“Lord Essex,” she said with some surprise. “I hope you have enjoyed the rest of your evening.”
“I have, thank you,” he said, though he didn’t elaborate with the fact that their interlude in the gardens had been the very best part. “I, ah, I found something that I believe belongs to you.”
“My necklace?” she exclaimed, one of her gloved hands coming to her bare neck, as she had apparently missed the piece of jewelry already.
“Of a moon?” he asked before finding it in his pocket and holding it out to her.
“That’s the one,” she said with a smile before taking it in her hand. “Thank you ever so much.”
“Of course,” he said with a nod, a smile curling his lips. “I am glad I could return it.”
They stood there staring at one another in a rather intimate and nearly inappropriate fashion until another voice interrupted.
“Oliver? Did you just give this woman a necklace?”
Celeste was brought out of her reverie about the baron by the woman who now stood between them, staring intently at first one of them and then the other. How Celeste hadn’t seen her until she spoke, she had no idea, for she was nearly touching her.
“Alice,” Lord Essex greeted the newcomer. “I wasn’t. That is to say…”
“My necklace fell, and Lord Essex was kind enough to pick it up and return it to me,” Celeste finally said when it seemed Lord Essex wasn’t about to find the words to explain all that had happened — though who this woman was that he had to explain himself to, she had no idea. As far as she had been aware, Lord Essex was unattached. In fact, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him since their encounter in the gardens, and the fact that she knew him to be a single man was becoming rather significant. For daydreams had begun to play out in her mind. Daydreams she had no business even thinking of, and yet they came, unbidden.
“Oh, I see,” the woman said, though she had a speculative look in her gaze. “That was very kind of you, Ollie.”
“Not kind at all. It was the least I could do. Alice, this is Miss Celeste Keswick. Miss Keswick, my sister, Miss Cunningham.”
His sister. Thank goodness. Relief flushed through Celeste. Now that she knew, she could see the similarities in their looks — the coloring, the smile. Although, it shouldn’t matter… should it? Could a man like Lord Essex ever see her as more than an acquaintance? He was handsome, charming… she had seen him on the arm of many women in the past, and tonight he had danced a few times until he had disappeared for the rest of the evening. She knew she shouldn’t be watching, yet she hadn’t been able to help herself. Her eyes had been on him all night following their encounter.
Her imagination had begun to run rampant — had he been meeting with another young lady? Hopefully not in the gardens. For some reason that seemed to be their place now, and she didn’t want to think of him there with another woman. Or any woman at all. Which was ridiculous. She had met him before, and he clearly thought nothing of her. That certainly would not have changed after she had made a fool of herself in front of him.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Alice said, looking between Celeste and her brother peculiarly, and Celeste nodded.
“Likewise.”
Celeste looked back to see her parents beginning to approach, and not wanting to have to suffer through any further introductions, she bid her farewells and rushed to the exit.
“Celeste, I must speak with you.”
Celeste looked up from her plate the next morning to see her brother entering the breakfast room. Their mother typically chose to eat in her chamber, while their father was yet to arrive downstairs.
“Oh?” she said, her heart suddenly beating quicker as she wondered if Nicholas somehow knew of her encounter last night with Lord Essex. Despite the fact that it had been completely innocent, for some reason she had no desire to share anything of their time together with anyone else. She hadn’t even told Jemima, and she and Jemima told each other everything.
Nicholas narrowed his eyes as he looked at her more closely. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Nothing.”
He paused for a moment longer before shrugging, apparently either believing her or not entirely caring what her response might be as he filled his plate with eggs, toast, and sausage.
“What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Ah, yes,” he said as he took a seat at the breakfast table. “It’s regarding what we spoke of earlier — the issue with Georgium Sidus.”
“George’s Star.”
He rolled his eyes as he took a bite of egg. “Right. If you must call it that. Anyway, if we want to make a name for ourselves, Celeste, we must make haste. And there is only one way I can think to move forward.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“We must collaborate with someone who is just as close as we are, and we need to access a more powerful telescope.”
“You didn’t even believe me when I told you of my theory, Nicholas, and it’s not all about the telescope,” she said, taking a sip of chocolate now as she studied him. Just what did her brother have in mind? Something devious, no doubt. Ever since they were children, Nicholas had always wanted the recognition and the praise, but he had never wanted to put in the work and so would use whatever means necessary to get there. Some things hadn’t changed. “Anyone can look through the lens of a telescope, but only those who know what they are looking for are ever going to find anything.”
“Yes, I understand that, Celeste. That’s why I have you.” He shot her a brilliant smile. “And now, you’re going to have the chance to go looking.”
“How?”
“I have heard stirrings of a man with similar thoughts as us, and if anyone could beat us in determining just what is causing the disturbances around Georgium Sidus, it is he, for he has the telescope necessary to do it.”
“So you want to partner with him?”
“No,” he said with a wicked smile, one that told her he was up to nothing particularly good. “I want you to work for him.”
4
When it came to social outings, there was one Oliver did quite enjoy — his meetings with the Astronomical Society of London. Each time he held out hope that one of his idols, William Herschel, would join them, but while the man was president of the society in name, he had yet to take up his chair around the table.
But no matter. Herschel’s son, John, was present, as were a great many other exemplary minds. Oliver was honored to have been invited to join the society, which had been formed but a year prior. After a discussion about all of the latest findings, their work, and the issues that faced them all as a whole, they would have dinner together.
While Oliver did enjoy listening to what was currently occupying others in the group, he was most grateful for the opportunity for feedback on his own work and issues — why some of his equipment wasn’t working as it was supposed to, why some of his calculations were off, and to discuss ideas that had been floating around in his mind that no one else would understand. True, they would be sharing information, but they were all in this together, were they not?
Next meeting, he vowed as they were asked if they had any additional items for discussion, he would bring up his qualms about George’s Star. But he didn’t have enough evidence as of yet to properly present anything. He had raised the topic once before, but had only received questions in return — no answers, and he had left the meeting feeling a fool. He had vowed he would find what he needed before ever mentioning the issue again, but so far he had come up empty, but for a few hypotheses.
He sat down to dinner — his second since becoming a member — and soon found himself joined by a man who seemed rather eager to make his acquaintance.
“Lord Essex, how are you this evening?”
“Very well, thank you,” Oliver said, searching his mind rapidly for the name of his new table companion. Mr.… He knew he had been introduced at some point in time, but with over fifteen of them in th
e room, he couldn’t remember them all. Well, he supposed he could have if he tried, for he knew the names of countless stars and constellations, but that was beside the point.
Unfortunately, the man didn’t provide any assistance, as he sat back in his chair with a smile instead of providing his name.
He looked around him from side to side as though making sure no one else was listening, and then leaned in close to Oliver.
“I heard you were looking for an assistant.”
Oliver frowned.
“You heard wrong,” he said, shaking his head. “In fact, I don’t think I have ever expressed the need for one. You must have me confused with someone else.”
“Are you sure?”
Oliver nodded.
“Well, that is too bad,” the red-headed man continued. There was something vaguely familiar about him, though Oliver couldn’t place him. He didn’t think they had encountered one another outside of the last meeting, but… “I was working with an assistant who provided me with the highest quality of help. I would have liked to have continued but, unfortunately, I don’t have the funds at the moment. I had promised to find another good posting and had thought a man like yourself could use someone.”
“Like myself?” Oliver frowned.
“Yes — a titled man who has many engagements yet plenty of work to do as well.”
Oliver contemplated the man’s words. “There is some truth to that,” he acknowledged. “I have far more work than I can ever keep up with.”
“Then this would be perfect!” the man continued, his eyes and smile brightening. “Just think, as you look through your telescope at the stars, your assistant can be recording everything for you or consulting the map. You would also have someone to do calculations for you, as I promise this person has a brilliant mind. It’s the ideal situation, really.”
The potential was sounding better and better, though Oliver wondered if it was too good to be true.
“Send him round,” he finally said. “I’ll conduct a bit of a trial and see if this is something that might work out for the both of us. You recommend him?”
“I provide the highest of recommendations,” the man said with a bright smile, and Oliver nodded.
“Very well, then. We’ll see what we can do.”
“What do you mean, you have a job?”
Celeste cringed at her mother’s stare and she looked to Nicholas for some assistance. He nodded at her before jumping in, eagerly assuming his most winning smile and directing it at their parents, who sat across from one another at the dinner table.
“I have arranged it, Mother, and I can assure you that it is all above board. You know how Celeste has such a good head for numbers, and really, she is only taking after everyone else in this family, putting her intelligence to good use. Why, even you worked when you were younger, Mother.”
“I was the daughter of a shopkeeper,” she said, looking down her nose at him, “and I worked because I had to. Your father ensured that would no longer be the case.”
She sent a smile of thanks over to her husband. The two of them had a more loving marriage than many Celeste had seen, and she only hoped that one day she would find the same for herself, though she rather doubted it. For now, it seemed she had other matters of importance to attend to.
“Someday, Mother, I may not have to work, but the truth is I want to work,” she said, knowing that if she didn’t have the ability to do what she loved, she would probably go mad — but she wasn’t about to tell her mother that. “I would be doing all that I currently am, but I would be getting paid for it now.”
“Why can you not simply continue to help your brother?” her mother asked, frowning.
“Nicholas is no longer as interested in astronomy as he once was,” she explained, but then when her brother shot her a look, she shrugged. What was she supposed to say?
“Then what, Nicholas,” his father bit out with a look at him, “are you doing with all of your time?”
“I’m enjoying myself,” he said with a smile that Celeste knew was supposed to charm their parents, as it did most. “And working as well. It’s a fine balance, you see.”
“I do not see,” their father said, pointing a fork at him. “You told me that you could not join me at the company because you were making your name for yourself as an astronomer. If that is no longer the case, then I expect you in my office tomorrow morning at eight o’clock sharp.”
“Oh, Father…” Nicholas said, looking pained. “You know imports and exports are not exactly included in my interests.”
“You will make them included in your interests if you are doing nothing else. The men in this family work, Nicholas, and they work hard. If you are no longer engaging in science but rather frivolous pursuits, you will come work with me.”
The look Nicholas shot Celeste was one that made it clear this was entirely her fault, and she threw up her hands in supplication. How was she supposed to follow his every thought? She was only doing what he told her he had wanted from her.
“Will I get paid?” he asked his father.
“Yes, you will be paid appropriately,” their father said, sitting back and returning his fork to his plate. “You will work your way up from the bottom.”
“Would not being the son of the owner provide me some higher standing?” Nicholas grumbled.
“No,” his father said as he picked up his wine glass. “I worked my way up and so can you.”
“Perhaps mornings to start?” Nicholas suggested. “And then I can spend my afternoons on astronomy. At least, until I make the great discovery I am working toward.” He winked at Celeste. “At which time, I will be able to afford to pay Celeste. Until then, she can learn from another. It’s always good to vary your skill set, is it not?”
“I suppose,” their father said, although their mother looked unconvinced.
“You will take your maid, of course, Celeste,” she said, and Celeste nodded, although the entire conversation was leaving a rather uneasy feeling in her stomach. Nicholas hadn’t told her much about who she would be working for. How had Nicholas convinced him to hire a woman? Would he be fair? She wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted him to be a good man, for she was coming under false pretenses. She would learn from him, of course, but even though she refused to collect information as Nicholas wanted her to, she still felt the spy.
She found Nicholas in the library later that evening. She hadn’t said much during the dinner conversation as she was beginning to have her doubts about the whole thing.
“Nicholas,” she said, taking a seat across from him, where he sat with one leg crossed over the other, a book in his hands. “Are you sure this is all… morally right? It seems to me your plan is to, well, to spy on someone else.”
“It’s not spying, Celeste,” he said, putting down his book, looking exasperated that she would interrupt him. “It is merely using the man’s telescope and cooperating on some calculations. Besides, you will be a greater assistant than anyone could ever ask for, so you will, in fact, be doing him a favor.”
“Yes, but if I determine what is causing the series of irregularities in the path of George’s Star, should I not share them with the man whose instrument I am using?”
Nicholas said, shaking his head. “You are too honest for your own good, Celeste. Sure. If you discover anything, we will share it with him. But do not say anything until that time, all right? And be sure to tell me first. We will then determine how best to approach it.”
Celeste shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know, Nicholas…”
“Trust me, Celeste. I am a member of the Astronomical Society with this man, and I know how these things work. It could all come to nothing, and we do not want to look like fools, do we?”
“Well, no...”
“It is also the opportunity to use a telescope we have only heard of. I am actually jealous of you, Celeste. You are to go ’round tomorrow. I have arranged everything.”
Celeste twisted her f
ingers in her skirts. The apprehension of what they were doing remained, although it was tinged with a bit of excitement. To have the opportunity to see the sky through such a telescope, and to actually be paid to do what she loved… it was an opportunity that she would never have thought possible. She supposed she could try it and see what happened. If it felt like what she was doing was wrong, then she could always leave the posting. Besides, she had no idea what this man was about. Maybe he just liked to sweep for comets. She could help with that, and he would receive all that glory, would he not?
“Very well,” she finally agreed, but when she looked up, she saw that her brother was already engrossed in his book once again and not even listening to her. “Who is the astronomer, Nicholas?”
“What’s that?”
“I asked who the man is that I am supposed to be working for.”
“Oh… ah… I believe it is Lord Sussex or something of the sort. He droned on and on about all of this at a previous meeting, so I’m sure you’ll get on well.”
“Lord Sussex? I don’t believe I’ve heard of him.”
“Well, you will come to know him well starting tomorrow.”
Celeste nodded. “Well, then. I am off to do some calculations. According to Newton’s Law, the orbit of George’s…”
But Nicholas gave no indication he heard. Celeste sighed and let herself out of the library, searching out her desk in her bedchamber.
And hoping that, at the very least, her new employer was more inclined to listen to her.
5
“Now, Sophia, I do apologize for what might be a rather boring day for you,” Celeste said as they arrived at the address Nicholas had written down for her. She looked at the piece of paper in her hands, double checking they were at the right townhouse. The dark stucco unit was at the end of a palace-front terrace, the columns and pediments at each end of the entire structure much more prominent. As an astronomer, it would also allow the owner, this Lord Sussex, to have additional views out the windows on three sides instead of only the front and back like most other townhouses. Her brother had said Lord Sussex owned a telescope so great in size it remained outdoors, and she wondered if he used the square to do his work. She didn’t see any signs of it.
Discovering the Baron (The Bluestocking Scandals Book 3) Page 3