Page 32 of The Butler and the Bluestocking
“Nedhelm should send invitations to York’s leading ladies to attend Lady Bess’s groundbreaking seminar. From what little I have seen, the mania for all things Egyptian is as strong here in York as it is in London.”
“That is an excellent idea. I will speak with Nedhelm this afternoon about changing the seminar from society members only to by invitation only. That way all the society members can be invited, and we can still prevent most of the more biased gentlemen from speaking out when in the presence of the powerful society women in attendance.”
“Then I will bid you good day. I will keep you apprised of my success with Lady Twisden or the lack of same.”
“I will inform you of my progress as well, Kellborn. Thank you.”
“You are welcome, Marr. Let us agree to meet more often in the future.”
“Certainly. Good day to you, my friend.”
“And to you, Marr.”
Malcolm went in search of a hackney, leaving Kellborn hurrying to attend his next appointment. Mal smiled as he gave the driver directions to Nedhelm’s residence. Everything that could be done would be done to make Bess’s seminar one of the most memorable in York history. If she could never bring herself to love him, he must be satisfied with knowing that he’d seen her greatest wish fulfilled. He refused to believe that she would continue to deny his suit when she learned the lengths to which he would go to please her, simply because he loved her.
Chapter Fifteen
“These discoveries bynoted scholars Young, Champollion, Heyne, Akerblad, de Sacy and innumerable assistants are the foundation upon which will be based an accurate translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Much remains to be explored about Egyptian history and the arts of this culture. However, before that work can begin, a thorough and accurate understanding of the Egyptian language is essential. That will be the greatest success of those who translate the Rosetta Stone.” As she moved into her closing remarks, Bess locked gazes with Mr. Nedhelm.
“My fellow scholars, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you, the York Antiquarian Society, Mr. and Mrs. Nedhelm, and Mr. Thomas Young for making possible this opportunity to share the latest information about the Egyptian language and the work being done to increase our knowledge of that subject.”
As she finished speaking a silence reigned.Good lord, have I embarrassed myself and the society with this speech?What will happen to Patience and the girls if I’ve ruined our reputations?
She no sooner formed the thoughts than applause erupted, so loud that she gripped the sides of the lectern to keep herself from dashing off the podium, screaming in fright. Awestruck was a mild word to describe what she felt as every member of the audience stood.
Very soon, Mr. Nedhelm joined her and gave her a large bouquet of yellow roses.
What in the world? She pried her hands from the lectern and accepted the flowers, unable to think of any reason to refuse them.Roses are given to opera singers and actors.I am neither of those.
Nedhelm nudged her politely to the far side of the lectern then raised his hands for silence.
The audience sat, and the noise subsided to the moderate level of waves on a peaceful seashore.
“Ladies, gentlemen, respected guests and scholars, thank you all for attending this inaugural meeting of the York Antiquarian Society’s Lady Scholars Auxiliary. You are all invited to join our speaker and the membership of the York Antiquarian Society at a supper dance to be held tomorrow evening at the Smithson Assembly Rooms. Since the hour grows late, please, hold any questions you have for our distinguished speaker, who I understand has a commitment elsewhere. There will be plenty of opportunity to speak with Lady Elizabeth Bigglesworth at the supper and dance.”
He finished speaking with a bow then hurried Bess off the podium and into a small backroom of the Antiquarian Society building.
