While she knew time to be a reliable thing and the perception of its changes merely an oddity of the human mind, that did not help Tuesday to come any faster.
The tedium of waiting had been relieved only briefly by a visit from Penny. Lady Cabot had wished to hear her opinion of Sir John. Kitty had, of course, related Lord Grayson’s rude behavior and Sir John’s nimble set down.
As she spoke, it was allforSir John andagainstLord Grayson, which pleased Penny exceedingly. As she spoke, Kitty worked to convince herself of Sir John’s superiority. He was not as dashing as Lord Grayson and had not the lord’s easy manners. Sir John might be just a bit too stern and serious. But what could one expect from a learned mind?
Kitty really felt herself foolish in thinking that it would be wonderful if Sir John were a tad more cheerful. She’d spent months wishing to encounter a gentleman who would discuss serious matters with her and now she had. That her heart did not beat faster at the sight of him was nothing compared to that.
Penny was certain that Sir John was an excellent match. Kitty was determined to be certain of it too.
Finally, Tuesday had come and now she and her mother entered Mrs. Herschel’s residence in Bedford Square. Aside from the other luminaries she might encounter, Sir John would be there. She was determined to like him.
Kitty had prepared her mother with the information she had received from Sir John—this was not to be a usual call, but more an intellectual salon.
The baroness had not been any more intrigued by the idea than Kitty thought she would be. Still, her mother was a naturally cheerful person and accustomed to the intellectual pursuits of her husband and so was confident she would get on well enough.
They were led into the drawing room by a sprightly old butler not much taller than Mrs. Herschel herself. Kitty hesitated near the door, hardly knowing what to do or where to look. The room was filled with people. Books were scattered on every surface. A pianoforte that must have come with the house had been unceremoniously pushed into a corner and piled with more books.
Mrs. Herschel spotted them and made her way over.
“My dear Miss Dell,” Mrs. Herschel said. “And this must be the baroness, your mother.”
“Indeed, I am, Mrs. Herschel,” the baroness said. “Very kind of you to extend the invitation.”
“The kindness lies in your coming,” Mrs. Herschel said. “I only hope we will not bore you, we are all abuzz about a letter that was recently received. Do come in.”
Kitty felt put at ease at once by Mrs. Herschel’s friendly manner. In any case, she could not have spared a moment for her nerves, she was far too intrigued to hear of an important letter. Surely, it must be some historical document, recently found. She was eager to hear the details and then communicate them to her father.
“My dear guests,” Mrs. Herschel said loud enough to capture everyone’s attention, “we are fortunate to have new additions to our weekly gatherings. May I introduce Lady Penderton and Miss Dell. Mr. Lackington, Sir John, I believe you are already acquainted.”
Kitty smiled at Sir John, meaning to encourage him. At least, she supposed that was what one did to encourage. She ought to have asked Miss Crimpleton about it before she left Devon. Whatever that girl had done, Frederick had been very encouraged by it.
Sir John inclined his head in her direction and gave her a small smile. One encountering the smallness of the smile for the first time might have been put off by it. But Kitty thought she understood one thing about Sir John—smiles of any sort were not given out freely. She must feel the compliment of it. After all, there must be more value in a small smile rarely given than a wide smile coming as freely as raindrops.
Mr. Lackington bowed kindly in her direction and she was cheered to see a person in attendance who she knew to be disposed toward her.
Mrs. Herschel proceeded to introduce the rest of the company. Most were gentlemen, some Kitty might have met at a ball and others who were recognized on their achievements alone. All but the women were members of the Royal Society. Of the women, Kitty took them to be far more illustrious.
Just as Mrs. Herschel had done, these ladies had gained fame in certain circles,despitebeing a woman. The great explorer, Lady Stanhope, only recently returned from her adventures in the Middle East, and botanist Mrs. Acton were among them. What minds were contained in this room! They were those who made the pursuit of knowledge their life’s work.
Kitty was intrigued to find that one of the men was named Mr. Crackwilder. Surely he was the man employed by Miss Danworth’s father to organize the Palaskar collection. It must be so, he stood with a cane just as Miss Danworth had described him.
Kitty was in awe to be in such company, and not for the first time wondered why society gave so much credit to those who had been born in a bed that had a title dangling over it, but so little credit to those who made their mark through their own efforts. She loved her brother dearly, but what had he ever done?
Kitty and her mother were shown to a sofa recently vacated to accommodate their arrival and Mrs. Herschel poured them tea. That was the only thing that resembled a usual call. Rather than conversations taking place in small groups, the company had surrounded Mrs. Herschel and clearly waited for her to speak.
“As you all know,” Mrs. Herschel said, “Sir John has received a mysterious letter that threatens the very foundations we stand on. The scientific community has fought long and hard to leave the embarrassing days of John Hill behind us. Sir John, do read the letter again for the edification of those who have not heard it.”
Sir John nodded and took a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. He opened it with a snap and read: “The Royal Society continues to act in a frivolous and dilettante manner, inducting the worthless and excluding the worthy. One would not expect a society whose sole aim is the pursuit of ever-expanding knowledge to be blinded by such mundane attributes as title and money. This pandering to fools with worldly goods will not go unpunished. Even now, there is a John Hill in your midst. As I pen this, there is a paper published by the society that will be revealed to be a hoax. John Hill may not have gained a total revenge, but a reckoning is coming. May you practice blushing for yourselves now, as it certainly will become a habit when all is revealed.”
Sir John paused and said, “It is signed,Veritas—Latin, meaning truth.”
Mrs. Herschel said, “We must root out this Veritas. The Royal Society cannot be allowed to fall.”
Chapter Five
Kitty’s head spun.Mrs. Herschel had just charged the party that they must save the Royal Society. Who threatened it? Why?
Whatever was unfolding before her, it was fascinating.
