Chapter Nineteen #2
When Judith stepped back, Abigail found herself more than willing to hear more from her sister. “My only advice is perhaps not to tell Mamma any of this, unless you wish us to be dragged several counties over to berate and beg various naval officers for your marriage to this Captain.”
Abigail nodded, only a fool or someone who wished to trap herself into marriage would inform their mother. She was pleased her sister did not think her silly enough to do either. “My reputation never mattered much anyway.”
After a moment’s pause, Judith pulled a slight face as if a new idea had suddenly occurred to her. “It might matter to Mr. Franklin. He has made mention of a relative who is a bishop.”
“I did not intend to write to Sophia with this news, at least she is not involved in any of this. Robert wants to explain himself to this baron person I believe. I don’t know anything else.”
“Baron?” Judith asked, a frown creasing her forehead as she got to her feet, moving over to the kettle and setting about making more tea. “Do you think this is a title rather than a surname?”
With a nod, Abigail tried to recall the name of the addressee on the envelope, “I don’t remember.
But he certainly named him as a baron on the front of the correspondence.
It was clear to me that Captain Davenport certainly owes this baron person a great deal, both personally and professionally.
I never saw Father write to anyone in that way, not even when we were desperate for money,” she said.
“Why do you say that?”
“Captain Davenport is often bold and…” Abigail tried to formulate a way of conveying the strength of Robert’s character.
He was a man of action, and passion. Of that she could attest to.
He had saved her life from the landslip.
He had promised her the fulfilment of her ambitions, and at night his hands on her body, his mouth locked on hers, he had made her feel things she never imagined possible.
“In his letter he was different, far more dutiful. It convinced me that only one of the people could be real, the man I thought was ‘my’ Robert and the person in the letter.” She had not known how to phrase this precisely but that was the true problem for Abigail, knowing which man was the one she had been with—her Irish gentleman or this unknown captain, and how they could be one and the same still baffled her.
Of all the reactions Abigail expected, her sister’s half-smile was not one of them. “I’m afraid, Abby, that people are rarely what they seem.”
The harking back on her childhood nickname was not a great solace, nor was the cynical response from Judith.
“I realize that now,” Abigail said, “but even if I were to bury the memory of Captain Davenport that does not help me if he sends his men to arrest our cook.”
“Or if it extends past our cook and onto us,” Judith said, not looking away from Abigail.
How much did his care for her extend to the rest of her family?
Abigail had been so dismissive of her family’s well-being, so focused on her searching of the beach for her fossils and sea creatures—but that did not mean she wanted them arrested…
“I don’t know what to do,” Abigail said, deciding truthfulness was the best choice for her. for Judith too.
“You trusted him. We all make mistakes like that when we are in love—” It was not a question, more of a reflective statement from her older sister, and Judith moved through the kitchen and reached for the book she used for the household sums.
Abigail sniffed at the mention of ‘love’. She supposed she did—no, had loved him. It seemed impossible not to love someone as bright, as magnetic and as enthralling as Robert. But it was all a lie. So surely it did not count?
Slowly Judith drew the book down and laid it on the table, running her finger over the page, as if she were calculating something.
“Do you consider that a good justification for my error?”
Judith looked up as she stared down the table at Abigail. “I am certain any criticism I might make of you, and I am not inclined to do so, would never match up to your own condemnations.”
“What punishment do you believe to be the best?”
To this Judith gave a little laugh. “I never took you for someone inclined to the melodrama, is that the role that Sophia plays better than most?” Before Abigail could think of a reply, Judith continued, “How long would it take for you to have your sea creature ready for transportation to London?”
“It requires preparation, the whole body will take months, but the skull…” Abigail said, happy to focus on her sea creature over the difficulties of Captain Davenport.
“And how long would it take you to have your sea creature’s skull ready for public inspection?”
“Maybe a few days, and I could make a sketch of it, alongside measurements.”
Walking forward Judith came and took Abigail’s hand again.
“If you can draw up the discovery, and bring the skull, I think we can leave town. I mean to make for London today, you would not be reliant on a man to introduce you to society. The two of us can make a play at your geological society. After all, we remember several of Father’s friends—Mr. Howard or indeed Mr. Pigott-Rowe, would be happy to help either of us, I’m sure.
They have certainly stated as much when I last heard from them. ”
“What about the cost of the trip?”
“If it is the two of us, then I am certain we can save our pennies.” Judith had always resisted Abigail’s previous requests to visit London. “Besides, with Mother back in town rather than in Bath, we might have a few extra pounds to spare.”
The idea burst brightly through Abigail, a wonderful opportunity for herself, for her sea creature, for her family to make a name for themselves.
It would also be a chance to try and exorcise the feel of Robert Davenport, expel the memory of his Irish lilt, the thought of his ice blue eyes and the pull of his compelling fiery kisses.
“I would like to go. To Town. To try myself.”
“Then get yourself to the workshop, and start on the sketches of your creature. In the next few hours would mean that we can set off for the capital as soon as I have located our mother and a coach.” Abigail nodded and made to go, but Judith pulled her back, “Gather the most impressive of your sea urchins and ammonites as well, and we will take the lot with us to London.”
“What about Mother? Will she be accompanying us?” The brightness of the London visit faded if her mother was to come too, surely Mrs. Fossey would simply see it as a perfect chance to visit various assembly rooms and match make for both of them.
“No, but I will be explaining the whole of it to her—”
“No, she cannot know,” Abigail said, “I beg you, do not make mention of Davenport.”
“Lud, no. I would not do that. I simply meant I shall take care of these practicalities, and tell Mamma a convincing story about why we are heading up to London. Certainly, if I layer in enough business details she will be convinced. Perhaps if I add that Mr. Franklin requires my presence with his solicitor, that may sway her even more.”
“Thank you,” Abigail said. Judith was such an expert at managing their mother, and whilst the business things likewise baffled Mrs. Fossey.
The thought of seeing the great metropolis of the Town finally, thrilled Abigail.
Indeed, she could even imagine the somber pomp of the great houses where scientists and scholars would gather to discuss the matters of the ancient world and her sea creature.
Steeling herself, Abigail nodded along at Judith’s plans, swearing she would not allow the recollections of Robert to distract from this brilliant chance.
It would be all the sweeter as it would not be reliant on him, when she won her fame and glory.