Ariana pulled herself out of melodrama and turned to find Lady Phyllis at her side.
“Do you need something, Lady Phyllis? I gather your brother has left.” Now, why had she added that unnecessary sentence?
“I merely wished to compliment you on your playing.”
“Thank you.”
“I might attempt the harpsichord myself. I was taught the piano, but it and I never seemed to go along well.”
“I felt the same,” Ariana said, but she was regaining her wits and recognized what was going on. Lady Phyllis had fallen in love with Norris, and was trying to please his sister. Perhaps the sister could gently persuade her that they’d never suit?
“Shall we take some refreshment?” she suggested.
Soon they were seated at a small table with glassesof wine punch and small delicacies that they both ignored. Around them others chattered, but it was private enough.
“Are you very fond of music?” Ariana asked, preparing to point out that Norris was not.
“In truth, more to listen to than play. I have no patience with the practice.”
“Yet I wouldn’t suspect you were idle.”
“Unless reading is considered idleness, which it is by some. I understand you are quite a scholar yourself, Lady Ariana. Of ancient Egypt?”
“Is it general knowledge?” Ariana asked with surprise.
“I don’t know. Lord Langton told me.” Ah, the revealing blush. “He said that was why you’d not visited Town for many years.”
“He often misunderstands things,” Ariana said, sliding in a warning, but surprised that Norris and this girl had fallen into personal conversation. “I simply prefer rural life, but we do have an excellent library at Boxstall.”
“Your father was also a scholar.”
Lady Phyllis was beginning to irritate Ariana. Her direct gaze and lack of any girlish mannerisms seemed unnatural, and she seemed intent on dissecting the Boxstall family.
“Neither of us were scholars,” Ariana corrected. “Mere amateur enthusiasts, but that can be enough. What do you like to read, Lady Phyllis?”
“Poetry, philosophy, history, but I confess to an interest in mathematics and natural philosophy as well.”
Certainly an oddity, but Ariana liked her honesty.
“I know a gentleman in Town called Mr. Peake,” Ariana said, “who shares your interest in natural philosophy.He hosts a gathering once a fortnight for a group of people who call themselves the Curious Creatures. You might enjoy that, if not this year, in future.”
“I might well,” Lady Phyllis said, and then dug beneath the ample skirts of her gown to produce a leather-bound notebook with attached silver pencil, in which she made a note.
Ariana could only hope no one noticed. No one had pockets beneath evening gowns anymore, and if a lady carried a small tablet of paper, it would be prettily bound with ivory or silk.
Truly, Kynaston should...
But she would not use this as an excuse to seek a meeting.
She remembered her purpose—to warn Phyllis off Norris. It was even more imperative now. Without seeking a way to lead into her subject, she brightly said, “I do worry about the Boxstall library now my brother is the earl. He has no interest in such things.”
Lady Phyllis stowed her notebook and said, “I’m sure he wouldn’t deprive you of it, Lady Ariana.”
“I’d hope not, but once I marry and live elsewhere, he might see no point to the more rare and valuable volumes. I can’t remember when he last entered the room.”
“Then perhaps he’ll give you your favorite books when you leave.”
Ariana could never accuse her brother of a lack of generosity, so she had to say, “He might. If he thinks of it.”
