Chapter Six

D ory focused on her food, trying to ignore the conversation around her. She’d pled a headache as soon as tea was over, hiding away in her room. How could she have brought up childbirth? And in mixed company! Even as she thought about it for the twenty-second time, she felt her cheeks heating. No one had mentioned her terrible blunder, but they were all aware. They heard her. The only way to survive until the other guests arrived was to keep silent.

She had tried the same tactic at the Mabrys’ ball, the Worthington sisters’ recital, and the lecture at the Royal Institution—and had failed. But she was determined to remain quiet until the first guests arrived. Or maybe until the first three guests arrived. It would be easier to not draw attention to herself with many more people.

To her benefit, she had been seated between Lady Sommerset and Lord Harewood instead of next to Rose, which made it easier to keep from joining the conversation. She had found herself far too comfortable with Rose. Lady Sommerset kept Lady Enderly engaged and with Lord Harewood, though he seemed to have knowledge on almost every subject, his cool manners made it easy not to interject, though she would have liked to many times, and they were barely halfway through the meal.

Lord Harewood put down his glass. “I predict all theatres will be gaslit by the end of the next season. That type of lighting is appropriate for those venues. While walkways at Hyde Park, which are hardly used at night, should be one of the last areas to receive gaslights.”

Lord Sommerset shrugged before waiving a servant over. “I doubt there will be a logical reason for the order in which gas lighting of public places is installed. To me, it makes sense to start from one point and move outward, but that does not appear to be the case.”

Dory quickly took another bite of the salmon pastry to keep from adding to the conversation. She tried instead to listen to the conversation on her left.

Lady Enderly commented, “I believe the gardens would be the perfect place to set up an out-of-doors painting session. We can schedule it for directly after we break our fast. If you wish, Amelia, we can go there tomorrow morning at the time I was thinking. Perhaps you can suggest the best spot for the easels.”

Already bored with that conversation, Dory refocused to hear Lord Enderly declare the advent of gas lighting to be a step forward for mankind.

Thankful that his comment seemed to have ended whatever mild debate had been ensuing, she set her fork to the side, having finished her pastry, and lifted her wineglass to her lips.

“Lady Dorothea, which technological advance do you think the most advantageous to mankind?”

Having not expected to be addressed directly by Lord Harewood, she swallowed far more than she intended and quickly set her glass down as she covered her mouth with her napkin, trying not to cough. When she felt able, she turned her head to find the earl focused on her, his green gaze rather distracting at such a close distance. “I’m not sure that I could offer any insight, as I doubt very much that I am aware of all the great advances.”

She didn’t look to her left, but she was quite sure she heard a relieved breath come from Lady Sommerset. Proud of herself for avoiding the question, she smiled.

“Come now. Surely, you have learned of enough of them at your school to have an opinion.”

Her smile froze. This would hardly make her more acceptable to his mother. Why did Lord Harewood save her from embarrassment in one moment and then draw her out in another? “To be honest, I have not thought upon the subject before, so I doubt I can add anything of substance.”

Pleased with herself once again, she turned away and lifted her glass.

“Then tell us what first comes to mind.”

What first came to mind was that she wished she had a plum to stick in his mouth to keep him from asking any more questions of her. Slowly, she set the glass down, not unaware that everyone at the table was now awaiting her response. “Very well, then. Let me see.” She paused as she thought then turned toward him. “The first advance that comes to mind is the wheel.”

His dark brows raised over his stunning eyes. They were as distracting as if he’d had a wart on his nose. Then again, if she stared at his nose, she might appear as if she needed glasses, as that would be the wrong focal point of his face.

“Pray tell me, why the wheel? That is a rather mundane and rudimentary advancement that has been used for millennia.”

She refocused by looking across the table to Lord Sommerset and Lady Rose. “Precisely.”

Lord Sommerset lowered his brows. “The wheel, you say.”

“Quite.” She turned back to Lord Harewood. “The wheel has been used since before the ancient Greeks. It is still in use, proving its importance to mankind. Nothing has replaced it, and it is used for everything from that cheese trolley over there to the new steam locomotive. It allows items and even people to be transported great distances.”

The man’s gaze became so intense at her words that she turned her head to talk to the rest of the table. “It was simply the first item that came to mind.”

Surprisingly, everyone picked up the topic. Everyone except the man sitting next to her. Finally, unable to resist, she turned to look at him and found a sly smile on his face. She simply had to ask. “Is that what you’d hoped I’d answer?”

“No. I had predicted something else entirely. You surprise me, Lady Dorothea.”

Instinct told her that the man was not surprised often, but she couldn’t be sure if he liked being surprised or if she’d insulted him once again. If it was the latter, it would be best to make amends. “What did you predict I would say?”

“I thought you might say cloth, since clothing has been in existence for quite some time and you did remark upon clothing colors at the Stocktons’ ball.” He appeared to find his answer amusing. “In fact, that burgundy color suits you very well.”

She wasn’t sure if she should feel complimented or insulted. Something in the way he phrased his statement along with his tone made it sound as if he were instructing her on what to wear. Surely, he wouldn’t presume so much. “While what you say about cloth is—”

“Ladies, I suggest we retire to the parlor.” Lady Enderly rose from her seat at the end of the table. “These gentlemen obviously have much to discuss involving progress and such.” She gave her husband a pitying smile. “I’m sure they will join us as soon as all is decided.”

Lord Enderly grinned. “I assure you, my lady, that we will set the world aright in due haste.”

“Very good.” As the marchioness started for the door, Rose also stood and turned to follow.

Rising herself, Dory waited for Lady Sommerset to pass before following her, not unaware that Lord Harewood frowned quite ominously. As she continued out of the room, she couldn’t help wondering if she was the cause of his upset.

She didn’t have long to wait to discover her answer, for it was barely an hour before the men joined them. Though she found the hour to be quite revealing. Anytime Lady Sommerset mentioned anything beyond paintings, sewing, or others in the ton , Lady Enderly guided the conversation back to her favorite three topics.

Since she had little interest in those subjects, having long ago learned all that was necessary, she didn’t feel a need to become an expert in any of them. This made it far easier to remain silent, or to simply nod in agreement. Was this why Rose didn’t know what to say in society? How absolutely boring her life must be.

As the men filed in, Dory felt a certain relief that they would take some of Lady Enderly’s attention, but a new tension started in her belly that she must guard her tongue once more. Lord Enderly took the wingback chair next to his wife as he had at tea. Lord Sommerset did not move to his wife but instead to a painting across the room that he pointed to. Lord Harewood joined him. As the painting was quite close to where Dory sat on the settee with Rose, she angled her head to peruse it.

Sommerset’s finger moved. “See here. This is not the left bank of the Seine. It may have all the markings of being painted in Paris, but an artist who painted in Paris would never leave off the wall along the river across from Notre Dame.”

Lord Harewood examined the section referred to. “It could be there under all that greenery.”

Sommerset chuckled. “Must you always argue a point?”

“Would you prefer I agree? What would our conversations be like if I did agree? Would we ever truly understand a topic if I agreed?”

Lady Enderly interrupted. “Felton, must you always answer a question with three more? You fairly make me dizzy with all that.” She waved her hand as if swatting a fly.

“Must I?”

At his rejoinder, Dory placed her hand to her lips to stifle a laugh.

Lady Sommerset rolled her eyes at the earl. “Lord Harewood, do leave off teasing my husband. For those in the room who are unaware, the painting was done by an Englishman from memory. He did visit Paris but did not paint while there. It is authentic and executed passably well.”

“There you are, Harewood.” Lord Sommerset clapped the other earl on his back. “An authority who cannot be questioned.”

Lord Harewood opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Lady Sommerset did. “And there is nothing more to be said about that.”

The earl actually closed his mouth and nodded his agreement.

Dory was quite sure she did not understand the undercurrent of the relationship between Lord Harewood and the Craufords. It was rather puzzling. They seemed to get on well, but sometimes, they spoke quite harshly to each other or put each other in their place. Was it a friendly rivalry?

“I do believe we have thoroughly confused poor Lady Dorothea.” Lady Sommerset gave her a sympathetic look. “Pay us no mind. We are simply comrades in deciphering life.”

Lady Enderly hmphed, clearly not impressed.

Feeling the need to divert attention, Dory rose. “Might I see what you were commenting on?”

“Of course.” Lord Harewood stepped aside as Lord Sommerset moved to take a chair by his wife.

As the conversation turned once again to the coming guests, she stepped before the painting and studied it. Lady Sommerset had taught them about forgeries at Silver Meadows. It was well known at the school that she could tell an authentic painting from a forgery in minutes and that her husband collected art.

Studying the painting and in particular the area in question, Dory could easily see why Lord Sommerset had questioned its authenticity. But he would have known it was not a forgery, so he had teased his friend apurpose. She almost sighed at how wonderful it would be to have a friend like that. Elsbeth and she were very close, but it was mutual respect and love that made it so, not jesting and teasing. It seemed a very fun kind of friendship.

“Do you see my point?”

Lord Harewood’s breath brushed passed her ear, which caused an odd tingle down the back of her neck. She stepped to the side to put distance between them. “I do. I also see Lord Sommerset’s point.”

“So you do not wish to take a side?”

Before she spoke, she reminded herself not to wander. “I feel that it is a moot point, as I know that Lady Sommerset is an expert in identifying forgeries. The piece simply is not a forgery based upon her assertion it is authentic. However, if that were not the situation, I would still bow to her better judgment. But if she were not present, I would examine it further as she taught us at school and mostly likely come to the same conclusion she has. So in essence, I would agree with you because you were correct according to my own knowledge on the matter. However, if my knowledge were faulty, I might as easily disagree with you because Lord Sommerset was quite correct. Despite your assertion there is a wall beneath the greenery, there most certainly is not.” She gave a small nod, pleased that she’d stayed on the subject.

His gaze softened. “I am very pleased that I’m not the only person who appears to talk in circles.”

At the appreciation in his eyes, she felt her cheeks heat. “Actually, I prefer to think of it as squiggly lines, like a meandering river with its tributaries, but since in this case I did remain on topic, I would agree it appears to be a circle, though perhaps a wobbly one?”

This time, the earl laughed.

Immediately, she felt the eyes of everyone in the room upon them despite the fact that her back was to most of them.

“Felton, what do you find so humorous?” His mother did not sound pleased.

How odd. Wouldn’t a mother enjoy her son’s laughter? Unless, of course, she found it offensive in mixed company.

“Nothing of great import, Mother. I was simply comparing thought processes with Lady Dorothea and I found her description rather droll.”

“‘Thought processes’? Really, Felton, do leave that for your club. I’m sure Lady Dorothea has little use for such conversation.”

He gave her a quick wink before responding to his mother. “I’m sure you are correct. I apologize for bringing such an inane subject to your parlor.”

If he hadn’t winked at her first, she would have taken offense, but it was obvious he was humoring his mother. She had thought her family odd, but the Ambroses were far more complicated.

“Lady Dorothea, do ignore my brother and come sit. I would very much enjoy your opinion on a contest I have devised.”

Happy to be of service to Rose, she moved back to the settee both pleased and a little disappointed to leave the earl’s company. Lord Harewood was proving to be an interesting study. Unfortunately, as such, he was a great distraction and if she wasn’t careful, she would make one too many missteps and find herself in a coach headed for home.