Page 36 of The Earl’s Hoyden

Lucien knew the older earl to be extraordinarily intelligent but was uncertain about his engagements with those around him. “Are they correct?”

She gave a mirthless chuckle. “Yes. I suppose it’s a good strategy.”

“Is that what is amiss with you?” Lucien asked, finally broaching the topic.

The golden lights behind her highlighted her cheekbones and slender, arched brows with elegant shadows as she stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“I believe something has upset you,” he admitted. “I wanted to see what it was. And if I could offer my assistance.” All at once, he felt it might have been improper to come outside with her and that his presence was unwanted. “Is something troubling you?”

She shook her head.

He frowned, confident that was not the truth but not inclined to call her a liar to obtain it. “I’m here if you ever do wish to talk.”

She nodded silently, confirming his suspicions.

“I meant to tell you earlier that I truly appreciated the book.” He stepped closer, longing to have a real conversation once more this evening. Only now he knew she was the only one with whom he enjoyed conversations.

Whatever hope he’d harbored of engaging with other ladies sank lower and lower with each dance. He’d tried his hand at the weather and fashion and endured their gossip. He’d asked after the ladies often. Hannah had been correct that ladies preferred to speak at length on their opinions. While there were no uncomfortable lulls in the discussions while dancing, they were all painfully boring.

On several occasions, he had even attempted to discuss his interest in astronomy, but the response he received was feigned with pasted smiles. Then Lady Alison had insisted on a second dance, which no doubt set the gossips into a tizzy.

“I’m glad you liked your gift.” The tension eased somewhat from her face as the topic moved away from her troubles. “Did you read the first volume yet?”

“I confess, I’m in the middle of another book now but intend to delve into Pride and Prejudice once I finish.”

“What book are you reading?” she asked. Her full focus on him suggested her query wasn’t merely for the sake of filling conversation but out of sincere curiosity.

Except if he confessed the subject matter to her, she would think him stodgy. Hell, he was stodgy—he knew that. And he’d never once cared. At least until now. “Most would consider it a stuffy book,” he hedged.

She laughed, appearing more like herself. “What is it about?”

He shrugged, suddenly feeling somewhat self-conscious. His interaction with Miss Bexley had been so smooth and easy since that day at the broken fence, and he hoped not to be disappointed with her displeasure at his interests now. “The stars.”

Her head fell back as she gazed up at the sky. “What about them?”

“Do you see the brightest star up there?”

“That one?” She pointed to the wrong flickering glow in the distance.

“No, this one.” He stepped forward, so their shoulders were next to one another. As he indicated the glowing white star, he caught her tantalizing fragrance and discreetly breathed her in, savoring her perfume and the warm nearness of her at his side.

“I see it,” she said eagerly.

“Do you know what it’s called?”

She looked up at him, her face only inches from his. Her mouth was so damn close to his that he had to force his eyes from that full bottom lip and how very much he should like to run his tongue along it as he kissed her.

“No, I don’t know what the star is called.” Her soft voice broke the spell. “Do you?”

He cleared his throat and looked up once more. “Sirius. You can tell which one it is because Orion’s Belt seems to point to it.”

“Sirius.” She tilted her head to study the sky once more and her curled hair brushed against his shoulder. “What a curious name.”

It was all he could do to keep from reaching out and letting his fingers stroke the coppery coils of her hair. “It’s Greek for scorching since it glows so fervently in the night sky.”

“Fascinating,” she breathed. “And what is O’Bryan’s Belt?”

“Orion,” he gently corrected. “Do you see those three stars there, just above and to the right of Sirius, that appear to be stacked in a neat row with one another?”