The Bluestocking's Highwayman: A Regency Romance by Audrey Harrison

Author:Audrey Harrison [Harrison, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“You wish me to transcribe these loose pages into this journal?” Frances asked to clarify what Percy had said. He had seemed surprised to see her but had been abrupt and brusque since she had walked into his study, which was as large as any library but completely chaotic. There were two large desks in the room, one which Percy sat at and one which he had indicated she should use. Hers was covered in papers, clearly in complete disarray.

“Yes, are you able to do it? Neatly?”

“Of course.”

“Then less chatter will result in more work.”

Frances lowered her head so he could not see the roll of her eyes. It was clear that he was not going to be easy to work for, but she hoped what she would learn from him would be enough to offset working with such a curmudgeonly man. She was a little disappointed her long-time hero was not as amenable and encouraging as she had hoped, but she was astute enough to realise that was her issue. She had imagined him into someone he clearly was not; strange that his cousin was so different, being very charming and handsome. Percy might be considered handsome, but his constant scowling, bad attitude and gangly frame detracted from his features, which could be described as pleasing. His dress was not as neat and fine as his cousin, his frame did not fill his clothes as they did Albert, and it was clear that if they stood side-by-side, one would attract all the attention and one would fade into the background.

She had wondered if she would see Albert but then told herself off for being pathetic. She had wanted this position long before she met Albert, and she would do well not to mess it up for herself. She was here to do a job, and she would do it to the best of her ability and hopefully learn a lot along the way.

The large room was square, with bookshelves on every side and only the windows and fireplace interrupting the oak shelving. From quick glances, she was able to gather that the books nearest her seemed to be about plants, nature and animal life, no surprise there. She would have loved to explore the other shelves but dared not move.

Percy did not seem to do anything other than have meetings with people throughout the day. None of them took place in front of her, but she could hear raised voices from the next room soon after each person was announced to Percy. The butler always whispered the name of whoever it was come to visit. She half-smiled to herself, thinking it was feeling more like she was in the pages of a gothic novel rather than the home of an expert botanist.

As she transcribed each detailed page given to her, she read the information written down, trying to remember as much of it as she could. There were so many pieces on different plants that although a laborious task, she was fascinated by what she was reading.

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