“Very interesting,” Emeline agreed. Privately she conceded that she was far more intrigued by the subject of antiquities than she was by the wonders of electricity and chemistry, but she had to admit the demonstration that had just concluded was quite exciting.

“I must tell you that when you suggested we subscribe to Mr. Kirk’s series of science lectures, I feared they would prove somewhat dull.

“But that is certainly not the case. Don’t you agree, Anthony?”

“I certainly do,” Anthony said with genuine appreciation. “It was an excellent notion, Priscilla.” He glanced at the small journal on her lap. “I see you managed to fill several more pages with notes again today.”

Priscilla clutched the journal to her bosom and gave Professor Kirk another enraptured glance. “I have learned so much from these lectures. I only wish that I could convince Mama to allow me to purchase some instruments and equipment. I would give anything to be able to set up a proper laboratory where I could conduct experiments. But she refuses to even consider the notion.”

Emeline was not surprised by that news. She had no difficulty whatsoever imagining Lady Wortham’s horrified reaction to the idea of Priscilla setting up a laboratory.

Lady Wortham took her responsibilities as a mother quite seriously. Her chief ambition in life was to see her daughter married to a respectable gentleman from a good family, preferably one who was in line to inherit a comfortable fortune. To that end she had a great deal to work with, Emeline thought, because Priscilla was a very attractive young woman.

True, her friend’s hair was a shade of molten gold that was not considered to be in the first stare of fashion, but Emeline thought the color complemented her blue eyes quite effectively. She also knew that she was not alone in that opinion. Priscilla certainly never lacked for dancing partners at the balls and soirees they attended together. Regardless of the prevailing views of those who set the fashion, it was clear that any number of gentlemen were attracted to ladies with blond hair.

Not that her friend did not possess a number of other fine attributes. In addition to a kind, charming manner, Priscilla was endowed with pretty, delicate features and a gracefully full, rounded figure.

It was unfortunate, in Emeline’s private opinion, that Lady Wortham insisted that her daughter dress only in pink. The color did not particularly suit her.

But as far as Emeline was concerned, her companion’s best features were her intelligence, good humor, and common sense.

Those were the factors that had allowed a genuine friendship to blossom between the two of them.

By rights they should have viewed each other as rivals, Emeline thought. Their acquaintance had been fostered and encouraged originally by Lady Wortham for less than altruistic reasons. Priscilla’s matchmaking mama liked the notion of her daughter going about with Emeline because she believed that her offspring’s looks were set off to advantage by the contrast between the two young women.

Emeline was well-aware that her chief claim to fashion was her


=

thick, dark hair. In other respects, she knew very well that she did not meet the demands of true connoisseurs of style. She was too tall and too slender and her personality was much too forthright. The last was no accident. She had deliberately patterned herself after her aunt. Lavinia rarely bothered to veil her intelligence, nor did she hesitate to state her opinions.

“After all those explosive demonstrations, I believe I feel the need of some cooling ice cream,” Anthony announced, getting to his feet.

“Can I persuade the two of you to join me?”

“You will not have to ask me a second time,” Emeline assured him.

“It is very warm in this hall, is it not?”

“Ice cream sounds wonderful,” Priscilla said. “It is rather hot in here. I had not noticed until this moment.”

Emeline laughed. “That is because you were too occupied with the wonders of Professor Kirk’s demonstrations.”

Anthony stood back to allow Emeline and Priscilla to go ahead of him down the aisle toward the front of the hall. The crowd thickened briefly as several people left their seats at the same time and made for the doors.

When the path cleared a moment later, Emeline caught sight of the man who lounged with negligent ease, one shoulder propped against the wall. A disturbing sensation went around her. This was not the first time Dominic Hood had materialized in the vicinity of herself and her companions in the past few days.

“Bloody hell,” Anthony muttered behind her. “Hood is here.”

Priscilla was the only one who was unabashedly delighted to see him. “I did not know that Mr. Hood was interested in science.”

“What an astounding surprise,” Anthony growled.

“Calm yourself,” Emeline said in low tones. “I do not know why it is that you and Mr. Hood have taken such a dislike to each other, but I do not want any awkward scenes today. Is that understood?”

“What occurred yesterday at the museum was not my fault.”

“Mr. Hood may have started things off on the wrong foot when he gave us his opinion of that statue of Hercules and the Hydra, but you, sir, made matters a good deal worse when you informed him that he knew nothing about art.”

“I merely spoke the truth,” Anthony said, icily virtuous. “Hood has no eye for art or antiquities.”

“That may be true, but it was very poor manners to tell him so to his face.”

“He should have kept his remarks about the statue to himself. I wonder if he will prove to be as ignorant about science?”

“I am serious, Anthony. There will be no scenes. Do you understand?”

He smiled coldly in a way that was uncomfortably reminiscent of Mr. March.

“I give you my word that I will not start a public quarrel,” he said.

There was no time to pin him down on the details of that too precisely phrased promise, because they had almost reached the door. Emeline busied herself tying her bonnet strings. She used the moment to study Dominic Hood more closely, wondering again what it was that had created such immediate hostility between him and Anthony. In her opinion, they should have been instant friends, she thought. On the surface, they appeared to have a great deal in common. Dominic was the same age as Anthony, who had turned twenty-two last month. They were also of a similar height and both were endowed with lean, athletic frames.

They shared a sense of style too, she thought. The coat Dominic wore was remarkably similar to Anthony’s, dark blue and cut to emphasize his shoulders. Their pleated trousers and patterned waistcoats were almost identical. They both had handsome fobs attached to their pocket watches and intricate knots tied in their snowy white cravats.

It was true that Dominic appeared to possess the sort of resources that enabled him to patronize a more expensive tailor, but the overall effect was nearly identical to the effect that Anthony’s tailor achieved. Perhaps that was because neither man depended on his clothes for the impression he made, Emeline thought. Each of them radiated a certain forcefulness of personality that would have been obvious even if both dressed in rags.

At that moment Dominic straightened away from the wall and inclined his head to Priscilla and Emeline.

“Ladies,” he said, “what a pleasure to see you here today. You are both in excellent looks.”

“Mr. Hood.” Priscilla glowed. You did not mention that you would be attending Professor Kirk’s lecture today.”

“Science is a hobby of mine,” he said laconically. His eyes met Anthony’s. There was no mistaking the challenge in them. “Do you claim the same expertise in chemistry and related matters as you do in art and antiquities, Sinclair?”


=

“No,” Anthony said brusquely. “I have not made a close study of science.”

“I see,” Dominic drawled. “Perhaps that is for the best.

“Comprehension of the principles of electricity, astronomy, and the like requires a mind that is trained in logic and reason. Science is quite different from art and antiquities in that it is not subject to the whims of fashion, taste, and emotion. It follows the laws of nature instead.”

Emeline felt Anthony stiffen angrily. She hastened to take charge of the conversation.

“I thought today’s lecture was particularly enlightening,” she said quickly. “Especially the last demonstration, with the model volcano.”

“Positively exhilarating,” Priscilla declared.

“It was entertaining.” Dominic shrugged. “I will grant you that.

“But when you come right down to it, I’m afraid Professor Kirk is more showman than chemist.”

Priscilla frowned slightly. “What do you mean, Mr. Hood?”

Dominic switched his attention to her. “I am currently working on a new formula for fireworks explosives that I assure you would produce effects far more spectacular than those Kirk created with his silly volcano.”

Priscilla’s eyes widened. “You have your own laboratory, sir?”

“Yes.”

“But that is wonderful,” Priscilla breathed. “What instruments and apparatus do you own, if I may ask?”

Dominic hesitated, looking torn. Emeline got the distinct impression that he’d had another goal in mind when he had intercepted them at the door. She thought it best to keep pushing him in this other direction.

“Indeed, Mr. Hood,” she said, “this sounds very intriguing. Please tell us about your laboratory equipment.”

“I possess the usual assortment,” he allowed finally. “A microscope, an electrical machine, telescope, a balance, some chemical apparatus.”