Of course, everyone noticed.
She suspected this was entirely the point. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
His insistence on singling her out for notice was quite irritating. Did he believe he was doing her a favor? She had been quite happynotbeing noticed by all these gentlemen with whom she had nothing in common.
“No reason other than the joy of your company.” He kept hold of her hand for a moment longer than was warranted before finally releasing it.
“No other reason?”
“None, Miss Swift.” He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head to indicate this was not about her stolen work.
She could not hide her disappointment. “Oh, I see.”
Her less than enthusiastic response at his arriving empty-handed appeared to amuse him, for he smiled once again.
Good thing he found her frankness charming, but she knew the novelty of it would soon wear thin for him.
She sighed. “I am happy to see you, even if it is for no reason at all.”
The seat beside her magically cleared, no doubt the fawning dolt who had been droning on about her eyes had given up and moved away. The duke took it over, indeed taking command of the entire salon merely by the force of his presence.
“Has Runyon at least returned your book to you?” she asked in a whisper as she poured him a cup of tea. “Surely, he would not be so stupid as to hold onto it.”
“No, he hasn’t. I stopped by the Huntsford Academy to inquire, but he hasn’t shown his face there yet. I will check again later. There’s a lecture at the British Museum that I–”
She almost leaped out of her seat. “Dr. Nordberg’s lecture?”
He chuckled. “You know of it? Of course, you must have been in raptures when it was announced. Skulls, bones. Ancient rites. The very one.”
“Lady Dayne will not permit me to abandon our visitors,” she said, casting him a look of utter misery. “It is frustrating beyond belief. I would be forever in your debt if you could contrive to take me with you. I cannot believe I am forced to miss it because today, of all days, these gentlemen have come around.”
She glanced around the room and was relieved to see everyone now occupied in other discussions. “Both she and Lady Withnall watch me like bloodhounds. They insist I play out this marriage mart farce even though we all know these men are not interested in me.”
He frowned. “Stop putting yourself down, Adela. It is quite an impressive turnout.”
“I am not belittling myself. Truly. I am comfortable in my own skin, but have no illusions about these bachelors on the marriage hunt. They are not looking to marry a bluestocking, especially one as opinionated as myself and with little dowry. They are only here becauseyounoticed me last night. Gossip will be rampant sinceyouappeared by my side again today. They are here foryou, not me. I ought to giveyouthe piles of flowers delivered today since they are really meant foryou.”
“That is ridiculous.”
She set down the pot of tea and offered him a slice of poppy cake which he politely declined. “Your Grace, you know it is the truth. If you have not recovered my stolen papers, then why did you really come here today?”
“To see you. Must there be another reason?”
“Yes, there must. You are not the sort who goes along with whatever others do. Nor do you strike me as the sort who takes time out of his busy schedule to take tea with a young lady and her court of admirers. If you liked a young lady, I think you would seek her out when you knew she was alone. Do you know what else I think?”
“Pray, tell me.” He took a sip of his tea, the delicate cup looking tiny in his big hands. “I am always eager to hear what you have to say.”
His eyes once again glittered with mirth.
“I think you are a bored, little boy who is amusing himself by behaving as everyone’s puppet master. You enjoyed shocking everyone last night by dancing with me and are here today to see the effects of the havoc you wreaked. You must be quite pleased by the results. Of course, you are purposely adding to the hysteria by visiting me today.”
“Hysteria? That is a harsh assessment, Adela. Do you find it impossible for me to like you?”
“In a romantic way? Yes, frankly. Not that I find fault with myself. I have already told you I am happy with who I am. You and I might even become good friends in time, for our scholarly pursuits are similar. Your Huntsford Academy is a marvel and I could listen to you talk about every aspect of this project from conception to ultimate design for hours on end.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Perhaps we shall do this someday.”
“I hope so. Truly, it would be the high point of my Season. I am in raptures over everything you have done with it. I would live in your magnificent library if I could. But the possibility of my stealing your heart? Highly improbable. What appeal could I possibly hold for you?”
