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Emerson’s face lit up in a familiar way. “So many were, don’t you think?”
Simon felt much the same and was pleased the museum employed someone whose enthusiasm nearly matched his own. “Agreed. Every historical era has something fascinating to offer.”
Emerson moved around the exhibit to walk closer, wearing his customary brown suit. “May I ask if you have a favorite?”
“I tend to think whatever artifact I’m studying at the moment comes from my favorite civilization,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Stone carvings of any sort are a puzzle I can’t resist. What of you?”
“Oh.” Emerson’s brows raised for a long moment as if he were astounded Simon had asked. “I’m most impressed with the Incas, I think. An odd mix of sophistication and brutality. The lack of crime during their reign is a testament to the harshness of their laws.”
“Do you think we should increase our punishments to better match theirs?” Simon asked, genuinely curious.
“No. From what I’ve read, they didn’t allow people to have a second chance. We don’t all get it right the first time.” Emerson stared into the distance. “I should very much like to visit Peru someday.”
“I hope you have the opportunity to do so. Studying cultures is wonderful but traveling to see them up close gives one a completely different perspective.” Simon cleared his throat, reminding himself to focus on his purpose—to find out more about Emerson’s personal life, not his dreams. “Is there a Mrs. Emerson?”
“No, no.” Emerson chuckled and dipped his head as if embarrassed. “No prospects on the horizon, so to speak. Not that I’m in any rush to marry.” He looked up at Simon with a furrowed brow. “Of course, I’m more concerned with my career.”
“Of course.” Simon hid a smile. Emerson seemed to think he was supposed to say that, but perhaps it was true. “Speaking of your position, I wanted to check again with everyone to ask if anything else has come to mind regarding the missing coin. Have you thought of any information that could be helpful? Something out of the ordinary or that struck you as unusual?”
“The situation is so distressful.” The younger man shook his head. “It’s terrible. Just terrible. Who would take it? And what do they intend to do with it?”
“Excellent questions to which I have no answers.” Simon lifted a brow. “Has anything come to mind?”
Emerson considered the question for a long moment, quickening Simon’s hopes. “Perhaps out of the ordinary behavior in someone? Anything at all,” Simon prompted.
With an uneasy look, Emerson glanced around as if to make certain no one would overhear them. “There is an older gentleman who has visited several times and spoke with Mr. Stockton. I only mention it because I don’t know if he paid the admission fee.”
Simon released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “That could prove helpful.” Though it seemed unlikely. “Can you provide more details?”
“Certainly.” He described a tall, thin man with dark hair and a receding hairline, as well as when he’d seen him. Unfortunately, the stranger didn’t sound familiar, nor did his presence seem significant.
“Thank you for sharing this,” Simon said. “And please know that I will hold what you said in confidence.”
“Thank you, my lord. I very much enjoy my work here and wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it.”
Simon reached to shake the younger man’s hand. “I appreciate your loyalty. Let me know if you note anything else of interest.”
“Of course.” Emerson offered a relieved smile. “Happy to help.”
Funny how often people said that but how rarely they were. Simon went upstairs to see if Stockton had discovered anything of interest, though he was beginning to lose hope of ever finding the coin.
Chapter Eleven
Norah smiled politelyat her dance partner, Viscount Salverson, wishing the dance was over. Yet the music went on and on while he gripped her hand tighter and tighter.
“You look positively stunning, Miss Wright.” His smile made her uncomfortable, as did his gaze, which ran down the length of her, pausing to linger on her breasts.
“Thank you.” She wracked her mind for a neutral topic of conversation, anything to take his attention from her. “The weather was certainly fine today, don’t you agree?”
“Not as fine as you.” He chuckled as if he’d said something terribly clever.
Norah held back a grimace. While aware that many considered the Wright sisters attractive, she much preferred to associate with those who looked beyond appearances to consider her as a person. After all, looks faded. Character mattered. It wasn’t as if she had any hand in her appearance other than taking care of herself and her attire.
“I should like to call on you tomorrow,” he said. “Perhaps you’d enjoy a ride in Hyde Park?”
Viscount Salverson was one of a handful of gentlemen who had expressed interest in courting her numerous times. They requested a dance at every ball and frequently paid her compliments. But none made an effort to truly come to know her. She’d done her best to rebuff them and make it clear she wasn’t interested. Unfortunately, those attempts were met with little success.
She didn’t enjoy dancing with any of them and had no desire to consider kissing them, which confirmed her determination to not allow them to court her. The idea of marrying Salverson or one of the others nearly made her shudder. She wasn’t ready to marry, but if she were, she certainly wouldn’t want to marry one ofthem.
