“With all humility, I must admit that I’m better than average at clever remarks and have a flair for getting people to dislike me,” said Aunt Margaret.
“Not to mention that you could have started a war with your insults to Sir Burp.” Anthony tugged at his waistcoat. “Now you have me mispronouncing his name. And with humility?” He choked on that notion.
“Those qualities must be hereditary, don’t you think, Miss Thorne?” Aunt Margaret pressed a hand to her chest, and then turned to engage with the older woman beside her. How good she was at chopping him into little pieces.
Rachel giggled. “She is a genius of a woman. Do you think she really needs the ear horn?”
He tipped his head back and downed his drink. “The thought has crossed my mind.”
“Captain Johnson, is coming toward us. He is the brother of the recluse whose abandoned home we rode by two weeks ago when you gave me a tour of the estate. He is one of the interesting people I’ve met this evening. I’ll remind you to take care of your remarks. Every time you speak, your mind is on parade.”
The sea captain bowed and raised his head like an old turtle, lifting his head out of the sand. “So good to see you again, Miss Thorne, Lord Rutland and Lady Margaret.”
Rachel bobbed up on her toes. “I’ve had a lovely conversation with Captain Johnson this evening. He lives in the village and has invited Aunt Margaret and me to tea.”
Captain Johnson pointed with his clay pipe, the bowl of which was a carved caricature of a bearded, turbaned Indian. “Miss Thorne has been charming me with how much she knows of ships. Never met a more knowledgeable female. Interesting, her theories on bilge pumps. And her knowledge on sailing and the seas. Why she could be one of those infamous Colonial privateers.”
Anthony choked, thankful Captain Johnson was pulled into conversation by Aunt Margaret before any questions could be asked about Rachel’s lineage. An elderly gentleman stepped in front of them and bowed. The din of the crowd prevented Anthony from catching his name.
“Miss Thorne, I have a question on our earlier discussion on some of the plants you described in the New World. Slippery Elm, Witch Hazel and Skull Cap. What again were their medicinal uses?”
Rachel warmed to the topic. “A tea of Slippery Elm is used for intestinal disorders, sore throat, gout and arthritis, we boil the stems of Witch Hazel to treat bruises, swelling and to stop bleeding. Skull Cap is a tonic for the kidney and female complaints.”
Anthony looked heavenward. She was an expert in botany?
“Miss Thorne absolutely bewitches me with her knowledge of plants and their medicinal uses. Fascinating, isn’t she?”
For the life of him, Anthony couldn’t remember who the gentleman was despite his nagging familiarity.
Rachel protested. “I cannot lay claim to the knowledge. Many of the treatments from these plants we learned from the Indians, Mr. Banks.”
Joseph Banks.Anthony grabbed a glass of wine from a tray from a passing servant. The president of the Royal Society was in attendance and she had him eating out of her hand?
“And I am not the least bit fascinating,” Rachel said, and gave Anthony a quick wink. “Lord Rutland is coming up with something that will be revolutionary. Aren’t you?”
“What is it?” Joseph Banks coaxed.
Anthony choked on his drink.
“He cannot tell. Cannot give one hint of his work,” she dared to answer for him. “At least, not yet.”
Anthony narrowed his eyes.Wait until I get you home so I can wring your neck.
“But his discovery will gain him entrance into the Royal Society.” She pressed Joseph Banks.
“If his revelation is as sensational as you have mentioned, Miss Thorne, then his entrance is with certainty.”
Anthony could not believe his ears. A compliment from the world’s most famous botanist?
When he bowed and left, Anthony turned on her. “There you go again, making promises that I may never meet. Don’t you know that an entry is voted on by subcommittees of fellow scientists, not demanded by a Colonial? All of England will be laughing at me.”
“Don’t worry. I have full confidence in your ability.”
Anthony growled. “How will that happen, attending tea parties and soirees?”
“Now that we are on that subject. Aren’t you glad you came? You have met so many illustrious people.”
“Besides you, Joseph Banks, Captain Johnson and Aunt Margaret?” Anthony scanned the room. “The rest were born at the top of the stupid tree and have fallen, hitting every branch on the way down.”
