Worthington House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair. March 1818.

"Italy!" Her brother's bellow could probably be heard all over the town house and in Berkeley Square. Possibly even farther.

From her position on the sofa, Lady Augusta Vivers stifled a sigh. She refused to allow her posture to sag or disappointment to show on her countenance. She had known her campaign to be allowed to attend university was not going to be easy. Perhaps she should have started her scheme earlier. Or given her brother a hint to temper his shock.

"It is not as if Padua is some unknown place in South America or Africa," she pointed out calmly.

"Where on earth did you come up with such an ... idea?" Her mother paled a bit and her faint voice pierced the deadened air.

"I wish to further my studies." Augusta fought to keep the exasperation from her tone. Why else would she want to go to university? Not only that, but traveling there and living in Italy for a time would allow her to see a little of the world she had been studying. "As educated as Miss Tallerton and Mr. Winters are, they long ago exhausted the limits of what they can teach me. Which is the reason I have been corresponding with professors in Europe and taking lessons from visiting scholars, hoping to learn more. It is no longer enough." In fact, her thirst for knowledge had grown to the point that she needed to attend university as much as she needed food or air. "Yet it has become clear that the only way I am going to succeed is by studying with experts. For that, I must attend university."

"But, my dear" — her mother paused for a moment as if to gather her thoughts — "do you not wish to wed?"

Of course she did. Just. Not. Now. "I do not recall anyone asking Charlie if he was forsaking marriage simply because he wished to attend Oxford." She wished Grace's brother, properly called the Earl of Stanwood was here. He'd be able to help. Augusta turned her gaze back to Matt. As her guardian and Earl of Worthington, he was the final decision maker. "If I were a boy you would allow me to go."

"You're fair and far off there, my girl." He raked his fingers through his hair. "I might consider Paris, but Italy is too far away. If anything were to happen" — this time he wiped his hand down his face — "we would not be able to get to you in time. I doubt if there is even an English consul or vice-consul there."

She was glad she'd prepared for this point of contest. "The closest consul is in Venice. Only about twenty-two miles to the east."

"Augusta." Grace's gentle voice was a sharp contrast to Matt's exasperated tone. "Is there not a university that will accept women closer than Italy?"

Augusta shifted on the sofa so that she faced her sister-in-law, next to her, and smiled. "There was one in Holland, but it was reduced to a school, like Eton, and is just now attempting to regain its status as a university." Trying to ignore the worried look in Mama's eyes, and the tick in Matt's jaw, Augusta focused on Grace, who appeared to be the only helpful person present. She might also be able to persuade Matt. "Padua is also the only university that has an excellent reputation and will award a degree to a female."

Her sister-in-law nodded. "I see."

"My dear." The corners of Mama's lips tipped up weakly. "You did not answer the question about marriage."

"I see no reason to rush into matrimony. Grace did not wed until she was four and twenty." After thinking she could never marry because she had guardianship of her brothers and sisters. Everyone agreed that Matt convincing her he could be trusted with guardianship had been the best thing for all her sisters and brothers and sisters by marriage.

As there was nothing to be said to that, silence fell again. The only comforting thought was that Matt had not actually said no.

The room was so quiet she could hear the birds chirping outside, and the thumps of children running a floor above. The muffled sound of someone coming down the corridor had them all turning their heads.

A knock came, and Walter Carpenter, age seventeen, another of Grace's brothers and Augusta's best friend, poked his head in the study and glanced at them all. "Not a good time? I'll just take myself away."

"Wait right there." Matt's commanding voice stopped Walter's retreat. "What do you know about Augusta's plans to attend university?"

"I ... er ..." Walter slid her a quick sidelong glance. "Only that she's been planning it for several months." One of Matt's brows rose. "It's not as if she's doing anything untoward. Don't we all support ladies being educated?"

Augusta flashed Walter a grateful smile. Her mother groaned, Grace's lips twitched, and Matt slapped his palm against his head.

Mama's husband, Richard, Viscount Wolverton, who had been lounging against the fireplace, straightened. "When does the term begin?"

"Not until September." Did his question mean he might support Augusta's desire to go to Padua? "I brought it up now because I have done all I can do without final permission, and there is the month it will take to travel to Padua."

"September," Mama chirped brightly, a relieved look on her face.

Oh, no. Augusta was not going to allow them to end the conversation. "My other point in mentioning it now is to save you from the expense of a Season for me." Of all the girls in the family, Augusta was sure she was the only one who did not care if she formally came out. "If I am going to attend university, there is no need for me to be on the Marriage Mart."

"I think it's too late for that," Matt grumbled.

Augusta barely kept her jaw from dropping.

"What he means" — Grace held out her hands to Augusta, taking her fingers in a reassuring grip — "is that most of your gowns have already been ordered. Aside from that, if Matt and your mother agree that you should attend university, you will benefit from having been out."

"Yes, indeed, my dear," Mama said quickly. Augusta had the feeling her mother was praying she would decide to marry and forget about continuing her studies. "Grace is absolutely correct. Acquiring a bit of Town bronze is essential for one's ... one's development."

Augusta scanned the other faces in the room. None of them looked happy. If she refused, they would not take it well. There was no reason she could not continue with her plans and arguments for university while she was attending social events. "Very well. I agree to a Season." Augusta speared her brother Matt with a narrow-eyed look. "That does not mean I have given up my intention to attend university."

His lips thinned as he nodded. "We will continue the discussion later."

"You should know" — she took a breath — "I have contacted Cousin Prudence Brunning and asked if she would be willing to be my chaperone."

Matt's dark brows drew together. "Who?"

"You would not remember her," Mama said with an airy flutter of her hand. "She is the daughter of Martha Vivers, who married George Paine, a rector. Prudence is a year or so younger than you and a widow. Her husband was in the Life Guards and died at Waterloo."

"Indeed." Augusta was glad her mother remembered Cousin Prudence. "When he was in Spain and Portugal she traveled with him. Therefore she is used to foreign places." By this time Matt was staring at Augusta as if she had grown another head. "She also speaks Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish."

"Naturally, why else would...