Bitter Oath (New Atlantis)(5)

‘Do you know where he found it exactly?’

‘No, but I am sure that it would be documented in his Journal.’

‘I would like a chance to read that Journal, if that is at all possible. I do a great deal of travelling in the western regions, and I would like the chance to see one of these creatures for myself.’

Liv exchanged surprised looks with her sister. It was one thing to show a polite interest in specimens on display, it was entirely different matter to want to look more deeply into one, especially one as contentious as the giant earth worm. If he was serious, then it was the most affective compliment to come her way all day.

‘That would be possible, sir. However, it would mean journeying to our home in Yorkshire. The Journals are all there, and my grandfather insisted that none of them leave the family under any circumstance. I am sure my father would be only too pleased to invite you to Foxmoor Manor to further your investigations.’ Liv smiled at the darkly handsome man, and was gratified to receive an answering one.

‘Miss Mulgrave, I would be honoured to pay a visit to your home in Yorkshire. When would be suitable for you?’

‘I will be returning home at the end of the week. How would July suit you? The weather will be at its best by then.’

‘Thank you, Miss Mulgrave. You do me an enormous kindness. I will look forward to the occasion with much impatience.’

With that, the two gentlemen moved off to take in more of the exhibit, leaving the sisters in shocked disarray.

‘What will father say?’ Augusta asked in a hushed voice, her pretty face flushed with excitement.

‘I am sure he will welcome any gentleman who shows such an interest in grandfather’s work. He may not have been interested in his father’s travels and specimens himself, but he was always proud of his work. And though he would have preferred me to have followed a more ladylike path, he never tried to stop my own interests in the field.’

‘Oh, I wish I could be there! Rene L’Angley appears to be a most fascinating companion. But Freddy and I will be going south in July to visit his aunt in Portsmouth.’

Liv gave a little laugh. ‘Wanting to see more of the exotic Mr L’Angley is just a better alternative to visiting Freddy’s aunt.’

‘No, not at all. I saw the way he looked at you. I would love to be a there to watch him court you. He has a better chance than most, I would hazard to guess.’

‘Court?’ Liv laughed a little too loudly this time, completely taken off guard by her sister’s observation. ‘I think not. Unless he wishes to court a two foot long earth worm.’

‘Mark my words, sister dearest, that man has fallen under your spell. Any interest shown in that worm is simply an excuse to see more of you. An offer before the end of summer, I would say. How would you feel about moving to the Americas?’

‘Don’t be a ninny, Gussie, it is not like that at all.’

But, as her sister laughed at her discomfort, Liv had to think more seriously about her suggestion. What if Rene L’Angley was interested in her hand, what would her feelings be on the matter? He was certainly the nearest thing to the perfect man, for her, she had ever met. But it was early days yet. He might have some disgusting habits and debts up to his ears. He might only show an interest in her for her dowry. Many before him had been thus encouraged to pursue her for that prize.

She hoped not. It would be devastating to find such a perfect specimen had feet of clay.





CHAPTER THREE





Spring 2334 New Atlantis, GAIAN CONFEDERACY



Rene stepped back into Start Point eagerly. With a quick greeting to Anders, he hurried from the cavern, intent on researching Sir Hugo Mulgrave more fully. The line of data mentioning his exhibit at the National Museum in 1810 had necessitated a visit to that time. But it had been meant simply as a fishing expedition. He hadn’t expected it to net him these kinds of results. But, within a few days, he’d been able to verify that the Ser Moolgraaff the Obejwe had referred to was, indeed, Sir Hugo Mulgrave. And that his drawing perfectly matched the description of the legendary creature his Midew had spoken of with such awe.

Now he had the year of the expedition, and with some more sleuthing, he would have the details of Mulgrave’s journey. If he couldn’t locate the ship, the date and harbour he arrived in, then he would visit Foxmoor Manor and read the journal of his journey for himself.

The thought of seeing Livianna Mulgrave again was tempting enough for its own sake. Very tempting.

With a light-hearted laugh at the uncharacteristic direction his imagination was taking him, he entered the lift and waited the several seconds it took to transfer him to the surface. As he began striding along toward the moving pathway, which transported citizens out through the different precincts of the city, he took special notice of the pristine, colourful gardens and classical architecture that surrounded him. He had been gone only a few days, and yet this place seemed different somehow. Better. With a start, he realised the optimism that had been warring with his life-long pessimism, over the last few year, was finally winning.

He had found the trail that would take him to the legendary giant earth worm. And once found, he would be able to Retrieve live specimens for his experiments. These new developments weighted the scales heavily toward the positive. For the first time in his exceptionally long life, he felt they might just be able to save their beleaguered planet.

When he had finally been given the go ahead to experiment with Retrieval, not long after the Retrievers brought back the 150 women and children from Poland, he had started Retrieving fast reproducing specimens, to see whether the enforced sterility time travel wrought on humanity was evident in other species. Over a series of months, he had been able to Retrieve and reproduce life forms from single celled organisms right up to small mammals, such as mice. The genetic codes had remained intact and the lifespan seemed unaffected by the journey.

The news had excited the government and scientists everywhere. Others had joined his new branch of the Retrieval Program and a special research facility had been set up next to the Retriever’s headquarters. Naturalists from all fields were lining up for training, so they could become part of the new program.

So now he was certain, if he could find samples of the living worms, he would be able to bring them back alive and capable of reproducing. He would also bring back samples of their soil habitat and replicate it in New Atlantis, to see exactly how these creatures worked their magic. If research on the giant Palouse earthworm (Driloleirus americanus) was accurate, then the creature’s ability to burrow deep into the soil was the key. They could burrow right down to the water tables, and then come back up to the topsoil, to evacuate their moist faeces. This would provide the much needed moisture arid soils required for regeneration.

He remembered the moment he had seen the drawing in the glass display case, just as it had been described to him by his Midew. The exaltation he had felt had been hard to contain, and had morphed into determination when he was introduced to the pretty granddaughters of Mulgrave. Determination became aggression, as he sought to gain access to Mulgrave’s personal journal of the expedition. His behaviour had bordered on impolite, for that society, but he hadn’t cared. If he couldn’t track down the ship, port and date of Mulgrave’s arrival in Canada in 1750, he would have to read the journals to get the information. And he would do almost anything to get what he wanted.

The idea of going to Yorkshire to see Livianna Mulgrave again left him strangely breathless. It wasn’t that there was anything outstanding about her appearance. She looked like every other prissy miss of the time, her golden blonde hair tortured into ridiculous ringlets, her body wrapped in yards of washed out fabric that did nothing for her pale, slightly freckled skin. At least the Regency era had done away with the corsets and other dire torturous pieces of female apparel. And they wore no makeup, which was another blessing.

But for all Livianna’s average appearance, there had been something about her that had drawn his eye, even before she was pointed out to him as Mulgrave’s curator. It might have been the soft laughter he’d heard coming from that corner of the quiet room. Or the pleasing blush her cheeks seemed prone to. Or could it be the liquid brown eyes that reminded him of a fawn’s. Whatever it was, he had been drawn to meet her.

Then, when he realised that she was no typical ninny of that time, but an intelligent, articulate and educated woman, his interest had increased. And when she had looked deeply into his eyes, it was as if she saw right into his soul. It had been disconcerting, that in-depth scrutiny. But oddly rewarding. And he still carried that image of her in his mind, popping up at odd moments when his preoccupation with his research waned for a moment.

He half hoped the computers would not be able to locate information on Mulgrave’s journey. Seeing her again would be a bonus.

With light steps, he strode along the moving walkway toward the new research facility. And just as he left that path and started walking along between the Retriever’s buildings, he heard someone call his name.