A Study In Seduction(72)

She smiled. His blood warmed.

“You as well, my lord,” she said. “I received word that several mathematical texts have arrived. You wanted my opinion on whether they should be included in the exhibition?”

Hell. Now Alexander didn’t even know how much longer the decisions would be his to make. He gave a short nod.

“If you would accompany me, please?” he asked.

Lydia stepped away from the exhibit, falling into pace with him as he walked toward the offices at the back of the hall.

“Er, is that Miss Kellaway?” A male voice interrupted them.

Alexander muttered an oath as Lydia turned to face the two men who were approaching. Alexander frowned, straightening his shoulders to convey an air of intimidation. It worked, as the two men stopped a distance away, their eyes going uncertainly from Lydia to Alexander.

She stepped forward with a delighted smile. “Lord Perry, Dr. Sigley, how wonderful and unexpected to see you here.”

Heartened by her enthusiasm, the men approached with their hands extended—the gesture being the only similarity in their respective appearances. One of the men was small and sprightly with inquisitive eyes that brought the image of Queen Victoria’s late pet spaniel, Dash, to mind. His shuffling, big-shouldered companion sported ears like Staffordshire oatcakes and a lackadaisical expression mitigated by keen dark eyes.

“And our utmost pleasure to see you, Miss Kellaway,” Dash the Spaniel said, grasping her hand in both of his and pumping it heartily.

“Yes, it’s been far too long since we’ve had the opportunity to match our wits with yours.” Oatcakes sidled between his companion and Lydia to take her hands.

Alexander cleared his throat. Lydia turned to him with a smile.

“Lord Northwood, these gentlemen are renowned mathematicians,” she said, gesturing to Dash. “This is Dr. Sigley, Fellow of the Royal Society of London and editor of the Cambridge and Dublin Mathematical Journal. And Lord Perry is a professor at King’s College whose election to the Society is expected this month. Isn’t that correct, my lord?”

“Indeed it is, Miss Kellaway. Thank you for remembering.”

“Of course. But what are you both doing here?”

“The committee in charge of collecting mathematical and scientific instruments asked us to be advisors,” Lord Perry said, scrutinizing her with the attentiveness of a jeweler examining a rare gem. “We’d hoped to call upon you for assistance, but knowing you prefer… er, that is, seeing as how you cherish your privacy… ah, in the sense that—”

“We know you prefer to avoid the recognition,” Dr. Sigley put in.

“Yes,” Perry agreed. “Much as recognition would like to cast its radiant light upon you, my dear Miss Kellaway.”

He and Sigley fell silent in a moment of reverent admiration. Alexander coughed.

“Forgive me, gentlemen.” Lydia turned to Alexander. “This is Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood. He is the director of the exhibition.”

Alexander’s back teeth came together hard. He nodded. “Gentlemen.”

“My lord.” Perry shuffled his feet together, casting a glance at his companion. “Miss Kellaway, are you involved with the exhibition?”

“No, I’m just giving his lordship my opinion about several mathematical texts.”

“And will you attend the symposium week after next?” Sigley asked. “I received the paper you sent for review, the one about the rotation of a body around a fixed point. You claim it can be solved by six meromorphic functions of time?”

“Yes, provided all six have a positive radius of convergence and satisfy the Euler equations as well.”

“Genius,” Perry murmured. He grasped Lydia’s hand in both of his and spoke to Northwood while continuing to stare at her. “Lord Northwood, you’ve got a most extraordinary… Miss Kellaway is deeply admired. Very deeply admired.”

Sigley moved to ease Perry away from Lydia, who appeared amused rather than affronted by the man’s evident devotion.

“You’ve several fascinating ideas in your paper, Miss Kellaway,” Sigley agreed. “I’ve some questions about the integrals but need to study the equations a bit more. Perhaps we can discuss it further at the symposium?”

“Of course. I look forward to it.”

“As do I,” Sigley said. “Pleasure to see you again, and to meet you, my lord.”