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She grabbed a biscuit from a nearby plate and took a bite. “Some men have no idea that women can be just as educated as they are.”
“I don’t know why.” It boggled his mind that anyone could think Seraphina lacked intelligence. “One only needs to converse with you to realize that you have well-informed opinions on many topics.”
“I love the way you view the world. If only more people were like you. Unfortunately, they don’t really see me as a person. Mr. Tenant views me as something to be hunted, and Mr. Farnsworth thinks I’m a pretty bauble that will look nice in his home. He’s pleasant enough, but he isn’t interested in my mind.”
“Then he’s missing out.” Trevor lifted his chin stubbornly. “I see you as a person.”
His words were supposed to hearten her, but he couldn’t tell if they had the desired effect. He’d never been particularly good at words outside of academic treatises.
“So,” she said, slinging her arm along the back of her chair, “why did you leave Nunhaven to come to London mid-season?”
He hesitated, unsure what the protocol was here. Was he supposed to admit that he wanted to marry her? Or was that indelicate? There was sure to be another social rule he’d break if he spoke the truth.
When he didn’t reply, she pursed her lips. “I miss Nunhaven. I always thought it was lovely there.”
Hopefully, that meant she might be open to living there.
With a start, he remembered the other thing he was supposed to do while visiting: Activate step three of the courting process.
“Would you be interested in attending a demonstration at the Royal Institution with me next Friday?” he asked, hoping he’d chosen an outing she wouldn’t be able to refuse.
Her entire countenance brightened, and she sat up straight. “Really? You’d take me there?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if not.”
She clapped excitedly. “I don’t know whether Father will approve, but I’d be thrilled. I’ll ask him.”
Trevor’s pulse sped up, and he met her beautiful forget-me-not eyes again for a moment.
He really hoped Mr. Dalton said yes.
CHAPTER 10
As soon as Trevor left, Seraphina sent Letitia a note inviting her to walk in the park together because she had no idea what that entire interaction had been about and she needed answers.
She passed the note to Smithers, instructing him to have it delivered to Miss Carruthers immediately, and retired from the drawing room to the makeshift laboratory.
It felt like Trevor had been calling on her as a suitor would, but that couldn’t possibly be true. Trevor had never shown any interest in marriage, nor any attraction toward her. It would be just like him to drop by simply because he wanted to see her and not realize how that might be perceived by others.
She wandered over to the desk to check that the bark was still soaking in alcohol for her next batch of quinine. One of the trays was a little low, so she topped it up, then shifted the bark around to ensure maximum coverage.
That done, she washed her hands and headed for her bedchamber. She rang a bell to summon Bessie, who hurried in with eager eyes.
“Well, miss?” she asked breathlessly. “Did you like any of them?”
“What did you think?” Seraphina had always found Bessie to have a keen mind when it came to assessing the natures of other people.
The maid cocked her head. “Mr. Farnsworth is handsome, but he knows it. I reckon he’s the type to worry about what other people think. The one who said the poem—I didn’t catch his name—he had a sly way about him. Mr. Tenant seemed all right, although I know you don’t like hunting, and he wasn’t very kind to Lord Fitzgerald.”
Seraphina gritted her teeth. “I agree with you completely.” She hadn’t liked Mr. Tenant’s underhanded insult to Trevor’s masculinity either. Besides, only seconds previously, he’d complimented her eye for fashion, so it was hypocritical of him to imply that Trevor was feminine simply because he liked to garden. “I’m hoping to walk in the park with Miss Carruthers, so could you help me change into suitable attire?”
Bessie opened the wardrobe and pulled out a day dress, along with a lightweight pelisse. “If I could be completely frank, miss?”
Seraphina nodded. “Go ahead.”
“I thought Lord Fitzgerald was the best of the lot. He isn’t flashy like Mr. Farnsworth or that poet fellow, but he has gentle eyes, and it’s clear that he listens to you.”
“Trevor is a gem, but I’m not sure he wants a wife.”
