The Lord and the Lady Astronomer (The Grantham Girls Book 3) by Alissa Baxter

Author:Alissa Baxter [Baxter, Alissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Aunt Longmore wrote back to Lady Hythe the same day she received her neighbor’s letter with the assurance that Lady Amelia was welcome to stay at Longmore Hall for as long as she wished. The marquess’s daughter was consequently installed at Longmore Hall a few days later, on the very day Sir Reginald came to the house to consult Lord Longmore’s copy of Nautical Astronomy by Night.

“Written by Parry himself,” Uncle Longmore said to Abigail as he removed the book from an upper shelf. He had summoned his niece to the library to meet the baronet, a tall, loose-limbed gentleman with dark hair and a slight air of restlessness about him. His face was long and thin, and his forehead very high, but his expression assumed an air of warmth when he smiled at Abigail, which made him seem most agreeable.

“Parry took advantage of his time on the Alexander when it was stationed so far north at Spitsbergen to study astronomy in that part of the world. This little volume will prove most useful for navigation on his latest expedition.” Uncle Longmore turned to Sir Reginald. “I believe the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty have agreed for the two commissioned ships to be equipped with provisions for two years. Do you think Parry will find a passage through the Arctic to the Pacific this time?”

“He certainly hopes he will manage to find the Northwest Passage. I must say I agree with Parry that Ross turned back too soon last year.”

Abigail opened the book her uncle handed her as he and Sir Reginald discussed the upcoming Arctic expedition. Glancing down at the book’s first page, a quote attributed to someone called Young jumped out at her: “Stars teach as well as shine.”

Stars teach as well as shine. She smiled. Such wonderful words to sum up her passion for astronomy, she thought, sitting down at the library table.

“Now, niece.” Her uncle looked across at her. “I shall leave you with Sir Reginald. If you have any questions, pray let me know.”

He nodded at Miss Smith, seated in the corner of the library in her role of chaperone, before leaving. Sir Reginald sat down at the other end of the table with a copy of A Table of the Longitude and Latitude of Various Places Uncle Longmore had found for him. However, he did not seem to be paying much attention to the book.

“When do you leave on your journey, Sir Reginald?” Abigail asked.

A slightly constrained expression crossed the baronet’s face. “The expedition is due to leave England quite soon—they hope to set sail in the first part of May. However, I haven’t made up my mind yet if I will be on it.” He gave a slight shrug. “I promised Parry that I would arrange for the annual variation to be calculated, as he has so much to see to before his departure, but my plans are uncertain.”

“Oh. I see.” Abigail pressed her lips together. Could this mean Sir Reginald might

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