. The privileged like being treated as such.” The older lady’s thoughtful look evaporated. “I have it. Lord and Lady Farwell are holding a dinner party tonight. It will be just the thing. The Farwells are sufficiently well connected that they will have invited people of consequence. And with a limited number of guests, it will be impossible for Miss Norton to go unnoticed.”

Emily’s stomach churned. Truth be told, she would rather blend into the furnishings and quietly observe others than be the center of attention.

“That sounds ideal,” Adam said. “But do you think Lord and Lady Farwell will be open to including us in their party at such short notice?”

Lady Millward smiled knowingly. “Familial connections can offer one a rather useful advantage, my lord. Lady Leonora Farwell is my late husband’s sister. We have remained close despite his having been gone for many years. I have no doubt she will be eager to see Phoebe again and also to meet you and your sister.”

Emily stared at her breakfast plate. If her stomach behaved so traitorously over nothing more than a conversation of what was to come this evening, she was doomed.

Chapter 3

The hackney turned onto Berkeley Square, its wheels slowing as it approached Benning House. Inside the carriage, Henry withdrew his pocket watch and glanced at it. Twenty minutes. It was not long, but his valet, Felix, had managed the job in less. If Henry could only reach his bedchamber without being accosted by his mother, his valet was perfectly capable of transforming him from a museum curator to a member of the nobility before his parents’ guests arrived. He shifted to the edge of his seat and prepared for a speedy exit.

The carriage had barely come to a stop before his feet were on the pavement. He tossed a coin to the startled driver and hurried up the stairs to the townhouse’s front door. The butler, Akers, must have been watching for him because the door opened the moment Henry reached the top step.

“Good evening, Mr. Buckland,” Akers said, inclining his head as he moved aside to allow him entry.

“Good evening, Akers.” Henry handed the man his hat. “Is the coast clear?”

The butler’s expression remained unchanged, but his voice lowered slightly. “I believe your father is in his study, sir. Lord Benning arrived about an hour ago. To the best of my knowledge, he and your mother are upstairs still.”

Henry grinned. There’d been several times since he’d started his job at the British Museum that he had given serious consideration to renting rooms closer to his workplace, but it was hard to turn his back on the benefits of living in his family’s townhouse. A loyal butler was certainly one of those perks, and since Henry’s parents and brother, Benedict, were only in London for a few weeks of the year, Henry liked to think that he claimed a greater measure of that loyalty.