Who Wants to Marry a Duke - Sabrina Jeffries Page 0,16
good dancer. But clearly that was a lie, given how beautifully you’re following my lead.”
She wasn’t sure whether to be pleased he approved of her dancing or annoyed that he thought nine years had passed without a single change in her. “My stepmother made me take more dancing lessons than I wanted. This is the result.”
“I gather that you hated them,” he drawled. “The lessons, I mean.”
She shrugged. “I did them only to please my parents. Chemistry was my primary interest then, and it’s my primary interest now.”
“Hmph,” he muttered, sounding unconvinced. They took their positions next to each other, waiting while the remaining couples danced their way down the middle. “And why are you so interested in this particular chemical endeavor? Surely you aren’t doing it out of the kindness of your heart.”
“No, indeed. Science and hearts have naught to do with each other.”
That seemed to startle him into smiling. “I’m sure there are those who would disagree.”
“Are there? How peculiar. All that matters in science are the results of experiments. That’s why I prefer it. Facts don’t lie. An experiment either proves something or it does not.”
He lowered his voice. “And you mean to prove the existence of arsenic in . . . er . . .”
“Yes. It has been used by villains for centuries. I wish to put an end to that by developing a better test to detect it. If my method proves to work as planned, then others can find out for certain when their loved ones are murdered by poison.”
A nearby dancer gasped, and Thornstock glared at the woman. Then he said in a lowered voice, “I’m afraid that murder isn’t a suitable topic for the ballroom. We should not speak of your . . . er . . . aims until we are done with the set and can be more private.”
She nodded. But she would have preferred to continue talking about her experiments. Or anything, really. Because when he’d spoken of being “private” it had sent electricity through her blood. And when she wasn’t talking, she became too aware of His Grace’s capable hand in hers or on her waist or turning her toward him in the dance.
It wasn’t particularly warm in the room with all the doors open toward the garden, but her cheeks still felt hot. Every step they took together made her stomach do that same somersault as on the night he’d kissed her. She didn’t understand it. He knew nothing about science and cared nothing for her personally. So why did he have this effect on her?
His sister-in-law hadn’t lied about how adept a dancer he was. Olivia didn’t want to admire him for it, but she did. Through her many lessons, she’d learned how much work went into looking so effortless on the floor.
The music finally ended, and he took her hand so they could promenade away. “Shall I show you my sister’s new garden? Gwyn is inordinately proud of it.”
Olivia could only nod. She knew he wanted to speak to her privately, and she wanted to be done with it. She would explain her reasons for taking on Greycourt’s task, and then Thornstock would give his approval.
She wasn’t entirely sure if Greycourt needed his half brother’s approval, but if laying out her plans put an end to Thornstock’s objections, it would help her achieve her goal.
Now if only she could stop her heart from thundering in her chest around him.
Thorn led Miss Norley into the refreshments room, which was mostly empty now that another set had begun. He waited until no one was watching, then swiftly guided her through the door and down the stone steps into the garden.
As soon as they’d found a quiet spot near a fountain, he turned to her. “So tell me, Miss Norley, why are you doing this?”
“Coming out into the garden with you? You gave me little choice.”
Was she deliberately being obtuse? “That’s not what I mean, and you know it,” he said irritably.
“Oh! You’re asking why I agreed to test the remains of your half brother’s father for arsenic.”
“Exactly. I know you’re not being paid for it.”
“Your brother offered me payment, but I have managed to learn a few of the unspoken rules of society through the years, and one is that a woman of rank may not work for money. So of course I refused to take any for my efforts. My parents wouldn’t approve.”
He fought a smile. “But they approve of what you’re doing?”