She held up her hands. “I shall speak of them no more. Has the copy of Cuvier’s Le Règne Animal arrived yet?” Cuvier’s views on different races were highly problematic, yet she had to see what the latest in zoological research contained so that she could position herself within the field.
“I would fetch it for you immediately. But . . .”
A voice behind her said, “I’m afraid that I reached it first.”
The sound of that familiar voice made her heart pump faster. She took a steadying breath before turning around to face Mason Fredericks. He held a substantial book beneath his arm, but she barely noticed it.
“You’re back,” she said, and congratulated herself that she’d managed those two words without stammering.
“The wilds of the Orkney Islands were fascinating,” Mason answered. His eyes sparkled with good humor. “But one’s funds have a tendency to run out when one is in the field.”
“Rather than cozying up to deep pockets here in London.” She smiled, hoping her face wasn’t as red as it felt. All the cool presence of mind she’d summoned for her conversation with the three dandies sizzled away like droplets of water on a skillet.
At the least, her head was level enough for her to refrain from pointing out that, as a viscount’s son, he likely didn’t have to ask anyone for money to subsidize his research. Having met Mason’s father at numerous social events, and hearing the viscount speak glowingly about his naturalist son, there would be no shortage of capital for Mason’s work.
“I must continue cataloging our newest acquisitions, so please do excuse me.” Mr. Okafor bowed before retreating.
Leaving Grace alone with Mason.
Her mouth dried and her pulse hammered as she looked at him. Damn, he was pleasant to look upon. She could study the shape of his curved lips for hours, and fill page upon page in her sketchbook with the angle of his jaw or the dimple in his left cheek. He wore his light brown hair neatly trimmed, revealing a high, intellectual forehead. His green eyes regarded her with fondness.
Only fondness.
Summoning her courage, she said with as much breeziness as she could muster, “Now that you’ve returned to London, perhaps you’ll join my family for dinner tonight? We’re having guests, so it wouldn’t be any trouble to add another.” Her pulse hammered—she’d never before asked Mason to dine.
“Alas, I cannot.” He sounded genuinely regretful. “Within a day of my homecoming, my social calendar became appallingly overcrowded. Especially as I intend to leave for an expedition to Greenland in less than two months.”
She ignored her plunge of disappointment. “Of course.”
“Nothing would please me more than a tête-à-tête with you,” he continued. “Every day brings new developments in the field, new texts with new theories—”
“Such as the Cuvier.” She eyed the book he held.
“Indeed.” He sighed. “But, unfortunately, I’m expected at no fewer than three dinners tonight.”
“To be seated beside young, unmarried ladies,” she said, before silently groaning at her gaucheness. Why did she have to bring that up?
He chuckled. “Highly unlikely. Who would want their daughter to marry a naturalist? No one dreams that their beloved girl will spend her honeymoon tramping through the wastelands of the subarctic, tracking the migration patterns of the local fauna.”
“That sounds ideal.” Just her and Mason, out in the wilderness, devoted to their studies and the expansion of knowledge during the day. And at night . . .
Her cheeks grew warmer.
“Of course you would think so.” He grinned and her insides went gelatinous. “Because you’re a true scholar. But, unfortunately, no prospective bride offers such delights. No,” he said, sobering, “when I do find the right woman to marry, I can only pray she tolerates my work. Ah, well. She’s out there, somewhere. I merely need to be patient and hope to find her.”
Grace made herself smile, but within, she shriveled. “I wish you luck in your search.”
“My thanks.” He regarded her warmly. “You’re always so easy to talk to, Lady Grace. Will you also be at the Creasys’ garden party? I believe it’s next week, and they were adamant I stop by.”