The excellent condition of the roads and lack of summer rain allowed Rupert’s carriage, borrowed from the duke, to arrive well before dinner. Two hours of travel had not at all dampened his curiosity or dimmed his hope that Alice would understand.
Rupert exited the coach, Billings behind him giving directions to the footmen, and he took in his father’s estate with a critical eye. It was not even a quarter of the size of the duke’s castle. But it was more comfortable than the castle would ever be, with a more welcoming air, because it was home. He climbed the steps to enter between the two wide columns that marked the doorway, then stepped into the hall. The floor was finely polished wood instead of marble, the staircase not sweeping but elegant enough for his tastes.
His mother appeared at the top step. “Rupert, darling! Welcome home.” She came down, one hand upon the rail, and he met her halfway with a quick embrace.
“Mother, I have missed you.”
She leaned away and shook a finger at him. “You ought to have come home more, young man. The duke’s house is not so far as to make a visit every fortnight impossible. Or you could have written.”
"I know,” he admitted, one arm around his mother’s shoulders as he turned so they might both walk up the stairs. “I am afraid I have been rather caught up in my work.”
He had been head and shoulders taller than her since his fourteenth birthday, and walking with her thus was quite natural. Not many English boys could boast of having a mother such as his—a woman of understanding and love who had never felt the need to smother her son with either.
“That is hardly an excuse. I never allowed your father to neglect me in his pursuits of science, and I shall not allow it of you.” She parted from him at the top of the stairs. “Whatever will happen if you find a wife and she thinks you prefer your insects to her company?”
An image of Alice’s amused smile overtook Rupert’s thoughts, and he had to chuckle at his mother’s question. “I will do my utmost to ensure my wife knows the place she holds in my heart.”
Something about his tone appeared to startle his mother, as she folded her hands before her and drew herself up, peering into his eyes. “I think that is the first time you have met the subject of a wife with a smile.”
Rupert cleared his throat and diverted his gaze. “Where is Father hiding today? The urgency of his summons made me believe he would be waiting for me at the gates.”
“You know your father. Anything to do with the Royal Society...” She let her words trail away with a wave. “He is in his study.”
Rupert’s eyebrows lifted, and he turned toward the corridor leading to his father’s sanctum. The Royal Society? His father had mentioned nothing to do with the body of science-minded gentlemen in his note.
“Oh, go on with you. Neither of you are fit company until you have discussed all things genus and species.” She gave Rupert a gentle push on the shoulder. “Have it out, then we can talk of other things at dinner.”
Rupert dropped a quick kiss upon his mother’s cheek. “You are an angel, Mother.” He swept off to his father’s study, his mind turning over the possibilities of scientific news important enough to merit interrupting his stay at Castle Clairvoir. A new discovery, perhaps? Some proclamation made by their greatest patron, the Regent?
He knocked on the sturdy oak door, the same he had approached day after day in his childhood to proudly show his father some new thing found in the grove of trees near their home. Bird feathers his father always knew the origin of, acorn tops, and any number of insects.
Thankfully, though his father thought the most of birds, he never discouraged Rupert’s curiosity of the world around him.
“Enter,” came the command from the other side of the door.
Rupert stepped into the study, posture correct and grin wide. “Greetings, Father.”
Reginald Gardiner rose from behind his desk and came around the corner of the impressive piece of furniture. “Rupert, my boy. You are here with such speed. Thank you for that.” He extended his hand in welcome, and Rupert took it in a firm shake.
“You raised me a dutiful son, Father. When you asked that I come with all speed, I obeyed.” Despite what it meant to take his leave of Alice in such a shoddy way. Rupert tried to ignore his guilt—he had left the note, after all. That would be enough. “Though your summons was distressingly vague. Are you in good health?”
“The best.” Father stood back and thumped a fist against his chest, over his heart. Only twenty-three years separated father and son, as his parents had married young. Rupert had the privilege of inheriting his father’s fine features and stature, the two of them close enough in appearance that people could not help connecting them. “I trust His Grace was not too reluctant to let you leave him?”
Rupert shrugged, remembering the perplexed frown of the duke. “His Grace understands familial duty.”
“Of course, of course. Here, sit down. I need you to read something.” He went to his desk and opened the top drawer while Rupert lowered himself into one of the comfortable chairs on the other side. “I just received this letter from the clerk of the Royal Society yesterday.”
Rupert accepted the creased paper, giving it his full attention as he read.
To Mr. Reginald Gardiner, Fellow of the Royal Society,
Greetings,
I am staying in Leicester, near your home in South Croxton. As we have had occasion to exchange letters on your observations of bird behavior during certain astronomical events, I hope you will not think it presumptuous of me to ask if I might pay you a call.
It is always a pleasure to meet with other members of our esteemed society to discuss the world of science and our respective disciplines.
Sincerely,
Mr. Stephen Lee
Clerk & Librarian of the LRS
Rupert read through the letter again. “Mr. Lee is coming here? When?”
“Day-after-tomorrow. I have invited him to stay for two days.” Father puffed out his chest with pleasure. “It is nearly as good as receiving a visit from Sir Joseph Banks.” His father spoke the name of the president with reverence, as most in the scientific community would. Sir Joseph had been president for forty years and had inducted Reginald Gardiner into the Society as a fellow when Rupert was still a boy.
“But what does Mr. Lee’s coming have to do with me?” Rupert returned the letter to his father. As the Society had yet to invite Rupert to join as a fellow and had rejected several articles he had attempted to publish through their journal, Mr. Lee’s arrival obviously had nothing to do with him.
“As clever as you are, my boy, can you not work it out?” His father tossed the letter to the desk before leaning against it, folding his arms over his chest. “This is your chance. Mr. Lee has served as clerk and librarian of the Society for years. He is trusted by Sir Joseph and well known to every person on the membership committee. To have his acquaintance will bring you another step closer to joining the society yourself.”
Rupert stared at his father, working out the logic for himself. “But—the Royal Society has spoken of limiting membership of late, due to the very fact that too many people are allowing friends and acquaintances in to give them distinction, despite their lack of scientific bend or knowledge. As much as I would like to be published, I cannot think they will allow me in when my work has been trivial compared to other men.”