Andrew was an intelligent man, hampered by a clubfoot that made him feel he was less than others. Their parents had hoped he’d be a scholar, like themselves, supporting himself with an occupation that did not require physical labor.
They had hoped Ellie would learn the ladylike accomplishments of sewing and embroidering and find a good husband.
The twins had never done what was expected of them. Switching roles had begun early.
“She is Miss Leonard now,” Lord Greybourne argued. “I will not have her arrested for dressing like a man.” Any hint of concern vanished when he continued, “I cannot lose you at this crucial stage of research.”
Ellie tugged at the fashionable stays forcing her meager bosom to curve above her bodice. She’d borrowed Andy’s linen cravat to create a concealing kerchief. The gauzy one the modiste insisted on did not suit. Women’s clothing did not suit, not in a man’s world. The professor had had to hire a maid to assist her with all the pins and to provide proper decorum. This whole expedition was beyond ridiculous. Although, admittedly, exciting. She’d never been outside Edinburgh.
“I cannot think I was in any danger, sir. I looked enough like Andrew to work as your assistant for a year with no one noticing my gender.” Including him, but Ellie refrained from antagonizing a disgruntled lion.
His lordship had come looking for her and generously offered continued employment. She must not argue—not more than necessary for sanity.
He’d also bought her two gowns, hired a maid, and offered to hire Andrew as a man-of-all-work, a valet, basically, she supposed—except Greybourne was too impatient to have anyone dressing or shaving him, they’d learned.
“You wear a man’s haircut,” Grey spluttered slowing the horses to avoid a particularly wicked rut that might cripple a wheel. “You speak like a man!”
El snorted impolitely. “A cropped Titus cut is all the rage for ladies as well as gentlemen. My curls just happen to be natural. And since I do not need to be seen as a simpering, helpless miss needing a big, strong man to take care of me, there is no reason for me to speak in ingratiating titters.”
Greybourne barked a laugh. “You told me my handwriting was so atrocious, an ape could do better, and my logic was sloppy when I concluded Rembrandt lacked the ability to draw figures. You read my earlier books.”
“We are accustomed to speaking bluntly with each other, sir,” Andrew said in her defense. “Our parents were teachers. They encouraged straightforward discussion. Shall I drive for a while now, sir? I wish to earn my keep.”
El knew the professor would refuse before he spoke. Grey had too much vitality to sit still, and driving released roiling emotion he could not handle.
As predicted, he replied, “If Dorothea did not lie, Gravesyde should not be far. I cannot promise I’ll stay, but the two of you may look about, see if rural life might suit. Dorothea claims the manor has come into funds and there are all manner of possibilities for a promising pair such as yourselves.” His tone was dry.
They had practically leaped at his offer to escape the city. It had become a prison these last years since their father’s death. Opportunity had not knocked, no matter how hard they’d sought it.
El was a little afraid to meet this new home while wearing skirts, but for Andy, she had to take the risk. Edinburgh lacked opportunity for a man who could not walk distances on steep hills and cobblestones. A modest village. . . sounded more promising.
Dora-tay-a, interesting appellation. “You address your cousin by her given name? You grew up together then?” El was eager to learn all she could so she might more easily fit in.
“It is how she addresses herself in letters. We are a small family and informal. I haven’t seen her in years but we share similar interests. And she is being courted by a penniless French count the family wishes to know more about.” Greybourne slowed the curricle as the narrow space between hedges broadened to allow a narrow lane on the left. When there was no road sign, he continued down the tree-lined road.
El had never been so far from home in her life. It had taken three days to travel this far south, but they had not taken the toll roads for the most part. Grey had been taking notes for an article on inn signs. He had a brilliant eye for detail and an immense knowledge of history. She’d enjoyed the distraction.
No road marker indicated the name of any village, but they passed a quaint thatched chapel and parsonage, nearly concealed in flowers and shrubbery. A moment later, an inn sign painted with the words Red Knight, with an image of a knight in red armor, came into view.
The inn and tavern were authentically Elizabethan, El noted in delight. Half-timbered, white-washed, and newly thatched. Bugs might fall on her head, but she was too enthralled with her first real experience of another world to object. It was as if they’d traveled through time.
If she were fortunate, she might not have to sit at a battered desk, in a drafty hall, listening to the complaints of students, ever again.
A rufus-haired giant of an innkeeper emerged to order ostlers about. Greybourne had sent their baggage cart and servants ahead, so their rooms were waiting for them, as they had been throughout their journey. El had already decided that if traveling with wealth required this much planning, she never wanted to travel on her own.
She had better learn to like this quaint village because it was most likely her new home.
Four
Grey
While waiting for his—assistant—to come downstairs, Greybourne complimented his ginger-haired host on his most excellent luncheon.
“It’s not often we entertain gentlemen of your caliber, sir. It’s a pleasure to have you. Miss Talbot tells us you plan to reside in Gravesyde awhile?” The innkeeper, who had introduced himself as Rafe Russell, whisked away the whiskey glass Grey emptied and lifted it in inquiry.
Grey shook his head at the refill. He needed his wits about him for his next task. “That depends on whether we can obtain congenial housing. I corresponded with a Mr. Comfrey at the bank in Stratford. He promised to meet us here and show us around. I believe he has a property picked out.”
“He stayed with us last night. He’s about somewhere. Since we’ve petitioned to have a proper government and we’re threatening the bank about abandoned buildings, they have been restoring Bradford House, one of the larger properties off River Road. I believe he mentioned showing it to you. I can give you directions.”
