“I can show you our packing lists,” Rascomb said. “Ophelia can make you a copy to take with you. You’ll see what we need to bring. Then of course, we rope ourselves together in storms, or places that it is treacherous.”
Eleanor nodded, pleased to be considered by the viscount. He wasn’t dismissing her because she was a young lady, and that was a very pleasant feeling. She liked him, and she liked Ophelia, even if she felt an utter fool standing in front of them, pretending to know something.
“Perhaps you could show us another knot to practice?” Ophelia prompted.
Eleanor nodded, grateful for the direction. She certainly didn’t want any of them getting splinters from the manila rope,but if she convinced them of its qualities, then they would need to grow accustomed to it.
“To determine what you need, I’ll clarify some terms. A hitch is when the rope will hold fast to another object.”
“Like hitching a pony to a cart?” Justine asked.
“Yes, very good.” Eleanor relaxed her shoulders. “A bend unites two rope ends, and a knob is well, a knob in the rope, to help provide a handhold. What type would be best for you to learn?” Eleanor expected some discussion, but instead, the room looked to Ophelia. And it was then that Eleanor realized that this expedition was not Lord Rascomb’s project, it was his daughter’s. She would lead. The very idea of it was unexpected, and frankly, revolutionary.
“What would be the best knot for us to use when tying into a safety rope?” Ophelia asked.
Eleanor frowned. She didn’t know that term. “A single rope that goes around each climber’s waist?”
Ophelia nodded.
Eleanor bit her lip. “I’ll think about it more, but right now, that would be classified as a hitch.”
“A hitch, then, please.” Ophelia smiled, clearly encouraging Eleanor.
“Right. Well, I think since the purpose of a safety rope is to prevent one member from falling, then we should learn a noose.”
“Sounds terrible,” quipped Tristan from the back.
“Someone ought to put a noose on you,” Justine shot back.
Eleanor didn’t know how to respond to their comments, so she plowed on. “A noose is a sliding knot, so when walking, it shouldn’t be too constrictive, but it will draw tight when the standing part—that would be the long portion of the rope between people—is pulled.”
They all looked at her expectantly. She didn’t know how to use words to describe what she was doing, so she heldup her rope instead. There were several nooses that would be appropriate, but she wondered what her pupils would be able to learn well. A familiar shape ought to work. “Today we will learn the figure-eight noose, as it draws up quite smoothly.”
Everyone in the room, including her father, followed along. It was one of the simpler knots, and made a clear figure eight, the infinity sign.
“Just like on my dress!” Ophelia cried when she made fast her noose.
Eleanor nodded, pleased that Ophelia remembered. She bid them practice, and they set about, working their manila practice ropes. All except her father, who showed off to her mother by tying intricate designs instead. Her mother giggled, their hold over each other firmer than any knot.
At that moment, Lady Rascomb came in, her cane striking the floor ahead of her steps. Eleanor was suddenly very curious about this woman, as she was the exact opposite of Eleanor’s mama, who was currently looking extremely impatient, with her lips pressed together in a thin line.
As all the faces swiveled to the door, instead of still facing Eleanor, she sighed in relief. Lady Rascomb caught her posture and smiled. “A rather small gathering tonight. Are you finished for the evening?” Lady Rascomb asked Ophelia.
Ophelia looked at Eleanor, noting no doubt the sag of her shoulders. “I think so. We will practice these two knots until Miss Piper meets us again.”
“Perhaps the Pipers should like to join us for some tea?” Lady Rascomb addressed her question to Eleanor’s mother, who jumped to her feet.
“Oh, we would hate to impose.” Which wasn’t true at all. Her mother would use the viscountess’s name to impress her friends and acquaintances for months.
Tristan stood. “I have to meet a friend. My sincere apologies. Excuse me.”
The other man in the back, whom Eleanor had not met, stood as well. “If you have a friend to meet, then I do as well.” His button nose was an echo of Miss Brewer’s, so Eleanor assumed he was her relation.
But the excuse was clearly a flimsy one. Eleanor tried to not feel slighted, but she did. Was she so boring? Was she so inconsequential that he couldn’t manage an entire evening in her company?
“Port for the gentlemen who remain, of course,” Lady Rascomb smiled. Her blonde hair was clearly where Tristan and Ophelia had gotten theirs. “Darling, will you escort Mr. Piper to your study, since the boys won’t be staying, while I have the footmen tidy things up in here?”
Chapter Three
