Violet by Royal Lauren

Author:Royal, Lauren [Royal, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, ISBN-13: 9780451206886, Signet
ISBN: 9780451206886
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2002-01-15T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Ford smiled as he moved toward the refreshment tables. He appreciated a woman who understood a man’s stomach came before a philosophy debate, although he had to admit Locke’s ideas were more intriguing than most.

Not nearly as intriguing as what he was bound to learn from Secrets of the Emerald Tablet, however.

‘‘Why the grin?’’ Newton asked, already filling a plate at the bountiful buffet. Gresham College was certainly welcoming the Royal Society back in style.

Deliberately nonchalant, Ford picked up a plate for himself. ‘‘No reason.’’

‘‘I’m not that oblivious.’’ Newton studied a strawberry before adding it to his selections. ‘‘ ’Tis that woman, I’d wager. Lady Violet? Lovely, is she not?’’

‘‘No. I mean, yes, of course she’s lovely.’’ She did look lovely tonight, and ’twas not only the fancy gown.

The excitement in her eyes lit her whole face. He’d never thought to meet a woman excited by science, or anything much academic. Tabitha certainly hadn’t been.

Thinking about that, he chose radishes and slices of musk melon. ‘‘I wasn’t smiling about Lady Violet.’’

Newton bit into a macaroon. ‘‘What, then?’’

‘‘I . . .’’ Dying to share it with someone, Ford leaned close and spoke under his breath. ‘‘I’ve found Secrets of the Emerald Tablet.’’

‘‘You found Secrets of the Emerald Tablet?’’ Newton fairly bellowed.

‘‘Hush! ’Tis yet to be translated. I’m not ready to announce—’’ But it was too late. Heads had turned, and a speculative murmur ran through the room.

Hooke rushed over. ‘‘Is it true? Secrets of the Emerald Tablet exists? You have it in your possession?’’

‘‘Not at the moment,’’ Ford hedged. Then, at the sight of Wren and Boyle approaching, he gave up.

They’d find out soon enough, anyway. ‘‘I’ve given it to an expert to translate. But yes, I found it, and I own it.’’

More men pressed close to hear the incredible news.

‘‘How much did it cost you?’’ someone asked.

‘‘One shilling.’’ A stunned silence filled the room, and he felt a grin stretch his face. ‘‘The bookseller thought it worthless,’’ he added.

‘‘I’ll buy it for fifty pounds,’’ a man offered.

Hooke raised a hand. ‘‘A hundred.’’

Normally the most polite man Ford knew, Wren elbowed his good friend out of the way. ‘‘I’ll pay you five hundred.’’

‘‘I’ll double what anyone else offers.’’

Silence reigned again as they all turned to stare at Newton. The man could well afford to honor the bid.

He was wifeless, childless, and his father had died three months before his birth, leaving a tidy estate to his only son. Newton had inherited land from a subsequent stepfather as well. He sounded sincere, and no one moved to say he was not; the man was known to sometimes take offense when none was intended.

‘‘ ’Tis not for sale,’’ Ford said at last. ‘‘Not at any price.’’

‘‘Well.’’ Newton held his cup of Rhenish aloft in a toast. ‘‘I trust you’ll let me know if ever you change your mind.’’

Conversation broke out in a deafening babble as people exclaimed over the find and maneuvered toward Ford to pump his hand and offer congratulations. The room turned hot and close as more male guests made their way inside to join the crowd.

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