Hector couldn’t suppress a smile. “Fair point. I didn’t express myself appropriately. See, the golden pimpernel is so rare it was considered extinct in Great Britain. It’s a precious, delicate species. When I found it, I didn’t want to rip the plant and destroy it just to take a sample to the society. I thought it’d be barbaric. I wished for a member of the society to come with me to the place where I spotted the plant, but no one agreed. They said having found a golden pimpernel in London was impossible. Everyone laughed at me, calling me deluded.”
“Bring the plant to them then.” Robert shrugged. “Can’t you simply take a small sample?”
Yes, that was the problem. Hector twisted the hem of his jacket. “Ahem, I can’t seem to find the right spot any longer. It was in a corner of Hyde Park, of all places, but either the gardeners ripped it up, or the plant died, or my memory isn’t good. I was so excited when I found the plant I didn’t think to mark the spot. Poor judgement on my part, but in my defence, I thought Hyde Park was small enough to allow me to find the plant easily again. I was wrong.”
“If you found one, you’ll find another. It’s a matter of time.” Robert resumed walking, his thick eyebrows drawn together.
As they exited the busy park, Hector gave another long look around, searching for the infamous plant. The noise of the carriages and hansom cabs filled the silence between them as Hector pondered what to say to his brother. No,howto tell his brother about his latest decision.
“I don’t have time.” He raised his voice to overcome the yells of a hawker selling the new issues ofThe Times. “I hoped the society would accept me as one of their members about to join Mr. von Humboldt’s next expedition to South America. It’s a unique opportunity.”
“And when exactly did you plan to tell me that?” Robert came to another sudden stop. His polished leather shoes screeched on the wet pavement.
Hector rubbed the back of his neck. “Mother knew it. The expedition will start in a few months, but I must present my application for the journey within two days or they won’t consider me.” He shrugged. “Impossible.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? And for how long would you be gone? Isn’t the trip dangerous?”
Hector leant against the red-brick wall behind him, not caring about the thin layer of coal dust covering every inch of London. From aristocratic mansions to humble homes, the soot showed no mercy. There was some justice in that.
“You’re always so busy, and you need not worry about my safety because obviously, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m never too busy for you.” Robert sounded hurt, which hurt Hector in turn. “And I do worry about you.”
Hector nodded, ignoring the knot in his throat.
“I want to support your career as a scientist, but unless you talk to me, I can’t help you.” Robert patted Hector’s shoulder. “I’m not like Father. My ducal duties will never come before my family,” he said in a gentle tone that cracked something in Hector’s chest.
Hector gazed around to avoid meeting Robert’s concerned blue eyes. “I don’t want to interfere with your…” The rest of the sentence died a swift, merciless death in his mouth as he gazed up.
A fresh, luscious, living specimen of golden pimpernel literally covered the window on the first level of the house in front of him. The small golden flowers gleamed in the sunlight as if teasing him. Through the cascade of fluttering leaves, he caught a glimpse of someone painting.
“By Jove.” Why had he lost hope? How foolish of him.
“What is it?” Robert gazed around. “Anarchists? Another riot? Or worse, a match-making mama?”
Hector laughed. “The golden pimpernel.Anagallis pratensis. Over there. It’s the largest specimen I’ve ever seen.”
A shiver went through him. Oh, he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He would both cut a sample and then drag one of the sceptical botanists here. The spot was easy to find. Those pompous scientists would have no choice but to welcome him in the society and apologise.
He’d go to South America and see the Amazonian Forest. All those species unknown to humanity. Knowledge. He’d contribute to the advancement of science. Many scientists claimed that in the Amazon there were plants with extraordinary medicinal properties. Plants that could treat a fever or heal an infection in a matter of days. Oh, to be the one to discover a plant that could cure consumption—a strong hand wrapped around his arm and tugged.
“Hector, what are you doing?” Robert said, stepping in front of him. His tall hat bobbed.
Wasn’t it obvious? “I need the plant.” Only at that moment, he realised he was halfway to the front door.
“And what do you plan to do exactly? Knock on the door and ask to take it?”
“It’ll take a moment.”
Robert’s hat slipped down his eyes as he frowned. “These people don’t know you. Knocking on a door without being introduced is not the appropriate way to intrude into a respectable house.”
“As opposed to a disreputable one?” Hector glanced at the window again.
The breeze shuffled the leaves, offering him a better view of the room. A lady was working on a canvas, but he couldn’t see what she was painting from where he stood.
Robert exhaled. “No, not even in a disreputable house should we arrive unannounced. Let’s return home. I shall send a card to the inhabitants of this house and make a formal request for a meeting, explaining the situation.”
Formal request? Card? Meeting? “But Robert, it’ll take days to arrange a visit.”
