Page 31 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

Evangeline groaned a second time and shot toward her bedchamber. When she returned empty-handed, her sister tilted her head to the side.

“It will be less conspicuous if I don’t bring Sir Jonathan’s book to supper,” Evangeline said. “I can retrieve it if he agrees to a reading.”

The corners of Regina’s mouth twitched. “I see.”

“You see what you want to see,” Evangeline retorted. “Would you ask him, Xavier?”

“Now that would be conspicuous,” he said as he helped Regina from the settee.

They walked as a group into the corridor. As they neared the entryway, Xavier addressed Evangeline. “Have you read any of Lord Dominic’s work?”

“I haven’t, which is odd. I thought I was familiar with every Englishman in the field.”

They passed the double staircase, following the U-shaped corridor.

“Tonight will be the perfect opportunity to ask about his area of study,” Regina said softly. “If you don’t want Sir Jonathan to mistake your intentions, you should include his colleague in conversation.”

Xavier smiled at Evangeline’s sister, his eyes overflowing with tenderness. “Excellent advice, ma chérie.”

Evangeline touched the spot over her own heart where the twinge was strongest. She was pleased her older sister had found Xavier, but their affectionate displays reminded her that Regina had a new confidant now. The days of Evangeline slipping into her sister’s bedchamber to share secrets and laughter until the wee hours were gone.

She had known the time would come. After all, she would be out of the country most of the year when she traveled with Uncle Charles. She should be grateful Regina had a husband who made her happy, and Evangeline was, but she still missed the special bond she and her sister had shared all their lives.

Through the drawing room doorway, she spotted Sir Jonathan and Lord Dominic speaking quietly together. They turned as Evangeline and her family entered, their conversation cut off abruptly. She held back while Regina and Xavier approached her future colleagues and engaged in pleasantries with Lord Dominic. Having never mastered the art of chitchat, she felt at a loss for words in such circumstances. Sir Jonathan sported a tight smile, appearing as uncomfortable as she.

“May I offer you an aperitif?” Lord Dominic asked Xavier. “Perhaps a brandy?”

Her brother-in-law politely declined.

“Hackberry?”

Sir Jonathan shook his head, holding Evangeline’s gaze from across the room. “I anticipate an evening of lively conversation. I don’t wish to seem dull-witted.”

She smiled, pleased his expectations matched her own. “No one familiar with your work would ever make such an accusation, sir.”

Sir Jonathan sketched a bow. “Once again, you flatter me, Miss Darlington.”

“And don’t think for a moment he wants you to stop either,” Lord Dominic said with a wry twist of his lips. “The poor man’s chest puffed up to twice its normal size when he heard you’ve read his book. It’s a wonder his jacket still fits.”

Evangeline swept her gaze over Sir Jonathan’s attire and could find no fault with the tailoring of his burgundy jacket, charcoal grey waistcoat, or black trousers. “You look very well, sir. I refuse to believe Lord Dominic’s claims for one moment.”

“A bright lady.” Lord Dominic grinned, not seeming offended in the least by her comment. “You do realize, Miss Darlington, you are one of only three people to have cracked the spine of Hackberry’s book—two if we exclude the author.”

“I assume you are the third?”

The man laughed, which she took as a denial.

Evangeline darted a quelling look his way. “Your esteemed colleague presented an excellent evaluation of the role of music in communing with the spiritual realm and promoting enlightenment. Perhaps those who haven’t read his book lack the mental acumen to do so.”

“Now, Dom…” Sir Jonathan clapped his companion on the shoulder. “There is no reason to feel neglected. If you introduce Miss Darlington to your own work, I’m certain she will dole out accolades equally between us.”

Lord Dominic glowered in return.

Evangeline seized the opportunity to follow Regina’s advice to send a clear message about her intentions this evening. She was here for intellectual discourse and nothing more. “What is your area of expertise, my lord? Perhaps you publish under a nom de plume?”

“If you were to pose the same question to my father,” Lord Dominic said, “he would tell you I excel at nothing, barring debauchery.”

Evangeline pursed her lips. She could well imagine. He smirked and took a sip from the tumbler.