A Lady of Letters Read Online Free

folded the thick sheets of paper and tucked it into the top drawer of his desk. Fresh from an early morning ride in Hyde Park, he found the letter that had awaited his return even more exhilarating than the rush of fresh air in his face. At last a chance to exercise his mind without fear of ridicule or censure! Not that he cared a whit what others thought, but there were precious few of his acquaintances who would understand his current restlessness, or not think him a candidate for Bedlam for turning the pages of aught but the betting book at their club. He sighed. And the sort of gentlemen who might be capable of rational conversation were also out of the question, for they would no doubt have a preconceived notion of the limited mental capacities of a rake and a libertine and refuse to take him seriously.
     
    His crop slapped against the polished leather of his Hessians as he rose and walked toward the breakfast room of his townhouse. No, this was perfect, he thought, a smile of satisfaction spreading across his face. The idea of it was incredibly liberating—he could wax philosophic in perfect anonymity, to be judged only on the merits of his ideas, not the notoriety of his past actions or the trappings of his pedigree. Any praise would be deserved, just as would be any chidings or ridicule, though he doubted such an intellectual as Firebrand would resort to the latter. The fellow had been kind in commending him for his first cautious questions and the Earl found himself wanting to rise a notch higher in the fellow's esteem, perhaps even earn the man's respect for his own capabilities. It would be a real challenge, for the standards would be high, but one which he looked forward to.
     
    A packet from Pritchard & Sons containing their latest pamphlet lay by his teacup. Ignoring the sideboard set with steaming shirred eggs, fresh scones and a platter of Yorkshire ham, he tore open the wrappings, his appetite whetted for ideas rather than any meal. His impatient fingers paged back the thin newsprint cover and he began to devour the words.
     
    It was nearly midday before the Earl had finished reading and rereading the long discourse. With a shake of his head, he sat back in his chair, full of admiration for both the powerful thoughts and the elegant turn of the phrases. It was rather like being skewered by a sword of jeweled gold, he thought wryly, glitter and color disguising a lethal sharpness. Why, the language was so richly wrought one could almost forget that the words were a slashing attack on the complacency of the Ton. He imagined there would be more than a few howls of outrage in the clubs tonight, as well as perhaps a few muted agreements.
     
    Several of the references to other books had caught his attention. He consulted his pocketwatch and decided he had just enough time to make their purchase before meeting up with Broadhurst and Wilton at Tattersall's.
     

    Augusta's brow puckered as she looked over the notes in front of her. Each small pile was carefully sorted and arranged to document a certain facet of her argument, but on the last few ideas, she was still in need of a better reference. Muttering darkly under her breath, she put her pen down. There was no getting around it, she would have to pick up a few more volumes for her research.
     
    Marianne's head came up from the copy of La Belle Assemble she was perusing. "What was that you said?"
     
    "Nothing."
     
    "Oh yes you did. You said ‘damnation' under your breath." She repressed a chuckle. "Pray, do be careful Mama doesn't hear you, else she will sink into a fit of vapors that could last a week."
     
    Augusta heaved a sigh. "I am not quite so addlepated as that. It's just that I had planned to spend the afternoon working and now I find I must go out. Do you wish to come along?"
     
    Her sister shook her head. "I am to go out for a drive with Lord Symonds later and I should never have enough time to make myself ready. Besides, I want to finish