Follow My Lead Read Online Free PDF Page A

hopes and aspirations, that for the barest of seconds, she lost her nerve.
    She made it as far as the courtyard before she had to stop, had to take a moment to gather her strength.
    “Do not become overwhelmed,” Winnifred whispered to herself, clutching her folio of papers to her chest. She wished briefly that she had worn her thick coat, as a chill ran down her spine. But the coat was unfashionable, and she at least had to try for what fashion she could afford in London. Besides, it was a warm day, and the chill could easily be ascribed to other sources than the weather. “You are not doing anything against their rules, nor against the law. You were invited. You even have a letter of introduction.”
    As gentlemen in top hats and coats walked past her up and down the steps, more than a few giving a curious glance to the small woman paused at the central fountain, she hesitantly took the first few steps.
    Somerset House was a large columned structure, one side lining the Thames, the other folding itself along a courtyard of some impressive acreage. It was home to numerous endowed learned societies and government agencies, and as such, it was almost impossible for Winn to know precisely where she needed to go.
    The naval offices were straight ahead, she knew, marked easily by the building’s central dome. But after that it became a bit hazy. She thought back to her father’s descriptions of the building. The Royal Society was . . . to the left? No, the right. It had a lovely exhibition hall, for those men who wished to see the progress of the world. The London Society of Antiquaries was its younger cousin, relegated to a few rooms in the attic and basement. So that must mean the Historical Society’s rooms were to the left of the courtyard.
    She turned and, with the conviction of purpose, moved toward her destination.
    Until an oversized, strong hand grabbed her by the arm.
    “Not so fast,” George Bambridge, her cousin, said in her ear, his breath coming in heavy gulps. He must have run very fast to catch up with her. Damn it all. If only she had not paused by the fountain! She would have been in the building, at her audience with Lord Forrester, and George would have had to vent his spleen in the street alone.
    “You left me sitting in the park with bloody Mrs. Tottendale,” George said once he finally managed to catch his breath.
    “And she was supposed to keep you from following me.” Winn rolled her eyes. “How did you know?”
    “That you’d come here? Winnifred, it’s been the only thing you’ve spoken of since coming to London,” George replied, smirking superiorly. “Nor are you that difficult to spot. Would you like to know why?”
    “Because I’m the only one here in a skirt?” she guessed drily.
    “Because you’re the only one here in a skirt!” George cried. “And that’s because there are no women allowed into the Historical Society!”
    “Yes they are,” she replied calmly. “For exhibitions and lectures, women often attend.”
    “Those are public functions.” The wispy dark hair that fell over George’s brow shook precariously. If he was not careful with his temper, he would reveal to the world his carefully hidden receding hairline. “Women are not granted entrance to the Society’s main rooms as they are not granted membership. And I should know, because of the two of us, I’m the one being considered for such.”
    “There is absolutely nothing in their charter that forbids women,” Winn countered rationally.
    “And how do you know so much about the Historical Society’s charter?”
    “Because my father helped write it. And he told me.”
    That flummoxed George, causing him to gape like a fish for some moments.
    “Winnifred,” he began calmly, though he did not loosen his grip on her arm. “I feel responsible for you, not just as your only living relative but, I would hope, as something more. So please believe me when I say this is not a good idea. If you so