“That is an excellent question. Once Miss Calvert started deciphering the text, we quickly discovered we were missing the last third of the story. The club worked with the solicitor, Mr. Abbas, and the London Society of Antiquaries to find the rest of the ancient tale that was suspected to be on two tablets in a cave system in Syria.”
“How did the London Society of Antiquaries help?”
Lisbeth smiled. “In their vaults, they had a very old map that gave us an idea of where to look for the tablets. Thomas Easton and I journeyed into a cave system to find the artifacts. Mr. Abbas was there as well. It was quite an adventure. Mr. Easton was swept away and pushed out into a river.”
All the ladies sighed. Thomas from the back said, “Her Grace is being far too kind. She is the one who retrieved the last two tablets containing the end of the epic.”
Ladies beamed at her, and one raised her arm. “Did you really marry Mr. Easton?”
More women giggled, and the noise sent a chill down Lisbeth’s back. Thomas said from the back. “Yes, we are married.”
A few ladies applauded, and some actually booed. Lisbeth refocused the conversation, growing uncomfortable. “Why don’t we listen to Miss Calvert explain the end of Belit and Sibri’s story? It’s a wonderful ending, I promise.”
Several ladies sighed. She smiled at Rose, who stepped forward and said, “Before I explain the rest of the tale, let’s applaud the new Mrs. Easton on finding the tablets.”
The room broke out in loud applause. Lisbeth blushed, and her eyes connected with Thomas’s, who grinned proudly at her. It was good that she attended.
Rose stated, “The last two tablets are the most exciting, but let’s do a quick summarization of what has happened so far. Belit is a guard, and he falls in love with the princess Sibri. The king says the only way he can be with her is if he obtains the golden fruit. Our hero sets off on his quest and encounters many challenges, but eventually he finds the fruit.”
“He befriends the monster guarding it,” a lady burst out.
Lisbeth and Rose both smiled at her excitement. Rose nodded. “Yes, and at the end of the third tablet, he is on his way to claim Sibri as his. The recently discovered tablets reveal he encounters several problems but overcomes them. His biggest battle is with the king. They’ve agreed to fight to the death, but in the end, Belit grants him mercy. The king allows him to marry Sibri. They rule their kingdom for twenty years.”
People applauded. Addie stepped forward. “We have art representing the story and the deciphered text for the last two tablets in the exhibit room.”
Men and women started to stand, excited to see the display. Happiness and pride coursed through Lisbeth. The club had accomplished this. She caught the eyes of Diana, who was walking with the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition. She beamed at Lisbeth. Had they pulled it off? Were they to be given a space?
Addie looped her arm through Lisbeth’s. “I think we’ve done it!”
*
Thomas stood nextto Devons, grinning as he watched all the ladies of the Historical Society for Female Curators thank their well-wishers. They’d concluded their talk a couple of hours ago, but plenty of people still lingered to speak with them.
“Diana told me that the Royal Commission of the Great Exhibition offered them a place in the Crystal Palace that is being built.”
He nodded. “I’m glad they were admitted. It would have been outrageous for them to be denied. They hold the only fully deciphered epic.”
Devons nodded and chuckled. “When I signed on to work with them, I was skeptical how successful this club would be, but I am damn impressed.”
“Me too,” Thomas said.
“All of society is talking about some grand estate you are building right out of London. I suppose that means you plan to stay. I’m glad I will have another husband to spend time with, while our ladies are challenging the world.”
“Agree.”
“What are the two of you talking about?” Sinclair asked, joining them.
Devons grinned. “That we need our own husband’s club for the Historical Society for Female Curators.”
Sinclair nodded. “There are three of us now.”
Thomas watched Lisbeth as she explained the details of the tablets to a young teenage girl. Sadness lurked in her eyes, and he suspected it was because she’d fought with Alice earlier. Alice had been excited to attend the event, but they’d decided to bring her when it wasn’t so crowded. Just in case there was any validity to his admirer being dangerous.
She’d been so upset, but Thomas was glad they’d made her stay back. The place had been overwhelmed with a crush of people today. They could lose sight of her within seconds. Lisbeth smiled at him from across the room. He said, “Excuse me, gentleman. I think I will join my wife.”
They nodded. Once Thomas reached Lisbeth, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m so proud of you.”
She smiled. “Thank you. We obtained a spot in the Great Exhibition. They are calling the space being created the Crystal Palace. We will have to take Alice and Jeremy there to make up for not attending here.”
