Both she and Rose made their way to the room. Rose looped her arm through hers while they walked. “I think all will turn out well.”
Lisbeth swallowed the lump in her throat. Trying her best to keep the conversation light, she asked, “Who is this Rose Calvert, full of such optimism?”
They both laughed. The other Historical Society for Female Curators board members were chatting in the sitting area. They looked up, and all smiled at her. Esme said, “I’m so glad you are staying for the event.”
Lisbeth said, “Me too.”
Addie’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve heard through a friend that the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition is quite excited about the epic.”
“I can’t believe we’ve done something no other antiquities club has managed.”
Diana glanced at Rose, beaming. “Well, it was mostly you.”
She shook her head. “No, we’ve all accomplished this.”
Addie turned serious. “We can’t get comfortable. We need more artifacts to display.”
Diana laid a list of potential exhibits and partnerships on the table between the ladies. “You will see there are a good number of options from Asia, everything from China to Syria.”
“It is such a large area.”
Diana then pointed to a man in northern England. “I’ve been corresponding with Sir William Halethorpe. He is an avid collector of artifacts from the Iron Age. He plans to allow us to show pieces at Seely House. I believe that will make for a nice, smaller exhibit.”
Lisbeth studied the artifacts from Syria. There was a large statue, more maps, and more minor artifacts. She wondered if they could work with Benjamin on what remained in the cave system. She was confident that they’d sealed it enough.
“The tunnels also house other relics.”
Esme’s eyes brightened. “Mr. Calvert said that we would work there during my stay.”
Lisbeth smiled at Esme. She was the youngest of all of them but had somehow convinced her parents that she should be allowed to study abroad in Syria. Of course, she’d be travelingwith a chaperone—not that Benjamin would allow anything to happen to her.
“Be careful. Thomas and I had quite a scare due to the flash flooding that occurred in the area. The opening to the cavity where the artifacts are is rather small.”
“Can the opening be widened with black powder?” Addie asked.
Sarah Martin looked at her, horrified. Addie sighed. “What have I said now?”
Addie and Diana were vital to their club, but they had the least experience with excavation sites and artifact care. Sarah explained, “It could damage the cave system and the artifacts.”
Lisbeth added. “The villagers do not want anyone using black powder in the caves. They are considered sacred to them.”
Addie nodded, not arguing. Unlike other clubs, they’d implemented a policy to abide by local beliefs at excavation sites. It was part of their plan to partner with owners of antiquities instead of outright purchasing all artifacts.
“Is everything going according to plan for your trip?” Lisbeth asked Esme.
She grinned. “My family has asked me multiple times if I still want to go, but yes. I’m very excited.”
Addie stated, “And Sarah will be going on our first grand tour cruise. Instead of stopping in Tuscany for two weeks. They will stop in Sardinia for three weeks and work with Count De Messina, an associate of Diana’s, on cataloging artifacts there and bringing some back to England.”
“Messina has been wonderful. He is in England for business and will also return on theSS Larkwith Sarah,” Diana added.
Addie’s eyes filled with excitement. “Have you met him, Sarah? I spoke with him at a ball. He is rather swoony.”
A prim and pinched expression crossed Sarah’s face. “I don’t care if he is round or handsome. My interest lies with the cruise for ladies and cataloging of the artifacts.”
They all smiled at her. Sarah was entirely devoted to the study of artifacts and never deviated from the topic. It benefited their club.
“I imagine he will be at the ball Augustus’s mother is hosting,” Rose pointed out.
