The two of them watched each other carefully for a moment, before Mr. Simon sighed. “I do have sympathy for both you and Lord Tensford in this matter—and for us, in losing such a fine piece. If you’ll wait here for just a moment, I’ll run to Mr. Konig’s office for paper and ink and make you a list.” He hesitated again. “I would ask, though, that you not share where you obtained the names.”
“You have my word. And it may ease you to know, you are not the only person we’ve asked.”
Brow furrowed, the other man nodded. “I suppose it does help. Thank you. I shall return quickly.”
When he was gone, Penelope moved close to Sterne. “Very well done! It will be most interesting to see which names are duplicated on the separate lists.”
“You did well, too.” His eyes widened. “And you were correct about Lady Tresham. She does indeed seem interested in the buying and selling of fossils.”
They exchanged smiles of satisfaction. They were getting somewhere. Shared pleasure bubbled between and around them. A group entered the room and began to twitter excitedly over the ichthyosaur, but they might have been miles away. Continents away. Penelope cared only for following the small lines at the corners of his eyes into the fascinating dark fathoms of his gaze.
But then Mr. Simon was back. He handed over a folded piece of paper and Sterne tucked it into a pocket. “Thank you, sir. You’ve been a help.”
“Of course. Good luck finding his specimen. And be sure to let me know if you do.”
Mr. Simon bowed, and bent low over her hand. With a nod, he strode off, and Penelope followed the urging of Sterne’s hand on her back as they took their leave.
“What now?” she asked.
“Can’t you guess?” he said, his eyes twinkling.
She only had to think for a moment. “Well, a ride in the park might be nice.”
“Nice and productive, we might hope,” he agreed.
Chapter 8
Later that afternoon, Sterne pulled his gig up before Tensford’s town home and handed the reins over to his groom. “Walk them slowly about the square, will you, please? I’ll likely be inside a fair, few minutes.”
He strode into the entry hall just in time to catch Tensford coming down the stairs. He stopped, caught by the look on his friend’s face. “Hope?” he asked quietly.
“She’s fine. The doctor assures me that she is. Miss Munroe is with her.” The earl ran a hand through his hair. “And right now, I need a drink.” He crossed into the parlor and went straight for a decanter, poured a drink, then pointed it at Sterne. “You, however, are about to have a very busy time of it, fighting off Keswick and Whiddon. Chester might even fight you, but I expect you to emerge victorious, for next spring I shall need you to stand up in church and swear to be godfather to my son.”
Sterne sagged against a chair. “A son?”
“Or a daughter. Either is fine as long as all are healthy.” For a moment, the earl looked utterly terrified.
“Of course, all will be well.” Sterne rushed to clutch his friend’s arm and shake his hand. “Congratulations, to you both!”
“Thank you. I’m thrilled of course. And frightened down to my bones . . .” He paused as a knock sounded clearly from the hall.
Whiddon swept in a moment later. “I’ve the list from Goodson. He sent a note, as well, saying he’s heard that Stillwater is definitely in Town. He’ll try to find who he is staying with. In the meantime, we should keep watch on the rooms of the Geological Society. Surely the old man will turn up there, eventually.” Frowning, he looked between them. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Tensford shared his good news and poured drinks all around. They toasted the countess’s good health.
“Let’s see your list,” Sterne said, hoping to distract his friend from his worries. “I’ve one from Simon as well. Let’s see if anyone shows up on both.”
They huddled around the two lists.
“Sheffield? He lives right across the square. Surely he wouldn’t be so brazen.”
“And Rowland,” Sterne said. “Mr. John Rowland.” He looked up. “I don’t know him.”
Whiddon shook his head.
“I think perhaps I’ve read something of him.” Tensford frowned. “In the letters published by the Geological Society, perhaps? Yes. Yes.” He grew more excited. “I recall something about a purchase of a major specimen, something that hadn’t been seen before. It had several members excited.”
“Do you have the journals here?” Sterne asked.
