Page 17 of The Duke of Seduction
He bowed, but only slightly. It was as if he couldn’t quite be bothered. Or, she thought more charitably, perhaps he had a sore back.
“The pleasure is mine, Lady Lavinia. Would you care to take a turn?”
Lavinia knew there wasn’t really a choice, so she accepted his offer with a smile. Curling her hand around his elbow, she asked if he enjoyed musical performances.
Sir Martin led her around the edge of the drawing room in the opposite direction she’d gone with Miss Pemberton. Indeed, it was opposite of everyone given the flow of traffic, but Sir Martin seemed oblivious.
“I’m not particularly fond of music in general, but occasionally, I am taken with a piece. The Fortescues are friends of my mother’s.
“I see.” No music. She didn’t dare ask if he liked rocks or dirt.
“I prefer horses and astronomy.”
Lavinia’s attention piqued. “Astronomy?”
“The stars and sky.” His tone was condescending. He’d clearly thought she didn’t know what the word meant.
“I’m quite familiar with astronomy,” she informed him politely. Perhapstoopolitely. She wanted to say,Caroline Herschel is a particular hero of mine, but instead followed her mother’s directive of not discussing science. It burned her tongue, however, since he had brought it up.
Sir Martin glanced down at her from where he stood at least six inches above her. “Indeed? I expect to be named a fellow to the Royal Society within the next few years.”
Lavinia nearly tripped. To meet an eligible bachelor who was potentially interested in courting her—and why else would he ask her to promenade?—who was a scientist? She was momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence indeed. And helpful since she really wanted to tell him she was an amateur geologist but shouldn’t.
“I shan’t bore you with the details. If the sky were clearer, I would take you out on the balcony and show you Orion. Perhaps we’ll meet again on a more visible evening.”
“I should like that, thank you.”
“I imagine horses might be of more interest to you. Do you ride?”
“I do.” But horses weren’t even remotely as interesting as stars and planets and comets.
“Let me tell you about my favorite mount.” He smiled, briefly revealing teeth that weren’t particularly even. Then he launched into a description of his horse, both in looks and temperament, and by the time they’d returned to her mother, she wondered why he wasn’t courting the beast instead.
Thankfully, Sarah and Fanny were nearby, and after Sir Martin took his leave, Lavinia was able to go and speak with them, particularly since the performance was about to begin.
“Do you like your ensemble a bit more than you did this afternoon?” Sarah asked as they found three seats halfway back from the dais. “It’s very smart.”
Fanny eyed her as they sat down. “Don’t you like it?”
“I feel rather…floral,” Lavinia said, glancing down at herself.
“I think it’s fetching,” Fanny said. “I adore the bandeau in your hair.”
Lavinia’s hand went instinctively to her head. Her maid had carefully curled her thick, slightly wavy locks and fashioned the coiffure. “Thank you. It’s just not what I’m used to.”
“Who were you promenading with?” Fanny asked, lowering her voice as others sat down around them.
Lavinia, seated between Fanny and Sarah, glanced around and, squinting as usual, saw Sir Martin sitting a few rows behind her. A familiar figure at the back of the room pushed her to narrow her eyes even more. Lord Northam leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. He seemed to be surveying the room, his head moving—damn, she wished she had her spectacles—then suddenly, he stopped. And stared right at her. Her eyesight might not be entirely reliable, but shefelthis perusal down to her bones.
“I think that was Sir Marvin or something or other,” Sarah said, while Lavinia sought to find her tongue.
“Sir Martin,” Lavinia corrected. “Riddock. Sir Martin Riddock.”
Sarah peered at her expectantly. “How was he?”
“A bit dull, but he has potential.” If she could get him to stop talking about horses and focus on the sky. “He’s an astronomer and expects to be a fellow of the Royal Society.”
Sarah’s eyes lit. “How wonderful! See, the Duke of Seduction might have helped after all.”
