He picked up the copy of the book and turned it over in his hands. The binding was loose, some of the corner of the pages folded over. Her cheeks grew warm. If he did not think her a bluestocking before, he certainly would now when he noticed the book was in Greek.
“Do you have a favorite book, sir?” She folded her hands on her lap.
Mr. Marcellus’s gaze traveled up to her face. “I enjoy reading a wide array of works, though I have a particular fondness for Cicero and Marcus Aurelius.”
Aunt Sarah chuckled. “A pity my husband and Mr. Davenport are not present. They’d thoroughly enjoy making your acquaintance.”
He tilted his head to the side.
“My father and my uncle are always keen to meet another person who shares their enjoyment of the classics,” Helen said.
Aunt Sarah placed her nearly empty teacup on the table.Goodness me! Where has the time gone?
As much as Helen may have wished for Mr. Marcellus to stay longer, she was reminded that she was no longer at Winterbrook, where she was the mistress of the house. Number twelve Curzon Street was the home of her aunt.
There were some unspoken rules that even Aunt Sarah would never break, and a morning call longer than fifteen minutes was one of them.
Mr. Marcellus stood, clutching the rim of his hat tightly. “I thank you for your hospitality this morning. May I inquire if I may call upon you ladies in two days’ time? Perhaps Mr. Davenport and your husband will be available?”
The ladies stood. “We would welcome renewing our acquaintance with you. As for my husband, I cannot speak for him, but I will be certain to pass your request to him.”
“Excellent.” He straightened his cravat. “Then if you would please have a servant direct me to Master John’s room, I’ll visit with the lad before I depart.”
Just as Helen was about to offer her service to Mr. Marcellus, her aunt pulled the red cord to request a footman.
Aunt Sarah shot her a tight smile.
The door opened. “Lady Greenly?” a footman asked.
“Ah, Samuel. Please lead our guest up to John’s room.”
“Certainly, my lady.”
He bowed once more before departing. With a heavy thud, the drawing room’s doors were closed.
“Aunt, why could I not have taken Mr. Marcellus up to John’s room?” Helen sank into her seat on the chaise, her hands absently running over the cover ofThe Iliad.
“Polite society follows strict rules about how to call upon and receive a guest. Mr. Marcellus may appear to be a gentleman, but I have some reservations.”
Helen couldn’t understand her aunt. “What reservations could you possibly hold against the man? Did he not prove himself based upon his actions in Hyde Park?” she sputtered.
“His actions from a few days ago is the reason why I agreed to our seeing the man.” Aunt Sarah sighed. “We have onlyjustbecome formally acquainted with him. We know very little of his character or his connections. Your uncle has made discrete inquiries, yet he could not find a single person who knew of a person named Mr. Marcellus. It is as if he materialized out of thin air, my dear.”
Helen pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know you mean well, Aunt, and that you are trying to protect me from the likes of men like Mr. Chapman.”
“Take heart, sweetling. I happen to find Mr. Marcellus very agreeable.” Aunt Sarah picked up her teacup.
Helen locked eyes with her. “You do?”
“Certainly. Just because I wish to approach this connection cautiously does not mean I do not approve of the chap. We’ll just have to wait and see how our next visit unfolds.”
Are you playing the matchmaking game, Aunt Sarah? Should I be fearful?
As Helen adjusted her position on the chaise, she felt a sharp pinch on her hip. Glancing to her right, she noticed a parcel wrapped in a thin layer of twine. Her heart skipped a few beats. In elegant black script, the top of the package read: “For the Nymph of Hyde Park.”
Quickly, she covered the item with her book. “Aunt, do you mind if I return this to my room?”
The entry hall door opened and closed. From the window, she watched as the lanky silhouette of Mr. Marcellus disappeared down the steps and across the road towards Hyde Park.