As Catherine hurried off, Marianne took Adrian’s hand. “Come. Let us watch your sister being courted—properly.”
“Must we?”
“Yes. It’s important to her. And you must see she’s perfectly capable of managing her own affairs.”
“She once set her French tutor’s notes on fire trying to refill a lamp. I remain unconvinced.”
“That was years ago.”
“Trauma leaves lasting impressions.”
***
They took up a discreet position at the far end of the room—close enough to chaperone, distant enough for privacy. Lord Timothy rose at Catherine’s entrance, his face lighting with unmistakable joy.
“Lady Catherine,” he said warmly. “You look radiant.”
“Lord Timothy.” Catherine curtseyed with perfect composure, though her smile trembled at the edges. “I understand you spoke with my brother.”
“I did. He has graciously permitted me to court you—properly.” He coloured slightly. “If you are agreeable, that is.”
“I believe I might be persuaded to be agreeable.”
“Onlymight?”
“Well, that depends entirely on your definition of proper courtship.”
Adrian made a low sound that might have been a growl. Marianne elbowed him gently.
“I thought perhaps we might begin with the British Museum,” Lord Timothy said. “They’ve an exhibition on ancient architectural methods. And perhaps a walk in Hyde Park, if the weather holds?”
“That sounds delightful,” Catherine said, her enthusiasm shining through her composure. “Oh—and there’s a lecture at the Royal Society next week on mathematical patterns in nature. Would that be too dreadfully dull?”
“Dull? Hardly! I’ve been trying to secure tickets for weeks.”
“I have connections through my brother. I’m sure we can contrive something.”
They went on planning their outings with such scholarly delight that even Marianne felt a pang of fond amusement.
“They’re discussingmathematics,” Adrian murmured, scandalised. “As entertainment.”
“They’re perfectly matched,” she said.
“They’re perfectlyodd.”
“Says the man who spent our courtship issuing threats and compromising me in conservatories.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“It was us.” He drew her closer, his hand straying, as ever, to her waist and then her stomach. “We are allowed to be unconventional.”
“So are they.”
Before he could argue, Lord Timothy rose. “I should take my leave. Lady Catherine, may I call tomorrow? Perhaps the museum?”
“I should enjoy that immensely.”
