It was obvious she expected him to turn on his heel, or mouth some platitudes about the unsuitability of a young lady seeking to do such a thing. Instead, he pursed his mouth in thought. “How interesting.” A pause. “What do you think of the work of Hopkins?”
“Y-You have actually read Hopkins?” she stammered.
He repressed a smile at the look of surprise on her face. “I have a modicum of education, Miss Chilton. Ignorance is one of the few things of which I have not been accused.”
She colored. “I did not mean to imply …”
“Of courses you did,” he interrupted. “You have been doing it all evening. Perhaps your own opinions of the opposite sex are as fixed as those you choose to rail against.” He knew he was being harsh, but he was curious as to how she would react to such a set-down.
Alex sat for a long moment in silence. “Perhaps you are right, sir,” she admitted. “I hadn’t thought of it quite like that.” A pause. “I shall endeavor not to act on such preconceptions in the future.”
She looked up to meet his gaze. “Now, do you truly care to know what I think of Mr. Hopkins, or was that merely a ploy to set up your lecture?”
The young lady had real spirit and grit, he thought with grudging respect. Most men would have quailed at his cutting words. “I am most definitely interested in your thoughts, Miss Chilton.”
Alex proceeded to elucidate on them in great detail, though his own answering observations and questions revealed that he, too, was quite familiar with the man’s work.
“You are extremely knowledgeable on botany sir,” she exclaimed, unaware of the pointed glances she and the earl were beginning to attract. “Do you keep specimen plantings at Riverton?”
“The gardens at Riverton are known for their variety…” Branford stopped abruptly, feeling a clench of pain at the thought of the beautiful estate and its grounds.
Was it his imagination, or did he catch a momentary flicker of sympathy in her eyes before she looked away?
“I have heard they are very beautiful,” she said softly. “And they appear to be in very good hands.”
Damn the chit! How the devil had she sensed what a painful topic the Branford ancestral estate was to him?
“Yes, they are beautiful,” he growled, then quickly shifted the conversation to a less fraught subject. “But speaking of truly remarkable specimen plantings, you have no doubt seen the latest arrivals from the East Indies at Kew Gardens?”
“Oh, I’ve heard they are quite marvelous!” She let out a wistful sigh. “Aunt Aurelia’s coachman has terrible rheumatism so I feel too guilty to ask him to drive all that distance. However, my brother has promised that he will try to get his friend Baron Rutledge to drive me there later this month.”
“I believe I am free considerably sooner than that,” responded the earl. “Say on Thursday?”
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I shall call for you at ten as that will allow you ample time to explore the grounds as well.”
“Truly, sir? You would really take me to Kew Gardens?”
“I am not in the habit of making idle promises, Miss Chilton. If I say I shall do something, you may count on me to do it.”
Her smile was radiant, transforming a merely pleasant face into one that was … captivating. “Why, Lord Branford, you are …you are exceedingly kind!”
Few people would have credited him with possessing such a quality.
Then her face took on a pinch of concern. “I must admit, sir, I’m still trying to learn all the rather silly rules which govern a lady’s behavior in Town so I do not embarrass my aunt or my brother. Is it permissible for me to drive out with you without a chaperone?”
“As my tiger will accompany us and we shall travel in an open phaeton, it is quite acceptable.” He closed his eyes for an instant.How the deuce had he just engaged himself to spend the entire day with a young lady he hardly knew?
“Thank you, milord. I shall …”
Alex was interrupted by the arrival of a young man. After casting a dark look at Branford, he reached for her hand. “Come, Alex. You are promised to me for this set.” He nearly yanked her out of her chair in the haste to be off.
“Justin! Where are your manners? You will have Lord Branford thinking that we were both brought up in a barn.”
Ah, the younger brother.,
The young man’s scowl deepened as she hastily introduced them, and he barely managed a civil bow before whisking his sister off to the dance floor.
