He tossed the pipe to Summerset who snatched it from the air an inch before it struck his nose. “That wasn’t called for,” he hollered at Sin’s retreating back.
Winnifred followed him outside and they strolled past the stables to a large oak tree. She ran her palm along the rough bark of the trunk, feeling each prickle and scratch. “Do you know yet when you leave for Glasgow?”
“On the morrow.” He ran the pad of his finger along her cheekbone, over the bridge of her nose. It was though he were trying to memorize her features, imprint them in his brain.
“I would like to come with you.”
His hand stilled. “As I and my friends investigate a rebellion? Out of the question.”
She squared her shoulders. “Surely, not every moment will be spent engaging in fisticuffs. You will stay in nice accommodations, socialize with your fellow peers? I’m not asking to accompany you when you go out on your investigations, only to travel with you as many wives do with their husbands.”
“Why?” He stilled her hands, and she frowned, not realizing that she worried her lace cuff until he stopped her.
She tilted her chin up. “There is a scholar there, at the University of Glasgow. We’ve communicated via letter several times, but I’d like to discuss his insights into nitrates in person.”
“This is important to you?”
She hesitated. It was. Discussing research in person was nearly always more efficient than through the back and forth of letters. She’d attended a hundred salons her father had held in his home with fellow natural philosophers. Listening, lurking, but never speaking, of course, but edifying all the same.
Sin’s response to her request was even more important. He’d stated that he wanted her to acknowledge her work. When faced with that reality, how would he react?
“Yes.” Her pulse thrummed beneath her skin. “Most important.”
“Very well,” Sin said. “It will be nice to show you Glasgow anyhow. It is a beautiful city.”
She clapped her hands together. “Thank you!” She hopped onto her toes and kissed his cheek.
Sin’s arm curved around her back, keeping her close.
“Are we going to rid your castle of vermin or are we stopping for a romantic interlude?” Summerset leaned against the wall of the shed, one leg carelessly crossed over the other.
Sutton ambled up next to him. “It is coming up on nuncheon.”
Sin draped his arm over her shoulder as they strolled toward his friends. “The badger can live. For now.”
“Marvelous.” The earl’s eyes tracked every point of contact between Sin and Winnifred, narrowing slightly. A small furrow creased his forehead when he looked up into his friend’s face.
“There has been a slight change in plans.” Sin squeezed her shoulder. “Winnifred has business to attend to in Glasgow. She will be accompanying us.”
Sutton pursed his lips. “What business—” He cut himself off.
Could a woman possibly have? A woman like her? Winnifred swallowed. “It’s with a man of science, a professor at the university there.”
“A colleague of Winnifred’s,” Sin added.
“Of my father’s.” The words were a reflex, and she felt Sin’s glare burning the side of her face. “But I’ve communicated with him, as well,” she amended.
Sin bobbed his chin at Summerset. “What? No snide commentary from you?”
The man shrugged. “It will help with appearances, having your new wife along. Much of our work will involve dinner parties and the like, and it would be only natural for you to want to introduce her to Scottish society.” He flicked a leaf from his shoulder. “In fact, I’m surprised you haven’t had a ball here in her honor, yet.”
“With neighbors going hungry, a ball hardly seems proper.” Sin blew out a breath.
Summerset straightened and gave them a bright smile. “Of course, that’s the reason. I never once thought it was because you weren’t proud to show off your wife.”
Sin’s arm turned to an iron band around her shoulders.
“And how about you, love.” Summerset ran his fingers through his hair, a move that instead of further ruffling his locks seemed to spring them back into place. “Are you excited to finally meet the Polite Society that you married into? Don’t be concerned that you don’t look the part. Most of us quite respect the intelligence it takes to climb into our ranks.”
