DeVere nodded. “Is there something else?”
“Yes.” This was much more delicate. “I understand you’re the guardian of Lady Julianna Aldrich.”
“Yes.” The scholar looked a little unsettled. “What possible connection could this have with your other question?”
“I’m simply trying to get a clearer picture of the Eos Society and its members. I’ve heard that some of the young gentlemen were acquainted with Lady Julianna and I wondered how that came about?”
“Why, through me, of course,” replied the scholar. “I hold frequent soirees for my scientific-minded acquaintances. Some of the members aren’t serious scholars and didn’t choose to come. But Lord Chittenden, Sir Kelvin Hollister, and Benjamin Westmorly often attended.”
“Is Lady Julianna interested in science?”
“Very much so. The fact is, she’s brilliant.” DeVere paused. “Though others use less flattering words.”
“Oh?” The earl raised a brow.
“As you know, intelligence isn’t encouraged in the young ladies of theton.”
“You’re saying she’s a Bluestocking?”
The scholar considered the question. “She’s conversant in literature, history, mathematics, and science—she has an inquisitive mind, so I’ve seen to it that she’s had the finest tutors money can hire.”
They must beveryfine, thought Wrexford, seeing as DeVere was rich as Croesus.
“She’s also deeply interested in more esoteric subjects, like traditional Indian philosophies and beliefs.”
Wrexford frowned. “Do you mean mysticism?”
“Our English words aren’t always capable of capturing the nuances of Indian beliefs,” answered DeVere carefully.
A beautiful, exotic young lady with an aura of intellectual mystery—no wonder the members of the Eos Society were drawn to her like moths to a flame.
“Julianna is different. It’s one of the reasons I invited the Eos Society to my entertainments. If she is to meet a kindred soul who will accept her for who she is, it will likely be a young man interested in science.”
Ah, now we’re at the heart of the matter,thought the earl, hoping to discern the truth from the lies regarding the romantic entanglements. “Sir Kelvin claims she favored his suit over that of Lord Chittenden. Is that true?”
DeVere let out a light laugh. “I like to think of myself as Lady Julianna’s friend and mentor, but do you really think a nineteen-year-old would confide such intimate affairs of the heart to her guardian?”
Wrexford answered with a wry grimace. “Thankfully, I know precious little about nineteen-year-old young ladies and how their minds work.” He rose as one of the porters entered the room.
“Mr. DeVere, your ward has arrived, and is waiting in the corridor for you to escort her to the lecture hall.”
“Please tell her I’ll be there momentarily.” To the earl, he added, “She is very much looking forward to Children’s lecture on electrical current.”
“I imagine it will be very interesting,” said Wrexford as the scholar began to gather up his books. “Again, my thanks for your time and candor.”
“I wish you luck in . . . whatever conundrum you’re looking to solve.”
“I shall need it,” murmured the earl under his breath. He started to move away and then suddenly thought of one last query.
“Do you know whether Thornton wears a Wellington hat with something shiny attached to its band?”
DeVere looked at him blankly. “I haven’t the foggiest notion. Why?”
“It’s not important.” Wrexford left the room, intent on checking whether Thornton was attending the upcoming lecture.
As he left the room, he passed a young lady chatting with one of the Institution’s governors. She was dressed in an elegant walking gown of slate-colored silk with a paisley shawl of finely woven Kashmir wool draped around her shoulders. The muted tones of burgundy and grey accentuated the reddish highlights in her dark mahogany hair.
Lady Julianna Aldrich was bewitchingly beautiful, noted Wrexford. And as their eyes met for an instant, he understood how young men could be entranced by the siren song swirling in those sea-green orbs.
