Chapter 13 #2
She began to describe the various artifacts, with Charles interrupting frequently to ask about any gems and exactly what metal had been used.
When Emeline spoke of the wooden drinking vessel, his attention wandered.
“Yes, yes, but what about the sword? Giles said it is encrusted with precious jewels!”
“I believe only a scabbard was discovered, not a sword, but I did see some gems,” she allowed.
“They haven’t stopped digging, have they?”
“Really, Charles, what a lot of questions you ask! I don’t think I can tell you any more than Giles did.” She frowned. “And, I must say, my opinion of him has been drastically altered. He actually suggested that Tobias might sell these antiquities for monetary gain!”
Charles nodded strenuously. “Yes. Shocking!” After an awkward pause, he ventured, “And yet, what if their sale could save a struggling estate?”
Before Emeline could give vent to her feelings, the knocker sounded at the door. Louise half-rose from her chair nearest the bow window and tried to peek around the curtains.
“It is a man I do not recognize,” she whispered.
Dora was crossing the entry hall to answer the door, and they all waited until she appeared before them, wide-eyed, to present a calling card. Then, as if unable to stay silent, the maid said, “Viscount Tobias Melford is calling, Miss Emeline…asking for you.”
Emeline felt herself flush as both Charles and Louise turned to stare at her.
“How nice,” she said brightly. “Do show his lordship in, Dora.”
She rose as Tobias appeared in the entry hall, looking all around at his surroundings. In their rather cramped house, his sturdy frame seemed outsized. Watching as the viscount handed his gloves, hat, and a case of some sort to Dora, Emeline went forward to meet him on the threshold of the parlor.
“What an unexpected pleasure, my lord,” she said warmly.
His smile was as kind as she remembered, and once again, Emeline felt at ease. After being presented to both Louise and Charles, Tobias took the chair nearest her own and accepted a cup of tea.
“I must apologize for simply appearing, unannounced,” he said, before turning to look at Louise.
“What a pleasure it is to meet you, Miss St. Briac. Your cousin has told me all about you. You two women are extraordinary, forming your own establishment here and making your own way in the world.” Glancing toward her brother, he added, “Don’t you agree, Sir Charles? ”
His brow furrowed as he seemed to consider this. “That’s a nice way of putting it, my lord! My sister has always been rather…headstrong, if you take my meaning. It’s fortunate that our dear Louise is here to see Emeline doesn’t do something rash.”
Emeline burned to call him out. How dare he? But before she could utter a word, Louise spoke up. “You are quite right, my lord. Emeline is extraordinary! She captivates everyone who meets her.”
Tobias looked at Emeline. “I hope you will show me the room you described during our lunch at Amity Park.” Turning to Louise, he added, “Your cousin has told me that you and she transformed your dining room into a study where you are laboring over research for Lord Jasper Hartcliffe.”
Glad to be able to move away from Charles, Emeline rose and gestured toward the room on the other side of the entry hall. “We should be happy to show you, my lord.”
“Tobias,” he reminded her softly, smiling into her eyes.
In the study, Emeline and Louise took turns showing Tobias around the room. He appeared to be interested in every sketch and watercolor hanging on the walls, each book and fossil displayed on the shelves.
“It’s quite amazing that you two ladies have spent the past two years with Miss Anning in Lyme Regis,” he said. “I am a member of the Geological Society and of course, her discoveries have been presented to us with great ceremony.”
“Miss Anning is a brilliant person,” Louise confirmed. “It has been my honor to labor at her side for several years even before my cousin joined us.”
Emeline tried to restrain herself without success.
“Tobias, perhaps you are unaware that Miss Anning was barred from the meetings of your very own Geological Society when she brought her greatest fossils to London? A man presented them in her place, while she waited outside! All because of her sex.”
He blanched slightly. “I can assure you, I had nothing to do with that decision! In fact, I believe I was still at university.”
“That’s right, Em,” Louise scolded lightly. “I’m sure this kind gentleman would have supported Miss Anning, had he the chance.”
As Louise continued Tobias’s tour, Charles stood nearby, tapping his foot impatiently. When Louise finally came to the last piece, he spoke up.
“Fascinating, isn’t it, my lord? And we have something in common.
I, too, was a member of the Geological Society before I removed to Italy several years ago.
” When he saw that Tobias was not going to reply, he added, “I find it so original of these ladies to display these oddities in their dining room.”
“It is not a dining room any longer,” Emeline told him. “It is our study.”
“Yes, yes.” He made another effort to catch Tobias’s eye before inquiring a bit too casually, “Speaking of artifacts, my lord, one cannot help wondering what you mean to do with all the treasures you have unearthed at Amity Park?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” replied the viscount. “We aren’t quite finished with the excavations, and I would like to consult other…experts.”
Emeline straightened at this. Was it possible that he might sell some of the artifacts? It was impossible to ask him any questions of that nature now, with both Charles and Louise standing by. However, perhaps there was another way.
Turning alongside the long mahogany table, Emeline faced her new friend and touched his coat sleeve. “As you know, Louise and I are doing research about relics that may be very similar to those on your estate. Would it be possible for me to return and bring my cousin with me?”
“I should like that very much!” A smile warmed his face. “Both of you ladies would be most welcome to come to my estate. You may observe the excavations, unless of course you would like to participate?”
Walking toward Chesterfield Street, a large, rolled-up paper tied with a ribbon held loosely in one gloved hand, Hart wondered if he should turn around. You’re not to be trusted, warned his better self.
Since his lapse into madness on the road from Amity Park, he had continued to vacillate between a resolve to stay away from Emeline and a powerful urge to be in her presence again.
Hart was a libertine, his past strewn with reckless affairs and broken hearts.
Furthermore, he was in league with her father, both of them keeping secrets from her.
Emeline deserved better. Much better.
I should be halfway to Lisbon at this moment, he thought darkly.
And yet, what of Austell and his problems—and Hart’s bargain with Justin St. Briac?
And what of Monte? It was a deuced tight corner he was in, and a timely reminder why he had never allowed himself to be constrained by anything or anyone. Sinners like him were better off alone.
I will see her just one more time, he told himself grimly as he approached the house.
One more time.
“Participate…in the excavations?” Emeline echoed, thrilled by Tobias’s invitation. “But we have no real training in archaeology.”
He shrugged his big shoulders. “It is a very new science. Mr. Cartwright can teach you everything you need to know.” Starting toward the entry hall, he added, “And as it happens, I have brought you a small gift that may be helpful.”
Emeline watched as Tobias located the wooden case he’d left with Dora upon arrival. At first glance, it resembled a thinner version of her traveling art box. “A gift? Oh, but…”
“It is my pleasure!” Setting the case on the long table, he fished a small brass key from his pocket, put it in the lock, and opened the lid to reveal velvet-padded crevices fitted with various sized brushes, thin-bladed trowels, and tiny metal picks.
“Oh my goodness,” breathed Emeline.
“These tools should give you a start,” Tobias said. “You’ll also need a small pickax and a shovel—”
“Emmie has those already, from our years hunting fossils!” interjected Louise.
“There, you see, you already have training in a similar endeavor. Please say you will accept these,” he said warmly.
Then, addressing Louise, the viscount added, “I would be honored to procure a set of tools for you as well. Perhaps this will earn me forgiveness for my Society’s past transgressions toward Miss Anning. ”
Before Emeline could reply, a knock sounded at the front door. “Is it possible that we have yet another guest?” she said with an irrepressible laugh. “Let me see who it is.”
Crossing the few steps to the entry hall, Emeline paused in front of the door, suddenly aware of a sense of anticipation. A delicious shiver ran down her slim back as she turned the carved brass knob and opened the door.