Andrew shrugged indifferently.“It is hard to say what flights of fancy the very wealthy get up to.”
Dunning waited a moment more, as if he debated whether to say something.The moment passed.
“Tell me, Geoff, how is your work on Horace coming?”Andrew distracted the gentleman easily and freed his mind to wonder.Good God, Georgiana.What are you trying to do?
Andrew listened to Horace just long enough to be sure the subject of their earlier conversation disappeared from Dunning’s mind.
“Perhaps we can do this again, Geoff.Do you think Wallace Selby would join us?”
Dunning started as if remembering something.“Meant to tell you earlier.”He reached into his jacket and removed a sheaf of papers.“Selby said he enjoyed our dinner.He was pleased to see your father’s study, glad you’re taking up his work, and all that.Sent a passage for you to look over.It’s a bit by Proclus.”
Andrew took the papers with a surge of pleasure.Selby’s work on the Neoplatonist philosophers was causing a stir among Greek scholars.Andrew needed exactly this sort of contact.It would open doors.
“Excellent.”He grinned at Dunning and opened the papers.“Excellent!”The fragment wasn’t a major work, but Selby wouldn’t entrust it to just anyone.Andrew relished the opportunity to prove his skill.
Dunning smiled.“Meant to tell you earlier.Got Distracted.Lunch again next week then?”
“That would be excellent, Geoff, but I will see you again Sunday, I believe.”
“How so?”
“I am to dine with your grandmother.”
Dunning grinned in wide amusement.“She attacks quickly!”
They shared a chuckle and left with an appearance of ease that lasted as far as Trinity Lane where they parted company.Andrew labored past the somber facade of Senate House, its Portland stone and classical lines gleaming white in the sun.The pain worsened.He grimaced; he would pay for this walk when he got home.He thought of Mrs.Potter’s little supper.He would pay for that, too.
