Catherine leaned forward, forgetting her nerves. “The perspective work is extraordinary.”
“Exactly! Most people see only the artistry, but the mathematical principles underlying the construction...”
They were soon lost in animated discussion, heads bent over the sketches. Adrian watched them, something like wonder softening his expression.
“She seems happy,” he murmured to Marianne. “Genuinely happy.”
“Lord Timothy seems quite taken with her.”
“He seems taken with her mind,” Adrian said quietly. “And that… may be precisely right.”
Lord Timothy stayed exactly the proper length of time—long enough to please, not so long as to offend. As he rose to go, he turned to Adrian.
“Your Grace, might I have permission to call again? Lady Catherine mentioned an exhibition at the Royal Academy.”
“With proper chaperonage,” Adrian said gravely, “yes.”
Lord Timothy’s face brightened. “Thank you, Your Grace. Lady Catherine, would Thursday suit?”
“Thursday would be lovely,” she said, barely containing her smile.
After he left, Catherine threw her arms around Adrian. “Thank you for not murdering him!”
“The day is young,” he said dryly, though the smile in his eyes betrayed him.
“He’s kind, isn’t he? And clever. And he doesn’t look at me like I’m broken.”
“No,” Adrian agreed. “He looks at you like a fascinating theorem he intends to solve.”
“Is that good?”
“For you? Ideal.”
That evening, as they prepared for bed, Marianne said, “You did well today.”
“I didn’t threaten him once.”
“You threatened himwith your eyesthe entire time.”
“Eyes don’t count. Only verbal threats count.”
“That’s not how the law works.”
“It’s howmylaw works.” He drew her close, his voice low. “And speaking of my law...”
“Mm?”
“I’ve decided we’re not leaving this room on the morrow.”
“We have engagements—”
“Cancel them.”
“Adrian—”
“I shared you with society last night. I shared you with Catherine and Lord Timothy today. Tomorrow, you’re mine. All day. No interruptions.”
“That’s scandalous.”
