The Angel of an Astronomer

by Sande, Linda Rae

  Wrapping her robe more tightly around her body, she paused before pushing down on the handle. The door opened easily. Stepping through, she halted after quickly closing the door, unaware someone else was approaching the same door from a different direction. Although the strange building was warmer inside than out, it was by no means comfortable.

  She gazed upward and realized the red light was merely a lantern with red glass, where clear glass would usually surround the flame. Hanging near the top of a set of spiral stairs that lined the interior, the lamp made the opening to the floor above evident. It also provided enough light for her to see her way to the steps.

  She quickly made her way up, her padded footfalls quiet while her pulse pounded in her ears.

  “Ah, Peters. I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about me,” a tenor voice called out from above.

  Angelica stopped on the stairs. Peters? She rolled her eyes when she remembered Bradford Hall was run by a butler named Peters. He had obviously stayed with the property when it was sold to the new owner.

  The Peeping Tom, Angelica reminded herself, once again climbing the stairs with some haste.

  Once she reached the top and stood within the domed space, ready to scold the owner of the voice, she instead inhaled and simply stared.

  Bathed in the dim red light from the lantern, the telescope sat mounted in a most unusual contraption and was aimed at something beyond the rectangular opening in the dome. A gentleman, dressed in a black greatcoat, was seated before it, his attention on an eyepiece. An easel directly to the right of the man’s chair held a blank sheet of paper.

  “You can just put it on the desk over there,” he murmured, one gloved hand waving to a small escritoire.

  Angelica’s gaze went to where he indicated. Scattered with papers and an ink pot, the desk was one of only three pieces of furniture. The others were the chair in which the man was seated and a long cot. A neatly folded blanket lay atop the cot. Given that the opening from the stairs took up nearly a quarter of the round floorspace, there wasn’t room for anything else.

  “She looks amazing,” the man murmured in appreciation. “What a golden beauty. A bit blurry, but that’s to be expect...”

  Angelica boggled. “How dare you spy on me,” she scolded, newly incensed that he had apparently moved his telescope to gaze into another young woman’s bedchamber.

  The startled man whirled around as he struggled to come to his feet, his chair toppling over backwards as a result.

  “Good God! You nearly frightened me to death,” he said as he regarded his intruder.

  Angelica raised her chin in defiance as her hands fisted and settled on her hips. “A suitable punishment, I should think,” she replied. “I should have you arrested for being a Peeping Tom,” she added, her bravura slowly ebbing as she regarded her neighbor.

  She wasn’t sure what she had expected. Or rather, whom. Certainly not a man as handsome as this one. He was younger than she expected a Peeping Tom to be, too. Thirty. Maybe five-and-thirty. He looked familiar, or similar to someone she knew, but she couldn’t immediately place just who that might be. Given the red light, she couldn’t make out the color of his hair but thought it a dark shade. Dressed in the black greatcoat and wearing black breeches and boots, he might have been a coach driver or a highwayman. He even wore black gloves.

  A shiver passed through Angelica, and not just because it was chilly in the domed building. For the first time that night, she considered what she had just done—left her house in nothing but her night clothes and confronted a man she didn’t know.

  On his property.

  She didn’t even have Muffin McDuff Paddlepaws with her.

  Oh, what have I done?

  Chapter 14

  A Conclave of Cousins

  Meanwhile, at White’s in St. James Street

  Hoping he might be invited to join a card game or find a familiar face among those in attendance at White’s, Gabe Wellingham entered the venerable men’s club and allowed a butler to take his great coat, scarf, and hat.

  He had barely stepped into the first room when he saw his oldest cousin, Thomas Grandby, waving to him. Across from him sat George Grandby, Viscount Hexham. “Ah, I wondered if you might have stayed in town for Christmas,” Gabe said as he joined the two, directing his comment to Thomas.

  “I had the chance to go to Cherrywood in Derbyshire with the rest of the family, but I have so much business to see to here in town, I begged off,” Thomas replied as he motioned for Gabe to join them. “Have you met my cousin? George Grandby, Viscount Hexham,” he added, before Gabe could respond. “Gabe Wellingham is Trenton’s oldest son.”

  Gabe gave George a huge grin. “Indeed. We know each other from school, of course, and met again in the park last month, I think it was. It’s very good to see you again,” he said with a nod. “I saw that you had returned to London this afternoon,” he added as he shook George’s hand and then Thomas’.

  “We did indeed,” George acknowledged. “Took the train down. A very civilized way to travel. I highly recommend it,” he added.

  “My parents and sister arrived early this afternoon. After being cooped up in a traveling coach for half the day, Father suggested a ride down Park Lane to get some air.”

  The viscount regarded Gabe for a moment. “Were you in a barouche, perhaps?”

  Gabe nodded. “We were. Dashed cold ride, but it was invigorating” he replied. “We stopped to see our newest nephew, as well. Ugly little thing,” he added as he screwed up his face in a grimace. “Good thing he’s a boy.”

  George stared at Gabe, realizing Gabe had been the other man he had seen in the Trenton barouche, which meant that no one in the equipage was courting Lady Anne. “Is she... well?” he asked. “Lady Anne, that is? I haven’t seen her since that day I first met you.”

  Angling his head to one side, Gabe gave a shrug. “I think so. Seventeen going on thirty, you might say, especially now that she has decided she wishes to be wed.”

  Having five sisters of his own, Thomas laughed. “They are like that when they are on the hunt for a husband.”

  Furrowing a brow, George wondered why Angelica had never seemed anxious to find a husband. She never spoke of having children or keeping a house of her own. It was almost as if she expected to be a spinster. He was reminded of her comment on the train, and was about to replay it in his head when Gabe allowed a huge grin in response to Thomas’ comment.

  “You hear stories of young ladies in want of a husband, but until earlier this afternoon, I didn’t know my sister was one of them,” Gabe remarked as he accepted a glass of brandy from a footman.

  George straightened in his chair at hearing this bit of news. “You speak of Lady Anne?” he asked, realizing too late his overeager reaction would be noticed.

  Thomas allowed a laugh. “Now I believe what you said about not following your father’s lead when it comes to a late marriage,” he said with a grin. “So Lady Anne has caught your eye, has she?”

  Blinking, George allowed a shrug and decided not to protest too much. “How could she not? She’s a beautiful young lady,” he allowed. “My interest at the moment lies in her availability—and yours, of course—to join my sister and me for a dinner party we’re hosting in a few days. I’m quite sure I can find seven or eight gentlemen to attend, but I think Angelica may find it difficult to line up an equal number of the fairer sex as our guests. I will be sure to let her know Lady Anne is in town.”

  As much as he wanted to blurt out his desire for Lady Anne, he knew he would be mercilessly teased. He was also worried word of his tendre might get back to the young lady by way of Gabe.

  “I am quite sure Lady Anne would be honored to attend,” Gabe replied, “As would I.”

  “It would depend on the night, of course,” Thomas hedged. “I fear only one of my sisters stayed in Chiswick, but I know Emily would be delighted to attend,” he continued. “And if it helps, the Norwick twins are in town.” When
he noted George’s look of surprise, he added, “The earl opted to remain in London for the winter instead of heading down to Sussex. We have a common business interest that requires our attention here in London,” he added, referring to the Earl of Norwick and an investment in a railway the two were considering.

  “Splendid. I’ll be sure to let Angelica know,” George replied.

  “Speaking of Cousin Angelica, you haven’t mentioned if she is of a mind to marry,” Thomas said as another round of brandies were delivered to them. “Now that she’s come into her majority, I suppose she doesn’t have to take a husband.”

  George angled is head. “From her comments on the train, I would say she is not, but... a possible match is one of the reasons we’ve returned to London before the start of the Season,” he explained.

  Thomas and Gabe exchanged curious glances. “Do tell,” Thomas said as he offered a second brandy to Gabe.

  “Father has been plotting, you might say, with Wadsworth. The earldom is in need of an heir and Wadsworth has only daughters. With a son rather unlikely at this point, it looks as if his brother, Benjamin, might have to do the honors.”

  “Sir Benjamin? The astronomer?” Gabe asked in surprise. “Why, he’s a bit... long in the tooth, is he not?”

  George nodded. “That was one of my first thoughts, too, but I have not yet met the man, which is another reason I wanted to host a dinner party,” he replied. “We’ll invite him, of course.” He turned his attention on Gabe. “Have you met him?”

  Gabe nodded. “Briefly. At Cambridge. He did a lecture there a couple of years ago. Clever man. Very learned, but not as... proud as one might expect of someone so educated,” he said. “I think Lady Angelica would find him interesting. Diverting, even. I know Anne wasn’t too bored when he spoke in Wolverhampton last year.”

  Although he expected to feel jealousy at learning Lady Angelica would probably never marry him, Gabe had long ago given up thoughts of her as his wife. She had been merely a crush, for he knew better than to expect Angelica would ever marry a bastard—or any man without a title, for that matter.

  “I’m relieved to hear it,” George said. “She would not do well with a younger man, I think. Having a father as old as ours means she would not have the patience for displays of immaturity or the behavior of a typical young buck.” He paused a moment. “I know you would tell us if you were courting, but do you have an idea of when you’ll be in the market for a wife?” he asked, directing his query to Thomas.

  His cousin allowed a guffaw. “It may not seem like it, but I am always on the lookout,” he replied. “Truth be told, I happen to be related too closely to all the very best and finest young ladies in the ton,” he claimed. “Including Lady Anne and Lady Angelica.”

  Gabe and George exchanged quick glances. “Good God, we’re all cousins, aren’t we?” George exclaimed.

  “Indeed,” Gabe agreed with a grin. “It’s a good thing I will be allowed to marry a commoner.”

  “As am I,” Thomas agreed with a broad grin.

  George stared at them both, his brow furrowed. “If I am a cousin to you—” he pointed to Thomas—“and you are a cousin to him”—he pointed to Gabe—“am I cousin to you?” he asked of Gabe.

  Thomas and Gabe both laughed. “No,” Thomas finally replied, after he had sorted through the possible relations that might make him so. “But I’m quite sure if we went back far enough, we would find a common great-grandmother,” he added. He pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open. “Faith! Is it really half-past ten o’clock?” he asked in surprise. “I really must be going. I promised my uncle I would play a game of vingt et tun with him before he retires for the night.”

  Thomas said his farewells and took his leave while George regarded Gabe. “May I... may I ask you something in confidence?”

  Gabe allowed a shrug. “Of course.”

  “You mentioned Lady Anne is anxious to wed, but... is she being courted by anyone?”

  His eyes darting to one side, Gabe leaned forward and said in a quiet voice, “May I tell you something with the understanding that you will not repeat it to her?”

  George glanced around as if he expected someone might be eavesdropping on their conversation. “I promise I will not repeat what you say to anyone.”

  Inhaling slowly, Gabe hoped he had his sister’s best interests in mind when he said, “Should you propose to Lady Anne, be assured that she would not only agree to wed you, but she would happily oversee your household and give you lots of babies.”

  George blinked, his heart racing at hearing how easy it would be to gain Lady Anne as his wife. “Just... just like that?”

  Gabe nodded. “Well, except for the babies. You’d have to...” He cleared this throat. “Do your part, of course.”

  “Of course,” George agreed, hoping his face didn’t display the flush he felt washing over it. “I suppose I should... court her, though,” he murmured.

  “A ride in the park would be more than enough,” Gabe suggested, realizing the second brandy was making it far too easy to speak. “Oh, and I suppose you might want to pay a call on Trenton. Just a formality. He knows Anne is anxious to be a mother, and you’ll one day be an earl, so I’m quite sure he will give his blessing. Along with a generous dowry, of course.”

  George blinked before a slight smile lifted one side of his face. “I see.” He inhaled and let out the breath in a whoosh. He regarded his brandy for a moment before downing the rest of it in a single gulp. “Well, I think I have a battle plan worked out.”

  Chuckling, Gabe said, “You needn’t treat courting my sister as such when there is no enemy. You’ll find everyone is on your side.”

  Narrowing his eyes, George asked, “Including you?”

  It was Gabe’s turn to blink. “Including me,” he replied with a grin, finishing off his brandy.

  A few minutes later, the two shook hands and took their leave of White’s, the effects of two brandies beginning to take their toll on Gabe.

  Chapter 15

  When the Moon Hits Your Eye

  Ben Fuller regarded his intruder with a combination of shock and awe. Despite the lack of the small hat worn at a rakish angle and the golden blonde hair that was no longer piled atop her head, Lady Angelica was still recognizable. It wasn’t until a half-moment later that Ben realized she was wearing bedclothes rather than the lovely blue carriage gown he had seen her in earlier. “I... I was not spying on you, my lady. Or anyone else for that matter,” he stammered, once he had his wits about him.

  Mental wits, at least. His body was just then catching up to the fact that a woman stood not five feet away, dressed only in a night rail and a dressing gown.

  Angelica gave a huff. “She looks amazing,” she challenged, repeating the words she had heard him saying just before she interrupted him. “Golden beauty?”

  Ben stiffened and then rolled his eyes, finally understanding her meaning. “I was looking at Venus,” he replied, doing his damnedest not to stare at Angelica. She was living up to her name given how she was dressed, her white bell-sleeved dressing gown barely covering a white night rail trimmed with row upon row of delicate lace. Her blonde hair was long and loose, the fine hairs that surrounded her face backlit by the lantern to form a sort of halo around her soft features. Even her fur slippers, the toes topped with white cottontails, made her feet appear angelic.

  In the red glow of the observatory’s only light and given her expression of anger, she was a beauty threatening to become a beast. Or a delectable devil.

  Ben couldn’t decide which.

  “I’m not aware of anyone nearby with the name Venus,” she countered, wondering if there might be yet another house in Park Lane that had changed occupants during her brief stay in Northumberland. She had only been gone from Worthington House for two months!

  Blinking, Ben dared a glance behind him and then turned his attention back to Angelica, just then understanding her accusation. “Venus is the closest planet to e
arth,” he clarified. And then, because he was positive she was Lady Angelica, he asked, “Might you be my neighbor?”

  Angelica’s attention went to the telescope. From this angle, she could tell it wasn’t aimed at her window, but just to the right and beyond. “Venus?” she repeated.

  He nodded before glancing around. Where the hell was Peters? Not that the servant would see to the introductions, but he was supposed to be bringing tea. At the moment, he really wanted tea. Or brandy. Brandy would be better. “Since there is no one to do the honors, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ben Fuller.” He gave a deep bow.

  “Lady Angelica,” she replied with a curtsy, mentally working through relationships in an effort to remember if she had met the man. “My father is the Earl of Torrington, and yours...?”

  “Is dead,” he replied with a curt nod. He never liked admitting who his father was, and he wasn’t about to start now.

  Angelica blinked. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I am not.” He gave his head a quick shake, realizing he was acting no better than his father ever did. “I apologize. I didn’t mean it like that.” He grimaced. “I did, but—”

  “I understand,” Angelica replied as she dipped her head. “I apologize for having barged in here like this. You must think me—”

  “Brave,” he interrupted. “I shouldn’t want to ever anger you. Or dare look at you through my telescope, even if you would be more lovely to look at than Venus.” He blinked suddenly, alarmed that he had actually said the words out loud.

  Just then remembering she wore night clothes, Angelica grasped the edges of her dressing gown together and wrapped an arm in front of her body. “Why, thank you,” she replied, her curt nod meant to convey she knew she had been right with her assertion that he could have been gazing at her through his telescope. Given his comment, she found she couldn’t be too terribly angry with him. No other man had ever compared her to Venus.