CHAPTER 14 #2
“Oh, pffft. You’re not one to shy away from a challenge. You would have taken the bull by the horns—I simply encouraged you to do it sooner than later.”
A pause. “Not that Hartley bears any resemblance to a bull. The two of you were always kindred souls. While Wynton . . .” The dowager shrugged. “Hmmph, I shall refrain from speaking ill of the dead.”
Instead, Alison quickly turned the talk to the more agreeable topic of the upcoming wedding, and all the many little details that still required attention.
They passed a pleasant interlude parsing logistical arrangements—the ceremony was to take place at the local church by Wrexford’s country estate, with a celebratory nuncheon at the ancestral home after the ceremony—until the boys returned and began making thinly-veiled hints about the perils of starvation in the wilds.
“Take the blankets, Weasels, and ferret out a nice flat, sunny spot for the picnic,” called McClellan from the pile of provisions.
Raven feigned a stagger toward the hampers. “I think we may need a ginger biscuit to stave off fainting from hunger.”
“Touch that bag at your own peril,” warned the maid. But after another threatening wag of her finger, she fished out a bundle wrapped in oilcloth. “You may have just one, and then be off with you.”
Wolcott reappeared a few minutes later, his eyes wide with wonder. “What a marvelous place. Master Hawk tells me there is a room in the main conservatory that showcases the original specimens brought back by Sir Joseph Banks from the South Seas.”
“Would you like to see them after our meal?”
“Oh, very much so!”
With both the boys and her brother anxious to continue their explorations, there was no leisurely lingering over the meal, especially as McClellan spotted Tyler heading from one of the outer hothouses to the lecture room adjoining the Orangery and she waved him over.
“Do join us,” said Charlotte, after introducing him to Wolcott. “We’ve plenty of food—the pigeon pie and apple tart are delicious.”
“Thank you.” The valet accepted a wedge of the pie. “Alas, I can’t stay long. I’ve promised to set the microscope for the afternoon program so that the attendees may have a look at some rare treasures of the Royal Society’s seed collection.”
“May I come help?” volunteered Raven.
“Of course, lad.” Tyler looked to her. “Assuming Lady Charlotte approves.”
“By all means,” she agreed.
“Come to think of it, the storeroom in the Orangery has a shipment of exotic specimens waiting to be shipped north to the University of St. Andrews—a gift from the Royal Society to spread rare botanicals to other teaching gardens in Britain. Hawk might enjoy sketching them while Raven and I work.”
Hawk looked up with a pleading look. “May I, m’lady?”
Tyler’s gaze met hers. “I’ll keep a close watch on both lads so they don’t wander into any mischief.”
“Yes, of course you may. But do have a care not to distract Mr. Tyler from his duties,” said Charlotte. “And as my brother wishes to see Sir Joseph’s famous South Seas collection, I’ll escort him and Alison—”
The dowager, who was comfortably settled beneath a lap robe on a bench in the sun, waved off the suggestion. “You two go on. I shall remain here with McClellan.” She patted back a yawn. “And polish off what remains of the ginger biscuits.”
The boys surreptitiously stuffed their pockets with sweets— still leaving plenty for Alison—and then their little group split up and headed off to their separate destinations.
Charlotte led the way to one of the side entrances to the main conservatory and took her brother through a meandering tour of the various galleries, pleased to hear his frequent expressions of delight as he stopped to admire one new treasure after another.
The way to the South Seas specimens led through one of the reception areas, and as they circled around a group of scholars studying a display of botanical engravings laid out on the worktables, a hail from Sir Robert drew them to a halt.
“Lady Charlotte!” The dowager’s friend stepped away from his colleagues and approached with a friendly smile. “How nice to see you here again. It appears we shall make a botanist of you yet!”
“I fear you shall be disappointed on that,” replied Charlotte dryly. “However, my brother, who is visiting from the north, more than makes up for my sad lack of knowledge.”
Her introduction of Wolcott elicited an enthusiastic response from the baronet. “Why, what a pleasure it is to meet you, Lord Wolcott! One of our Scottish members, Professor Murray from St. Andrews, has made mention of you as a leading member of the botanical society of Leeds.”
“I’m a mere dilettante, but the professor has been very kind in helping me expand my knowledge in the subject. Indeed, he connected me with his good friend and frequent correspondent in New York . . .”
Charlotte caught a sudden tiny movement out of the corner of her eye. One of the scholars had shifted his position, angling himself just a little closer. His face was still hidden, but she immediately recognized the sun-bleached gleam of his auburn hair.
Captain Samuel Daggett.
“Though I’ve just learned the very sad news that Mr. Becton passed away from a heart ailment just after he arrived here in London for the symposium,” replied her brother.
Daggett seemed to excuse himself abruptly and drifted another step away from the gentleman who was speaking to him—Charlotte recognized von Stockhausen, and didn’t blame the Prussian for looking a trifle offended by the American’s rudeness.
“Horribly sad,” agreed Sir Robert. “Especially as he was planning to present a very important research report on his latest discovery.”
Was it merely her imagination, or was Daggett intent on eavesdropping?
Something about his eyes—their ice-sharp intensity—had unsettled her from the moment she had met him.
He appeared to be interested in an orchid on one of the display tables, but Charlotte sensed his attention was really elsewhere.
As if intent on annoying the American, von Stockhausen moved to examine a cluster of bougainvillea, forcing the captain to give ground.
“Then Professor Murray will be doubly affected by the news, since Mr. Becton was both a friend and a fellow scholar,” replied her brother. “They frequently exchanged papers and specimens.”
Her suspicions stirred by Daggett’s sly behavior, Charlotte was anxious to prevent any further talk about Becton.
“If you’ll forgive us, Sir Robert, my brother wishes to see the famous South Seas collection, and I fear Aunt Alison has grown a bit fatigued from our outside walks.
” She flashed an apologetic smile. “She’s resting right now, but we ought not dally too much longer. ”
“Oh, don’t let me keep you!” The baronet made shooing gestures. “Sir Joseph’s treasures are not to be missed!” To Wolcott, he added, “Though I do hope to see you here again before you leave London.”
“Alas, I will be departing soon,” replied her brother. “However, I shall be returning south in a fortnight for my sister’s nuptials, and will be making a more extended stay in Town with my wife and children.”
“Excellent! You must allow me to give you an extensive tour of all our treasures here at the Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as attend one of our meetings at the Royal Society headquarters in Somerset House.”
“I shall look forward to it, sir,” responded Wolcott with great enthusiasm, and after a last exchange of well wishes, Charlotte managed to lead her brother into the adjoining corridor.
“What a splendid idea it was to come here,” murmured Wolcott as she quickened her steps. Charlotte knew she was letting her imagination run away with her, but she couldn’t help straining to hear any sound of following footsteps through the gentle whispering of the surrounding leaves.
“The sights, the scents . . .” Her brother drew in a deep, appreciative breath. “It’s a place—one could even call it a paradise—that celebrates the constant blossoming of Life.” A sigh followed. “Which,” he added, “helps soften the pain of loss.”
The light fluttered as they passed through a set of brass-framed glass doors. The air was suddenly warmer and heavy with moisture.
Yes, but even in paradise, deadly evils lurked within the shadows. Waiting to strike.
She clicked the latch shut behind her.
Let them try.
They would find themselves in for a rude awakening.