The next day, after a sleepless night where Ned had reviewed in his mind the confrontation with Clarissa, he was heavy-eyed and not particularly anticipating the Frost lecture, something he’d believed would be the highlight of his year.
What he wanted was to see Gemma.
He arrived at the back door, hoping to catch her alone in the kitchen before everything started. He didn’t know what he was doing. He just needed to lay eyes on her.
She was in the kitchen but unfortunately not alone. Mark Dawson and Fitz were there helping her. Or rather, they were there in her way.
But there could be no doubt in anyone’s mind they were wooing her, each in his own clumsy way.
“Hello, Doctor,” Fitz said. He was in shirtsleeves.“Since the day promises rain, we’ve moved everything to the main room.”
“Ah, well, that is good.” Ned’s gaze met Gemma’s.
She’d pinned her hair at the nape of her neck instead of wearing her braid. Once again, she’d left her black. Her dress was green with sprigs of violets printed on it. He thought she looked beautiful—even though she refused to meet his eye and used Fitz and Dawson as buffers. He couldn’t blame her.
Other members of the Logical Men’s Society and Royce arrived to help prepare seating for the lecture. Sir Lionel and Fullerton did not come. Since the activities of the Society had stopped revolving around drink, they had been notably absent. Ned hadn’t even seen Sir Lionel at the Cotillion, either. However, he hadn’t been so lost in himself not to notice Fullerton escorting Mrs. Warbler through a set or two of the more sedate dances.
Around noon the villagers started gathering for the lecture. There were more women than Ned had anticipated and, to his alarm, some children. Their mothers went to great pains to assure Ned the children would stay outside.
“Even in the rain?”
“Children don’t melt,” one mother promised him. He prayed that was true.
Gemma busied herself serving sherry, ale, and thick sandwiches that Ned had paid the WidowSmethers to make. The bread was fresh and the meat the finest the village could offer.
Because so many from the surrounding areas traveled to take part in the Cotillion, there were a number of new faces for the lecture. This was how Ned had designed his venture. His purpose was to introduce scientific ideas to the largest number of people possible. To open minds. A noble purpose, and right now he wasn’t certain if anything mattered.
Mars arrived with Balfour, and it was good to have his two best friends present. When Squire Nelson cornered Balfour to talk about a drainage issue he was having, Mars leaned over to Ned. “Has a night’s sleep brought you to your senses? Are you still determined to marry her?”
“Stop it.”
The earl shrugged. “Well, then, go greet your betrothed.” He nodded to Clarissa, who had arrived with Mrs. Warbler.
At the same moment Clarissa looked across the main taproom to Ned. Her face was pale, as if she hadn’t slept well, either. Their gazes met and thenshelooked away, her expression cold.
God help him. He was badgered from every side.
“Run,” Mars whispered again and went off to pay his respects to the dowager, who had surprised Ned with her appearance. He wouldn’t have imagined her interested in astronomy. Or were some women here just to be present?
Gemma came up to Ned. “I believe your lecturer is at the door.” These were the first words she’d said to him since he’d arrived.
And there was so much he wanted to say to her—except, standing in the middle of all of Maidenshop crowded into the tight space around them was not the time.
So he went over to greet his guest. Thaddeus Frost, an officious man with graying hair, thin legs, and a protruding belly. Frost’s clothes appeared as if they had been stored in a hamper and just been removed.
Ned held out his hand. He knew Frost would be happy with the size of the gathering. There were twice as many people as Ned had promised. “Sir, it is my pleasure. I’m Mr. Ned Thurlowe. I invited you.”
Frost ignored his hand. His priggish eyes narrowed behind his wired spectacles. He surveyed the gathering with distaste. “What is this?”
“This is the crowd gathered to hear your lecture. Impressive, no?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Are you deaf?”
Ned was taken aback. “I hear quite well. However, I may not have understood you. I have the impression you are offended. Is something the matter?”
