He knew of Lily Farthingale.
Everyone in the Royal Society knew of her.
If ever anyone deserved to be inducted as a Fellow, it was that brilliant girl.
“Not even I, despite all the power I wield, can change the minds of our very stubborn membership,” Lotheil said with a disgruntled sigh.
“I am aware. It is one of the reasons I decided to establish the Huntsford Academy, a center of research and learning that is open toallacademicians.”
“I knew your father, lad. He and I were good friends. I think he would have been so proud of you had he lived to see the work you have done.” Lotheil raked a hand through his thick mane of white hair. “But about this Runyon chap and how to expose him for the thief he is, it cannot be difficult to prove his perfidy. Those notes are all going to be in Adela’s handwriting. I cannot imagine how he will explain that away.”
“My concern is that he will argue she was serving as his clerk and transcribing his notes.”
“If that were so, then what reason would he have to steal them from her? It would be the same as stealing from himself. And if so, let him produce the notes he had supposedly given her to transcribe.”
“Oh, he’ll level some accusation about why his are missing.” Ambrose nodded. “You and I would never believe his story, but what of the other board members? They are thick-headed, which is why I have had run-ins with them before. I fear they might believe him only because it provides them convenient ammunition against allowing women as members in the Royal Society.”
“Ah, I understand your concern now. Perhaps this will be more difficult than I first imagined. Bringing him up before our board of directors might not work if the directors view this dispute as a battle of the sexes instead of rightly regarding this as a matter of theft. Perhaps you and I will do better to handle this situation privately.”
“You needn’t get involved then. I will confront him on my own. No sense putting you at odds with the board and membership if matters turn ugly.”
Lotheil grunted in disgust. “I’m glad you came to me. I will support you if the need arises. The board members need to be kicked in the arse from time to time. And why should they not be made to address our concerns? You and I are Fellows here, too. I must remain a member, to my regret. I believe in the Royal Society’s goals and vision, and as chairman, I am doing my best to see those goals fulfilled. It is important that we both stay on and keep arguing our positions. The old stodges might eventually come around one day soon and admit those of the fairer sex into our membership.”
“I doubt we will see it happen in either of our lifetimes.” Ambrose rose to leave. “Let me know if that book he stole turns up here.”
Lotheil escorted him out. “I will. Good to see you, Huntsford. I’m sorry I do not have anything better to offer. But I can assure you, I will have my eye on Runyon and intend to have him booted out the moment I catch him doing anything untoward.”
Ambrose next stopped at one of the local antiquarian bookshops called Gresham’s. If Runyon thought to turn a tidy profit and sell the rare book, he would likely approach Gresham himself since the old codger was the foremost dealer in antique manuscripts.
The bell above the door clanged noisily as he walked into the musty shop.
The shelves were as stuffed as ever with books of every shape and size, and on every topic imaginable. Those unable to fit on the shelves were piled high beside them. The shop was tiny and walking through it was like walking through a maze.
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you,” Gresham said, popping his head out from behind a stack of old books. “How may I assist you?”
He told the man of his concerns about Runyon. “If he approaches you about selling that book, I want you to agree to purchase it.”
His eyes widened. “Your Grace! I would never–”
“I do not doubt your honesty, Mr. Gresham. Just play along with him and offer him a tempting price for it should he try to sell it to you. Tell him you need a little time to gather the funds to pay him, then ask him to meet you here the following day. Send word to me immediately and I shall have one of my Bow Street runners on hand to reclaim the book and turn him over to the magistrate.”
“What if he demands immediate payment or else he’ll go elsewhere?”
“Then pay him whatever you can. I shall reimburse you. You do not need to do anything in particular other than be willing to purchase the book.”
Ambrose had already put a Bow Street man onto trailing Runyon, a very good runner by the name of Homer Barrow who was well respected and known as honest by judges and constables alike. Between Gresham’s testimony and that of Mr. Barrow, that thief, Runyon, was going to prison if he did anything other than return the book to the Huntsford Academy.
Having dealt with that chore, Ambrose then headed to his club for a quick bite to eat.
Seeing none of his friends around, he picked up one of the newspapers lying about and took it to his table in order to peruse it while he ate. It was one of the gossip sheets, not something he would normally choose to read, but he wanted to be sure there was nothing scandalous written about Adela.
Not that he expected there would be anything beyond speculation about his interest in her. But his heart shot into his throat as he began to read. “By all that is holy!”
He stormed out, mad enough to crack skulls.
Instead of heading back to the Huntsford Academy, he instructed his driver to take him straight to Chipping Way.
Eloise’s household was in an uproar as he strode in.
