“I’ll be writing from Texas first, Lillian,” Theodosia clarified. “That is where Dr. Wallaby will conduct the interview. He has exhausted his research funds, has left Brazil, and is in Templeton, Texas, waiting for further financial backing. Once he receives the grant, he will return to Brazil. And if he accepts me as his assistant, I will go with him.” Upton put his arm around Theodosia’s shoulder. “You’ve worked very hard for the opportunity. I have no doubt that once Eugene interviews you, he will hire you on the spot. Why, I’d venture to hypothesize that the interview is a mere formality, Theodosia! After all, the two of you have been corresponding for almost two years, and he most certainly understands the extent of your interest and intelligence.”
“That he does,” Lillian agreed, reaching for the envelope in Theodosia’s hand. “May I, darling?” When her sister relinquished it, Lillian opened the envelope. As she unfolded the letter, a stiff oval-shaped paper fell to the bed. “Why, he included a miniature painting of himself,” Lillian exclaimed. “Probably so you will know what to expect when you first see him. How thoughtful.”
“A miniature?” Theodosia asked. “I must have overlooked it.” She glanced at the small painting, then leaned forward for a better view. “My goodness, he looks like you, Upton! Same thin, angular face, long straight nose, bright blue eyes, and gray hair. He’s obviously older than you, but the resemblance is nothing short of amazing.”
“He’s nine years my senior, which would make him fifty-three,” Upton said. “He’d already graduated when I entered Harvard, but he continued to avail himself of the library, and that is where I met him. The two of us soon became a familiar sight on campus, and many people believed he was my older brother. He was a fine friend, Theodosia. A pity he never married and raised children, for I am sure his offspring would have inherited his passion for scientific research. The world might have benefited from their studies. For personal reasons, however, he chose to remain unwed. But he is a good man. Of course, I haven’t seen him in many years, but his reputation remains untarnished. You will be in excellent hands, my dear.”
Nodding her agreement, Lillian scanned the letter. “Upton, Dr. Wallaby writes that Theodosia is to travel to Oates’ Junction, Texas. From there, she will ride to Templeton, in the company of an escort he will send to meet her.”
“You must leave at the first opportunity, Theodosia,” Upton declared.
“Don’t be silly, Upton,” Lillian admonished him. “Our Theodosia will need no less than a month and a half to prepare for her trip. She might need as much as two. One cannot pack a simple overnight bag for such a journey, and there are many things we must purchase for her.”
“Very well,” Upton conceded, smiling indulgently. “You will leave when Lillian deems you are ready, and you will take John the Baptist with you. The parrot will keep you company during your travels.”
“You will also take the gold that Father left to us,” Lillian added. “I’ve kept it for you all these years. You know very well that Dr. Wallaby will be unable to pay you a salary in Brazil. He will need every cent he has to continue with his research. The gold will see to your needs for a long while, and when it is gone, we will sell Father’s business. It continues to thrive, and I am sure we can sell it for a substantial amount of—”
“We will not sell Father’s business, Lillian,” Theodosia argued. “It means as much to you and me as it did to Father, and you know it. And as for the gold, I will take my share of it. You must save your half for—”
“For what? I’ve no one else to spend it on. I— what I mean to say, is that I—”
It took only a moment for Theodosia to understand what Lillian was thinking. There were no Peabody children to spend the gold on, so she wanted Theodosia to have it. “Lillian—”
“You will take the gold. I have no need of it.” Lillian glanced around the opulent bedroom. “I have everything a woman could want. A beautiful home. A loving sister. A wonderful husband. Everything…”
Her voice trailed away as she lost the battle with her sorrow. Tears blinded her to everything except her all-consuming grief. “I have everything except what no one can give me.”
Quickly, Theodosia stepped aside as Upton moved to take Lillian into his arms. Watching the couple cling to each other, she felt a wave of helplessness course through her.
If only there were something she could do to repay them for saving her very life. Something that would make them as happy as they had made her. If only…
Her desperate thoughts ebbed away when the miniature of Dr. Wallaby fluttered to the floor and landed by her foot. For one fleeting moment, she thought it was Upton, not Dr. Wallaby, looking up at her from the dark green carpet.
Same thin, angular face, long straight nose, bright blue eyes, and gray hair.
Same brilliant minds.
An idea struck so suddenly that she staggered backward, forced to grab the bedpost for support. Her distress vanished as swiftly as a shadow confronted by light.
Shewould give her sister what no one else on earth could give her.
A child of Lillian’s own bloodline, one who would inherit many of Lillian and Upton’s personal traits.
And the man who could assist in the creation of that very special child was in Templeton, Texas.
Chapter One
“Dr. Wallaby, would you bewilling to impregnate me?” Oblivious to the appalled stares of the nearby passengers aboard the train, Theodosia hugged her parrot’s cage to her breasts, settled back into her seat, and contemplated the sound of her query. Ever since leaving Boston five days ago, she’d been pondering the all-important question. Now she felt the need to hear it with her own ears.
Nibbling at her bottom lip, she glanced out the window and saw a mass of huge pecan trees. Primrose and thistle painted the edge of the grove with bright hues of pink and purple, and yellow butterflies floated above the flowers like bubbles turned gold by the kiss of the sun.
But the beauty of the landscape began to fade, finally escaping her altogether. She could not concentrate on anything but the estimable Dr. Wallaby. Indeed, she imagined she could see the renowned scientist’s face within the sun-filled windowpane.
“Dr. Wallaby,” she began rehearsing again, “it is imperative that I conceive a child. You meet all the qualifications regarding the paternity of the child, and it would please me enormously if you would consent to be his or her sire. The act required for the conception is, of course, a mere scientific procedure, and I don’t believe I am mistaken in believing that it can be accomplished in a totally objective manner and, no doubt, in a relatively short amount of time.”
Gasps and loud whispering filled the compartment. Theodosia focused her attention on her fellow passengers, noting their mouths were agape. “I apologize for disturbing you. I was conversing with myself.”
“I was conversing with myself,” John the Baptist echoed. “Awk!” he screamed, then splashed a beakful of water onto Theodosia’s dark blue skirt.
