‘Be serious for a moment,’ Elisabeth chided him, but she smiled when she said it. ‘This isn’t a fairy tale, Dashiell. Obviously you’re someone of import or else you wouldn’t have been on my mother’s guest list. That’s why I thought you should know what my circumstances are.’
Because you might think yourself more worthy than you are. Oh, he heard the message alright even couched as it was in polite language. Dashiell crossed his arms. She could warn him all she wanted but in the end he’d push his cause all the same. He was not a man to give up a challenge simply because someone asked him to, not even if that someone was quickly stealing his heart. ‘In honour of the request to be serious, I must point out, Elisabeth, there could be consequences from our adventure. We’ve been together twice now.’
‘I’m confident we’ll be safe in that regard.’ Elisabeth met his gaze evenly.
‘Why is that? Mother Nature doesn’t care if it’s your first time or your sixtieth.’ Now it was time for her to be serious.
‘Mother Nature must answer to the rhythms of the universe like the rest of us. It’s not my time of the month to conceive.’ She gave him a sly smile. ‘There’s a lot more to studying the stars in their orbits than just knowing the constellations.’
‘I can see I have a lot to learn.’ Dashiell leaned forward in earnest. ‘It’s a good two hours to Burnham, Elisabeth. Why don’t you tell me about your comet?’
That was how the most important conversation of her life began. It started out as an exposition of her comet. She told him how this particular sighting would prove the comet was on a returning orbit. This particular return was important because it would be the third official sighting. After three such well-timed sightings, no one could any longer doubt that the comet was on a seventy-six-year cycle.
Breathless with her enthusiasm, she told him about her predictions about the comet, how she’d made the calculations; she told him how much more scientists could learn with this passing of the comet than ever before. Thanks to advances made in refractory lenses and telescopic construction, they would be able to see the comet’s make-up in more detail.
‘And that’s why you climbed out the window?’ Dashiell interjected at one point.
‘Yes.’ Elisabeth paused and drew a breath. ‘No. Yes, I want to see the comet. It represents a capstone to my work, to my passion. But no, it’s not the only reason. It’s more of a catalyst. I knew if I didn’t climb out that window and stand up for what I wanted now, I never would.’
Elisabeth looked down at her hands resting in her lap, wondering if she should say more. She’d never revealed this much of herself to anyone. In some ways telling Dashiell these things now was every bit as intimate as the physical things they had done in the night.
But the fear she usually felt over such revelations was absent. In ways she couldn’t explain, she knew Dashiell would understand.
‘I’ve always thought I was strong. I pursued my astronomy in secret. I continued to study with Sir Richard against my parents’ wishes. But I was starting to realize, secret rebellions aren’t quite the same as an overt show of strength. This time, my parents will know I’m gone and they will know why. I will have proven to them and to myself I have the courage to go after what I want.’
It wasn’t a pretty speech, delivered in the flowing tones of an orator. It was a halting speech as she gathered the right words to give life to the thoughts she’d harboured in her mind but never voiced out loud.
She did not have practice with this particular confession. But when she was finished, Dashiell was smiling at her. This was not one of his wolfish smiles or one of his sensual smiles she’d come to know so well. This was a smile of admiration.
‘Brava, Elisabeth,’ he said softly. ‘When I tell you I’ve never met anyone like you, it is the absolute truth.’ He was not mocking her, not flirting with her, not tolerating her, not any of the hundred things men had been with her, hoping to humour her into matrimony and turning over her dowry. Dashiell was validating her.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured. ‘I’ve never known anyone like you, either.’ She wished she had better words to express that sentiment. It sounded trite but she meant it to her core.
‘If we’re not careful this might become a mutual admiration society.’ Dashiell gave a sensual laugh, low and private.
Or worse, Elisabeth thought. I might fall in love with the most unsuitable of men under the most unsuitable of circumstances.
The carriage came to a halt and the driver called down that they’d arrived. But Dashiell didn’t move to get out. Instead he turned serious and reached for her hand.