“Is she not wonderful?” Lady Phinn said. “We saw her in Milan.”

“I didn’t think I’d like the opera.” Lord Phinn glanced at his wife with a soft smile on his face. “I was wrong. Indeed I have become a devotee.”

John slid a look at Eleanor. “I can understand how that could happen.”

Lord Phinn’s smile broadened. “Have you a habit of coming to London during the Season?”

“No. This is the first time I’ve been here in years.” The man was someone one did not see in the normal course of the day. He wasn’t involved in politics, at least not that John knew of. “Do you come often?”

“One of the first and only times I was in Town for the Season I met Augusta. She didn’t stay long and neither did I. We just returned for her sisters’ come outs.”

That was interesting. John knew Lady Phinn had wanted to attend university. “What do you do?”

“I study architecture and write articles about it.” The man looked as if he wanted to burst out laughing. “Augusta studies dead and living languages. She also writes articles.”

“I see.” He wondered if Eleanor had any bluestocking tendencies. Not that he’d mind. It would just be interesting to know.

At that, Lord Phinn did bark a laugh. “We are the odd ones out in our families.”

John remembered what Eleanor’s brothers by marriage had said to him about the family being on the Radical side of the Whigs. “I’m not so sure about that. As far as I can see, the whole family does what it likes.”

“You might be right.” Lord Phinn appeared to think about that. “They did make it possible for Augusta to travel overseas.”

Eleanor placed her hand on his sleeve. “The next aria will soon begin.”

Lord Phinn and his wife left to take their seats, and it struck John that he had been able to remain with her the whole evening. He wanted to spend even more time with Eleanor and hoped to hell it didn’t rain in the morning.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Eleanor and her sisters rode out just as it was becoming light. The air was soft and warmer than it had been. The lilacs were now in full bloom and the trees had bright green leaves. Beneath her, Adela made it clear she was ready for a good gallop. “I think spring has finally arrived.”

“It is about time,” Alice grumbled.

Eleanor glanced at her twin. Alice was normally very good-natured in the morning. “What has you put out?”

“You might better ask who has her put out.” Madeline raised a brow. “St. Albans, of course.”

“He acted as if he could command my attention during the performance.” Alice sniffed. “I trust he quickly learned he could not.”