by Abby Ayles
“Pardon me,” Raven said with a slight bow to the bird as they stood before it.
* * *
“Nutters?” He asked turning back to his companion. “An interesting name.”
* * *
“She loves nuts. She can crack open any nut we have presented her with that strong beak of hers. You should see her with walnuts. She just cracks them open and peels back the shattered shell, picking out the meat with her tongue.”
* * *
Raven studied the woman as she spoke. In all honesty, he was sure this was the first moment she had looked alive since being in the place. She truly had a shared passion for the natural world, though it seemed that, unlike the members of this museum and her father, she had a love for the living creatures in their element.
* * *
“She can talk too,” Lady Alexandra added with a bit of pride.
* * *
“Really? What can she say then?”
* * *
Lady Alexandra took a step closer to Miss Nutters to catch her full attention.
* * *
“Good morning, Miss Nutters.”
* * *
“Good morning,” the bird replied in its high pitched tone.
* * *
“How are you today,” she continued.
* * *
The bird bobbed her head up and down in anticipation of this practiced conversation.
* * *
“Very well, indeed, very well indeed,” she repeated with excitement.
* * *
“Good girl,” Lady Alexandra cooed smoothing down the crown feathers that had puffed out, ending the little performance.
* * *
“Very impressive,” Raven said with a relaxed smile.
* * *
She turned to face him with a wide, bright smile on her face. For the first time since he met Lady Alexandra, she actually looked her youthful age unmarred by stress and worry. He had the strong desire to tell her so but thought better of it. She had no choice in her lot in life or the stress it brought upon her. He was determined, however, to at least alleviate it any way he could.
* * *
“This is all very impressive,” he reiterated when he saw her lit face fall in shyness.
* * *
“Well, at least one person thinks so,” she replied walking away from the bird after a final pet.
* * *
“How is it that your tropical oasis hasn’t attracted more people?”
* * *
“Well, this is the first spring that we are completely ready. It took time for the plants to mature, of course, and Miss Nutters only joined us last year. It is still early in the year, of course, so I am hoping more will come as the months pass. I had the Zoological Society walk the space last fall, and they gave me some constructive tips as well as encouraging words about returning again to have their yearly banquet here.”
* * *
“You plan to host events in the room,” Raven said finding it to be a superb idea if done correctly.
* * *
“I do hope so. So often Father’s museum only caters to families who bring small children for a leisurely trip. Really the lectures do little to bring in customers and is more just a way for an aspiring scientist to learn and grow. I feel it is necessary to add more uses. It's such a lovely building it could have so many wonderful uses.”
* * *
Raven realized she was trying to explain away a relatively new idea that she assumed he thought of as odd.
* * *
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I am on the Zoological Society’s board. I would be happy to bring up this option at their next meeting.”
* * *
“I could never ask of such a favor,” Lady Alexandra waved off his offer.
* * *
“It is no favor at all. I will be returning to the society after many years of not being in attendance. I will need some sort of offering to appease them over my absence.”
* * *
He didn’t add that he was also a principal benefactor for the society, and whether Raven showed up or not, the men of that society would happily accept any recommendation for their yearly banquet from him as he often provided the funds for it though he himself had not attended in some time.
* * *
“Show me what plans you have to hold such events?” Raven said quickly to stop her discouragement again.
* * *
They walked a little way farther. The whole pebble path seemed to wind its way around the edge of the enclosure with the center full of lush greenery. When they reached the almost halfway point of the room, a fork appeared in the path.
* * *
Lady Alexandra led him along the path that led straight into the heart of the room. He guessed that it was at least, if not bigger than the size of the museum that the greenhouse was attached to with its own overarching two-story walls.
* * *
As they walked, they seemed to become encased with the greenery on either side so that you could just make out the glass paneling above through the splits in tree leaves. Raven recognized most of these plants from the short time he spent in the West Indies and knew them to be leafing plants all year around. It created a magical tunnel-like walkway.
* * *
“I have made this path wider,” Lady Alexandra explained, “so as to accommodate pedestrians as well as a row of lanterns to light the way for a night venue.”
* * *
He nodded in understanding, taking it all in. Finally, the walkway opened up into a large open area. It was surrounded on all sides with just the one entrance. Surrounding the area was a wall of vibrant greenery. The floor was made of slates of stone smoothed out to almost a completely flat surface.
* * *
“I wanted the room to be wide and open. Of course, I would make sure that it was spotless,” she added, kicking a stray fallen palm leaf to the side with the tip of her shoe. “I also have a man who regularly cleans the windows, inside and out of course, so that the night sky would shine brightly should the timing allow it.”
* * *
At that particular moment, beautiful rays of light reflecting from the glass encasement were streaming down in angelic beams.
* * *
“I think it looks remarkable in here,” Raven commented with honesty.
* * *
The room was wholly circled by the beautiful plans already giving off the tropical perfumes of flowers just about to bloom. Raven couldn’t believe she was able to keep these plants - so accustomed to the tropical climate - not only alive but flourishing in here. He even spied a palm tree with bananas growing on it. It was surely a treat most Londoners had never seen or tasted.
* * *
“I am hoping to use the space for both a dining hall as well as a ballroom so that anyone can use it for their needs.”
* * *
“It seems a bit narrow of a walkway for tables and chairs to be brought in for dining,” Raven said, full of interest. He did not doubt that she had some ingenious solution to that problem.
* * *
“There is a second service entrance, though it is covered, just across from us,” she pointed to the area that was nearest to the door of the greenhouse. “I want the guests to walk the length first and experience the beauty of the room before coming straight into this little enclosure.”
* * *
“Very sensible. And what about the food for a banquet?”
* * *
“There is actually a fully serviceable kitchen area in the main building on the first floor. It was always used as storage, but I have been working already to get it ready and acquire the necessary staff. Men have their halls and clubs; I thought there might be a use of such a thing but for anyone. Private balls could be held here, society events,” she said with a nod in his direction though her mind was far from the duke.
* * *
Instead, he could see behind her irises the image
s that she already created for the future of this space and the museum on the whole.
* * *
“I don’t think I have ever encountered a woman with such a head for business let alone with the foresight to see such a spectacular novelty never created before.”
* * *
“Well, certainly there are halls for public events,” she said modestly.
* * *
“Yes, that is true. But what you have here is far superior than empty spaces. This is an entire experience in one place. In fact, I would say you have convinced me.”
* * *
“Convinced you of what, your grace?” Lady Alexandra said with utter shock.
* * *
“That this will be the place of the Zoological Society’s yearly banquet.”
* * *
“That is a very kind thought, but…”
* * *
“No, no but’s at all,” Raven said waving a hand at her. “I, in truth, am completely at liberty to decide the venue as I host it, even when I am away. They will have no objection to my decision. Though it is no more than six weeks from now. I fear that is too soon.”
* * *
“Not at all,” Lady Alexandra said standing a little taller never willing to shy away from a challenge. “I could do it.”
* * *
He wouldn’t have considered any less from the lady. They may have only met on a few occasions thus far, but he already knew her to be a strong-willed, fearless, and capable woman. In that regard, she reminded him very much of his mother, or at least the memories he had of her. Raven’s aunt often told him as well that his late mother was never one to sit at home while his father saw the world. Instead, she walked toe to toe with him. Raven rather suspected that Lady Alexandra had a matching personality in that respect. She wasn’t the kind to sit idly or fill her time with frivolous activities as many of the ladies of the ton did.
* * *
“Wonderful, then I should like to call my solicitor today to call on you, if you don’t mind. Mr. Jenkins will handle the payment of the space. And if you don’t mind, I would like to give you and Polly a ride to your house so that I might ask your father for permission.”
* * *
“Permission ?” Lady Alexandra’s face went pale.
* * *
“For the use of the building. Lord Grebs is, after all, the proprietor is he not?”
* * *
“Oh yes, of course. That really isn’t necessary. I would be happy to convey your gracious offer. Father will be very pleased to hear that our first host is the Duke of Raven.”
* * *
Raven was unsure why Lady Alexandra was quick to wave off his meeting with Earl Grebs. Raven had heard from his aunt that the man was a bit of a recluse. Perhaps she was just as embarrassed by him as she was her street address. Neither minded to Raven. In fact, he had plans to call on the lord anyway later in the week, if only to discuss scientific matters, which they both clearly shared an interest in.
* * *
“I really do insist,” Raven said with a broad smile knowing that under no circumstances would she be able to deny a duke when he insisted upon anything.
Chapter Sixteen
Lady Alexandra would have liked to stay behind and get right to work. As her first client of the museum's new tropical hall, she would have a lot to prepare for. Her mind was still spinning over that fact. She had slightly over exaggerated their level of preparedness. There was a kitchen, yes, but it was not quite yet in working order, and she hadn’t even begun to procure a staff for such an event.
* * *
Though she would have liked to insist that the duke not send his solicitor with payment until after he was satisfied with her work, the truth was she would have no means of getting the room ready without it. She realized as they exited the building together, Polly waiting politely on one of the benches by the front door, Raven hadn’t even asked her the price.
* * *
Of course, speaking of money wasn’t exactly a gentlemanly thing to do, and she had no doubt that was doubly true when it came to a female proprietor. She would make a point to make sure that Mr. Jenkins was told a reasonable amount and not a penny more.
* * *
Certainly she, no, the museum, could use the bluster from a wealthy man’s pockets, but she would not lower herself to that level. She would only ask for a fair price, though it wouldn’t be enough to cover all the expenses of starting this endeavor. She would have to convince her father somehow to take a loan out for the remainder of the costs.
* * *
It would certainly make things much tighter in her household. It was also a nerve-racking decision when the season had only yet begun, and so many expenses would be accumulating over the course of it for her sisters. It was all the more reason she would have to keep her eyes focused on them. She would need to see at least Josephine properly wedded by the end of the year if there was any hope of surviving to the next.
* * *
Between that and the impossibility of preparations before her, Lady Alexandra scarcely could make herself breath beneath her corset as the duke’s carriage was brought around. It was indeed a heavy weight that fell upon her with the loss of her mother. Not only was it to be a mother herself to her three younger sisters, but to also see that her father’s monetary needs were seen too. If only he hadn’t collapsed so into a state of despair after her mother’s death. Surely the weight of siblings to settle off and financial burdens on one child alone was much to ask of even a son. She was sure the task was that much harder because she was a woman.
* * *
If she was being entirely honest with herself, she never truly expected someone, let alone a high standing gentleman such as the Duke of Raven, would even consider the museum. She still believed the man to be quite vexing and couldn’t help but have hurt pride over their first meeting, but in the end, this man who seemed to enjoy tormenting her, whether his motives were pure or not, could be her savior.
* * *
Mayhap he was only continuing this charade as a means of entertainment at her misfortune as she had suspected earlier that day. Even if that were the case, she wouldn’t care. She would give the Zoological Society a banquet that they would talk of for years to come. Even if it meant the death of her, news of her success and at the behest of an influential duke would give her idea validation and hopefully result in more of the members of society following in the duke’s wake.
* * *
The duke, Lady Alexandra, and her maid, Polly, all entered the carriage at their respective places. Polly's next to the driver of the open-aired cart. The duke took the position to the back of his driver so that Lady Alexandra could take the opposing seat and have a view of where they were going.
* * *
Lady Alexandra did have a slight concern for taking the ride as all eyes would easily see her in the duke’s company. Again, she wondered at the gossip it would cause and rather wished she had come with a larger hat or perhaps a parasol to at least partially give her some anonymity. Though scandal would have little effect on the duke or his reputation, it had the potential to hurt her, which damaged her sisters in turn.
* * *
Lady Alexandra was practically a spinster from the moment she stepped out into society. In fact, that wasn’t even entirely accurate. To be a spinster, one must have passed their time of finding a match. In truth, she was still in the tail end of what would be deemed a reasonable time for her. The fact was, she had never been considered a match to anyone. Instead, she was the matron of her younger sisters and nothing more.
* * *
Now here she was seated next to a rich, handsome, and very available duke. No doubt that the whole of the ton would be gossiping about the impoverished circumstance that clearly led her to be a desperate vixen attempting to turn his head.
* * *
For the first portion of the ride, they both sat in silence, choosing to watch as London and its occupants pass
ed by them. To Lady Alexandra’s relief, she recognized few and knew that they would at least not be passing by very fashionable parts of town on the way to her father’s house.
* * *
She rather wished she could send on a messenger ahead to warn her sisters and prepare her father. Well, she wasn’t sure such a thing was possible in either case. How would her sisters react when she introduced the Duke of Raven to their father? She was sure her younger sisters would be gushing with girlish glee. Williamina told little Sophia about the duke's sudden appearance at Sir Hamilton’s ball, and since that moment Sophia had talked on no other subject. She did everything in her power to pry every last detail of the night out of her three older sisters.
