“Lady Marian,” Lord Harrington said in a slow drawl. “Does your father know you’re in this part of town?”
Drat. Of course that would be the first thing he’d ask—at least he hadn’t corrected her about Sir Anthony. “My father is well aware of my activities.” That wasn’t entirely a lie. He did know she hoped to be a doctor and humored her. He didn’t really believe she’d succeed, but she planned on proving him wrong. Men had all the advantages in society and women were given little say in their lives. Something she hated to the depths of her soul. “You needn’t worry about me.”
“What may we assist you with?” Sir Anthony asked. “Did the rain drive you inside?”
Lord Harrington lifted a brow. “I don’t think that’s it at all.” He kept his gaze on Marian, unnerving her. He saw too much, and she rather disliked the scrutiny. “You’re here because of your little project, aren’t you?”
Anyone acquainted with her father, and therefore her, was aware of her desire to be a doctor. Her father boasted of her hobby even though he doubted her. It was his way of giving her his support. Not that it was a lot or even a stamp of approval, but it had managed to aid her in her quest thus far. “What if I am?” She jutted out her chin. “You aim to prevent me from taking the next step?”
He held out his hands in front of him. “Far be it from me to step in front of a bluestocking on a mission. By all means, say your piece and see if Sir Anthony is willing to assist you.”
Sir Anthony glanced back and forth between them, but Marian barely noticed. She was irritated more than she should be. Lord Harrington was being nice by allowing her to speak—a sardonic, arrogant, and presumptuous…man. Rolling her eyes would not help her convince Sir Anthony she should be a part of the Royal Medical Society. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Calling him names inside her head would not further her goals. She had to pull herself together and try to present herself in the best light to Sir Anthony.
“You require something from me?” Anthony asked as he gave her his full attention. “What is it?”
“Well,” she started. This was much harder than she thought it would be. “I have a request I hope you’ll agree to.”
“Oh?”
That was it. Nothing else from him or any encouragement for her to go on. Lord Harrington, the rogue, leaned against a nearby table and crossed his arms over his chest. He had a wicked grin on his too handsome face. If Marian wasn’t a lady, she’d do something to wipe that knowing smile away. Someone should put him in his place, and maybe then he wouldn’t be so condescending.
“I’ve been studying for a while to be a physician…”
“You have?” Sir Anthony scrunched his eyebrows together. “Your father knows you’re doing this?”
“Well, yes,” she said. “I did mention he was aware of my activities…”
“She’s a bluestocking,” Lord Harrington added. “You know how they are when they get an idea in their head. It’s why I didn’t stop her when she came in, if you’ll recall.”
Marian gave in and rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help herself any longer. Why did she have to be attracted to him? He drove her mad in more ways than she could count, yet he was the one man her body became alive near. She hated him for it. “Thank you, my lord.” She pasted a cheerful smile on her face. “You give glowing recommendations.”
“It’s the least I can do,” he replied with that sinful voice of his. It sent shivers down her spine. “As you can see, Sir Anthony is quite scandalized with your chosen hobby. He’s gone mute with the shock of it.”
Damn him, he was right. Sir Anthony stared at her as if she were a bug to be studied in length. He hadn’t said a word in several heartbeats. “I had hoped you’d foster my admission into the Royal—”
“Absolutely not,” he responded with vehemence. “Ladies do not become doctors or study anything. I don’t understand this generation and their need to poke their noses in things they best not be a part of.”
“Some ladies find science and knowledge enticing,” Marian said as she lifted her head in defiance. “Intelligence is quite an attractive asset to inspire to.”
“Touché,” Lord Harrington agreed. “But I’d take it a step further and suggest there are things a gentleman finds more attractive in a lady than what’s inside their head.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t come here to debate the qualities one looks for in a potential spouse. I want to become an active member of the Royal Medical Society.”
“That’s not going to happen, my dear. I’m afraid women are not allowed and never will be.” Sir Anthony squared his shoulders, preparing for battle. Good, she planned on giving him something to fight about.
“Never is a long time to adhere to,” Lady Marian replied. “Do you want to limit yourself when there are infinite possibilities if you’d open yourself up to them?”
“It’s not up to me,” Sir Anthony told her. “Society has rules for a reason. Go home and do something more ladylike. It truly is for the best.”
She narrowed her gaze and pursed her lips together. Ladylike? He was much worse than Lord Harrington. At least the earl pretended to give her the space to argue her stance. Sir Anthony was an old-fashioned sycophant. He thought playing up to
