Page 5 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

Jacket dusty but made of fine cloth.

Trousers slightly worn at the knees.

Sensible leather boots.

When he looked up, she took quick inventory of his features. His face would border on pretty if not for a strong jawline and winged brows.

“Sir Jonathan Hackberry at your service.”

Evangeline gasped.

“Is-is something wrong?” he asked.

“Are you the Sir Jonathan Hackberry?”

One dark, peaked brow lifted. “I’m the only one I know.”

“Heavens! I’ve read your work.” She turned toward her sister, her hands fluttering as if they had sprouted wings. “He is the one I’ve been telling you about, the drummer.”

Regina stared at her blankly.

Honestly! She never listened when Evangeline shared anything interesting. “Sir Jonathan’s essays on ancient ceremonial drumming rituals were published in Vetusta Monumental. I devoured the entire series in a day.”

“That stack of periodicals Lady Norwick sent round?” Regina asked.

The lines around his eyes softened. “Do you know Bibi Norwick? Is she well?”

“She is amazing,” Evangeline said. “We only just met this past Season, and I would wager she is the most interesting person in London.”

Xavier smiled. “Très entertaining.”

Sir Jonathan chuckled. “I always thought so. We are from the same village, and she was the most entertaining of the lot.”

“I believe she returns the sentiment,” Evangeline said. “She kept every issue that published one of your essays.”

“Did she?" An endearing blush crept up his neck and into his cheeks.

His obvious pleasure was sweet, as was their mutual regard for each other. It was a testament to their lifelong friendship.

“When Lady Norwick heard about my fascination with antiquities, she loaned me the journals. I found your work spellbinding.”

Regina yawned. “Didn’t Aunt Beatrice have them tossed in the bin?”

Sir Jonathan cringed like someone had insulted his baby.

For heaven’s sake! Her sister was a hopeless case lately. Had married life caused her to lose her social graces? Evangeline smiled to smooth over Regina’s gaffe.

“Our great-aunt’s vision is bad, and she mistook them for a gentlemen’s publication. But I saved them.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, considering the editions she’d borrowed. “In Aunt Beatrice’s defense, the editor does seem to favor sketches of Roman vases.”

“Indeed.” The corners of Sir Jonathan’s mouth twitched, but he managed to keep his composure, much to her disappointment. He was very handsome when he smiled. “I understand how your great-aunt would draw that conclusion, given the subject matter.”

Xavier cleared his throat. “I hate to cut short this exchange, but the journey has done me to a cow’s toe.”

Evangeline and Regina laughed.

“Is that the wrong saying, mon amour?”

“Done to a cow’s thumb,” Regina said, sending a ghost of a smile at him, “but toe makes more sense given a cow’s anatomy. How does Aunt Beatrice come up with her sayings?”