Page 66 of How Not to Marry a Duke

Adeline cleared her throat. The pair spoke as if she were not in the room. She stood and crossed the room to stand before them. “What sort of scientific gathering?”

Warwick turned to her. “A group of experts in varying fields gather to discuss their intellectual pursuits. Oftentimes, a presentation is given by one of the members. It isn’t a ball, garden party, or social event, but I believe you will find it invigorating.”

She was intrigued. What did that say about her? “Should Hasmik attend?”

“Your virtue will be well guarded. To my knowledge, no debauchery has every occurred at these gatherings. The most wild and unpredictable behavior was when Mr. Hannings, a renowned taxidermist, was to give a presentation, but his preserved dogs were sent to the wrong house. The Duchess of Powell’s screams could be heard throughout the park.”

Adeline burst out laughing. “Since I have no plans this afternoon, I would like to attend one of your meetings.”

“Splendid.”

Warwick helped her into his crested carriage and took the seat across from her.

“Did you have a chance to read the Scandal Sheet after the garden party?” she asked.

“I’ve never subscribed to the gossip rag, but I sent Nelson out to fetch it. It was quite enlightening. I seem to have made an impression.”

She pursed her lips. “I thought I was the one to steal the show.”

For a heart-stopping moment their eyes met, then they burst out laughing. Whatever anger his behavior at the garden party had engendered had long since dissipated.

“Have you used the stethoscope?” he asked.

“Not yet. But I’m excited to try it on a patient.”

It wasn’t the only thing she’d thought of last evening. He didn’t mention their shared kiss, but it was there, hovering between them. She’d touched her lips in remembrance, and it had been a long time before she’d fallen asleep.

Warwick cleared his throat. It was an awkward sound that drew her attention. “Listen, Adeline. About yesterday.”

“I thought we weren’t to speak of it.”

His square jaw hardened. “I did say that. Now I’m saying otherwise.”

“Why?” Had he thought of it all last night as well? Even in the close confines of the carriage, he was difficult to read. Enigmatic. Had heated kisses flitted through his head rather than mechanical drawings?

“It shouldn’t have happened. I…we can’t let it happen again.”

Her stomach sank. She forced her expression to remain serene, as stoic as his. “It was a moment of weakness. Nothing more.” Still, his rejection stung. Stupid, Adeline. He didn’t have feelings for her, other than perhaps friendship, and she couldn’t allow herself to have feelings for him. Anything more would be perilous for her.

He nodded once. “Good.”

She shoved her hurt feelings aside. Thankfully, the carriage came to a stop before a Piccadilly townhome, and Warwick helped her alight and escorted her inside. A group of ten men and two women sat in chairs in a large library. Leather-bound books lined the walls and the room smelled of their particular scent, and that of expensive port. At the front of the room a table stood, a drape thrown across its surface covering whatever was beneath.

Warwick held out a chair for Adeline and seated himself beside her.

“What is your field?” an older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair and wire-rimmed spectacles asked her.

“Medicine.”

“Ah. A good and helpful specialty. Needed both in Town and in the country.”

His gaze was direct and without judgment. If he thought it unusual for a woman to study medicine, he made no point of it.

“And you?” she asked. “What is your field of study?”

“Civil engineering. Bridges and roads and tollbooths.” He pointed to a red-haired man across the way. “Sir Dragan is a biologist. The lady beside him, Miss Wagner, is a mathematician. Mr. Updike studies astronomy. Mr. Lagrou is a barrister who has a mechanical mind and helps inventors obtain patents. We have an architect who works with Mrs. Walter, a skilled draftswoman. And Mr. Levins is an expert in heat transfer. Warwick is especially interested in his work.”

A jolt of excitement surged in her stomach. Adeline had never been in a room with such a vast array of experts. Warwick was right. This was more scintillating than a garden party.