Page 7 of The Missing Book
The curiosity swirling in Leopold’s chest began to dampen.Is that not true?he thought to himself, as Lord Jedburgh’s frown grew heavier.A bluestocking is not what any young lady ought to be. I think Lord Trafalgar is correct. Though I shall speak to my sister and inform her to stay far from Lord Wishart, at the very least!
“Lord Albury then came to defend himself,” Lord Huggan finished. “He told Lord Trafalgar in no uncertain terms that a gentleman shows his true character not in what he rejects but in what he considers. He is, of course, to marry Miss Trentworth, who is part of the bluestocking book club. Lord Waverley, theother gentleman that was insulted, though he was not present, is very soon to engage himself to Lady Rosalyn, who is also part of the bluestocking book club.”
Leopold rubbed one hand over his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose lightly. There were too many names and too many confusing utterances for him to fully understand. “The bluestocking book club?”
Lord Huggan waved a hand. “That is unimportant. Regardless, it was Lady Amelia who defended both the absent Lord WaverleyandLady Rosalyn, though Lord Albury only added to her defense thereafter. Lord Trafalgar was most insulting and did not even remark upon anything that was said by Lord Albury! Near everyone in London thinks poorly of him now and given his arrogance and pride, I would not advise befriending him.”
“I thank you for that advice.” Leopold considered this carefully, thinking to himself that Lord Trafalgar’s opinion was, to his mind, quite proper. No gentleman ought to consider a bluestocking for that sort of young lady was most improper in such endeavors! Yes, the gentleman ought not to have said such a thing and certainly should not have insulted Lord Waverley and Lord Albury but Leopold could not find fault with what had been stated. “What did you say the name of the lady was?” he asked, as Lord Huggan smiled at an approaching acquaintance. “The one who defended them all?”
“Lady Amelia,” Lord Huggan said, before turning to greet another gentleman, directing him towards Leopold and introducing them both. Though Leopold did all that was expected, greeting the fellow correctly, bowing, and then asking some vague details about the gentleman to show his interest, he did not let his mind fully settle upon him. Instead, his thoughts were being constantly pulled back towards Lady Amelia. Whoever she was, if she was a bluestocking and part of this‘bluestocking club’, whatever that was, he would have to keep her far away from Anna – or forbid Anna from befriending her! The last thing he needed was for there to be such a lady in his world and Anna most certainly did not require a bluestocking for a friend!
Still frowning, Leopold excused himself and went in search of Anna. There would have to be a good deal said to her this evening about her behavior towards him today but, thereafter, he would have to instruct her about all things bluestocking. That would make it clear to her exactlywhyhe held such a concern and what his expectations were of her thereafter. A bluestocking was someone shunned, albeit lightly, by society. He could not have even a shadow of that touch Anna’s reputation, nor his own either! Such impropriety was something Leopold could not even bear to hear and, his brow furrowed and determination settling deep into his heart, he went in search of his sister.
Yes, she would complain and yes, she would state that he was being most unfair but Leopold did not care. He knew what was expected and thus, he knew what was best no matter what she thought.
And that did not include befriending a bluestocking.
3
“Father, I will not pretend.” Amelia lifted her chin as she descended from the carriage, keeping her head held high. “You know very well I will not.”
“But you must!” Lord Shrewsbury said though he kept his voice low. “Everyone in society now knows of you as the lady who spoke against Lord Trafalgar and that is not a good thing.”
“Why is it not?” Amelia challenged, knowing full well she had her mother’s support in this. Even if she was absent, Amelia could easily bring that back to her father’s mind. “I spoke to support my friends and it is not I who has come across as overbearing and arrogant, is it?”
Lord Shrewsbury sighed and shook his head, one hand passing over his grey beard which, Amelia knew, was a sign not only of exasperation but of giving up. “No, it is not,” he said, slowly. “But that does not mean that I like society speaking of you in this way, Amelia. To my mind, it would be best for a young lady such as yourself to now fade a little more into the background. Your brother thinks the very same.”
“That does not surprise me,” Amelia answered, relieved that her brother was not present this evening but had chosen to go toa different occasion instead. “Come now, father! You must not let Melford influence you in such a way. You see things just as they are, I am sure. I know for certain that one of the reasons you love my mother so very dearly is because she is not afraid to speak plainly.” She glanced at him, seeing the way he smiled just a little. “I am the very same.”
Another sigh came from him but it was not as heavy as the previous one. “I suppose that is true. You are your mother’s daughter, of course. I cannot deny that and I know she would have my hide if I were to insist that you pretend you were not a… a bluestocking.”
Amelia smiled at the way he hesitated before he said that word. He had never much cared about whether or not she read and learned in the way her brother did, not until it had come time for her to enter society. Now, it seemed, he felt the responsibility for her future a good deal heavier than it had been, though Amelia herself had no concerns. Two of her friends had, thus far, found affection with two gentlemen who cared for them just as they were, so she had to believe that there were more gentlemen of the same ilk; ones who would not care that she was a bluestocking but would, instead, delight in it. “All will be well, father, I assure you,” she said, though his smile quickly faded as they stepped inside. “You will see.”
“Lady Amelia, howdelightedwe are to have you here!”
Much to Amelia’s surprise, Lord Devon, their host for the evening, practically ran at her as she and her father made their way towards them, ready to greet them and thank them for the invitation to the ball. “Good evening, Lord Devon.”
“Right this way, right this way.” He gestured for her to come towards his wife who had the very same bright smile on her face as her husband. “How glad we are to have you here this evening! We are honored, truly.”
“Honored?” Amelia repeated, a little confused. “Lord Devon, there is no need for such remarks, surely.”
Lord Devon’s eyes widened. “But of course there is! You must be aware of what thetonhas been saying of you.”
Exchanging a look with her father who appeared just as confused as she, Amelia forced a smile, a niggle of worry in her heart. “I do not.”
“My son said that society was speaking of my daughter,” Lord Shrewsbury said, entering the conversation for the first time. “I have been concerned, of course, but – ”
“But why should you be?” Lady Devon exclaimed as some other guests came into the house, ready to join the receiving line. “Everyone is speaking so well of Lady Amelia, for it is not often that we have such strong young ladies amongst us. To hear of how she defended not only her friends but also Lord Waverley when they were being spoken of in such an ill manner is to be commended! It is not often that young ladies of quality show such courage. You must be truly delighted, Lord Shrewsbury.”
This was such a surprise that Amelia did not know how to react. There came no great swell of pride, no great sense of happiness that burst through her. She could hear her father stating that yes, he was very pleased indeed and was exceptionally glad that Amelia had such strength within her but she could only stand there, staring blankly into Lady Devon’s face.
“It isintegrity,” Lord Devon declared, firmly. “Thatis what you possess, Lady Amelia. A characteristic that ought to be a good deal more sought after than it is. Please, do go in and enjoy the ball. I hope you have an excellent evening.”
“I thank you,” Amelia managed to murmur, taking her father’s arm and walking into the ballroom with him. She felt her skin tingling at the back of her neck as though she was receivinga good many glances from the guests behind her though she felt a little unnerved by it all.
“Goodness, that was… unexpected.”
Looking at her father, Amelia was surprised to see the broad smile spreading across his face, bringing a light into his expression that she had not seen before.
