Page 41 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
He realized he’d severely underestimated Miss Hart’s interest. She read the information attached to every single display. It made progress slow, but he loved to watch her face as she took in everything around her. Her expression hid nothing.
When they reached the statue hall, her pretty pink lips parted, and she made a sound of delight. She rushed to the one closest—a statue of a man carved from marble, wearing a toga and a laurel crown.
“It’s incredible,” she breathed. “The detail is exquisite.”
She hurried to another and reached out as if to touch it,only dropping her hand at the last minute. She looked around, perhaps expecting someone to chastise her, but when no one did, she cocked her head and studied the figure of a woman in a dress clutching an infant to her chest.
Warmth blossomed in his chest as he watched her scurry to another statue, her eyes alight, her cheeks pink with pleasure. Attraction simmered in his lower abdomen, and he was struck by the urge to kiss her.
Her obvious passion rendered her incredibly enticing.
A voice in the back of his mind told him that he didn’t really want to kiss her. It was just that doing so would move their courtship forward. After all, he’d never have looked at her twice if not for his somewhat unfortunate financial situation.
But he wasn’t quite sure he believed that.
“I say. Longley, is that you?”
Andrew turned slowly, a pit of dread in his gut. Mr. Norton Falvey stood behind them, smirking as if he’d caught Andrew stealing cookies from the kitchen.
“Hello, Falvey,” he said levelly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Honestly, the only place he usually encountered the man was at their club, the Regent, although he knew Falvey also spent a great deal of time at the horse races.
Falvey glanced at Miss Hart, who’d abandoned her study of the statue to join them. He inclined his head in a way that would have been respectful if not for the slight curl of his mouth. “Miss Hart.”
She dipped into a curtsy far more respectful than he deserved. “Mr. Falvey.”
Falvey returned his gaze to Andrew. “I heard rumors you were bound for the parson’s noose, but I didn’t believe it. Perhaps I dismissed the rumors too swiftly, though?”
Andrew gritted his teeth. How dare Falvey make such acomment in front of Miss Hart? She deserved better than to be referred to in such a way.
“I intend to wed this season,” he said, sidestepping Falvey’s insulting terminology. Perhaps once, he’d have used the same phrase himself, but never in front of a marriageable miss.
“It seems you’ve been quick off the mark.” Falvey’s gaze swept over Miss Hart from head to toe. “Perhaps a little too quick?”
Andrew crossed his arms. “Now isn’t a good time. I’ll see you in the Regent.”
Falvey chuckled and sauntered past them, heading through the statue hall and out the other side.
Releasing a long breath, Andrew hoped Falvey hadn’t ruined this for him. “I’m sorry about him,” he told Miss Hart. “He was completely out of line.”
To his surprise, she just shrugged. “Don’t worry yourself over it. I’m well aware of how some men view marriage.”
His eyebrow rose. He’d expected a more negative reaction. Regardless of his reason for pursuing a courtship, he doubted any woman wished to be made to feel unwanted or inadequate compared to her peers.
“Are you sure? I can—”
“Quite,” she cut in firmly. “Let’s continue.”
She resumed her study of the exhibit. As they moved through the hall and into the next room, he observed her for any indication that she was bothered by the exchange with Falvey, but she seemed to have put it completely out of her head.
Eventually, he allowed himself to do the same. He chatted with her over the ancient tablets, wondering out loud about the people who’d created them and the lives they’d lived. The maid had long since stopped staying close to them, instead opting to sit on a bench and watch until it was time to shift from room to room.
They didn’t emerge from the museum until hours later. He summoned his carriage and waited while the footman helped both women into the back. He asked the driver to deliver them first to the Hart residence.
During the drive, Miss Hart’s earlier reticence returned. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was related to whatever she wished to speak to him about. He tried to engage her in conversation to no avail, so he settled for watching London pass by the window.
When they came to a halt, Miss Hart turned to him. “Will you come in so we can speak in private?”
