Sean shook his head but obediently followed Roderick’s lead.
Sean had lost his backer?Roderick couldn’t believe it. The Earl of Stanhope was known as a devout supporter of engineering sciences. It was rather unheard of for the old fellow to pull his support. It wasn’t as though Sean was very expensive or a trouble maker or anything like that. Rod couldn’t imagine why Old Charlie would pull out from supporting the surly Scot’s studies.
Not that Sean had managed to bring any of his efforts to a conclusion. Not yet, anyway. That was the likely problem for the earl. While Stanhope was a great supporter, he wasn’t a scientist or a scholar himself so he was very reliant on seeing results, preferably ones that could line his pockets, but certainly ones he could brag about to his friends.
Determination swelled within Roderick’s chest. He had to find a wealthy wife and set up his foundation to support his friends’ scientific endeavours. It was becoming urgent.
“Is it only English here, then?” Sean asked, making Roderick’s smile return despite his concerns.
“Yes, yourself included, Sean.”
“Don’t be rude. I’m only half, mind you.”
Rod laughed. “The best half of you.”
“Get on with you, then,” Sean growled, making Roderick laugh harder.
“You’ve just proven why you can’t be expected to marry the source of your scientific support, Sean. Unless you’re going to Edinburgh to find her.”
“They won’t take me in Edinburgh for the exact reason you just said,” Sean returned, his tone melancholy. “The ugly half of me, don’t you know.”
“Come on, Sean, the refreshments are through here. Let’s get you a wee bite and you’ll feel much more yourself.”
Roderick escorted his friend and cheered him up with some questions about his latest trials while his mind whirled with stratagems. He needed to find his wife even faster than he’d first thought. But really, it wasn’t any faster than he’d thought if he wanted to be able to lay claim to the Alldred estate. It wouldn’t sit vacant for long. If he couldn’t claim it, surely someone else would see how valuable the property was.
He tried to slow down his racing thoughts. Really, the property was absolutely perfect forhisplans, but it wasn’t likely anyone else would need such a sprawling place. All the various outbuildings would be viewed as liabilities rather than assets by anyone else. The steward who’d shown him the property had said as much when he had explained to Roderick how easily they could be dismantled. It had taken considerable effort on Rod’s part not to tell the man he wouldn’t do any such thing. It would surely drive up the price if he had appeared too eager. He had tried to seem aggrieved by the effort that might be required.
But really, from what he could tell, all that was needed was a good scrub, as the property had been left to collect dust for longer than was ideal, but every single building he’d entered had seemed solid and useable. It was exactly perfect for him and his friends.
There was a comfortable manor house that he would have to take for himself and the bride who would make it all possible, but there were other, perfectly acceptable, residential buildings on the property where the resident scientists could sleep and eat. And all those outbuildings spread over the property would be perfect for the various sciences. It would be even better than at the school where all the experimentation was done in a few buildings. Keeping the various chemicals and concoctions separated would be to everyone’s safety and benefit.
Especially anything medical related. Rod suppressed a shudder. He didn’t consider himself squeamish, but even he didn’t appreciate what some of his friends were experimenting with despite his respect for their efforts. He was certain his wife would appreciate those studies being kept far from her house.
In either case, he needed that property. It was perfect for his and his friends’ needs. And he was certain he could get it at a reasonable price. The time to act was upon him. He needed a wife with a reasonable amount of coin in her reticule.
Who else had Caroline suggested besides Miss Billingsley and the delectable Lucretia? He couldn’t consider Lucy Scranton, but then he also didn’t like only having one option. He shouldn’t have allowed thoughts of Lucy to distract him from having some interactions with Miss Billingsley. She seemed perfectly acceptable when not being compared with Lucy. He ought to pursue the acquaintance. But being a scholar, he did think it best if he had at least two options to consider. A hypothesis always needed to be tested.
Miss Esther Bastion was one of the women if he recalled correctly, and considering the number of times he had examined his notes, he was certain that he did. And as if placed there for his convenience, if he recognized her correctly, she had just entered the room with her companion at her side.
They both appeared slightly ill-tempered. Roderick wondered if that was why Miss Bastion remained unwed. But from what he had found in his investigation, she had deeper pockets than he truly required so it was a surprise she remained on the shelf, whatever her disposition. There were far more persuasive and less reputable gentleman in search of wealthy wives than him.
Whatever the case, he needed to make her acquaintance. Did he require an introduction? He was reasonably sure their paths had crossed at some point in the past, but he hadn’t been paying much attention at the time. But if they hadn’t been introduced, it would appear forward of him and might be off-putting to her.
Indecision, a condition he wasn’t very familiar with, passed through him for a moment. He shook off the temporary paralysis and stepped toward the two ladies. If she was a stickler and insisted on an introduction, he would find someone to perform it later.
“Good evening, Miss Bastion, how do you do this evening?”
The whey-faced woman stared at him for a brief moment before dipping into a small curtsy. “I am well, Mr. Northcott, thank you for asking. So is Miss Adams. Perhaps you didn’t notice her at my side.”
Roderick’s lips twitched with his ready amusement. He supposed it had been rude of him not to greet the companion, but it was even ruder of Miss Bastion to point it out, so he considered the scales even.
“My apologies, Miss Adams, I don’t think we have been introduced. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Miss Bastion sniffed as though sceptical of his flimsy excuse, but neither woman said anything to contradict him.
“Are the entertainments on offer this evening to your taste?” he asked, breaking the brief silence that had settled around them.
“We haven’t been here long and we haven’t yet had a truly good conversation, although the music in the first receiving room was quite accomplished.” Miss Bastion spoke while Miss Adams nodded in agreement with her friend’s words.
