Lady Elizabeth's Comet (33 page)

Clanross said, dulcet, "As you see, at least one member of the family is willing to take
the blame for his work."

"But, Tom..."

"No buts. In future I'll expect you to sign all articles with your full name. None of this
cowardly business of initials."

"You didn't use your title."

"In the Republic of Letters?"

I had to smile. "My full name. Elizabeth Alexandrina Jane Maria?"

"Elizabeth Conway will do. How fortunate you won't have to change it."

I sighed. "I've always yearned for a hyphen--like Willoughby."

"Conway-Conway?" Miss Bluestone had been listening to our banter and now she
frowned, puzzled. "Would that not sound a trifle odd, my lady?"

Clanross's eyes lit. "Like a firm of furniture removers."

"Or the Brighton coach?" We dissolved into remembered laughter.

Miss Bluestone looked at us with fond incomprehension.

I gave Clanross my hand. "I promise to sign my name in future, Tom. How comfortable
it is to know you don't object."

"Object!" His eyes darkened. "I think you know my feelings." He kept my hand in his
warm clasp.

I heaved a luxurious sigh. "I'll be spoilt from too much approval. Do you think you
could toss a word of criticism my way now and then--just to keep things in proportion?"

"Possibly, my dear wasp."

"Tom!" I jerked my hand away.

He grinned.

My mind took a leap backward. "Good God, let me look at this." I fumbled with the
thick paper of the journal, which was called
Engineers' Miscellany.
"When did you
write it?"

"This spring. I had time on my hands, if you recall."

I recalled. Not surprisingly, considering the work he had engaged in for Dunarvon, the
article dealt with safety in coal mines and detailed the virtues of a type of steam-driven air pump.
I meant to skim rapidly, but as is usual with me, I was soon absorbed.

Much of the general statistical material was a closed book, but the description of the
theory of the pump rested on Boyle's work and something of M. Lavoisier's. How strange to
think of air as having composition, of coming in different varieties, like plants or minerals.
Fascinating. The practical details of the pump itself I found baffling. I have no education in
mechanical devices at all. What a pity Papa had discouraged me from grinding my own
lenses.

I looked up at last to find Clanross regarding me with amusement. "Does it work?" I
asked.

"It worked in Lancashire. Join us, Elizabeth."

I peeked at the article longingly. "Will they still need their canaries?"

"The miners? To be sure." He removed the journal deftly from my grasp. "What is a
miner without a canary?"

I reached for the article. "I was just beginning to understand it, Tom."

"Wonderful. I may say the same of your piece. We can spend the next sixmonth
clarifying our meanings for each other. Just now I think you should address the matter at
hand."

I cocked my head, inquiring.

"Our marriage, my dear. When?"

"Tomorrow?"

He flushed, then affected exaggerated shock. "What about the banns?"

"You could send for a Special License," Alice offered.

We both started. We had forgot her presence.

"The Archbishop of Canterbury," she said helpfully. "It's done all the time."

I looked round the circle of faces. Jean and Maggie smiled at me, their eyes bright with
interest.

"An excellent notion," Miss Bluestone uttered. "But send to York, my lord. Much
closer."

So we did.

I was born in Montana and raised in eastern Oregon, graduated from the University of
Washington, and have advanced degrees in English and history. I taught for many years at Clark
College before retiring to write full-time. My nine published novels include four Regencies and
five mysteries. I am collaborating with my friend Sarah Webb on a YA fantasy series set in Iron
Age Ireland, but I've just sold a new mystery, Buffalo Bill's Defunct, to Perseverance Press, and
might write another Regency if the spirit moved me. Uncial Press is reissuing my four
Regencies. I've been married many years to a terrific man who is also a fine photographer and a
computer genius. My son, whose company I enjoy, has a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mugabe, who is
the model for Towser in Buffalo Bill's Defunct. I like to read, cook, and travel. I've taught fiction
writing, science fiction, and Irish history as well as more ordinary classes and miss teaching
because I had great students. Growing up with four brothers and a sister has probably had more
impact on my writing than any other life experience. I like their company, too.

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