“I should like that very much.” Relinquishing his hold on Charlotte, he gave a cheery wave. “Lead the way!”
Charlotte found Alison settled on a bench in the shade of a fragrant Norway spruce and took a seat beside her as Raven flew off to join Wolcott and Hawk. “Thank you for ignoring my sniveling fears and pressing me to do this,” she murmured. “I should know by now in my life that cowardice is always the wrong choice.”
“Oh, pffft. You’re not one to shy away from a challenge. You would have taken the bull by the horns—I simply encouraged you to do it sooner than later.”
A pause. “Not that Hartley bears any resemblance to a bull. The two of you were always kindred souls. While Wynton . . .” The dowager shrugged. “Hmmph, I shall refrain from speaking ill of the dead.”
Instead, Alison quickly turned the talk to the more agreeable topic of the upcoming wedding, and all the many little details that still required attention. They passed a pleasant interlude parsing logistical arrangements—the ceremony was to take place at the local church by Wrexford’s country estate, with a celebratory nuncheon at the ancestral home after the ceremony—until the boys returned and began making thinly-veiled hints about the perils of starvation in the wilds.
“Take the blankets, Weasels, and ferret out a nice flat, sunny spot for the picnic,” called McClellan from the pile of provisions.
Raven feigned a stagger toward the hampers. “I think we may need a ginger biscuit to stave off fainting from hunger.”
“Touch that bag at your own peril,” warned the maid. But after another threatening wag of her finger, she fished out a bundle wrapped in oilcloth. “You may havejust one,and then be off with you.”
Wolcott reappeared a few minutes later, his eyes wide with wonder. “What a marvelous place. Master Hawk tells me there is a room in the main conservatory that showcases the original specimens brought back by Sir Joseph Banks from the South Seas.”
“Would you like to see them after our meal?”
“Oh, very much so!”
With both the boys and her brother anxious to continue their explorations, there was no leisurely lingering over the meal, especially as McClellan spotted Tyler heading from one of the outer hothouses to the lecture room adjoining the Orangery and she waved him over.
“Do join us,” said Charlotte, after introducing him to Wolcott. “We’ve plenty of food—the pigeon pie and apple tart are delicious.”
“Thank you.” The valet accepted a wedge of the pie. “Alas, I can’t stay long. I’ve promised to set the microscope for the afternoon program so that the attendees may have a look at some rare treasures of the Royal Society’s seed collection.”
“May I come help?” volunteered Raven.
“Of course, lad.” Tyler looked to her. “Assuming Lady Charlotte approves.”
“By all means,” she agreed.
“Come to think of it, the storeroom in the Orangery has a shipment of exotic specimens waiting to be shipped north to the University of St. Andrews—a gift from the Royal Society to spread rare botanicals to other teaching gardens in Britain. Hawk might enjoy sketching them while Raven and I work.”
Hawk looked up with a pleading look. “May I, m’lady?”
Tyler’s gaze met hers. “I’ll keep a close watch on both lads so they don’t wander into any mischief.”
“Yes, of course you may. But do have a care not to distract Mr. Tyler from his duties,” said Charlotte. “And as my brother wishes to see Sir Joseph’s famous South Seas collection, I’ll escort him and Alison—”
The dowager, who was comfortably settled beneath a lap robe on a bench in the sun, waved off the suggestion. “You two go on. I shall remain here with McClellan.” She patted back a yawn. “And polish off what remains of the ginger biscuits.”
The boys surreptitiously stuffed their pockets with sweets— still leaving plenty for Alison—and then their little group split up and headed off to their separate destinations.
Charlotte led the way to one of the side entrances to the main conservatory and took her brother through a meandering tour of the various galleries, pleased to hear his frequent expressions of delight as he stopped to admire one new treasure after another.
The way to the South Seas specimens led through one of the reception areas, and as they circled around a group of scholars studying a display of botanical engravings laid out on the worktables, a hail from Sir Robert drew them to a halt.
“Lady Charlotte!” The dowager’s friend stepped away from his colleagues and approached with a friendly smile. “How nice to see you here again. It appears we shall make a botanist of you yet!”
“I fear you shall be disappointed on that,” replied Charlotte dryly. “However, my brother, who is visiting from the north, more than makes up for my sad lack of knowledge.”
Her introduction of Wolcott elicited an enthusiastic response from the baronet. “Why, what a pleasure it is to meet you, Lord Wolcott! One of our Scottish members, Professor Murray from St. Andrews, has made mention of you as a leading member of the botanical society of Leeds.”
“I’m a mere dilettante, but the professor has been very kind in helping me expand my knowledge in the subject. Indeed, he connected me with his good friend and frequent correspondent in New York . . .”
Charlotte caught a sudden tiny movement out of the corner of her eye. One of the scholars had shifted his position, angling himself just a little closer. His face was still hidden, but she immediately recognized the sun-bleached gleam of his auburn hair.
