“Because only an explorer will see that our future lies in science. The advancement that comes about because of discoveries.”
Her father coughed. “Newspapers . . .”
“Hush, Liam. El, I know there are other men who will understand.”
“But if they are noble, they will want children.Iwill never want children. I want to explore. To travel. Children are noisy and unruly. They never listen. And they do not read.”
“They will learn, just as you did.”
“Not soon enough. And I do not want just any man. I want an explorer. I want someone who understands.” Her lower lip protruded. “I want the captain.”
“Do not pout. It is not ladylike. Anyway, you have many years to spend learning and doing your own exploring before you can marry. Almost ten years. And exploration of our world is not limited to your dear captain. There are many others. Therewill bemany others. We still have a great deal to learn about this astonishing planet of ours. Expeditions are launching almost every week.”
“Do women ever go on these expeditions?”
The earl coughed.
Her mother stroked Elspeth’s hair. “No, darling. Not usually. It is considered too dangerous for women.”
“Is that why you have never gone on an expedition?”
Anna paused, glanced at Elspeth’s father, then cleared her throat. “Yes. It is.”
“Why is it too dangerous for the women but not the men?”
“Too many newspapers.”
“Liam.” Anna frowned, then plucked a leaf from the back of Elspeth’s hair, smoothing it on the table. “Darling, I will have to explain that to you when you are older. It is more complicated than it seems.” She shifted them both in her chair, turning toward her book and reaching for her spectacles. “For now, let me show you the flower Ihave been reading about. Most exotic and beautiful.”
Elspeth peered at a full-page illustration of a brilliant blue, spiky flower with a dark center. The disk-shaped bloom looked as if it were about to take flight.
Anna pointed at the description on the opposite page. “It is called thePassiflora caerulea, or blue passionflower. It was first discovered in Peru but was brought to Europe in the 1600s. Now it grows all over. Parts of it are edible, and it has been used in medicines. Look at those colors!”
Elspeth ran her fingers over the drawing, her mind captivated by her mother’s love of all things botany. As her grief dissipated, Elspeth moved to a chair beside her mother, kneeling on the seat and leaning over the table. They examined several of the plants illustrated in the book, and Anna’s passion for the flora of their world enveloped Elspeth in a warm cocoon of knowledge and love. Elspeth cherished these moments, holding them close in her mind and heart. They seemed to spark her own adoration of plants—and explorers, those gallant men who searched the world over for new discoveries.
Later that night, as Elspeth lay in her bedchamber on the fourth floor of the house, she sent up a quick prayer that—woman or not—she would be allowed to explore the world in her own way.
In the room next door, her sisters burst into squeals of delight, followed by raucous giggles.
Hopefully, Elspeth added to her prayer, without children in tow.
Chapter One
Monday, 5 September 1814
Falmouth Docks
Cornwall, England
Her father wouldhave been mortified at this all-too-public embrace that went on far too long, but Elspeth could not have cared less about anyone’s opinion in this moment, this parting that felt like the end of the world. Eleanor Asquith Rydell, Elspeth’s most treasured friend, was leaving, embarking on the very adventure Elspeth had longed for her entire life. The journey had come by way of the new husband who loved Ella with all his heart, who supported every dream his new wife could conceive.
Elspeth felt both forlorn and envious. She might never see Ella again—or experience the life her friend was about to find.
Although two years younger, Ella had clung to Elspeth’s side from the instant they had met at one of the interminable soirees held every season. They had continued to meet at all the teas and other social events debutantes frequented, their sarcastic banter providing entertainment during even the most boring of events. They had become fast friends, referring to themselves as “the two Els of theton.”
Then Ella’s family had had a financial setback, followed by a majorrow among her siblings, and Ella had spent almost ten years as a paid companion for another noblewoman.
Elspeth’s parents, horrified by the ruin of the Asquith family, had forbidden her to ever see Ella again. Elspeth had been devastated, until the always-clever Ella found a way for them the exchange letters through the servants—a collection of missive Elspeth reread whenever she needed cheering up. Then, just this year, Ella’s fortunes had turned once more, and she had married well and for love to Sir Gordon Rydell, a cousin to the Duke of Embleton and a baronet by decree. His businesses and investments, many based overseas, had made him a substantial fortune. Now he and Ella—who had never wanted to travel—were bound for America, to oversee those concerns.
