Chapter 5 #2
Alex knew the Thornes had built the Huntsford Academy to honor their father who was a noted naturalist and admirer of all the sciences.
It was a family undertaking and their bluestocking wives were heavily involved.
“I enjoyed the lectures, too. Unfortunately, I was too busy solving crimes to attend many that I would have loved to hear,” he admitted.
“Uncle Rupert used to travel the world and has so many exciting stories to tell. But he confines his trips mostly to Italy and Greece now. Uncle George’s son, William, is the one who takes the more adventurous journeys along the ancient trading routes through Samarkand, the Himalayas, and on to China. ”
“Is William as clever as his father?”
“Oh, yes. The men in my family are all very smart.”
“The ladies, too,” he said. “I clearly saw that, especially in you.”
Tulip appeared surprised. “You did?”
“Oh, yes. It was obvious in the liveliness of your eyes. You have no idea how excruciating it can be when trying to make conversation with someone who looks back at you with vapid eyes. If I try to broach any topic that is remotely intellectual, they look at me as though I am talking gibberish.”
“Oh, that is awful.”
He winced. “Excruciating, as I said. But do go on, you were telling me about the Farthingale fabrics.”
She laughed. “And you find this topic fascinating?”
He nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Mostly, he enjoyed hearing Tulip speak.
She had an inquisitive mind and was smarter than she gave herself credit for. But this was most likely because going about in Society was difficult for her. The false facades, schemes, and manipulations were not suited to her temperament.
They weren’t suited to his, either.
Nor did he have any patience for gentlemen like Lord Caruthers who took pride in never doing anything worthwhile, and yet, felt themselves worthy above all others.
“My uncles used to send me bolts of their prettiest cloths and I would sew gowns for myself and my aunt. The Italian velvets are my favorite, I think. The colors are so striking, the deep reds and dark greens. The exquisite blacks and these magnificent blues. And they are so soft and warm. Of course, once I arrived here, none of my gowns would do.”
“Why not?”
She grinned. “You are no London dandy, are you? My gowns were stylish enough for Somerset but never the height of fashion. They would never pass muster here in London.”
“I doubt any man would care or notice the difference,” he said with a snort. “We look at the girl, not at what she is wearing. Forgive me if I sound crude, but let this come as a warning to you. A man’s object is to get the girl out of the gown, not just stand around and admire her in it.”
She blushed. “I assume this is what Caruthers meant to do.”
“Yes,” he said, suppressing his irritation with that oaf.
“And you?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yes. But it is not something I would ever act upon outside the bonds of marriage. You will always be safe with me and I will always respect you. There’s the difference between me and Caruthers.”
They were now approaching the Denby Arms and he was looking forward to sharing a pleasant meal in Tulip’s company.
An elegantly garbed steward came forward to greet them.
Tulip ought to have been used to lavish luncheons and teas by now, but it did not dampen her delight upon entering the hotel’s dining room and viewing the sumptuous displays of sweets and savory treats.
There was a refreshing liveliness about her as she took it all in.
This was one of the many things Alex liked about her.
He was a cynical clot.
But Tulip grabbed life with innocent enthusiasm.
Her eyes were wide as the steward escorted them past the abundant displays.
“Will this do, Your Grace?” the man asked, leading them toward a table by the window.
Alex glanced at Tulip who smiled brightly as she gave her approval.
Yes, she was a sunny thing.
This is why he thought they would make a good match.
She would balance his tendency to be dour.
“It is perfect,” Alex said, for the table was slightly apart from the rest of the dining room and would afford them a measure of privacy as they continued their conversation.
They filled up on tea, buttered breads, and lemon tarts as they spoke of the travel plans he had made for them after the wedding.
He also encouraged her to tell him about her mother’s family, the Hesters, who had raised her in Burnham after the death of her parents.
Conversation with Tulip was easy, but he had known it would be.
He was never a talkative man.
However, there were many topics that interested him.
Tulip was a bluestocking at heart and could match him in intellect and curiosity.
Even if she was not familiar with a particular topic, she still knew how to ask interesting questions and was always eager to learn more.
“That is odd,” she said, her tone suddenly turning serious as she was about to put her teacup to her lips, “do you know that man?”
Alex turned around and followed her gaze to a gentleman staring at them from the street corner.
“No.” The fellow was dressed like a gentleman, but Alex had an excellent memory for faces and knew he had never seen him before. “How about you, Tulip? Recognize him?”
“No.” She set down her teacup and frowned. “He’s been staring at you these past five minutes.”
“At me? And not you?” After all, Tulip was beautiful, even though she did not seem to realize it.
“He’s been studying you. I am certain of it.”
“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” Tulip was not a trained investigator and might be wrong about this, but he would find out soon enough when he confronted the man.
Why was he standing there spying on him?
Alex set aside his table linen and rose.
Tulip gasped. “What are you going to do to him?”
“Just have a friendly conversation,” Alex assured her, his thoughts no longer on their wedding plans but on finding out this gentleman’s purpose.
The fellow had darted out of sight by the time Alex walked out of the hotel to confront him.
He glanced up and down the street, then halted at one of the hotel windows and peered inside the tea room where Tulip was seated. She gestured that the man had run across the street and disappeared into the park.
Alex nodded and walked back inside.
The steward bustled over to him as he resumed his seat. “Your Grace, is there a problem?”
“No, just thought I saw someone I knew.” He settled his account and escorted Tulip to his waiting carriage.
“Tulip, are you certain he was not looking at you?” he asked, assisting her into his conveyance.
“Quite certain.” She leaned back against the soft leather squabs. “I could have sworn he was looking straight at you, as though he knew you. Was he a Davenport relation, perhaps? At first glance, there appeared to be a slight resemblance.”
Alex grunted, and then took a moment to question his driver. “Trent, did you notice anyone peering into the tea room from the street?”
“No, Your Grace. My apologies, but I was instructed to drive the carriage to the mews and wait until summoned by one of the hotel stewards.”
“Yes, of course.” He climbed in and settled in the seat opposite Tulip. “So, you think the man was a relation of mine?”
“There was definitely a resemblance between the two of you, although he was not nearly as tall or handsome as you.”
He laughed. “If he is one of my Havers cousins, I’m sure he’ll come around soon to beg money out of me.”
“He had better make it quick, for we’ll be off to Somerset within a matter of days. Your Grace, there is something important we have yet to discuss.”
“Go ahead,” he said with a nod as the carriage got underway. But he knew what it was, for her expression gave her away.
The bedchamber.
Their sleeping arrangements.
In truth, he hadn’t known quite how to raise the topic with her.
It did not seem proper to chat about such a thing over tea and biscuits in a public tea room.
Since she was now determined to raise it, he listened.
Her face turned crimson and she cleared her throat. “Are we to…well, the sleeping…you see?”
“Are you trying to ask me if we are to share a bed?” He certainly wanted to, but that was a lot to demand of Tulip considering how their betrothal had come about. “The choice is entirely up to you.”
“It is?” Her eyes widened, obviously not expecting his answer.
“Yes.”
It would not take them long to arrive on Chipping Way, so he was not going to delay in resolving the matter.
“I hope that we will. I understand that it is not common for dukes and duchesses to share quarters. Also, a two-day betrothal and then rushing into marriage is not ideal circumstances, is it?”
“No, not ideal,” she said with a wince. “Poor Aunt Sophie.”
“I am less worried about her than I am of you. She is merely throwing us a party, something she has done for your family fairly often over the years, I expect.” He leaned forward and took her hands in his.
“Marriage is new to both of us, and has created an immediate upheaval to our lives. We will soon settle as newlyweds in Somerset. I’ll give you all the time you need, Tulip.
Just know that I would like us to share a bed once you are ready. ”
“I hadn’t thought to ask, but are we to share quarters while traveling to Somerset?”
“Yes, but that is for your protection. I do not think it is safe for you to be in a room by yourself in any of those coaching inns. It will be one room for us, but I will set a pallet for myself on the floor, if you are reluctant to share the bed.”
“I see.”
He released her hands and leaned back against the squabs. “Something more for you to contemplate. No answer needed yet.”
“All right.” She looked out the window as his carriage turned onto Chipping Way. Her cousins, Violet and Marigold, were on the street conversing with each other. “I’m going to miss them.”
“Your family has very strong bonds.”
She nodded. “I liked being able to walk next door or just across the street to chat with my cousins. We’ll be rather isolated at Thornwycke Hall.”