It was not long before Lady Dayne hurried in. “Watling, tea for us, please.”
“At once, my lady.” The elderly butler scurried off.
“Huntsford, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?” She glanced at Adela as they both rose. The duke, ever the gentleman, bowed over Lady Dayne’s hand. “Oh, um…I see you have met Miss Swift. Has she told you? Lady Withnall and I are sponsoring her for the Season.”
“Yes, she let me know.” He waited for the ladies to seat themselves before resuming his seat on the settee. “It is quite admirable of you to take her on.”
Adela shot him a glance.
Did he mean ‘admirable’ in the sense she was proving to be a trial for these elderly ladies?
“Did the two of you arrive together? Watling mentioned it. Dare I ask how you came to know my charge?”
The duke related the incident at the Huntsford Academy with surprising accuracy. Adela was relieved he saw the incident exactly as she had seen it, which was rather generous of him because the two of them were strangers until an hour ago, and he had no reason to believe a word of what she had said.
But he was marvelous in the recounting and did not accuse her of wayward behavior at all.
She cast him her warmest smile before turning to address Lady Dayne. “And now His Grace has kindly offered to retrieve the stolen notes on my behalf.”
By this time, the tea had been served and they were all enjoying a cup along with some cakes. The kindly dowager took a sip of her tea and then set her cup aside. “I shall have a word with Lotheil as well. I know how hard Adela has worked on her research. What a low thing for this scoundrel to do.”
The duke agreed. “Along with insight and creativity, there must be integrity and honor. Who will ever trust our findings if we are deemed no better than cutthroat pirates?”
Adela listened to him, rapt. “Well said, Your Grace.”
He grinned at her. “I am relieved my opinions have met with your approval.”
She blushed. “I am of no importance, but I do appreciate your words.”
Lady Dayne cleared her throat. “Huntsford, will you be at Lady Marbury’s party this evening?”
He nodded. “I was planning on it.”
A tingle shot up Adela’s spine.
She would see him again and very soon, although she expected he would make his grand entrance, take a turn around the room to gather all the swoons and accolades, then take himself off to his club where his real evening would begin.
Lady Dayne eyed him speculatively. “We shall be there as well.”
He turned to Adela and cast her a rakish smile. Not that he was trying to be rakish, but there was just something appealingly naughty in his look. Perhaps it was those silvery eyes framed by dark lashes and a head of wavy, almost raven black hair that he wore just the slightest bit too long so that the ends curled at his neck. “Then I shall make it a point to seek you out.”
Dear heaven, even his neck was sinfully attractive.
Adela held back a groan.
Why on earth would the Duke of Huntsford care to see her again? Especially in a social setting. He might find her ineptitude acceptable within the confines of the exhibition hall since many men of science were eccentric and socially inept, so she fit in quite well. But in a glittering London ballroom? He would soon see her as everyone else did, as that country cow.
“Please do not feel obligated,” Adela said, clasping her hands to the edge of her elegant chair. “I am sure far more important personages will be vying for your attention.”
He nodded. “Toadies, mostly. Why do you look pained, Adela? Am I not permitted to spend time with someone who is a refreshing change from all the rest? May I not be in the company of someone I know will speak intelligently and always tell me the truth?”
Lady Dayne chuckled. “Oh, you will get plenty of truth from Adela.”
His laughter was deep and resonant as he shook his head. “I have no doubt of it.”
After another moment of polite conversation, he rose to leave. “Alas, I had better get home and attend to the work amassed on my desk. A pleasure to see you again, Lady Dayne.” He bowed over her hand and kissed it lightly.
He then turned to Adela. “Miss Swift.”
