“You are always thorough. I appreciate that. Do share your findings with me when you have concluded your analysis.”
“I would be honored to. Now I must fly to my sister’s rescue. If Mother has something planned in the garden this morning, it could well be anything.” He strode for the library doors, which were both open. As he crossed the threshold, his father chuckled and mumbled something under his breath. It sounded very much akin to the fact that his mother most definitely had something stewing.
He didn’t wish to enlighten his father on his jovial mood, as it had nothing to do with the morning air and everything to do with his quest. A quest he’d decided not to share with Sommerset, despite their close relationship, never mind his father. Fortunately, he was quite capable of unraveling the puzzle of the students of Belinda’s school on his own.
His morning ride had given him the time to contemplate his challenge, and it occurred to him that it may be that each lady was unique. Lady Elsbeth Rawley before marrying Mabry had been the epitome of all that was expected of a single woman of thetonexcept for her interest in geology, and though Lady Dorothea appeared similar, her penchant for roundabout soliloquies made her far different. The other ladies of the school of whom he had some knowledge had other quirks that made them unusual, and while that made his mission more difficult, it did give him two possible plans of attack. He could either make their individual qualities popular or find a way to help them conform. Though he still wasn’t sure which track would be easier, that he had narrowed his plan down to two paths had him feeling quite accomplished. After all, it been but an earlymorning spent in the open air with Nyx that had brought him thus far.
His pace slowed as he navigated through the house. The garden could be accessed by both the dining room and the ballroom. If he knew his mother, which he did, she would use the ballroom as her exit, no doubt discussing how the guests could best spend their time there. He turned and opened one of the doors to the empty ballroom. The room was cavernous, his boot heels echoing through it like a pack of anxious duck hunters shooting at a flock.
Stepping through the glass doors to the garden, he halted at the top of the steps. The voice of his mother had him turning to his right before descending onto the embedded walkway. Sunnydale’s gardens were his mother’s pride and joy, boasting no fewer than a dozen fountains, a large variety of flowers, and at least twenty gathering places. She’d even had different stone laid for the paths, be it underfoot or as borders. Some of the hedges were quite tall, while others barely reached his knees. He gladly admitted that he saw no logic or reason for the large variety, but as it kept her busy, it was a boon to his father. It would seem that the secret to a harmonious marriage was diverse and separate interests.
As he passed by a particularly high row of hedges, high in that he couldn’t see over them, while he could with most of the others, he found his quarry by peering between the branches. His mother pointed to something near what he referred to as “the fish fountain” and spoke to Lady Sommerset. Moving farther down where the hedge was lower, he searched the alcove still two courts away, and found Rose and Lady Dorothea sitting beneath a cherry laurel tree, their heads together, no doubt whispering about subjects of which his mother would not approve.
Though he’d been headed for his mother, he changed direction and moved into the section directly behind his sister and her friend. He could easily see them both between the branches, but the hedge was high enough behind them that it hid him from their view. The two sat facing each other on a stone bench. He was keen to be able to study Lady Dorothea without her knowledge.
“And what if there is no subject in particular that interests me?” His sister’s shoulders fell in defeat.
He did not like that she already anticipated failure. Had she so little faith in her own abilities? She’d mastered being a lady beautifully.
Lady Dorothea set her hand on Rose’s. “Do not worry. You will most likely find many subjects of interest and have a difficult time choosing. Whichever you choose, you will be encouraged. This year, we have women studying birds, literature, philosophy, the stars—and my good friend Lady Mabry studied rocks.”
“Rocks? I didn’t know people did that.”
Lady Dorothea nodded sagely. “Oh, yes. Even rocks like the standing stones you mentioned can be studied. Anything can be studied. But first you must do well in the general studies. That’s where your curiosity will be encouraged and you’ll learn the basics about the main subjects to better prepare you for your focus in year two. You’ll be in those classes with my friend Lissette. She’s from France, but she studies in English very well.” Lady Dorothea’s face grew serious. “She witnessed the ravages of Napoleon’s war and lost most of her family. She already knows so much about weapons because of her life there, but I’m sure once she’s in the first-year classes with you, she will find other interests, and I hope be distracted from her past experience. Though one’s experience cannot be discounted if we contemplate it.”
“You will be there even though we are not learning the same topics, won’t you? I would feel so much braver if I knew you would be near if I needed help.”
The lady in question’s hand came to her chest as if honored by Rose’s request. “I promise that while I remain at the school, I will always be available to you should you need me, even if it’s just as someone to take a walk with or sit next to at dinner.”
Something in the sincerity of Lady Dorothea had his chest tightening. He was quite sure she did not know his sister well and yet already planned to help her adjust. If she was an example of the character of the women who attended Belinda’s school, then they already honored Belinda’s name. That should be enough for society, but he was well aware that such honesty and loyalty were neither valued nor desired when competition for mates grew fierce.
“Thank you, Dory. You have made me feel more confident in my decision. Now I just need to avoid a proposal, which should be fairly easy. Though I am worried that some of the gentlemen my mother has invited are anxious to consider me for a wife because of my dowry.”
Dory? That was a rather unusual pet name, but then again, the lady was unusual.
Lady Dorothea responded. “Are they all known to your family? Do you think Lord Harewood would encourage them in their pursuit?”
Rose smiled warmly as she shook her head. “Oh, no. He was appalled by the idea when I told him. I have his full support for attending school with you.”
Lady Dorothea pulled her head back, her brows lowering as her doubt became clear even before she spoke. “Are you sure? Your brother appears to be rather, um…traditional.”
It was all he could do not to snort at the obvious euphemism for his character. His sister, though, felt no such compunction and laughed outright.
“Oh, you can say it. He’s stiff and stodgy and acts like an old man. He wasn’t always so, truly. I’ve made it my life’s goal to make him smile and laugh. He really is a good fellow.”
“I do admit to seeing him smile on occasion.” Lady Dorothea crinkled her nose. “But sometimes I believe it’s because he finds me amusing, though not in a positive way. It’s more like I’m laughable.”
Rose’s smile didn’t waver. “He would never be so cruel. If you make him smile, then you are one of only a few of us, and it makes me happy. I believe if he would at least smile more, he wouldn’t scare all the ladies away.”
He could remain silent no more. “So I scare the ladies away, do I?”
Both women jumped up at the sound of his voice. His sister laughed, but Lady Dorothea blushed, as if he’d caught her saying something she shouldn’t.
Rose peered through the hedge then placed her hands on her hips when she spotted him. “You know better than to eavesdrop on someone, brother. Mother would box your ears if she knew.”
“I thought boxing my ears was your domain?”
“And so it is.” Without a by your leave, Rose climbed upon the stone bench she’d been sitting on and held out her hands. “Now come over here and receive your punishment like a good boy.”
