Love Engineered Read online

  “She has mentioned it to me on more than one occasion, though I feel it was more a means to protect you than anything else. She first mentioned it when your father died.”

  “Really? She means well, but you do a good job of protecting me without being my husband. I've always had this strange notion that you would continue to watch over me even if I were to marry.”

  Philip gave a small incline of his head, indicating she was speaking the truth.

  “How is my aunt?” she asked.

  “She is in Edinburgh and in excellent health. She must be enjoying herself because I've heard little from her.”

  “She certainly does know how to take pleasure in life.”

  “And why not? She taught me well, after all.”

  “Now I realise why my father didn't like me to spend too much time with her.”

  Philip grinned and his eyes gleamed. “So what are the London gossips saying of me this year?”

  “I'm not sure you'd like to know!” Her voice was playful. He prompted her to continue.

  “Well, rumour has it that last week you danced twice with Miss Vine in the same evening, and now she expects your proposal at any moment.”

  “Ha! Is that all! Miss Vine? Which one was she?” He stopped walking for a moment, turned to Louise and looked into the distance. “Oh yes, the pretty blonde one, just out, and desperate to impress. She thinks she can catch me, but she's wrong. She simpers and tries to get my attention like so many women. I find it all quite tiresome. If only they would realise I relish a challenge; they would improve their chances ten-fold.”

  “Well I would only dance with Miss Vine once next time, if you do see her again,” Louise said with a note of seriousness.

  “What? Are you jealous that I've never asked you to dance twice in the same evening?”

  “You know I'd always refuse if you did.”

  Philip gave a deep laugh. “Dear Louise, you do amuse me.”

  They walked on. Louise was determined to try to keep Philip to herself at least for a short time.

  “How is Glazebrook?” Philip asked. “I have been meaning to visit your estate again. It's been nearly a year since I've been there.”

  “Everything is well. There will be a bumper harvest this year. I'm looking forward to returning.”

  “You always look forward to going back. I wonder why you come to London at all.”

  “It's true I prefer to live in Devon, but how could I resist these lectures? I have been looking forward to them for months.”

  “How have you found them?”

  “Today's was excellent. Yesterday's, however, was dreadful.”

  After fifteen minutes of explanation of both lectures, Philip declared,“Enough of your engineering talk! I do not think I can stand any more. Please speak about something else.”

  “Very well,” Louise laughed. “I will not mention engineering again, although you know how interesting I find such things.”

  “Indeed, how can I forget the time when you were twelve and built your own bridge across the small stream at the bottom field at Glazebrook.”

  “It was an excellent bridge, if not somewhat flimsy. I spent days constructing it. Well, the servants had to move the logs for me, but I added the handrail.” Louise grinned as she remembered it. It was a terrible construct and had fallen apart as soon as a storm came, but she was very proud of it at the time.

  “Yes, a fine specimen of engineering it was. As I recall it was most unstable. You should explain the design to your Mr Lucas. Doubtless he will be impressed. Tell me, do you still keep those infernal miniature steam engines? And the workroom?”

  “Of course.”

  “I thought as much. I do believe that if you were to ever marry, you should marry an engineer. But don't expect me to come to dinner very often. Or if I do, sit me away from you both so I do not have to listen your conversations.” He spoke with a note of fondness in his voice. Louise was amused at the thought of Philip seated at one end of her grand dining table at Glazebrook and she at the other.

  “You know I have not yet met a man I can marry.” She shook her head.

  “Indeed, but surely one day you would like to provide an heir to your estate?”

  “You wouldn't like to inherit it?”

  “Certainly not. I have a big enough estate as it is, without yours. They are at opposite ends of the country too. Very inconvenient. I do hope you'll marry soon and not let me inherit. If you will do that for me, I would be much obliged.”

  “Very well, but if I marry, you must too.”

  “I will not. I have no desire to find some worthless female who simply wants a title.”

  “Choice words Philip.” She shook a finger at him. “But one day you will find yourself in love and it will not be returned.”

  “I hope you're correct,” he replied. “It will be what I deserve, I'm sure.”

  Louise looked up and saw that they were outside her house. It was one of many in Grosvenor Crescent, an exclusive part of London where the streets were wide and clean. Trees lined the pavement at equal distances and added to the overall feeling of affluence. The houses, usually with four stories, looked small from the outside, but opened up inside. With the kitchens in the basement and servants’ quarters in the attic, there was ample space for the fashionable residents to live comfortably. Houses in this street were bought and sold at very inflated prices because of the prestige attached to them.

  “When shall I see you again?” she asked with a playful smile, for she knew what the answer would be; it was always the same.

  “I cannot say, but soon I'm sure.” He kissed her hand.

  “I look forward to it. Whenever that might be.”

  He let go of her hand, turned and made his way down the street. His steps were light and brisk. One of the things she liked the most about her friendship with Philip was its unpredictability. But even if she didn't see him again for a while, at least there was tomorrow's lecture to look forward to. Perhaps she might be lucky enough to see Charles Lucas again.

  Chapter 2

  “It was very good of you to accompany me Jane, but there really was no need.” Charles Lucas handed his sister down from the cab. The horse's hooves clattered on the cobbled street as it waited, impatient to be moving again.

  “I know, but I'm eager to see what sort of man Mr Bagshawe is.” Jane straightened her blue muslin dress and checked her bonnet.

  He raised his eyebrows in query and closed the carriage door.

  “I want to see what sort of man refused to give you an apprenticeship all those years ago,” she explained.

  “I'm grateful for your loyalty, Jane, but you mustn't hold it against Mr Bagshawe. He probably saw my potential to be a better engineer than him and decided he couldn't let me out-do him. Besides, I did well with Mr Sanderson, didn't I? My career would have taken a much different turn if I had been accepted into Mr Bagshawe's employment, and I don't mean in a good way.”

  “Is he that bad Charles?”

  “Just wait and see.”

  Charles held out his arm and his sister took it. They entered the auditorium of the Institution of Civil Engineers and found two of the last remaining seats near the back. He mused that it was certainly less fraught being an audience member than a speaker. Yesterday's lecture had made him somewhat edgy and nervous beforehand, though he hoped he had hidden his fears. It wasn't that he wasn't used to public speaking, it was just that being asked by the Institute was something he didn't wish to make a muddle of. It had all gone smoothly, and now he sat back and relaxed, glad that yesterday was over with.

  Not long after they were seated, the lecture began. They had arrived late because Charles had been lost in his work. It was a common occurrence though Jane had been prepared and reminded him several times before they left home.

  Charles took a long look around the place. It was mostly gentlemen, as expected. A few sat with ladies who were most likely their wives. A few rows in front, he saw the same fashion
able lady who was present yesterday at his lecture; the one who asked so many questions, and even sketched his bridge. What was her name again? He wracked his brain for a few moments. Miss Thomas. That was it.

  Her enthusiasm had amused him somewhat though he hadn't thought of her again until now. It was unusual for a person such as her to take such a keen interest in his work, though he was becoming well known as an engineer since winning the bridge competition. He hadn't been asked so many questions since the interview with the judges. Yesterday after the lecture, he had looked at her with amused wonder as she chatted to the man who interrupted them. Being asked such questions from such a smart lady was a new sensation. She seemed more knowledgeable about such things than any other he had met with, even his own sister.

  Ashton, his partner, had approached him immediately after he had escaped her questions. “What did Miss Thomas have to say to you?” he said in an excited voice.

  “Miss Thomas?”

  “Yes.” Ashton raised his eyebrows in surprise and indicated to her. “That is the famous Miss Thomas.”

  “Famous Miss Thomas? I really had no idea.” Charles said in a nonchalant voice. He vaguely recalled the name.

  “Don't give me that Charles. You must have heard of her – everyone in the engineering field has.” He paused a moment, then said in a panicked voice, “I hope you were not rude to her? I was rather hoping this year we would be invited to her annual Engineers' Dinner. The invitations haven't been sent out yet.”

  So that is where he had heard the name before. Charles took a step back and regarded his partner, his face incredulous.

  “Of course I wasn't rude to her. I was pleasantness itself. But I do not think you should expect to be invited if you have never even spoken to her.”

  Ashton relaxed. “Yes, exactly. I know how you generally dislike the gentry, but on this occasion you must not let it manifest itself in your behaviour to her, of all people.”

  “I only dislike them because they get in the way of my work. They look down on me and those like me. I have met too many who have tried to stop progress because they are scared of change and don't like the lower classes earning an honest living.” Charles shifted about then continued, “I will never forget how Mr Rustling and his cronies tried to call a halt to so many of my replacement railway bridges. And for what reason? Nothing else than to cause trouble because they had nothing better to do with their time. They are all the same.”

  Ashton rolled his eyes. “You must try and stop thinking about Mr Rustling, it will only make you irritable for the rest of the day. But Miss Thomas is very beautiful, is she not?” he said, his voice suddenly soft. “I'd been told by many that she was lovely, but I never believed it was true. I just thought people exaggerated it due to her wealth.”

  Charles relaxed his shoulders and noticed how Ashton's dark eyes scanned Miss Thomas. She was certainly the sort of woman a man's eyes were naturally drawn to. “Yes, I suppose she is uncommonly pleasing to look at.” She was moderately tall, and with dark hair the colour of jet. His eyes were drawn to her figure, which curved in the right places. There was nothing wanting in her appearance.

  “Uncommonly pleasing to look at!” Ashton had scoffed. “You really must learn how to appreciate the female form Charles.”

  “I assure you I'm quite capable of doing that,” he responded.

  His mind wandered back to the present, and Mr Bagshawe's steady, condescending voice at the lecture. Occasionally, his glance would fall upon Miss Thomas, and as time wore on, he became more absorbed in watching her reaction to what Mr Bagshawe said. He noticed she wrote things in her notebook, and sometimes, from what he could see of her face, for he was slightly to the left of her, her brow would contract in a frown. Several times he saw her shake her head and mutter, then sigh heavily. He glanced at his sister. Jane noticed none of it. If she was bored, she showed no sign, her blue eyes fixed on the speaker at the front.

  When Mr Bagshawe finished speaking, the floor was opened for questions, and Charles immediately waited for Miss Thomas to ask her question first, in the same way as yesterday. She was beaten to it by a gentleman near the back. One corner of his mouth was pulled into a slight smile as he saw frustration etched on her face.

  Then at last there was silence after the question was answered. He watched and waited as she put up her hand.

  “Mr Bagshawe, all you have done this afternoon is talk about your career and those who have opposed you in your plans to build the sewer system. Why have you not explained the sewer design fully?” she asked in a crisp voice.

  Mr Bagshawe's jaw dropped, his face went red and he spluttered, “I'm sorry madam, I do not have the time left to explain the design.”

  “Clearly, because you couldn't stop talking about yourself!” She crossed her arms.

  There was a deathly hush throughout the place.

  Mr Bagshawe pulled at the bottom of his waistcoat and his abundant mustache twitched. “The plans are available at the central library, and they are too complicated for most to understand.” He dismissed her with a wave of his arm.

  “I'm sure most of the people present, including myself, will take great offence at that remark. And if we wanted to know about your career and those who oppose you, we could have read it in the Times! You seem to like to print a letter complaining about them every week.”

  “Madam please! I have never heard such insolence. I came here out of the goodness of my heart, not to put up with such audacity.”

  “Well I for one would rather you had stayed at home, for you have wasted my time. I may as well have asked a beggar in the street outside to explain the sewer system for all I have learned today.”

  With that, Mr Bagshawe became bright red, and shook a little. He refrained from speaking further and they stared at each other for a long moment. Then a gentleman standing at the side stepped forward and coughed to bring everyone to attention. “The Institution of Civil Engineers would like to thank Mr Bagshawe for coming today and speaking.” He began to clap and the sound of faint applause from came from one or two others in the audience, then stopped.

  Charles turned to his sister. “Jane, what do you think of that? I have never seen anyone look so angry, it took all the self will I could muster not to laugh at him.”

  “It was a shame they had to have such a public argument, but I feel that the lady was right, I was so bored halfway through I had to stop myself from yawning aloud. He does seem to be full of his own self-importance.”

  Charles agreed. “He is well known in engineering circles to be arrogant. Do you see now why I'm glad I wasn't his apprentice?”

  Jane placed a reassuring hand on her brother’s arm. “You had a lucky escape indeed.”

  They drifted out of the hall among the throng of people, and outside saw Miss Thomas waiting for her carriage. A moment later, they were joined by Ashton.

  “I didn't realise you were here,” Charles commented to his partner. “How did you enjoy the lecture?”

  “I wasn't in the lecture. I came for one reason, and one reason only.” He turned to look in front and pointed. “I thought Miss Thomas would be here, and I was right. Charles, go and speak to her and I will approach shortly afterwards. You can introduce us.” Ashton adjusted his cravat and smoothed his hand over his brown hair.

  Charles's eyes widened in disbelief. “I will do no such thing.”

  Ashton sighed. “Charles, you're not thinking. Sometimes I need you to help me advance our contacts. Miss Thomas will be a very advantageous acquaintance to have. Please do as I ask.”

  The stared at each other for a few moments, until Charles dropped his shoulders and relented.

  “Very well, for the partnership I will do it.”

  “Good. Now quickly, before she is gone.” Ashton shooed him away and he walked over to Miss Thomas before he changed his mind. He presented himself with a small bow.

  “I hope you do not mind my impertinence at approaching you, but I wished to say that you we
re kinder to me yesterday than you were to Mr Bagshawe a moment ago,” he said, smiling a little. He watched her reaction, hoping for a positive response and noticed she faltered for a moment.

  “I'm sorry to have said things in the heat of the moment,” she commented in a serious voice. “I do not like having my time wasted by such arrogance and conceit.”

  “Mr Bagshawe is well known for those attributes.”

  “Yes, I have heard. But all I know is that he didn't deserve to speak today. I was disappointed. Out of the three, yours was the only lecture worth attending.”

  “Thank you,” he replied in a sincere tone, and was secretly pleased.

  She stared at him for a moment as though taking in his features and it unnerved him a little. Her gaze was confident and easy, her eyes clear and expressive. He wondered what to say next, and cursed Ashton for insisting he do this. He was never one for idle chit-chat, especially with people he didn't know.

  Especially with a woman.

  He glanced over to Ashton and his sister, but they were deep in conversation and he couldn't get their attention.

  He was relieved when Miss Thomas spoke. “I was sorry we were interrupted from speaking yesterday after the lecture,” she said.

  “You were?” He tried to disguise the surprise in his voice.

  “I still have many questions to ask about the bridge design.”

  “Ah.” He nodded, and noticed she looked at him with anticipation.

  “Then I hope you will have the opportunity to ask me more shortly. In the meantime, allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Jane Lucas, and my partner, Mr Ashton.” He indicated to where the pair were standing, and they moved over to them.

  The introductions were made and Jane greeted Miss Thomas with openness, but any conversation between them was thwarted by Ashton, who interrupted straight away. He took Miss Thomas's hand and refused to let it go.

  “May I take this opportunity, Miss Thomas, of saying what a pleasure it is to meet you. I have been looking for a chance to make your acquaintance for a long time.” Charles rolled his eyes at Ashton's sudden politeness and courtesy. The usually rough and plain-speaking man was clearly trying to impress. Charles hoped he wouldn’t babble too much.