Page 181 of From Rakes to Riches

“Not that I saw, and I do recognize this is a huge change for you. But it has come to my attention you were seen walking in Hyde Park early yesterday morning. That is not something young ladies do.” He transferred his disapproving gaze to Prudence. “I would have expected you to know better.”

“She did,” Fiona said, coming forward from the squab. “She said I couldn’t go, but I insisted. I said I’d go without her.” She glanced over at Prudence and hoped she wouldn’t contradict her. “It was my fault, not hers.” Fiona stared squarely into the earl’s eyes. The pewter looked almost silver in the dim light.

“I see.” He cast a dubious frown toward Prudence. “I expect you will be more persuasive in the future?”

Prudence stiffened. “I will try, my lord.”

Fiona felt terrible. She would not risk Prudence’s position ever again.

Turning her head as her heartbeat finally began to slow, Fiona stared out the window. Thiswasa big change from the life she’d known. Was it so bad that she wanted to experience every moment, to see as much as she could?

“I am sorry, Lord Overton,” she said quietly.

“Just be careful, Miss Wingate. You wouldn’t want to ruin your chances.”

For marriage. He hadn’t said that, but that’s what he’d meant. For a brief moment, Fiona wondered if ruination might be better.

5

Tobias could still feel the excitement radiating from his ward as they left the map room at the British Museum. They’d spent all of their time in just this one place, and she still hadn’t seen everything she wanted to.

“I’m sorry we didn’t view anything else,” she said a bit sheepishly as they made their way along a gallery, her hand curled about his forearm. “And I’m glad Prudence didn’t come, for then I would have bored two people instead of one.”

Lady Pickering had assured Tobias that he could escort his ward to the museum without a companion or chaperone since he was her guardian, and it was a very public place.

“I wasn’t bored at all.” He’d enjoyed perusing the maps with her. In all honesty, he enjoyed watching her delight. “Besides, I’ve been here many times, and we shall return.”

She beamed at him, her deep brown eyes gleaming with joy. “This is the best day I’ve ever had.”

Tobias felt rather humbled by her statement. It was, after all, just a trip to a museum. Except he supposed it was much more than that for her. She’d spent a few hours poring over maps, which was apparently her favorite thing to do. “I’m glad youenjoyed yourself. Since you like maps so much, I wonder what you think of cartography.”

“Well, obviously I support the endeavor,” she said wryly. “If you’re asking if I’d like to create maps, I’ve never considered it.”

“Would you like to read about it? Perhaps you could start with Ptolemy’sGeographia.”

She slowed, and he had to drastically reduce his stride lest he drag her along. “I’m afraid I did not have an extensive education. I did read all that I could, but I am not familiar with that book.”

Humility returned as did a bit of regret. He didn’t want her to feel embarrassed about not knowing things. “Are you familiar with Ptolemy?”

“He was an astronomer, I believe?”

Tobias nodded. “Also a geographer, mathematician, and astrologer, among other things. He wrote scientific treatises on a great many subjects.”

“It’s too bad he couldn’t settle on one thing.”

Tobias smiled in response. “You would find hisGeographiainteresting, I think. He explains how he used data to create a map of the known world.”

“That sounds fascinating. How can I read it?”

“I’ll procure a copy.”

She stopped altogether then and pivoted toward him. “I can’t believe how lucky I am. Thank you. For everything you’ve done. For bringing me here—to London, I mean. I know your father made a promise to my father and that the guardianship was made in writing, but you don’t have to do all that you are. You certainly didn’t have to escort me here today.”

“It is my pleasure to do so.” And he meant it. Her eagerness and excitement for her new life were infectious. He was surprised by how much he truly enjoyed her company.

“How will I ever be able to repay your kindness?” She blushed slightly. “Well, I can’t ever actually repay you—thatcourt gown alone is beyond my comprehension of expense—but I should like you to know how grateful I will always be.”

“When you are married well and happily settled, that will be all the repayment I require.” He patted her hand and started walking again.

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