Chapter Twenty #2
Her hand clutched the balustrade, knuckles white, as uncertainty crept in. Her mind was a mixture of hope and anxiety. No matter how well they were getting along, a missing proclamation of love left a gnawing fear. A missing word—just one—could unravel whatever confidence she’d gained.
‘You have a letter, my lady.’
Startled, Nora turned to find the butler approach with a silver salver extended, a sealed letter resting atop it.
‘Thank you.’ She took the letter upstairs to her bedroom and sliced the seal with her letter opener to unfold the foolscap. Her heart began to pound as she read.
Lady Ralston,
It is with pleasure that we invite you to present your scientific findings of seashells to the London Scientific Society next week, on the seventh of July at two o’clock.
Regards,
Mr Simon Collins
She gasped. For a moment she stood frozen, then a cry of joy burst from her lips. She lowered the letter, her fingers shaking.
At last. She had worked towards this goal for years and wanted it for as long as she could remember.
This invitation was a chance to validate her studies, to prove to herself and to others that she was truly a scientist. Her father would have been proud.
Oh, how she wished he could be alive to attend her presentation.
Her thoughts immediately turned to Ralston. She was excited to share the news with him. She valued his support, and she knew, deep down, the invitation to present to the Society would not have come so soon, if at all. It was Ralston who’d introduced her to Mr Collins.
The room swirled with purpose. There was so much to do. She must begin preparing at once. Panic fluttered in her chest, light and urgent, and she dashed to her science room where her microscope and notes awaited.
But her thoughts returned to him.
When would Ralston come home? Their lovemaking was still fresh in her mind, and a pang of longing pierced her chest. He had gone to meet with more political allies, and she hoped that he would be successful.
Somehow, somewhere, during their brief marriage, his work had become important to her, as well.
Her heart took another traitorous slip.
Her gaze darted to the mantel clock. How soon until he would return?
After a long morning in the smoky chambers of Westminster meeting with members of the House of Commons, Ralston entered White’s with a lightness in his step.
He intended to meet Adler here. A porter bowed stiffly as he approached, the quiet of the club a stark contrast to the heated debates at the Commons.
The familiar scent of pipe tobacco and brandy clung to the air, and the distinct clink of crystal and the rustle of newspapers could be heard as he walked through the club.
He spotted Adler sitting at a table in the famous bay window, a favorite spot with a commanding view of St James’s Street.
Ralston pulled out a chair and joined him. ‘Wilson, Edwards, and Hughes are now all on board,’ he announced. ‘We have a majority. It will undoubtedly pass in the Commons. Success is in sight.’
Adler grinned. ‘Success indeed! Let’s celebrate early.’
A liveried footman appeared and delivered two glasses of amber whisky in cut crystal.
Adler swirled the liquor before raising his glass. ‘Tell me,’ he said, lowering his voice. ‘How did you turn Lord Weber?’
Ralston smiled as he ran a finger along the rim of his glass. ‘My wife helped. She befriended Lady Weber and strategically gifted her a rare bowl she had her eye on.’
Adler paused mid-sip. ‘You’re jesting.’
‘It was a bowl from her father’s collection that he brought back from his travels to the Middle East. It had significance to her. She did it for me.’
Adler leaned back in his seat, brows lifted. ‘Good God! You owe her.’
Ralston took a slow drink, the smoky burn of the whisky settling in his chest. ‘Indeed, I do.’ He acknowledged the truth.
He wasn’t just grateful. He was astonished by her sacrifice.
She’d done her research and had known precisely what Lady Weber had desired before preparing and carrying out her plans.
Her strategy was as well plotted as any clever politician’s.
‘You lucky bastard,’ Adler muttered with a shake of his head. ‘She’s a loyal wife who helped your cause.’
‘Yes, she is.’ Ralston owed her a debt he doubted he could ever repay. A microscope and a science room didn’t even come close in his mind.
Adler eyed him. ‘You two finally shared a bed, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, we did.’ His grin was hard to prevent.
‘I told you,’ Adler said, his smugness unmistakable. ‘What took you so long?’
Ralston exhaled through his nose. He did not want to talk about his love life with his friend. But he could recognize it. ‘You were right. I should not have waited.’
If he’d known just how passionate their nights would become, he would have visited her bedchamber soon after their wedding night. Maybe even that night.