A Slight Miscalculation by Deb Marlowe

Author:Deb Marlowe
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: sweet, regency, astronomy, debutante, sweet regency, half moon house series, scientific hero

Chapter Four

Jane sternly forbade herself from watching for Lord Worthe. Mr. Middleton had given them excellent seats close to the orchestra pit, just a few rows behind his own seat. She watched him lean over to consult his assistant as the first group stepped onstage. If the viscount hadn’t arrived by now, then he probably wasn’t coming.

“I’m Athena, goddess of wisdom.” The first girl stepped forward, a heavy book open in her arms.

“Her dress is very fine, but the rest of them don’t match,” Miss Liberty Baylis, Jane’s friend, whispered in her ear.

She’d brought Liberty, a young American new to London, to keep her company. Their mothers were becoming fast acquaintances, but Liberty had not had the chance to meet many people as yet. Jane had hopes of recruiting her help for Hestia—and of using her to prevent being too much alone with Lord Worthe.

Not that it mattered, it turned out.

“She’d have done better with an owl.” The soft comment came from behind, not beside her, making her jump.

“Lord Worthe! You frightened me.” It was a fine excuse for her suddenly racing heart.

“My apologies.”

When the rest of the group had pronounced themselves and shown off their attire, after Middleton had bent to take notes, the viscount came around into their row and made his bow.

“My lord, may I present Miss Liberty Baylis? Lord Worthe,” she indicated.

He took her extended hand. “Liberty? How unusual—”

“Yes, yes!” Liberty cut him off. “A most unusual name.” She rolled her eyes. “My parents are slightly daft.”

“Liberty!” Jane laughed, scandalized.

“It’s the only explanation. And they are lovely, even if they are a bit touched. Whoops!” She turned back to the stage. “Here’s the next set.”

They were nearly identical to the first, save that Athena had been replaced with a cleverly constructed Medusa.

“Jane tells me that you are an astronomer, my lord,” Liberty said once the new group had finished too. “How exciting.”

“I’m afraid it’s rather the opposite.” He looked at Jane as he replied.

“She says you’ve already discovered an asteroid and are on your way to bigger things. Surely all that will lead to respect and notoriety.” Liberty sparkled up at him and Jane suddenly began to regret bringing her along. “And that will certainly be exciting.”

Jane wrinkled her nose. “And yet not a substitute for human interaction.”

Her stomach flopped at the viscount’s suddenly dark expression. Plain speaking was fine, but she feared she’d just gone too far.

“Perhaps we should talk in the back of the theater, so as not to interfere with the proceedings.”

He held out a hand but Jane ignored it, popping out of her seat unaided, suddenly intent on having her say. All of her say. “We’ll just be in that back corner, at the start of the boxes,” she told Liberty.

Her heart raced as she stalked up the aisle. Every nerve tingled in anticipation.

“Perhaps I spoke out of turn yesterday,” he began.

“No, I’m afraid I did—and I don’t plan to stop there,” She knew she was being belligerent, but couldn’t stop herself.

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