A Study In Seduction(108)
I have a talent for mathematics.
She didn’t know she also had a talent for stealing his heart.
“We have heretofore been willing to overlook Lord Northwood’s Russian connections owing to his strong support of the Society of Arts,” Hadley continued. “However, the recent onset of war has prompted us to weigh more carefully the value of his contributions versus the detriment of his… er… personal situation.
“The week before last, Lord Northwood was involved in an altercation with a gentleman who purportedly was attempting to kidnap a young girl, the sister of Lord Northwood’s fiancée. The police have concluded, and we can all certainly agree, that Northwood acted to protect both his fiancée and the girl.”
The girl. Alexander’s chest squeezed at the thought of what might have happened to Jane. Such a bright, pretty girl, so full of hope and promise. He imagined Lydia might have been like Jane as a child if she’d been given the chance at a normal life.
“Several people claim to have seen him push the man to his death over the gallery railing of St. Martin’s Hall,” Hadley droned on.
Alexander shifted impatiently. Didn’t everyone know this already?
“Others claim the man fell as a result of his own actions,” Hadley said. “I do not know that either claim can be credibly substantiated, but suffice it to say that the police have not seen fit to charge Northwood with any crime in connection with this incident.
“Unfortunately, it sparked what we can only describe as a riot. A crowd had already gathered on the street outside St. Martin’s Hall to witness an accident between two wagons, and the ensuing fistfight between the drivers caused further commotion.
“A number of people went into St. Martin’s Hall to take shelter from the increasingly raucous fray, but upon witnessing the struggle between the two men, they, too, began to create an uproar. And when Dr. Cole plunged to his death… well, I’m certain you have all read the reports about the pandemonium that erupted following this tragic event.”
“In addition to people sustaining injuries in the riot,” Lord Wiltshire added, “the exhibition displays have been very badly damaged, several irreparably so.”
“Northwood ought pay for that, then,” called a man from the back of the room.
The council members exchanged glances.
Alexander stood, half turning toward the man. “I’ve offered to do so,” he said. “The council has declined.”
Hadley coughed. “We’ve been obliged to decline, sir, owing to the—”
“Not acceptable, Lord Northwood.” A wiry man with spectacles rose from the other side of the aisle. “I am Henri Bonnart, the French commissioner to the Society. We cannot abide accepting monies from a man who owns a trading company based in the Russian Empire.”
“Merci, Monsieur Bonnart,” Hadley said. “However, the point of this meeting is to consider Lord Northwood’s position as director of the exhibition and vice president of the Society of Arts. I’m afraid the police strongly believe his actions incited the ensuing riot, and in the absence of other conclusive evidence—”
“Lord Hadley!” A woman’s voice rang out from the back of the hall.
Everyone turned. Alexander’s heart pounded. Lydia strode through the door, her back ramrod straight and her expression resolute. Satchel in hand, she walked down the aisle toward the council.
Alexander stared at her for a second before realizing she was followed by a half dozen men carrying cases, books, large bristol boards, and rolls of paper. He recognized them as her mathematician friends—the men of the journal editorial board as well as Dr. Sigley and Lord Perry, all marching behind her like a military regiment following their commander.
Lydia didn’t spare him a glance as she stopped before the council. Color rode high on her cheekbones, but her voice was steady and firm as she spoke.
“Gentlemen, forgive the interruption, but I’ve something of great importance to impart. My name is Lydia Kellaway, and these gentlemen accompanying me are professors and mathematicians of the highest order. Upon learning of the pending charge against Lord Northwood, and knowing of its utter falsity, I asked my colleagues for assistance.”
“Assistance with what, Miss Kellaway?” Wiltshire asked.
Lydia turned to her colleagues and gave a swift nod. The men assembled to the side, directly in front of Alexander, so they could be viewed by both the council and the audience. Two of them set up a stand and placed several display boards atop it, while another removed a stack of papers from a case and distributed them to the council members.