Chapter Ten

Lillian smiled at Lady Dinah. "I am glad to see you. It has only been a few days since we were last able to take tea but it does feel like a very long time indeed!"

Lady Dinah laughed and nodded. "I quite understand what you mean."

"And I was not able to talk to you even when we met at Hyde Park!" Lillian exclaimed, rolling her eyes gently though inwardly, her curiosity began to grow. "My brother was most insistent that he should steal you away for his own company."

Dinah's cheeks dimpled, giving Lillian the impression that she was rather taken with Harry and his attentions to her and that made Lillian's smile grow all the more.

"Today at least I shall have you all to myself for a time," she continued, when Dinah said nothing. "Tell me, which gentlemen have you danced with of late? Who have you spent company with? And who has called upon you?"

Dinah's smile faded. "Too many," she sighed, with a shake of her head. "I confess that I do not like to have such attentions thrown at me by so many gentlemen, especially those who come only to see what sort of creature I am." She arched one eyebrow at Lillian and Lillian winced in return, understanding exactly what it was that her friend meant.

"I had Lord Thornlake call upon me yesterday," she told her friend, as Lady Dinah shuddered lightly. "He sat much too close to me and, at one point, put his hand on my knee although it was only for a moment. My mother was rising to ring the bell when he did so, else I am sure that he would never have dared to do such a thing."

"I do believe that he is a dreadful rake and I have been thoroughly warned away from him," Lady Dinah said, closing her eyes for a moment. "He did much the same to me, sitting so close to me that I felt my skin prickling and believing, I think, that I enjoyed his nearness given how he smiled."

"I have no intention of giving even the smallest amount of time to any rake," Lillian declared, firmly, "and there are so many of them within the ton ! I do not want to have any of them come near me, though Mama says that it is something that simply must be borne until they realise that I am not about to give them the attentions that they desire."

Lady Dinah nodded. "Indeed. Though, might I ask if there are any other gentlemen that have caught your attention, aside from these rakes?"

Lillian blushed immediately, aware that only one gentleman had come to her mind the moment Lady Dinah had asked and she was certainly not going to admit that to her friend! "I do not think that there has been as yet, no," she lied, her cheeks warm and betraying her as Dinah smiled. "To be truthful, I do not feel as though many of them truly know who I am and in that regard, I find myself pushed away from them."

Lady Dinah tilted her head. "In what way?"

"In that they do not know how much I love arithmetic and the like," Lillian answered, though she smiled as she spoke. "Your cousin does, of course, and he has not rejected me for it but there are many gentlemen who would consider me a bluestocking and, thereafter, turn away from me. In that regard, these gentlemen who come to take tea or to make afternoon calls have no real understanding of me and I suppose, in that way, I have no desire to draw closer to any of them."

"But then you must tell them!" Lady Dinah exclaimed, as Lillian chuckled. "You must reveal just how wonderfully you think and see what they make of it. It might be that there is more than just my cousin who thinks highly of you."

"Mayhap," Lillian answered, reaching to take her tea and doing her best to change the topic of conversation onto something new. "Now, you must tell me what else you have been doing. Have you had an ice at Gunters as yet?"

"Yes, I have." Dinah sighed contentedly and settled back in her chair a little more. "My cousin took me, though I think it was to appease his mother after he did not sit with us for dinner on two occasions!"

"Oh." The question on Lillian's lips could not be held back. "What was it that kept him?"

"His workings on whatever invention it is he is working on at present," Lady Dinah said, with a roll of her eyes. "I know that he has told you about such things so I do not mind speaking of it, though I must say that it is terribly frustrating for the Duchess to see. She does not like it, fearing that society will think him a fool or some such thing, should they discover it."

"And you?"

Lady Dinah smiled and lifted her shoulders. "I do not know what to make of it all. I do not think that it is a terrible thing that he should miss dinner with us on two occasions for he does very well in everything. Yet, at the same time, I can understand why the Duchess is fearful of society's considerations of what he does. If they were to discover it, then there might be a great many whispers and rumours flying about London."

"But he is a Duke," Lillian answered, with a slight shrug. "The ton can speak ill of him and he will still be welcomed in society."

Lady Dinah considered this, then shook her head. "Mayhap, though there can still be some damage to his reputation and, mayhap, to whoever young lady he might be considering. I suppose that the Duchess considers that it might also bring her some difficulties also. I – "

"Dinah, I must say… oh, forgive me."

Lillian rose quickly, her tea cup placed back on the table before she dropped into a curtsy. "Your Grace." Her face, which had been a little warm already from her blush, now began to burn with a furious fire as the Duke smiled at her, his expression gentle. "I have just come to take tea with Lady Dinah. However, if you are in need of her company, I am happy to take my leave. I have been here some minutes already and – "

"No, no, please do not!" The Duke came a little further into the room, his hand out towards her. "No, I insist that you stay. There is no urgency in my request." He looked to Dinah. "I do hope you have been enjoying your afternoon so far?"

Lady Dinah smiled. "We have been speaking of your studies, Wrexham. I could not describe to Lady Lillian what it was you have been doing at present given that I have no knowledge of it as yet, but I am sure that Lady Lillian would like to hear an explanation of it."

Lillian's face burned all the hotter but she kept a smile on her face and nodded when the Duke looked back at her, his eyebrows rising a little higher.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is." Lillian glanced to Lady Dinah, who was sipping her tea again. "Lady Dinah and I mentioned my love of arithmetic and that is why the conversation came up. If there is anything that you would be able to tell me about what it is you are studying at present, I should certainly be glad to hear it."

The Duke hesitated for a few moments, his expression uncertain until, after another moment, he smiled and held out one hand to her. "All the better, why do I not show it to you?"

Lillian blinked. "Show it to me?"

"Yes, indeed! It will help with my explanations and Dinah can join us. Might you wish to come?"

Lillian rose to her feet, ignoring the butterflies which had burst into life in her stomach. "Yes, of course." To be in the Duke's private study, to be close to him as he explained what it was he was doing was sending frissons of excitement through her, though she did her best to contain it. Taking his proffered arm, she walked with him through the door, Lady Dinah behind her, and listened carefully to the Duke as he explained all that he had been doing.

"My interest in such things came from Lady Dinah's late father, in fact," he said, making Lillian look at Lady Dinah in surprise. "He was an excellent man, full of all manner of ideas and interests. He was not afraid to keep searching, to keep trying no matter what it was the ton … or his family… thought of him – though I do not mean Dinah, of course." He gave his cousin a smile but Lillian, seeing it, was certain there was some sadness there. "What he did, brought great change to the farming practices of the estates, to the tenants as well, who made a better living. That was his purpose – to be of aid to those around him in this life, whether rich or poor. It is an ambition I should very much like to have."

"That is an excellent ambition," Lillian answered, speaking genuinely. "I confess to having an interest in natural philosophy, though I do not understand a great deal of it."

"Oh, but I am sure that you could!" the Duke answered, looking at her with warmth in his expression as they came to the study. "You have such a quick mind, I am quite certain that you would be able to understand a great deal."

Lillian smiled and blushed gently at this, relieved that the Duke had to let go of her arm and step away so that he might open the door to the study and direct her inside. She came into the room but caught her breath at the sight of a machine in the center of the room, upon a small table. "I recognise this, though it is not something I have ever seen with my own eyes. There were drawings and descriptions of them within some of the books I have been reading recently. Is it an electrifying machine?"

"It is!" The Duke chuckled as he gestured to it. "I am afraid that it is not the least bit helpful to anyone, despite my words about seeking to be of aid to those around me. It is for entertainment only, I believe. It has begun to be a little more popular in amongst society though I do believe that the ton would not be fully accepting of it as yet, if my mother's response is anything to go by!" He laughed but Lillian caught the slight hint of sorrow in his eyes, feeling her sympathy rise gently. It must be difficult for him, she considered, to have a mother who was not particularly enamored by his interests.

"What is an electrifying machine?" Lady Dinah wanted to know, coming towards it though she stepped with a little more caution, clearly a little trepidatious. "It sounds a little dangerous."

"It is not dangerous at all," Lillian said, smiling. "All you do is hold the string, then the Duke would crank the side of the box here and you will eventually feel a gentle tingling in your fingers."

"A tingling?"

"Yes, it comes from the electricity which is being generated here." The Duke moved into a long and lengthy explanation, pointing out the various parts of the contraption and how they worked in order to push the electricity along the string and though Lady Dinah blinked and frowned and shook her head in confusion, Lillian hung onto every word, storing up as much information as she could. This was all quite marvelous, she considered, thinking to herself that the Duke of Wrexham was indeed a very learned gentleman though, at the same time, quite curious which was a trait she herself appreciated. It was a delight to her to know that the Duke had a questioning mind, eager to learn as much as he could about a subject though she herself could never dream of taking a machine apart and then replacing it all again, as he had done!

"Should you like to take a hold of this string, Lady Lillian?"

Lillian nodded, anticipation fluttering within her like a bird. Coming forward, she took a hold of the string and then watched as the Duke began to crank it round and around. After a few moments, a shock nipped lightly through her fingers and Lillian let out an exclamation, astonished by what had just taken place. "Good gracious!"

The Duke stopped cranking at once. "Are you all right?"

"Of course I am! I am only marveling at what has taken place, that machine is quite extraordinary." She held the string out to Dinah. "Should you like to have a turn?"

Lady Dinah shook her head. "No, I thank you. It is not something that I would enjoy, I do not think."

"I think it remarkable," Lillian said stoutly, looking back to the Duke who was smiling brightly. "And you say you wish to make the effect stronger somehow?"

He nodded. "I would like to know also if the string could be held by many a person and if the effect would be the same. It is not something that will be of aid to anyone, however, it is just something that I find interesting and I do believe that others will find it to be so also."

"A little fun while you are here in London, then?" Lillian suggested, as the Duke nodded and smiled. "Thank you for showing me this, Your Grace, I do find it quite extraordinary."

He smiled again, opening his mouth to say something, only for there to come a rap at the door. A footman came in, looking a little apologetic. "Forgive me for the interruption, Your Grace, but the Duchess requests the presence of Lady Dinah for a short time. She is in the parlour."

Lady Dinah looked to Lillian. "I should go. There is talk of ribbons and the like and another trip to the modiste!"

Lillian laughed and reached to squeeze her friend's hand. "But of course. I will see you again this evening, I hope?"

"I will escort Lady Lillian to the door," the Duke added, as Lady Dinah made to quit the room. "Enjoy your conversation about gowns and lace, cousin!"

This made both Dinah and Lillian laugh though, when Lillian realized that she was not only alone with the Duke but also alone with him in a closed room, her smile faded and her heart began to thud furiously. Whether the Duke realized it or not, Lillian did not know, but his smile disappeared also and he coughed quietly before gesturing to the door.

"I should take you back to the carriage at once," he said, a strange sense of tension beginning to grow that sent gentle prickling running down Lillian's spine. "Thank you for indulging me, Lady Lillian."

"Thank you for sharing such a thing with me," Lillian answered, casting another glance to the electrifying machine. "As I have said, I do not know much about natural philosophy but what I have learned, I find very interesting indeed."

The Duke took a few steps closer to her, his hands clasped behind his back. "I would be glad to share with you some of what I have been learning recently, if you would like to discuss such things with me." His eyes twinkled. "I may end up coming to you to ask for your help if you agree, however, for you are blessed with such a quick and clever mind that I am certain you would be able to solve some of the difficulties for me!"

Lillian smiled. "You are very kind, Your Grace," she murmured, something warm curling in her stomach. "I would be very glad indeed to speak with you about any subject relating to natural philosophy, if you would be willing to speak with me." A sudden thought had her dropping her head, her hands twisting as she caught them together in front of her. "I do hope that the awareness that I am something of a bluestocking does not push you from our acquaintance, Your Grace. However, if you would prefer that I – "

"Goodness, no!"

Without warning, the Duke came so close to her, he was only a single step away. His hand caught hers, his eyes searching her face.

"I do hope that I have not given you the impression that I think poorly of bluestockings, Lady Lillian. I understand that the ton does not think that ladies ought to be educated beyond a certain degree but I can assure you that I do not think the same way." He smiled again but it was a little wry. "I confess that I can well understand the disinclination some have towards all manner of learning and experimenting. My late father was often very irritated with my interest in such things and my mother, as I might have already said, has practically insisted that I hide my interest from the ton until after I am wed. It seems that the young ladies of London might not appreciate a gentleman who likes to experiment with things such as this!" He pointed to the electrifying machine but Lillian, who had not taken her eyes from his ever since he had begun to speak, pressed his hand gently, her breathing quickening all the more.

"You have never given that impression, I assure you," she promised, though her voice was a little hoarse. "And I should never think less of a gentleman for his interest. I find it quite refreshing, Your Grace."

He smiled. "As I do you."

Something happened in that moment. Lillian was looking back up into his eyes, the Duke was gazing back down at her and, within her heart, there came a great and significant change. Her breath hitched, her heart began to pound and she licked her lips, uncertain as to what it was that was growing so strongly within her. Warmth swept up her arm as she realized he was still holding her fingers in his own and, for some inexplicable reason, her gaze went to his lips.

The Duke swallowed, his jaw tightened and then, after a moment, he frowned. His hand pulled from hers and whatever it was she had been feeling, it slowly began to steady itself. "I should inform you, Lady Lillian, that I am now courting Lady Vivianne."

Lillian blinked furiously, her whole body filling with a cold which made her shiver. "Lady Vivianne?"

"Yes. But it is not as society will say," he continued, rubbing one hand over his eyes and then walking towards the door. Lillian tried to follow but her legs felt weighted, every step a struggle. "I will not go into detail as to why this has come about but I should like you to know that I have no intention of pursuing Lady Vivianne indefinitely."

Lillian reached the door which the Duke had held open for her, though, for some reason, he stood framed in the doorway rather than letting her through it. She did not know what to say, her heart beginning to ache, her whole body feeling heavy and tired. She stood perfectly still, no longer eager to converse but instead, simply waiting for him to remove himself from her path.

"I intend to end the courtship just as soon as is appropriate," the Duke continued, his voice a little quieter now as Lillian reluctantly lifted her gaze to his. "I want you to understand that there is no serious connection between Lady Vivianne and myself."

"Why do you want me to know such a thing?"

The Duke hesitated, then frowned. "I… " His frown grew heavier but, much to Lillian's surprise, rather than ending the conversation and retreating back to the hallway and leading her to the carriage, he stopped, turned to face her and then, after another moment, let the door close behind him.

Lillian's breath wrapped itself around her chest, her eyes fixing to his.

"Because," the Duke said, softly, "I find myself greatly intrigued by you, Lady Lillian." He smiled, then spread out his hands. "I mayhap ought not to speak so clearly and openly but I am afraid that there might be a good deal of confusion otherwise and I do not want that. To be utterly truthful, Lady Lillian, I should very much like to continue our acquaintance and see where it progresses. I find you wonderful, your quick mind and your love of learning are of great interest to me. Besides all of that, I find you remarkably beautiful and, if I were given opportunity, I should like to ask to court you rather than Lady Vivianne."

"You… you would?"

The Duke nodded and, after a moment, lowered his head only to stop himself when she snatched in a breath. Disappointment flooded her, wondering what he had thought to do had she not made such an exclamation. Would he have kissed her? A sudden desire roared to life… though it was now a little too late given the way he moved back from her.

"I would respond favourably to such a request," Lillian breathed, half hoping that he would come closer to her again, that this time, his lips might settle on hers for even a moment. She had not realized just how much passion she held in her heart for him, how much desire was within her but this sudden closeness, this nearness which was both unexpected and welcomed, had seemed to bring everything into sharp relief. She was caught up with him, almost desperate now to draw as close to him as she possibly could so that he would understand how her heart had become affected by him.

"That is a delightful thing for me to hear, Lady Lillian." After a few moments of smiling down into her eyes, his smile faded. "It is only because of other circumstances that I am required to court Lady Vivianne but, as I have said, it will not be for long."

"I do not understand," Lillian whispered, her chest tight with both confusion and happiness, her mind and body caught up with tension. "Why must you do such a thing?"

The Duke sighed and closed his eyes briefly. "My father wrote in his will that he should like it if I would wed Lady Vivianne, as her father was my own father's very dear friend. There was no demand, however, though I did feel it my responsibility to, at the very least, speak to her about it. However, Lord Jedburgh then made a statement in front of both yourself and, thereafter, another few members of the ton , to the point that I have no other choice but to court the lady simply so as to keep her reputation pristine – and my own with it. Though, I intend to bring the courtship to an end very soon and," he continued, leaning forward just a little, "thereafter, pursue another courtship. Should you still be willing to consider me, of course."

Lillian's heart leapt and her face broke into a smile – and suddenly, she could not look anywhere but his eyes. "It would not matter to me how long I had to wait, Your Grace, I should certainly be glad to accept. I am only sorry that there is this barrier between us for the present."

"As am I." The Duke scowled suddenly, making his handsome expression darken. "More than you can know."

She smiled quietly. "All the same, I thank you for being so willing to speak to me in such a way. It means a great deal." And has revealed a great deal more.

He smiled back at her, then caught her hand before bowing over it. "I am thrilled to hear it, Lady Lillian," he said, making her heart pound with an urgent desire to push herself forward, to beg him to put his arms around her even just for a moment. "I look forward to the day when I can come to speak with you about that particular matter."

"As do I," Lillian murmured before, reluctantly, stepping away from the Duke and making her way to the door though, as she made her way back to her waiting carriage, it felt as though she were lighter than air.