Page 11 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

Sir Jonathan stepped into her view and spoke rapid Greek. She paused, answered him, and shut them out.

“She will retrieve Mrs. Bellini, but we must wait here,” he explained. “She says no men are allowed inside.”

“Are we at the correct address?” In the rush, Evangeline had forgotten to bring the letter from Uncle Charles.

“We are.”

Evangeline studied the villa as they waited, confident the confusion could be cleared up with the lady of the house. The home was bright white like Lord Dominic's, but more modest. Lush wisteria vines climbed the stucco walls, their purple flowers dangling like ladies’ curls and filling the air with their intensely sweet scent.

When the door opened again, a waif-like woman greeted them. She had striking green eyes, and her amber hair was pulled back into a neat knot at her nape. She reminded Evangeline of a fairy in one of the tales her sister Sophia loved reading when she was young.

“I am Mrs. Bellini. How may I assist you?” she asked, her Italian accent lightly underscoring her musical voice.

Evangeline took the lead. “Thank you for receiving us, madame. I hope our unexpected arrival isn’t a nuisance, but my sister and I would like to speak with our uncle—Charles Wedmore. He is staying as one of your guests.”

The woman’s brows knit. “Fotini told you I do not take in male lodgers, no?”

Regina frowned. “But we thought⁠—”

“Of course, madame.” Evangeline shot her sister a look. “I apologize for misspeaking. Our uncle is traveling with his sister, and we had hoped she might know where he is staying.”

“Wha—?” Regina snapped her mouth shut, shaking her head when Mrs. Bellini glanced at her.

Before leaving London, Evangeline and her family had learned that Uncle Charles was on the brink of a discovery that would earn him accolades from the entire antiquarian society. If he was able to prove a group of fabled Egyptian warriors known as the Black Death was an actual lost civilization, it would be miraculous. The discovery would be akin to finding the ruins of Atlantis or Hy-Brasil—the island said to appear off the coast of Ireland every seven years.

Her family had also learned there were men who would kill for Uncle Charles’s research, and Regina and Xavier had nearly been victims of their greed. It made sense their uncle would use an alias. Perhaps he would even disguise himself as a woman.

“Our aunt is Mrs. Fanny Flibberquick?” Evangeline ventured.

Sir Jonathan grunted. She nearly laughed. It was a ridiculous name—one Uncle Charles had invented whenever Evangeline and her sisters denied doing something wrong to avoid a scolding from Aunt Beatrice.

It was that naughty Fanny Flibberquick again, Bea. I thought I heard her slip through my window last night and sneak down to the kitchen, but I was too tired to check.

“Si, Mrs. Flibberquick was here briefly,” Mrs. Bellini said, “but the lady ventured out one day and never returned. The authorities were not concerned, but it is odd. She paid through the end of last month. Her trunks are still in her chambers, and I’ve not been able to take in new lodgers.”

“Oh, dear,” Regina murmured.

Oh, dear, indeed. Evangeline took a fortifying breath. “We are very sorry, madame. Aunt Fanny can be forgetful. I’m sure she meant to come back to pay you but became caught up in sightseeing.”

Xavier took that as his cue. “Please, allow me to settle Mrs. Flibberquick’s debt.”

“We will arrange to have her trunks moved to where we are staying to make room for another lodger,” Evangeline said before turning to Sir Jonathan. “If Lord Dominic wouldn’t mind, of course.”

“I’ll speak with his butler. Someone will be round tomorrow, madame.”

Mrs. Bellini readily agreed to the arrangement, and Xavier paid her. As they walked back to Lord Dominic’s villa, Evangeline filled the time with chatter. She needed to speak with Regina and Xavier in private. Sir Jonathan struck her as a trustworthy gentleman, but he was also an antiquarian, and caution was warranted. The promise of fame could drive men to do horrible things.

Dusk was settling when they returned to the villa. Sir Jonathan pulled her aside as they entered the building.

“You didn’t mention your aunt earlier. Aren’t you worried about her?”

She held his gaze for several seconds, her smile tight. “Uncle Charles wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her. Likely, she has joined him on his dig. I imagine they will return soon enough.”

She didn’t like lying, especially to someone she admired. Her family came first, though. Until Uncle Charles granted permission to share information about his most recent work, she would keep his confidence.

“Xavier will start searching for another place for us to stay tomorrow,” she said.

“That isn’t necessary, Miss Darlington. As stated earlier, there is adequate room here. Lord Dominic won’t be opposed to such charming and intelligent guests staying under his roof.”