Page 14 of The Baron and the Bluestocking

CHAPTERFIVE

A few hours later,Tillie sat next to her mother in the carriage, Lady Greenburg and Alex riding with them as they returned from the picnic. They’d dined together as well, and not even Viscount Bancroft’s dislike of dirt and bugs had diminished her good feelings.

Alex had given her some excellent advice, his support, both verbal and physical had filled her with something lovely and warm and yet…thrilling.

She shook her head. How was that possible?

Glancing at him from under her lashes, she fingered Juliet’s letter in her pocket once again. Had her friend sent another plea for Tillie to join her?

Tillie winced. Alex was right. It was time for her to be honest with Juliet. Even if she came to live with her friend, she didn’t wish to join her research project on oceanic life. She had her own studies to attend.

Relief filled her with the decision. Surely, that meant she’d made the right one? But the next question—did she wish to wed and make her studies a hobby or did she wish to become a spinster—filled her with dread once again?

Clearly, she’d yet to land on the right path there. Her work was important to her. If she married a man who didn’t understand that…

She frowned. That would never work. She knew that with certainty. But what about a man who might share her passion? Even if not for her subject…

She looked at Alex again and her breath caught.

But he didn’t feel that way about her. He’d always found her irritating at best. She sighed. Still, he gave her hope. Could there be a man out there who’d accept her for who she truly was? Was it possible that she could have both her studies and a family of her own?

That thought made her smile.

Alex saw the grin and returned it, his eyes twinkling as he shifted in his seat, sitting up straighter.

Her hand fluttered up until she rested her fingers on her cheek, her gaze casting down again. Looking at him for too long made her wildly uncomfortable.

“Did you miss your thing you’ve been trying to see in the sky?” his mother finally asked.

“The occultation,” they both said at once and Tillie found herself grinning again.

“The occultation,” Lady Greenburg repeated on an extended breath of air. “Right.”

“No,” Alex answered with a laugh coloring his voice. “I did not. And what’s more, Lady Matilda has come up with an excellent solution on how I can keep my telescope safe while I’m here.”

“Tillie never lacks for ideas when it comes to process,” her mother said. “She’s ridiculously intelligent that way.”

Tillie’s chin shot up. Had her mother just complimented her? On something other than lineage? Which wasn’t really a compliment at all but this…

The telescope idea hadn’t been particularly brilliant, rather mundane, but still. Her mother’s acknowledgement of her intelligence was nearly as rare as the occultation.

“Thank you,” she murmured staring at her mother as if she were a new species of beetle she’d discovered.

“Don’t look so shocked,” her mother added with a sniff. “I’m aware of your talents.”

She managed not to mumble that this was new information for her. That would be rude after her mother had just complimented her.

But Alex gave her a wink from across the way. “Speaking of Lady Matilda’s talents, she’s going to show me her research.”

“Oh! Tillie,” her mother gasped. “What have I told you? You must never show any gentleman ever, what you do in that room.”

Tillie groaned to herself. “Mother.”

But it was Alex who finished the thought. “Honestly, my lady, I requested the tour. I’d like very much to learn more about Tillie’s pursuits.”

“Tillie?” Lady Greenburg repeated the use of Alex’s nickname.

“Apologies.” Alex gave a quick cough.

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