Page 10 of The Marquess’s Masked Archer

“What are you looking for when you’re at the laboratory? Signs of disease?” With her eyes still shining from enjoyment, her question showed a sincere interest in his work that Miles hadn’t encountered in…well, ever.

He leaned farther forward, resting his elbows on his knees, which put his face much nearer to Miss Bryce’s. So near it was distracting. “The problem is that one wouldn’t see signs of disease in an insect. They don’t develop the disease, only carry it. So we must watch their behaviors and track where they go, then compare that with outbreaks of illnesses. It’s not a quick process, but it could be profound.”

Miss Bryce considered his explanation while resting her fingers on her chin. “How do you spend your time at the laboratory, then? Do you watch insects all day?”

Grinning while talking with Miss Bryce was becoming a habit. “I do a bit more than watch them, but I suppose that sums it up for the most part.”

Miles expected a coquettish giggle or a practiced shift to a more interesting topic, as happened with most conversations at society events. Very few people had the kind of interest in entomology that Miles did. But instead, Miss Bryce tilted her head to one side. “What more is there? I’m curious now.”

With his mind scrambling for a simple way to explain what he did at the laboratory, Miles swallowed hard. She was actually interested in his work. “Well, I do a great deal of observation. But there are specific things I’m looking for. I record and track the population of different insects along with how they relate to the rest of the environment. If no birds or fish are eating them, that could indicate a problem with those insects. If there are fewer than expected, there could be a change in their breeding habitat. It’s all interconnected, and I’m looking for anything that might impact them and for their impact on other parts of the environment.”

Miles stopped to take a breath, aware his passion for the subject had made him gush a tirade of information most people would be bored to tears by. But Miss Bryce continued to listen in rapt attention. How long could he talk about insects before she lost that spark of curiosity?

Before he could find out, Mrs. Bryce swept up to them in a bright green frock that was flattering but looked a bit garish next to her daughter’s understated yet elegant cream gown. “Ah, Sylvia. How nice to see you entertaining the marquess so well. I trust she’s not talking your ear off, my lord?”

Miles tried to hide a cringe at the use of his title. No matter how hard he worked to shed it since coming to America, it followed him around like a persistent housefly. “She’s the perfect partner for a good conversation, Mrs. Bryce. I’m quite enjoying myself.”

A glance at Miss Bryce revealed he might have misunderstood the last few minutes, however. Her expression had shuttered. The glow of interest he suspected he’d seen was gone from her eyes, and her lips turned downward. Was it due to her mother’s presence, or had she finally lost interest in his work?

Mrs. Bryce stood over them with what she might have meant to be a smile, but it appeared more as a preening smirk. “Wonderful to hear. Ah, I see our hostess over there. I must tell her what a lovely dinner she put together. I’ll leave you to your delightful conversation.”

She marched past their chairs and toward Mrs. Templeton, who was watching the group playing charades. Miles turned back to Miss Bryce to find her rising from her seat with her gaze darting around the room. The companionable moment they’d shared seemed to be over. He jumped up, searching for a way to keep her from leaving. “You don’t have to go. I didn’t have the opportunity to ask anything about your interests.”

Her startled glance made Miles wonder if anyone at these social events had ever asked her what she enjoyed. Or perhaps she was concerned he would realize she was the lady archer. He contemplated telling her he already knew. But there must be a good reason she went to such lengths to hide her activities at the resort. Miles was confident that keeping her secret would go further in gaining her trust than making her ask him to keep it.

But that moment of hesitation gave her the chance to shake her head while stepping back. “It was nice to talk with you, but I can’t allow you to monopolize my time, or gossip will start flying. I’m going to join my friend in the games. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Wentworth.”

It was notable that, unlike her mother, Miss Bryce used the name with which Miles introduced himself, rather than his title. Had she noticed his dislike of it? Without a valid reason to keep her there, Miles could only nod in response and stand back to allow her to leave the seating area. A part of him was aware of the other men coming in from the dining room, entering through the door behind him, but he didn’t pay any attention to them, instead giving himself a moment to watch the sway of Miss Bryce’s hips as she walked away. She strode straight over to sit next to a woman he’d seen her with before, a dark-haired beauty he hadn’t met yet. Could he arrange a meeting that would place him back at Miss Bryce’s side?

But then Alexander clapped a hand on his shoulder, forcing him out of daydreams about manipulating a situation in which he could learn more about her. “There you are, Miles. I’m surprised you came in here with the way you generally avoid single ladies.”

Alexander dropped into Miss Bryce’s chair while Miles returned to his, resigned to give up for the time being. “I’m finding many things change when a woman piques one’s interest.”

“Ah ha!” Alexander all but shouted, bringing far too much attention from the other guests. But he realized his error and lowered his voice, leaning toward Miles so the conversation remained between the two of them. “I’m thrilled, my friend. I knew God would put the perfect woman in your path one of these days. Let me guess. Miss Casburn? It looked as if she had your rapt attention at dinner.”

“Goodness, no.” The words sprang from Miles before he could temper them, but the mere idea of seeking out Miss Casburn’s company was distasteful.

Alexander glanced around the room. “Ah, Miss Bryce, then? You’ve spoken to her several times.”

Heat rushed up Miles’s neck. Was he so obvious that even Alexander had noticed? He had to force himself to remember it wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. Miss Bryce was eligible and beautiful. He’d told Alexander he wasn’t interested in finding a wife that summer, but perhaps he was beginning to change his mind. It wouldn’t be so terrible to allow himself to explore his interest in her. Miles straightened his shoulders. “Yes, Miss Bryce. But I don’t believe she’s drawn to me. I felt we were getting along well, then she turned cold and escaped my presence as quickly as any other suitors I’ve watched her reject. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

Alexander leaned back and tapped his fingers against his chin. “Have you declared your intentions? Asked to call on her?”

“No, nothing of the sort. She seems put off by the idea of gentlemen pursuing her, so I’d hoped to win her over through friendship first.”

“And is that working?”

“No, but this is only the second event we’ve both attended. Perhaps I should be more patient.”

Alexander shrugged. “In my experience, ladies like to have men follow all the steps, adhere to protocol. She might respond better if you’re more direct about your interest.” Alexander paused as a mischievous expression crossed his face. “Or you could consider becoming her secret admirer. Women love a pretty, heartfelt letter. You could learn if she’s opposed to marriage in general or to you specifically.”

He chuckled as if the idea was ridiculous, but Miles began to wonder. Could he glean useful information by playing the part of a secret admirer? Much like observing his insects, he could deduce as much as possible before revealing himself as the author. “Do you think that would work?”

Leveling him with a stare, Alexander shook his head. “That was a joke, my friend. She already knows you and probably has some idea that you find her appealing. Confusing matters by introducing such a scheme isn’t your best course of action.”

Miles nodded, but his thoughts refused to accept the advice. While he watched Miss Bryce from across the room, a plan hatched, something of a scientific study. He would follow two courses and see which was successful. He would attempt to prove his trustworthiness through friendship while also declaring his feelings through anonymous letters. Then he could watch her responses, see which method might break through the wall she seemed intent on raising between them.

With a plan in place, the weight of indecision lifted from Miles. He wasn’t certain he believed God had seen fit to place a woman as wonderful as Miss Bryce in his life on purpose, as Alexander proposed. But just in case, Miles would woo her in both practical and romantic ways. If God did intend to grant him this blessing, He would see that Miles succeeded one way or the other.