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Molly shrugged. “I suppose I never had much reason since I had my own lodgings, but I did wonder what it was like. It’s very nice.”
“Yes, it is.” Calliope nodded. “I find that I actually prefer it to some of the places I’ve been in London.”
This caused her companion to laugh. “Surely, you jest. London is made for aristocrats and royalty.”
“That may be true in some respects,” Calliope admitted. “I’m not sure if I told you this or not, but my sisters and I grew up at our father’s estate in Canterbury. My father brought us to town only on very few occasions.”
“Did you like it there?”
“It was pleasant,” Calliope said slowly. “It was made bearable by my sisters and the village children who thought we were some sort of oddity since our father was a duke. And the ‘Black Widower,’ at that.”
Molly shook her head. “Children can be as cruel as mature adults at times.”
“Yes,” Calliope admitted with a wry twist of her lips. “Although I didn’t let their taunting bother me overmuch. I generally found a way to shut them up in one way or another. Usually by beating the boys when it came to climbing trees or racing horses. My father did employ the best tutors.”
“You sound a lot like my Mary. She has always been an independent sort. I have begun to despair if she will ever marry.”
“Marriage isn’t for every woman. We don’t have to have a husband in order to live a good life. It’s something I’m doing my best to prove to society.”
“I’m sure you will do remarkable in convincing others of your passion,” Mrs. Anning said in all sincerity.
As Emma returned with another cup and more tea, she excused herself once more. Calliope offered Mrs. Anning the sugar and cream, but she declined, unlike herself, who enjoyed lots of both. “I have become accustomed to living without such luxuries. There’s no need to start pretending now.” Molly took a sip of the steaming liquid and set it down with a sigh. “I daresay that is some fine tea though.”
“I would agree,” Calliope stirred her tea slowly. “I admit that it has truly been a wonderful experience coming to Lyme Regis. The seaside is everything I imagined it might be.”
There was a brief pause and then Mrs. Anning asked gently, “But that’s not all you found here, was it?”
Calliope took her time in answering, because if she were to be honest, she wasn’t yet prepared to put into words what she was actually feeling for Sebastian. All she knew was that her chest had yet to loosen after his abrupt departure. It was as if the weight of the world had literally come crashing down around her. “I’m hoping to uncover something of import, of course,” she finally said, deliberately misunderstanding the lady’s suggestion. “Perhaps another prehistoric skeleton.”
Molly smiled into her cup. “I can see it’s not something you wish to discuss. And while I don’t want to seem like a meddling, old woman, I came here tonight because my conscience wouldn’t allow me to sleep if I didn’t tell you what Lord Blakely told me before he left.”
Immediately, all of Calliope’s senses were alert. “What was that?” She tried to sound nonchalant, but knew she failed miserably. If nothing else, her eyes would surely give her away, because she was desperate for any piece of the viscount that she could grasp.
“He told me that he was returning to London at his grandfather’s insistence, and that he might have remained in Lyme Regis if his heart hadn’t been shattered.”
Calliope’s heart thrilled at those words, but her common sense overruled any emotion. “I’m sure it won’t be long before he is comforted by one of his former paramours. He was known to be quite a rake.”
Molly eyed her steadily for a moment and then nodded. “I’m sure you’re right, of course. But I can tell you that I haven’t seen a man that despondent unless there was a true reason behind it.” She set down her cup and rose to her feet. “I thank you for your hospitality, my lady, but I should be getting back. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
Calliope got to her feet as well. “I’m very glad that you stopped by. I hope Mary is well enough to join me on the beach soon. I miss her council.”
Molly inclined her head in acknowledgment. As she turned to go, she paused once more and turned back to her. “I have no doubt in my mind that you will do remarkable things in this life, but sometimes it’s nice to admit that what we always thought we wanted, wasn’t the truth at all.”
With those parting words of wisdom, she took her leave.
She also gave Calliope much to ponder.
