A Study In Seduction(41)
Alexander tucked a hand beneath Lydia’s elbow to help her into the carriage. A rigid shock coursed through her, stiffening her body.
“Miss Kellaway?”
The color drained from her skin, and unmistakable fear flashed across her face. Alexander followed her gaze to where she was looking across the street, but aside from the usual array of passersby, there appeared to be no cause for such alarm.
“Lydia!” He shook her a little. “Are you all right?”
She jerked back. “Y-yes. I’m sorry. I thought I saw…”
“What? Who?”
“Nothing.” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “We… The meeting room was a bit stuffy, and I’m afraid I needed some air. I’m fine now, thank you.”
She pulled her arm from his grip and climbed into the carriage. After the other two men entered, Alexander followed. Lydia stared out the window, her hand at her throat, her breathing quick.
“You’ve got cause for concern with the start of war, my lord?” Dr. Grant peered at Alexander through the filtered light of the carriage interior. “Your mother was Russian; isn’t that right?”
“You are correct, Dr. Grant, yes. And no, I’ve no cause for concern.”
He kept his gaze on Lydia as the carriage rattled to a start. Color returned to her cheeks, but her unease appeared to linger even when they arrived at the hall.
Alexander fell into step beside her as they walked inside. Noise filled the air—the shouting of orders, hammers banging as workers constructed displays, crates screeching open.
Alexander bent closer to Lydia. “What is it? What happened?”
She shook her head and pressed her lips together. “Nothing, really, my lord. I’m dreadfully sorry. Just a bit of fatigue. Now please do explain to us how your exhibition is organized.”
For her sake, he allowed her the temporary escape but didn’t intend to let the matter drop. He gave the mathematicians a brief tour of the main part of the exhibition, which contained general objects of education—full classifications of paper and notebooks, inkwells, engraved alphabet slates, blackboards, portable chemical laboratories, lesson stands, mathematical instruments, and countless other implements for classroom use. A section just beneath the long gallery held dozens of floor, table, and pocket globes.
The subdivisions of the exhibit comprised items from foreign countries—models of Swedish and Norwegian schoolhouses, zoological specimens for teaching natural history, maps, sample drawings, writing frames for the blind, and musical instruments.
As much as Alexander had hoped to have Lydia to himself this afternoon, he admitted the mathematicians’ responses were gratifying—they expressed their interest and admiration over the array of objects and made several useful suggestions of how to improve the displays.
“How did you manage to obtain permission for all of this?” Lydia asked after the others had drifted off to various sections of the exhibit.
She was watching the activity with a hint of awe. Pride coursed through Alexander. He wanted the exhibition to impress society, the government, the world, but right now this one woman’s admiration surpassed the need for anything more.
“All the articles for display were brought in duty-free,” he said. “When I first applied for the exhibition, I assumed it would be small. I knew it was a good idea, but I wasn’t certain how people would respond. Displays of writing books and maps aren’t quite the same as displays of ancient sculptures.”
“Yet people did respond,” Lydia said. “Emphatically. You ought to be very proud, my lord.”
He was. Not only of himself, but also of the Society, the members who had supported him despite everything, the people who had worked for almost two years to bring the idea to fruition.
“Would it be all right if I brought Jane here to see the preparations?” Lydia asked. “I think she’d especially enjoy seeing the insect cases.”
“Of course. Your grandmother is welcome to visit as well.”
“She’ll be delighted. She’s heard quite a bit about it already. Your reputation precedes you, my lord.” A flush colored her cheeks as she appeared to realize what she’d said.
“Not always in a positive manner,” Alexander said. He leaned his shoulder against a display case and studied Lydia. “What have you heard about me? Other than the usual rumors.”
“That you run a company trading in… cotton and flax, I think?” She examined a display of pocket globes, her eyelashes dark against her high cheekbones. “That you were once engaged to Lord Chilton’s daughter, but he insisted on breaking off the engagement after what happened with your mother.”