"I truly did not mean to interrupt you, Catherine."

It was an hour after Julia had walked in on Catherine and Professor Lawes in the music room, and the cousins were now stood on the front doorstep outside Broxcliffe Park, watching the retreating figure of Professor Lawes disappear from view. After Julia's intrusion Professor Lawes had returned to his usual awkward self, stammering an incoherent reply when Julia invited him into the sitting room before spending the remainder of his visit in almost complete silence. This did not anger Catherine as much as it once would have, for she now better understood why he behaved this way – but it did not stop her wishing that Julia had not caused him to retreat into his shell.

"If I had known that you were sharing a 'moment' with the professor, I should never have dreamed of entering!" added Julia as they returned inside the house.

"We were not sharing a moment!" insisted Catherine, but her colouring cheeks betrayed her.

They had only been playing a duet together, but Catherine couldn't help feeling as though she and Professor Lawes had shared a very personal, intimate experience. During that brief time they were alone in the music room, Catherine had felt closer to the professor than she had to any other man. It was completely different to any time she had spent in a gentleman's company during a social event; Professor Lawes had spoken honestly, and openly, and the whole thing had felt so natural. Quite simply, it was unlike anything Catherine had ever experienced.

"I do not know how he came to find you in the music room," puzzled Julia, "for I only left him alone five minutes. Papa and William were both in Papa's study discussing business matters when the professor arrived, and Mama was resting in her bedchamber, so I was the only one able to receive him. I informed him that you had returned to Barnbury – which he seemed exceedingly pleased about, if I might say – and so I asked him to remain in the drawing room for a moment while I searched the house for you.

He must have been so desperate to see you that he decided to seek you out rather than waiting, and found you before I did! How perfectly romantic is that? I cannot say I am pleased that he wandered the house without invitation, though - that was very rude indeed."

"I am sure he simply did not realise it would be ill-mannered to do so," offered Catherine as they reached the sitting room and Julia took up her embroidery once more. Catherine felt far too restless and excited to settle to anything, and so resumed her pacing about the room.

"Your opinion appears to have altered dramatically," commented Julia with a brief glance up from her needlework. "Why, I thought you did not care for him at all, and found his lack of manners extremely irksome?"

"I – I suppose – I have learnt more about the professor's true character now," muttered Catherine, pausing to gaze thoughtfully out of the window. "After all, first impressions do not reveal everything about a person"

"Yes, that is very true," agreed Julia, setting down her embroidery with a heavy sigh. "It certainly was the case with Lord Russell."

Julia lapsed into a sorrowful silence, and once again Catherine felt a wave of pity wash over her for her cousin's heartbreak. In general Julia was holding up very well, prone only to occasional fits of melancholy. She seemed to be keeping herself cheerful by continuously teasing Catherine about Professor Lawes, and although this was rather embarrassing Catherine was simply relieved that Julia seemed happy for her. It would have been perfectly acceptable for Julia to feel a little resentful given the way things were looking with Lord Russell – but her warm-hearted, gentle cousin did not have that in her, and Catherine loved her dearly for it.

"Is – is there still no news of Lord Russell's current whereabouts?" inquired Catherine delicately.

"Not a word," muttered Julia darkly. "I dare not call on Miss Russell after my cold reception at Wyndham Hall when I last visited; I feel my intrusion would be most unwelcome."

"It is understandable that both Miss Russell and Lady Russell must be experiencing a great deal of grief and turmoil at present," commented Catherine. "So we must therefore make allowances for their behaviour."

Catherine could not quite believe she was saying this, given her less-than-friendly feelings towards the Russell ladies – but however much Catherine disliked them, they did not deserve to suffer because of the viscount's reckless behaviour. This was one of the most unfair consequences of existing in a world ruled by men, and Catherine found she had a great deal of sympathy for both women.

"Yes, you are right," replied Julia thoughtfully. "It is not their fault that Lord Russell is behaving the way he is; we should not be too hard on them."

Sir William seemed to share Catherine's views on the matter; at dinner that evening he announced that he had invited the Russell ladies to dine at Broxcliffe Park that weekend, in order to show that Barnbury society still accepted them despite Lord Russell's misdeeds. Catherine thought this a very lovely gesture on her uncle's part, but although she was determined to treat the ladies with kindness, she was not particularly thrilled about the prospect of spending an entire evening entertaining Miss Russell and her mother.

Thankfully the prospect of the dinner was not entirely unwelcome, as it turned out Professor Lawes and Mr and Mrs Wilmot were also invited. After the professor's visit Catherine was very much looking forward to spending an entire evening in his company. She was yearning to share that closeness with him again, and perhaps even further their acquaintance – yet a small part of her remained apprehensive, as she recalled how Professor Lawes had instantly drawn up walls once Julia had entered the music room. Catherine knew she would be distraught if the cold, rude Professor Lawes turned up to dinner in place of the warm, tender man she had begun to know.

With this apprehension constantly lingering at the back of her mind, the day of the dinner arrived with mixture of emotions for Catherine. Now that it was only a few hours away, though, she found that her eagerness to be in the professor's company more than outweighed the doubts she had, and she retired to her bedchamber a good couple of hours earlier than was necessary in order to begin getting ready.

Nancy was promptly called for, and if the maid had any inkling of the flock of butterflies currently residing in her mistress' stomach, she had the good sense not to say anything. The maid did, however, certainly realise that Catherine was extremely anxious to look her absolute best, and so took particular care over arranging Catherine's hair, creating a complex-looking twist woven with pearls which sent Catherine into raptures of delight. Having already dressed in a favourite pale pink gown, Catherine was now completely ready over an hour too early, and spent the remaining time before the guests arrived flitting around the house in a state of constant agitation; something which was fast becoming a habit of hers when faced with the imminent presence of Professor Lawes.

When the time for the guests' arrival finally came, Catherine joined her family in the drawing room with a thudding heart. Julia's reassuring smile calmed her nerves a little, and she joined her cousin over by the fireplace, hardly daring to look up as the guests were shown into the room. Everything seemed to depend on this moment; if the professor had indeed withdrawn into himself again, Catherine did not know if she would be able to refrain herself from sobbing with despair there in front of everyone.

Lady Russell and her daughter swept into the room first, the former making a big show of greeting Sir William as usual. Miss Russell, however, seemed a little subdued, darting nervous glances at various members of the Cavendish family as she fumbled with the sleeve of her gown. Having been used to spending any social event as the centre of attention, Catherine found it only understandable that Miss Russell should be uneasy now, as she no doubt wondered whether she would ever be looked upon favourably again if the rumours surrounding her brother proved to be true.

Mr and Mrs Wilmot came next, beaming good-naturedly around the room as they called out general greetings – and as they stepped away from the door, Catherine felt her breath catch in her throat as Professor Lawes came into view.

He was dressed impeccably in a dark green tailcoat which became him very well, and Catherine could not help wondering if he had also taken extra care with his appearance this evening. A little thrill of pleasure rushed through her at the thought, and the butterflies returned to her stomach as she waited for the moment when those soft brown eyes would meet her own. But seconds later Catherine's very worst fears were confirmed, as Professor Lawes muttered an awkward greeting to Sir William before retreating hastily to the corner of the room without so much as acknowledging her presence.

In that moment, all of Catherine's hopes and expectations from the past week instantly vanished, leaving her feeling hollow and dejected. She had never experienced such a wildly varying set of emotions about a person as she did for Professor Lawes, and was now quite weary of it. It was even more frustrating to witness the professor's awkward persona now that she had seen a glimmer of his true nature; surely it could not be that difficult for him to overcome his shyness? Catherine supposed he feared the attention and speculation he would be subjected to should he single her out in front of everyone, but that hardly comforted her, for did that not mean he was embarrassed to be seen with her?

Thankfully nobody but Julia seemed aware of the tangle of thoughts occupying Catherine's mind at present, and she was mostly left alone to her quiet reflection during dinner. She was seated between her two cousins, but Julia could do little more than squeeze Catherine's hand reassuringly under the table now and then without drawing too much attention to Catherine's sullen spirits, and William was far too engrossed in sneaking sideways glances at Miss Russell to notice much else. The professor sat on the opposite side of the table, but Catherine kept her eyes firmly fixed on her plate, refusing to glance up and be met with his cold, detached gaze.

It was a relief to move into the next room with the ladies after dinner, for at Catherine had polite small talk to distract her from her thoughts. The gentlemen soon followed them through, and it was not long before Sir William suggested that one of the young ladies might entertain them with some music.

At once all the unpleasant memories came rushing back of the last time a young lady had been called upon to entertain Barnbury society, and Catherine decided she would certainly not be making such a spectacle of herself again. Instead she found herself glancing at Miss Russell, who William had just tentatively engaged in conversation. As Catherine noticed the young lady's pallor and apprehension at being addressed by a gentleman, she felt suddenly overwhelmed with pity.

"Miss Russell, would you care to play for us?" Catherine found herself asking loudly. "I would so like to hear you play again, for you have such talent."

For a moment Catherine wished she had never spoken – but the surprised look of gratitude Miss Russell gave her told her she had done the right thing. Unbearably foolish and flirtatious though Miss Russell was, she was still a young girl who did not deserve to be shunned from society for something her brother had done. However silly she might be, her musical technique far surpassed that of any other young lady Catherine knew, and she deserved credit for it.

As Miss Russell took her seat at the pianoforte and began to play, Catherine suddenly had the feeling that somebody's eyes were on her. Raising her head hesitantly, she saw that almost everyone's attention was fixed upon Miss Russell – but Professor Lawes was gazing directly at Catherine, with a small smile just for her.

With that one look everything else melted into the background; it was as if she and the professor were the only two people in the room. Memories of the last time they had been together came flooding back, and Catherine remembered how the professor had complimented her playing; how he had admitted he preferred Catherine's playing to Miss Russell's. Catherine failed to suppress a smile of her own at this, and she could not help feeling that Professor Lawes knew what she was thinking, without her having to say a word.

Miss Russell played on, and Catherine held the professor's gaze, captivated by the intensity in his smouldering brown eyes. It was like a magnetic pull, drawing her towards him – and almost without realising what she was doing, Catherine found herself making her way around the outside of the room towards where he stood slightly behind the group around the piano. She moved soundlessly, but everyone was far too occupied with watching Miss Russell to notice her movement, so Catherine reached Professor Lawes without attracting any attention.

"You look beautiful this evening, Miss Taylor," he murmured once she was within earshot. These were similar to the words William had spoken to her the night of the Wyndham Hall ball, but Catherine knew, somehow, that his words carried a completely different meaning to William's, and she found herself blushing.

"I am rather ashamed of my dull behaviour this evening," said the professor sullenly, bringing Catherine out of her fantasies. "I should not have thought ill of you had you not wished to speak with me."

"Oh, think nothing of it," muttered Catherine. "I know you find it difficult speaking in company."

It did not seem to matter to her now; nothing seemed to matter. This moment more than made up for the confusing evening Catherine had experienced so far. As long as Professor Lawes continued to gaze at her with such tenderness, Catherine felt nothing could possibly spoil her happiness.

"Would you care to step outside with me?" inquired the professor.

The drawing room at Broxcliffe Park was situated at the rear of the house, with a glass door leading out onto the patio overlooking the gardens. Catherine bit her lip anxiously, wondering if it would seem improper to venture out of doors with him alone – but they would only be on the patio, still within view of those inside. Deciding it would be perfectly acceptable, Catherine more than willingly accepted the professor's offered arm, following him through the glass doors out into the night.

It was a pleasant spring evening, a half-moon basking them in its soft glow. There was not a cloud in the sky, causing a slight chill in the air, but they remained close enough to the warmth of the house for it not to cause any discomfort. Even if Catherine had felt the cold, she did not think she would have cared – for in that moment she had her head back, completely mesmerised by the view above her.

Catherine had never particularly paid much attention to the stars beyond acknowledging that they were there. Tonight, though, they were so abundant that she could not help but notice them, and she marvelled at the spangled web they created across the sky. She gave a sharp intake of breath at the sight, and turned to face Professor Lawes with eyes full of wonder.

"It is beautiful," she whispered, fearing the spell would be broken if she spoke too loudly. "Simply beautiful."

"My life's work," replied the professor simply, gesturing towards the horizon. As Catherine looked up again she found herself completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of blinking dots, stretching as far as the eye could see. The enormous scale of it made the world they lived in suddenly seem so insignificant, somehow, and she tried to express this but was unable to find the words.

"Do you see the bright, yellowish object just east of the moon?" asked the professor, pointing upwards. Catherine's gaze followed his finger, and after a moment of searching she noticed a star which was slightly brighter than those surrounding it, and yellow in colour.

"Yes, I see it."

"That is Venus, the closest to Earth of the six other planets."

"Six other planets?" echoed Catherine incredulously. "I did not know there were so many."

"There may yet be more," speculated the professor. "The sixth, Uranus, was not discovered too many years ago – there is no saying how many others there may be."

"Is that your field of study?" asked Catherine, fascinated. "Do you search for other planets?"

"No, I do not study planets," replied the professor. He hesitated a little, and Catherine blushed as she realised he was deliberating how best to explain his work in a way she would understand. For the first time in her life, Catherine found herself half-wishing she had been born a boy, so that she might also have learnt of these wonders.

"I study the stars," said Professor Lawes eventually. "More specifically, I am attempting to find a way of measuring how far away a star is."

Catherine made no reply; she was busy trying to wrap her mind around this incredible concept. Those little glowing lights seemed at once close enough to touch yet completely out of reach – how could one measure distance through the sky in miles? And, more confusing still, how could one measure the distance to the star without travelling to it? It seemed completely impossible; completely incomprehensible. Suddenly Catherine felt like a silly little girl. What was the importance of knowing how to embroider, or speak politely in company, compared to the extraordinary things Professor Lawes was trying to accomplish?

He truly was an incredible man, realised Catherine. She had known it all along, really, but it was only now that she was allowing herself to acknowledge it. It was no wonder that he often appeared to neglect propriety – with all these complicated thoughts occupying his brain, there surely could not be room for much else. And Catherine began to realise, now, just how unimportant all the silly rules of etiquette were in the grand scheme of things. There was so much more to the world, so many bigger, more important things than their small society – and Professor Lawes knew this.

There were so many things Catherine wanted to say, but she just could not find the right words. She silently turned her gaze to the professor, and found him looking back at her with such a tender expression that her heart melted. With that look Catherine felt connected to this man in a way she had never felt with any human being ever before, and it was truly exhilarating. She found her gaze wandering away from those soft, brown eyes, down towards his soft, pink lips, imagining what it would be like to kiss them...

But Catherine was not to find out – for seconds later the atmosphere was completely shattered by a shrill, piercing scream from inside the house.