“Yes, for me as well.”
“You look stiff and stern on the outside, but I think you have a very good heart. I would not be surprised to learn you have also quietly taken on charitable projects. Sponsoring hospitals, orphanages, schools, societies to feed and clothe the hungry.”
“Ah, now I am redeemed in your eyes.”
“You were never in need of redemption. I sensed you were someone special the moment I met you. Of course, I also worried you might have me tossed into prison,” she said with a light laugh. “Then you offered to help me retrieve my stolen research papers and I knew you were a man of honor. There will always be hierarchies of power in our society, and I am glad you are one of those at the top. You do enjoy your power, but you also create much good out of it. I am glad control is in your hands and not in those of someone like that idiot Brynmore.”
“About that. Adela, you have to watch what you say around that pair. They will look for any way to misconstrue your words.”
“Are you suggesting I keep my mouth shut and say nothing?”
“Yes, this is what I do. They cannot make fodder out of nothing.” He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders when she began to shiver. Her gown was light and the silk wrap matching it was no defense against the cool, night breeze. “Here, Adela. This will keep you warm.”
“Goodness, you have set tongues wagging again. We could have just walked back inside.”
“I wasn’t ready to go back in. Besides, I don’t care what anyone thinks. I have made an important decision tonight.”
“You have?” She regarded him dubiously. “What decision might that be?”
I am going to marry you.
But he was not ready to say anything to her yet.
The cool breeze swirled around them, whipping her gown flat against her body so that the silk molded to her curves.
She was too busy trying to hold onto his jacket and at the same time keep her curls from tumbling out of place to notice his avid gaze. “Are you not going to tell me your decision?”
“I will, in time. Not yet.”
Yes, he could be happy with someone like Adela as his wife.
But should they not know each other at least a week or share at least one kiss before he took that leap and offered for her hand in marriage?
CHAPTER 5
AMBROSE ORDERED HIScarriage driver to take him to the Royal Society the following morning. He knew their board of directors was to meet today at the noon hour. The Duke of Lotheil was their chairman and in charge of conducting the meeting.
Ambrose merely wished to catch him before the session began.
He strolled upstairs and asked a clerk to summon the crusty, old duke. Within moments, Lotheil bustled forward to greet him. “Huntsford! Good to see you. What brings you here today?”
“I was hoping for a private word with you. It won’t take long.” They entered Lotheil’s spacious office which was filled with exquisite pieces of furniture one could barely see because they were buried beneath piles of books and relics. “I believe you are acquainted with Miss Adela Swift.”
Lotheil settled in the massive, tufted leather chair behind his desk. “Yes, a delightful girl. I understand you also find her delightful.”
Ambrose took a seat across from him. “I hardly know her. I have yet to decide whether I want to court her or throttle her. Perhaps a little of both. But I am here on a serious matter concerning her research materials.”
He proceeded to relate what had happened at the Huntsford Academy the other day.
“Runyon, you say?”
Ambrose nodded. “He grabbed her papers and one of the Academy’s rare books. Adela thought he might return the book because she believes he took it by accident, but it has not turned up yet. I checked with my clerks before coming over here to see you.”
“Are you certain he ran off with it?”
He sank back in his chair. “No, I only have Adela’s word for it. However, the book is definitely missing. Adela had signed it out earlier that day and my clerks assured me she had not left the reading room in all that time. So, she could not have walked out with it. Nor was it among her belongings. And my clerks also confirmed she had come in with a pile of notes and had been scribbling in them for several hours. Again, those notes could not be found.”
“I had my doubts about Mr. Runyon,” Lotheil said, pursing his lips. “It pains me to think we admitted a shady fellow such as he into the Royal Society. What idiots men can be. We would not offer the same courtesy to a far more qualified candidate such as Adela. Not to mention my own grandson’s wife, Lily.”
