She playfully frowned at him. “No comment necessary. You do not hear Leo complaining about his marrying Marigold, do you? Or any husband complaining about a Farthingale they married? She’s lovely. Come meet her.”
“All right, love,” he said, allowing Gory to drag him back to her circle of friends.
Tulip greeted him with a cheery smile.
“Are you here for your come-out?” Julius asked politely once introductions had been made, for she appeared about the right age. Indeed, perfect fodder for those two dowagers, Lady Dayne and Lady Withnall, who did have uncanny instincts when it came to matchmaking.
Tulip nodded. “I would have preferred to wait another year, but…” She shook her head and sighed. “I am glad to be here now and staying with my father’s cousin, John Farthingale, and his wife, Sophie. I expect you know them quite well. Their home on Chipping Way seems to be a hub of activity.”
“A lovely madhouse,” Marigold interjected.
Tulip smiled. “I was afraid London would overwhelm me, but it helps to have Marigold residing just across the street from me. Our mutual cousin, Violet, lives right next door. Not to mention the lovely Lady Dayne is on the other side of us. Her grandson is married to John and Sophie’s daughter, Daisy. I suppose you’ve met all five of their daughters.”
Julius nodded. “All but Lily, since she resides in Scotland with her husband.”
“I haven’t seen Lily in years,” Tulip admitted. “She and I are kindred spirits when it comes to love of science, although I am no match for her brilliance. I thought I would be dissuaded from any scholarly pursuits while here, but everyone has been quite wonderful to me and encouraged my interests.”
She smiled at Gory, Marigold, and Adela, then continued. “Marigold introduced me to your wife and sister-in-law, and I now consider them dear friends. I have already attended two of Gory’s lectures at the Huntsford Academy, and cannot wait to attend my first meeting of their explorer’s club.”
Julius winked at Gory, knowing how much she enjoyed the club that she and her friends had formed. “I expect you have also been bombarded with invitations from your Farthingale cousins. Quite a few of them reside in London.”
Tulip laughed. “Yes, and bombarded is an excellent description, isn’t it? We are more of an advancing army than a family. We travel in hordes. We are everywhere and no one can escape us.”
Julius thought her description humorous and exceedingly accurate. “Well, I am glad to make your acquaintance.”
The girl seemed to fit right in with this circle of bluestockings, if her excitement over the object Gory still held in her hand was any indication.
Julius now took a closer look at this curious thing trapped in amber. “What is it, Gory?”
She giggled. “Well, the British Museum’s expert inaccurately identified it as a fossilized finger bone.”
Her three companions broke into guffaws and titters.
He sighed. “But you know what it is, don’t you? Dare I ask?”
Gory nodded. “It is actually a fossilized…protrusion of the male persuasion. You know, the thing that protrudes on men but not on–”
“Got it.” He winced. “A human male?”
“No, monkey male. And most certainly not a finger bone.”
Her friends laughed again.
He took the amber object out of Gory’s hand and gave it over to Adela. “You are the duchess and ought not be condoning my wife’s wicked behavior.”
But he laughed and shook his head as he took Gory’s hand. “Come dance with me, sweetheart.”
He led her onto the dance floor as a waltz commenced, marveling at how dazzling she looked. Truly, a fairy princess. Or an imp. A beautiful imp. This was Gory, brilliant, eccentric, and completely loveable with her big eyes and tumble of dark curls.
“By the way, the new Earl of Easton has been located by your solicitors,” she told him as he led her in a twirl.
He was enjoying the feel of her body beneath his hands, a slightly fuller body but no less beautiful, for she was carrying his child. “Have you met him?”
“Not yet. He won’t arrive for several months. He wants to sell his farm in Virginia and wrap up all his affairs before coming to England. But here’s the juiciest bit of gossip I doubt you’ve heard.”
“Another scandal?” He twirled her toward the doors leading onto the terrace because he wanted to get his wife alone in the moonlight and kiss her thoroughly.
“The magistrate’s top investigator, Alexander Havers, is now a duke. Can you believe it?”
