Desire (Notorious 3)

She wore a faded sprigged-muslin gown and a wide-brimmed bonnet to shield her face from the bright morning sun, yet that alluring aura of enchantment surrounded her, no matter the setting. And her effect on him was the same as before. Lucian felt a rush of heat to his loins that he had rarely felt with any other woman.

Theo was a gangly, bespectacled youth, all skin and bone, with a pale complexion and a shock of red hair that resembled a rooster’s plumage. The boy was reading a passage of poetry aloud with obvious reluctance, until finally he gave a sound of disgust and looked up at his sister.

“I do not see how Milton can possibly benefit me, Brynn.”

“Because it increases the breadth of your knowledge and widens your view of the world,” she replied calmly. “You cannot hope to have a well-rounded education with your nose constantly in a chemistry book.”

“But my experiment is at a crucial stage.”

She had an easy, musical laugh. “I am a cruel sister, I know. You would rather be in your dungeon of a laboratory, blowing things up, than out here in the fresh air.”

“I have not blown anything up in weeks.”

“For which I am profoundly grateful,” she said wryly, ruffling his vivid hair. “But if you will suffer through ten more minutes, you may return to your laboratory until luncheon.”

He grinned at that and opened the poetry book again.

Lucian found himself spellbound as he watched their interaction. He could count on one hand the number of genteel ladies who would show such warmth to a younger sibling. It gave him more confidence that she would make a good mother for his son.

He knew the moment she became aware of his presence. She looked up, her green eyes bright as new spring grass. Immediately wary, she came to her feet.

Theo’s voice trailed off as he realized there was an intruder in their midst.

“My lord Wycliff,” she said with forced politeness. “What brings you here?”

“You, Miss Caldwell.” Adopting a relaxed smile, Lucian moved forward. “I would like a private word with you, if I may.”

“We are in the middle of a lesson.”

The boy piped up. “That is quite all right, Brynn. I don’t mind leaving.”

Brynn flashed him a repressive glance. “This is my brother Theodore, my lord.”

Lucian offered his hand to shake, to the boy’s obvious surprise and pleasure. “Do I conclude correctly that you have an interest in chemistry, Mr. Caldwell?”

“Very much, sir.”

“I am acquainted with a number of members of the Royal Society,” Lucian commented casually, referring to the exclusive club of the country’s premier scientists. “And I had the pleasure of attending a lecture at the Royal Institution by Mr. John Dalton earlier this year.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “Do you know Mr. Dalton, sir?”

“I have the honor of being one of his patrons. He wrote A New System of Chemical Philosophy.”

“Yes! It regards the weight of atoms. I have been attempting to isolate one of the elements he discovered-” The youth flushed and fell silent, evidently flustered by his loquaciousness.

“Mr. Dalton is my brother’s hero,” Brynn interjected. “Theo practically sleeps with that book under his pillow.”

“Then perhaps you would like to meet him,” Lucian suggested. “That could easily be arranged when you next come to London.”

Theo’s expressive face had brightened with anticipation, but then fell just as swiftly. “I will not be able to come to Londo

n, sir.”

Lucian met Brynn’s glance and discovered her frowning at him. “Perhaps in future you may. Would you permit me to speak to your sister alone?”

“Yes, my lord, certainly,” Theo responded without even waiting for his sister’s permission.

Brynn held her tongue until the boy had gone before fixing a stern gaze on Lucian. “It is cruel to raise his hopes that way when you have no intention of fulfilling them.”