“I was hired to manage the gambling room.”
“Which we will no longer need if we do not have gamblers.”
They did have gamblers, but there could be more. They had yet to have all tables filled on any night. “Very well, but I am not promising to enjoy it.”
“You do not need to, just simply be available for discussion and to talk about Athena’s Salon whenever given the chance.”
“Very well, but only if you promise that I can spend the afternoon tomorrow in my set of rooms. I have barely been given time to become accustomed to them.”
Bethany blinked. “Why remain at home when there is so much to see and do?”
“Some of us require more rest.”
“We will see what tomorrow brings.” She grinned again. “Now, go change and by the time you are ready, Cook will have prepared something for you.”
Frances glanced down at her simple day dress, perfectly appropriate if one was not leaving home or receiving callers, not for attending a lecture. With a sigh, Frances returned to her chamber. At least she knew that an astronomy lecture was one place she could count on Seth not being.
Chapter Eight
“If Tessa invited you to the lecture, why can you not go with her?” Seth asked as their carriage pulled up before the lecture hall. He hoped to escort Blythe inside, locate Tessa and hand his sister off and depart.
“I am afraid that I will want to leave, especially a lecture, and would not want to inconvenience our cousin, especially since her husband will be with her.”
Seth would rather spend the afternoon doing anything but attending a lecture on astronomy.
“Once I am more comfortable being out in Society again, I will no longer ask you to accompany me,” Blythe promised.
“I do not mind. I just wish we were doing something far more enjoyable.”
“You never know. You might just like the lecture.”
He snorted as he stepped from the carriage, but quickly amended his opinion when he saw Frances standing with his cousin, His Grace and Lady Bethany.
After assisting Blythe from the carriage, he offered his arm and led her to Tessa, though his eyes were on Frances.
“Since when did you develop an interest in astronomy?” he asked his cousin.
“My interest is in the audience.” She grinned then walked toward the entrance followed by Frances and Lady Bethany. He and Blythe followed.
“What did she mean by the audience?” he quietly asked Blythe.
She paused and looked up at him with a small smile. “I realize that you have only just rejoined Society, but certainly you know what our cousin has been up to.”
“I have no idea, other than she married the Duke of Ellings a few months back.”
Blythe laughed. “I will let her be the one to explain.” His sister then let go of his arm and quickly caught up with the others, leaving Seth to stroll behind and wonder what she had meant. By the time he joined them, they were already seated. Unlike yesterday, there was not an empty seat beside Frances as she was seated between Blythe and Lady Bethany.
He paused and was about to sit when Blythe stood. “Please change places. The man in front of me is quite tall and I cannot see over his head.” She then settled in a seat behind someone shorter, leaving the space beside Frances free, which he quickly claimed.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Hawthorn.”
“Lord Seth,” she nodded.
For the shortest time yesterday she had been friendlier, but quickly recovered. He could only hope that in time she’d be less cold to him.
“Is astronomy an interest of yours?”
“No,” she answered.
