“Remarkable, isn’t she? Painted in hot wax, which is why it has that depth.”
“Oh, I’ve read of such things. There are very few examples.”
“So I gather. It wasn’t Ombrow’s. Came across that two weeks ago and snatched at it. Some people grind up mummies, you know, believing the powder is a potent cure for everything that ails them. Atrocious if that happened to such a rare thing.”
“Yes, indeed,” Ariana said, almost sick at the thought, but what her mind conjured was that happening to a young woman, not a mere antiquity. “Is anything known about her?”
“There’s no writing. I’ll have some experts in to have a look.”
“Have them treat her with respect. She seems so real. Alive even.” Ariana shut up before she sounded entirely mad.
She found she needed to name the young woman. Cleo. That sweet, curious person could never have been a resolute queen, but the name pleased. She was Cleo, and she must be treated with respect. That meant she couldn’t remain in the corner of a basement forever, but where should she be?
Peake said, “I see two chairs over there. Come along.”
Ariana followed him, looking around for Kynaston. He wasn’t there. Was he so squeamish about an ancient corpse that he’d fled the house? Ah well, she was capable of making her way back to Albemarle Street.
She thought the lecture about the possibility of living on the moon more fancy than fact, but it was entertaining. A quite serious discussion followed, including speculation on the various means of getting there. Someone even suggested a ladder, citing Jacob’s ladder of angels. Ethel said nothing, but Ariana could read her expression.
Eventually a door was opened to reveal a room set with refreshments, but Ariana realized time was flyingby. She found her host and thanked him. “I must leave now, Mr. Peake. I’ve enjoyed this very much.”
“You must come again when I have fewer guests, my dear.”
“I’d like that, but I fear I’ll be engaged in social fripperies.”
“Break free of them.”
She considered him. “You seem very sure I can.”
“I’ve lived a long life, Lady Ariana, and rarely done what I was supposed to.”
“You’re a man.”
“A definite advantage, yes, but I’ve known women who made their own way. If you can’t return sooner, the Curious Creatures now meet every two weeks on a Tuesday. The meeting after next falls on Christmas Day, so we’ll be a small gathering, but we’ll have a feast and a discussion of the Christmas star.”
“I’ll be at Boxstall then.”
But at that moment Ariana realized that if her plan worked, she wouldn’t be. She could be spending Christmas at the home of her new husband. Why had she never thought ahead to that point?
“Then perhaps when next you return to Town,” Peake said.
Such confidence of life rolling on, year to year with few changes.
“If I can,” Ariana said, and added, “Lord Kynaston seems to have left, so I’ll need someone to summon a hackney.”
“There’s a bell in the hall that’ll summon a servant, but the earl might be lurking somewhere, avoiding fancies about the moon.”
“I doubt Lord Kynaston ever lurks.”
“All wise men do when advisable, Lady Ariana,and he’ll know the quiet spots. This was his house, you know.”
“Hishouse?”
“Bought the lease off him. Through his agents, that is. He was abroad until recently. I hope the changes didn’t upset him.”
Some of Kynaston’s behavior now made sense. “I think perhaps they did.”
“Odd the way people sell a place, then expect the new owners to keep it as it was. I must return to my guests, Lady Ariana. Ring the bell by the hall fireplace and a servant will come up.”
