Chapter Ten
Sophie scanned the book titles on the balcony of the former ballroom.
She already had four volumes started, but looking for a new book to read was an excellent excuse for being among the second-floor stacks.
She rarely ventured onto the balcony because she didn’t have much reason to…
usually. However, in the last three days, she’d found herself acting differently in general.
She was well aware of why: Lord Tamworth, or Tam, as she brazenly thought of him.
Her initial assessment had changed multiple times since he’d arrived at the school, which confused her. Generally, she could observe a person at a social event and understand them fairly well.
But Tam was different.
At the Twelfth Night ball, she’d determined him to be a Falstaff character, loud, jovial, popular with his comrades, and full of adventure.
Then he’d pulled her into his room and had been truly concerned for her reputation as well as his own.
She’d caught a glimpse of something more, but had been distracted once again by his kiss, much like Lancelot would be by Guinevere.
Then, two days ago, she’d been in the housekeeper’s rooms early in the morning, as she enjoyed hearing about the woman’s family, and saw Tam skating on the pond by himself.
He reminded her of Wordsworth’s Prelude, where he expressed his connection with nature, which didn’t fit her assessment of Lord Tamworth.
So today she’d decided to observe him further, from the balcony, while he conducted his philosophical conversations.
She found reading the viscount, much like reading a difficult book, a pleasurable if confusing experience.
His knowledge of Aeschylus was quite thorough.
He also listened carefully, appreciating new perspectives on the plays he’d chosen for the students to read.
Even Felicity had spoken up under his kind encouragement.
Tam, the mentor, had reminded her much of Socrates, which was so far removed from Falstaff that she found herself troubled.
Either Tam was far different from anyone she’d known, or she was not as observant as her friends said.
She was well aware that people had many facets and characteristics. Rose was one of those individuals who appeared to be two people, a mischievous comrade with friends, but a refined and elegant woman at social events.
Tam, on the other hand, was multifaceted, intriguing, yet constant, and she was admittedly curious.
As the ladies filed out chatting among themselves, Lord Sommerset walked over to talk to Tam. Sophie quietly moved farther down the stacks and out of sight. Perhaps Mrs. Kingman and she could discuss possible stories that had characters with more qualities.
She moved past the large windows on the second floor and through the servants’ door that led to a corridor that opened onto the students’ wing of the house. She’d just reached the end when the door opened.
Her lady’s maid halted. “Oh, my lady. Do you have need of me?”
Sophie smiled, not unhappy to see Miss Clark. “No, not at all. I was simply using the passage to save time. I need to meet with Mrs. Kingman shortly and my book is in my bedroom.”
Miss Clark winked. “Which book? You have so many.”
“I do indeed. Have you been reading the one I gave you?”
“Oh yes, every night. Just for a little while, but I do enjoy it. Elinor and Marianne are very different, much like me and my sister. One is sensible and the other, well, is me.” She shrugged.
“And how is your sister? Is she well?”
“She is aglow with impending motherhood. As this is her third child, she has everything ready and the wee thing isn’t expected for a couple of months yet.”
Sophie felt a twinge of yearning, but pushed it aside. “You are very fortunate to have such a lovely family.”
“Thank you, my lady. I do feel so.” Miss Clark looked past Sophie into the corridor, obviously on an errand.
“I’d best make my way to the parlor, as my mentor is expecting me.”
“Of course, my lady.” With a quick nod, Miss Clark moved past and farther down the passageway.
Sophie stepped into the students’ wing and briskly walked to her room.
Once inside, she tucked John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost, under her arm and headed downstairs.
She still hadn’t finished it, but she’d read through Satan’s rebellion to discuss at least half with Mrs. Kingman.
In little time, she’d crossed the entryway and stepped into the parlor, just in time to hear the small mantel clock announce the hour.
Pleased she’d arrived on time, she scanned the room to find no one in it, but as her gaze lit on the archway to the student dining area, she caught her breath.
Mrs. Kingman stood there speaking to Lord Tamworth.
“Ah, here she is.” Mrs. Kingman smiled encouragingly. “Lady Sophie, Lord Tamworth has requested to discuss the merits of a book with you. I took the liberty to grant his request. I do hope you’re willing.”
Sophie forced herself to breathe out before answering, then decided that a nod would do.
“Very good. Lord Tamworth, please.” The woman held her arm out to the parlor. “I shall be here reading.”
“Thank you.” Lord Tamworth gave a short nod before turning toward Sophie.
Not wishing Mrs. Kingman to see her face, Sophie sat in the chair with its back facing the dining room, which allowed her a view of the front lawns. She assumed Tam would take the settee across from her, but he didn’t. He strode right up and sat in the chair next to her that faced the entryway.
“Thank you for indulging me, Lady Sophie. I value your opinion, especially in literature, and wish your counsel.”
She clasped her hands at that, not sure how she felt about being in his company again. “My counsel? But I am the student and you the mentor.”
“Very true, but on different subjects. I am a classicist, and so to do the duke’s students justice, I have been focusing on the ancient philosophers and playwrights.
But I thought that perhaps something more modern would be of interest to them.
I’m sure we could have many conversations on Voltaire’s Candide. ”
His choice surprised her, but to help, she thought back to the story. She felt heat fill her cheeks as she shook her head. The heroine of that adventure had not only been raped but sexually shared.
“You do not think it would engender many conversations?”
She raised her brows and kept her voice low. “Oh, it would, but not the ones you wish to have. Do you not remember Cunégonde?”
His puzzlement cleared as his eyes widened.
“I admit to having forgotten. Such events are not completely uncommon among the studies of men, but I see your point. I greatly appreciate your insight on my idea. I’ve been very careful with the plays I choose for that very reason.
I hope you don’t think that I have led your classmates astray. ”
Despite his kisses, she could tell he was genuinely concerned about her opinion of him. “Don’t worry. I know you to be a dedicated instructor.”
“You do?”
She clasped her hands tighter. In her anxiousness to reassure him, she’d revealed more than she wished. “I was in the balcony today searching out another book when I heard you guiding the first-year students in their analysis.”
His facial expression lightened as his lips formed a full smile. “You listened?”
How could he change from unsure to proud in a matter of moments? Did her opinion matter so much? “I did. But I’m sure you are aware of how helpful you are to students. It is what you do at Oxford, is it not?”
At her statement, his smile disappeared. “It is a completely different learning environment there. I appreciate your advice, and I hope you would accommodate me a bit longer, as I have another question for you.”
While she and Mrs. Kingman often spoke as equals when it came to literature, she’d never been asked for advice by a lord. Surprised, she nodded. “If I can be of help, it would please me to do so.”
His gaze drifted to her lips for a moment before he gathered himself and sat back in his chair.
Once again, she felt her cheeks flush. He shouldn’t look at her like that, but it made her feel different, more confident, which made no sense at all.
“I understand that all first-year students here are required to learn about estate management.”
“That’s true. The duchess believes a woman should know as much about the property that sustains her as a man.”
“I’m learning many of the duchess’s beliefs are…different. According to the other instructors, this course is based on lectures, not conversations, correct?”
“Correct.” She found his new animation as he discussed a rather dull topic very interesting.
“Did you learn how to best hire a steward?”
Not expecting that, she tapped her two fingers against her chin. “I don’t believe that was covered, but Lord Hopton would most likely know the answer to that.”
All the excitement seemed to leave Tam as he sighed in disappointment. “Unfortunately, the man doesn’t see any reason to enlighten me.”
She bit down on her smile. Lord Hopton was a braggart about what he knew.
If he refused to answer Tam, that meant the man didn’t know.
She reached out to comfort him, but quickly pulled her hand back onto her lap and clasped it with her other.
“My lord, do not take umbrage to Lord Hopton’s refusal to share his knowledge.
If he has not given you an answer, it’s because he doesn’t know. ”
“Truly?”
“Yes. My guess is that he inherited his steward, as many do.”
Lord Tamworth rose at that, then walked to the window at the front and stood.