The Duchess War (Brothers Sinister #1)(32)

“Would it?” Robert glanced at him. “I’ve never known you to shut up, not about anything. And are you an unbeliever? I’ve read all your papers, even the ones that are well over my head, and I don’t recall you taking a position.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Haven’t you heard? I’m a godless scientist, an apostate follower of Darwin.”

“Even Mr. Darwin isn’t an unbeliever.”

Sebastian didn’t answer the question. Instead he gave a resigned shrug. “I not only think that the species evolved, I can prove that characteristics are transmitted from parent to offspring in a dependable, scientific manner. Not by the grace of any divine being. By the operation of simple, natural principles.” He gave Robert a look. “That makes me an unbeliever in half of society’s eyes. Who am I to argue with them?”

“I take it that’s a rhetorical question, as you argue with them at every opportunity.”

Sebastian smiled in pleasure and shook his head.

“I think you just like being an outcast.”

“That must be it.” Sebastian shrugged.

“And you’ve managed to distract me. You never did answer my question. Do you believe in God?”

“I’ve given you as much an answer as I’ll give anyone. I think it’s a shame that Mr. Darwin must account for his religion on the basis of the work that he does. A man’s beliefs should be between himself and whatever deity he does—or does not—worship. Nobody asks a cooper whether he believes in God. Why should I have to answer? Why should anyone care?”

It had come on so quickly, Sebastian’s fame. So much that it was still rather a shock to discover that Sebastian—quick-minded, foul-mouthed Sebastian Malheur, his cousin and onetime coconspirator—had become a famous scientist. Not that Sebastian didn’t have the brains for it; he’d always been quick and clever. It was just easier to see his cousin as the prankster he’d been as a child, rather than an actual serious-minded adult.

“Besides,” Sebastian said, “it’s loads more fun tweaking everyone. Refusing to answer the question has all the old biddies hem-hemming and striking me from their guest lists.”

Possibly this was because Sebastian had not become an actual serious-minded adult. Robert had missed him.

The conductor sounded his whistle, and people began to board. Robert and Sebastian waited at the end of the platform for the first crowds to dissipate, and then walked back. They passed the luggage cars, then the second-class cabins, on their way to their seats.

But as they walked past one car, Robert blinked. He couldn’t have seen… He quickly turned and walked back.

“Oy!” Sebastian called. “You’re going the wrong way.”

Robert waved him off. He’d had the strangest illusion when he’d walked by—that the woman he’d seen out of the corner of his eye was none other than Miss Pursling.

It couldn’t be.

When he came abreast of the window, he saw his eyes had not deceived him. The woman lifted her head from contemplation of her book to stare out the window on the other side. The sun spangled through the dust collected on the window, illuminating that nose he knew so well—and those lips.

Miss Pursling was sitting in that compartment. She’d be sitting there the entire way to Leicester—several hours with nobody to talk to. Nobody, unless…

Violet had come out of the station as well. She was tossing orders to the porter.

Robert tapped her on the shoulder.

“Violet,” he said, “might I borrow your maid?”

Violet’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Borrow my maid? No, you may not borrow Matilda. Whatever do you need her for?”

“I—” He tried not to look in Miss Pursling’s direction. “Ah.”

“It’s a woman,” Sebastian put in. “You can tell by the look of nervous anticipation on his face—it’s a woman.”

“Oh?” Violet looked around demurely. “Is it… No. Don’t tell me who. Let me guess.”

Violet was capable of a demure little glance about. But Sebastian craned his neck, looking from side to side with exaggerated motions.

Robert winced. “Stop. Stop. Do you have to be so obvious?”

“I knew it was a woman!” Sebastian said triumphantly. “We’re embarrassing him—it has to be a woman.”

Just a moment before, Robert had been thinking how lovely it was to be around people who understood him. No longer. His cheeks flushed. “If I admit it’s a woman, will you stop gawking and pretend to be normal people?”

Violet sniffed. “I still don’t see what a woman has to do with your needing Matilda.”

“She’s riding in one of the second-class compartments alone,” Robert admitted. “I want to sit with her.”

This pronouncement was met with a rigid silence. Sebastian looked at Violet; Violet looked at Sebastian. The two of them might as well have waggled their eyebrows in accusation.

“You’re interested in a woman who is riding second-class,” Sebastian finally said.

Violet gave him an almost identical look. “You’re interested in a woman who is riding second-class, and your interest is such that you care about the effect on her reputation.”

Sebastian rubbed his hands together. “Oh,” he said with glee, “your mother is going to love this.”