He mentally shook himself. He hated memories from his childhood. “Not at all. Shall we follow?” He opened his arm to indicate she accompany him.
For a moment, she continued to study him, but finally she started forward.
She was far too observant. He idly wondered if others thought that of him. “Did you enjoy the lecture?”
She slowed her pace to allow him to walk beside her. “I did. I think his motivation is admirable and his science is credible. I just wonder…”
“What do you wonder?”
She stopped and faced him. “I wonder what affect the moisture in the mines might have upon his iron mesh.” She shrugged. “I’m sure he will test it in all types of environments before sending it down beneath the earth.”
As she started forward, his mind jumped on her comment. She was right. Moisture would slowly corrode the iron, which could eventually lead to the deterioration of the mesh. Not a little impressed by her thought process, he hastened to walk with her. A woman with that much knowledge must enjoy reading, which made her more suspect in the theft of his book. Maybe if he enticed her back to the location of the crime, she would give herself away. He was about to invite her to his library when they stepped into the room with refreshments.
Lady Caroline approached. “There you are. Father and I had thought you may have left.”
Having forgotten he’d invited Lady Caroline to the event, he nodded to Lady Joanna, and quickly gave Lady Caroline his full attention. “I was just discussing the lamp’s construction. Did you have any questions about the lecture?”
She looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “Yes. I’m curious as to why you found this topic so interesting. What I mean to say is, I thought your interests were more in the area of philosophy.”
Pleased that she had remembered his conversation in the parlor the other evening, he smiled. “You are correct. However, I have never attended a lecture in London and thought to broaden my knowledge. I will admit that philosophy is still my favorite subject.”
Lady Caroline returned his smile. “Then I must know which philosopher you prefer to read.”
As he engaged Lady Caroline in conversation, quickly steering them away from philosophy and into subjects she was more familiar with, he kept his eye on Lady Joanna. While her sister flitted about the room, she remained with her father. That might be the way to find out if she took his book. If she felt obligated to being truthful around her father then—
“Your Grace, I think Caroline and I will be taking our leave now and allow you to pursue your conversations with the lecturer.” Lord Holburn nodded toward Lord Davy who stood behind Lady Joanna.
Caught not attending to those he’d invited, he immediately switched his focus. “I’m sure Lord Davy will be here until the last person leaves. He does seem to enjoy conversing about his work.”
Caroline laid her gloved hand on his arm. “That may be, but we would not want to keep you from your interests. Please, enjoy this experience.”
She was not only kind but gracious as well. As if checking off a list in his mind of what characteristics would make the perfect duchess, he found Caroline to be excelling. “Thank you. May I call upon you tomorrow?”
She gave him a shining smile. “I would enjoy that very much.”
“Good.” Her father took her arm. “We shall see you tomorrow then.” With a quick nod, Lord Holburn led his daughter from the room.
As soon as the two were out of sight, he turned to observe Lady Joanna and her father. They were talking to another gentleman, or rather Lady Joanna was speaking in a rather animated way. Strolling over to her father’s side, he addressed the older gentleman. “I see that your daughter takes a keen interest in mechanical workings. I think with the progress we’re making, she will have many new inventions to keep her occupied.”
Lord Wakefield turned to face him. “Your Grace, I did not realize you were there. Actually, Joanna is fascinated by anything new whether it be mechanical, medical, philosophical, or literary.” He puffed with pride. “She’s very much like myself.”
That the man was proud his daughter followed his own intellectual pursuits showed him to be lacking in understanding what a determent it was to her chances of marriage. But since that had no bearing on his purpose, he encouraged the man. “Where do you find these new avenues of learning? Is it only here?”
Lord Wakefield waved his hand. “Oh, no. We find it everywhere. From the latest book to the newest play to a conversation with an expert in a particular field. While just last week, I was conversing with a few of my friends on the possible reason for so much rain and cooler temperatures this summer.”
“I have seen a few articles on this in the papers. What is their theory?”
“Sunspots.” Lord Wakefield voiced the single word with a quick jerk of his head and the utmost authority. “Trust me, it’s sunspots.”
He had read about that, finding it amazing that learned men now had instruments that could see spots on the sun, but it was not the only theory. “Is it? I had read that it was due to the eclipse we had.”
The older man shook his head adamantly. “It’s sunspots. We’ve had many solar eclipses, but none have affected our weather.”
Enjoying himself, he offered another theory. “I have a geological treatise that states quite clearly that the polar ice caps are growing, causing our weather to cool.”
Lord Wakefield’s gray eyebrows rose. “Ice caps? Now that I haven’t heard. A treatise you say on the topic? I would be most interested in that.”
He smiled. It was the perfect opportunity for his plan. “Would you and your daughter enjoy a visit to my personal library at Haven House? It’s quite extensive. You could read the treatise there, and maybe Lady Joanna might find something of interest.”
