The Baron and the Bluestocking by G.G. Vandagriff

Author:G.G. Vandagriff [Vandagriff, G.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

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AFTER LUNCHEON AT GRILLON’S HOTEL, Shrewsbury delivered Lady Virginia to Rose House and thought about calling upon Hélène. He had been prepared to see her at the museum in company with Delacroix. Deciding that he must put last night’s dance away in the back of his mind, he had nevertheless been thankful when Delacroix had proposed the expedition to the British Museum that morning so that he could see the schoolteacher. On the other hand, he had disliked the confidence the other man had of garnering Hélène’s assent to accompany him. Therefore, he had been cheerful to see her in the company of Lady Clarice, instead.

Now he wished to call upon her, to see those deep eyes settle on him with that wondrous look they had worn during the waltz the night before. Stopping in the middle of the road, he asked himself aloud, “To what end?” Did he want to encourage a relationship which could advance no further? Did he want to indulge himself at the risk of bringing ultimate pain to both of them?

Hélène was becoming a friend, though they still disagreed on most subjects. But the woman who would stand at his side as he forged his career in the Lords and raised his children would not be a hard-edged feminist who had no proper moral standards, believed herself to be the intellectual equal of a man, and was one of eight impoverished children of a country vicar! She herself admitted she had no idea how to go on in Society.

The obvious choice for him at this point in his life was Lady Virginia or someone like her. It distressed him somewhat that Lady Virginia believed him to be courting her. However, at this time of year there was not a new influx of debutantes or other women whom he had not already met.

He turned about and headed for Brook’s. For the first time in several days, his thoughts turned to Sophie. She would have made the perfect wife, hostess, mother. She was petite and endearing, unlike the bolder, plumper Lady Virginia. Sophie had had ideal connections—his friends Ruisdell and Deal had been her brothers-in-law, both concerned in the causes he embraced. Lady Virginia, on the other hand, was a Tory and not overly interested in anything he held dear.

The devil take it! Here he was at his list-making again! He had clearly not been surprised by love! Frank was right about him. He was too fastidious.

He turned about again and headed for Blossom House. When at last he arrived, he was told by Bates that Miss Whitcombe had gone riding in the park. Christian decided after all not to leave a card, and turning about again, successfully reached Brook’s, where he remained for the rest of the afternoon and evening. One could always rely on one’s club to offer comfort in times of mental strain.

*~*~*

He woke with Hélène in his head. In his dream, she and Sophie had been laughing at him, but he could not remember why.

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