The girl looked back at the statues and then took a step backwards. She tilted her head to one side and then the other. “And that’s why they don’t have heads? So they’ll fit inside the triangle?”
“Exactly.” He nodded. “They’re not certain, of course, but it’s believed they are the goddesses Hestia, Aphrodite and Selene.”
“They are quite beautiful,” the girl said. “Even without their heads. Their dresses look so real. Don’t you agree?”
“If you say so, Addie.” Warmth emanated from the man. There was such a gentleness about him, a kindness in his voice as he spoke to the child. It was rather refreshing after all of the gentlemen Grace spent most of her time encouraging these days.
Who was the man before them? She’d never seen him before, not during any of her seasons in London. She would have remembered him, she was fairly certain. Hewasa gentleman of means, however. She could tell by his dark superfine jacket and tailored buff trousers. She might think the girl was his daughter except the child had called him by his given name.
“Lacy?” Quent called from across the gallery, breaking Grace from her thoughts. “Is that you, old man?”
Heavens!Quentknew the golden haired gentleman? What a stroke of luck that was.
The fellow in question turned slightly and offered his hand to Grace’s brother. “Quentin Post! I’d rather think to find you examining Roman relics to Greek statues.”
Quent grinned. “Ah, well, I’ve seen enough Roman relics to last me a lifetime.”
After the harrowing experience at Marisdùn Castle last autumn, that was a vast understatement, though Grace held her tongue in that regard. How was it possible that her brother was acquainted with the golden haired gentleman?
Quent quickly introduced Lila to the man – Daniel Lacy, with whom he’d apparently attended Eton. The name didn’t sound even vaguely familiar. They must not have been great friends or Grace would have heard some mention of the man over the years, wouldn’t she?
“…my sisters Ladies Grace and Hope,” Quent said, and Grace realized they’d just been introduced.
“A pleasure,” she and Hope said in unison.
“The pleasure is mine.” Mr. Lacy’s smile spread across his face then he glanced back at Quent. “You havethreeidentical sisters, if my memory is correct.”
Quent nodded. “Indeed, but the most reasonable one is not in Town for the season.”
“Quent!” Grace snapped. What a thing for him to say! She was trying to propagate a more serene reputation for herself this season. Blast her brother straight to the devil for saying something that negated her efforts to Mr. Lacy, of all people.
But Quent only laughed in response, and then he gestured to the young girl with Mr. Lacy. “And who is your companion?”
The girl blinked up at Quent and slid closer to Mr. Lacy, reaching for his hand as though she was frightened all of a sudden.
“My sister Adelaide,” Mr. Lacy said with affection evident in his voice. “I’ve been promising her since January that we’d see the marbles now that they’re on display.”
There was a vast age difference between Mr. Lacy and his sister, twenty years perhaps. Was she his ward or was he just a doting brother?
“I couldn’t help but overhear you explain about the three goddesses,” Grace said, hoping to pull Mr. Lacy’s attention toward her for just a bit. “Are you a Greek scholar, sir?”
And thankfully that was all it took for the golden haired gentleman to cast his light gaze upon her and smile most radiantly. “Just an interest of mine, my lady. Haveyouan interest in Greek history?”
Well, she had his full attention. Best to make the most of it. “I’ve always found the mythology fascinating. Hades and Persephone is a particular favorite.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “You must have an adventurous spirit.”
It was better than being accused of having a sharp tongue. “If you know me better someday, you’ll have to let me know if that estimation is a correct one.”
He looked her up and down, a slight twinkle in his eyes.
“Which of the three is Aphrodite, do you know?” Grace asked.
Mr. Lacy glanced back at the trio of headless Greek statues. “They say she’s the one on the far right, reclining against Hestia.” Then he cast her a sidelong glance. “Though she may be another lady altogether.”
He was flirting with her. Grace couldn’t help the smile that tugged on her lips. Yes, Mr. Lacy might do very well, indeed.
“All right.” Grace leveled her gaze upon Quent as the carriage started back toward Mayfair. “Tell me everything that’s worth knowing about Mr. Lacy.”