Page 17 of A Torn Allegiance
“It is the land of our fathers. We belong on it.” Lady Elsie lifted her chin.
“Not all of our fathers.” The duchess smiled, her face full of humor. “Come now, His Highness need not hear of the ancient family squabbles.”
“Ancient?”
“She speaks of the Scots. The rebellion for Bonnie Prince Charlie.” The duke nodded in pride. “My family chose their side well. They were awarded this dukedom in England.”
“But we’ve never deserted our Scottish roots or the people who work the land.” Lady Elsie grew more and more tense at his side, her hand all but gripping his arm.
They arrived at the door to the museum. Someone from inside saw their approach and held it open as they entered.
“Rightly so,” Hayes said. “Your Lowlands remind me of my own. We call ours the southern border. Perhaps I might be present for some of your discussions regarding the fate of your tenants? I find myself seeking solutions.”
The duke’s stance straightened, and his jaw tightened. “I can’t imagine you’d find anything we have to say all that interesting. Perhaps if you stick to the social activities, our family can be of more use to you.”
For whatever reason, they were not inclined to share the tenant discussion with him, so he said only, “Thank you. I am indebted to you for your kindness in that regard.” The duke seemed almost suspicious. Interesting.
The museum curator, Mr. Thompson, met them at the door with a grand bow. “I am so honored to have such distinguished guests. If you would please follow me.”
They walked with him quickly through grand halls and smaller rooms, the exhibits on display at every turn. Lady Elsie craned her neck more than once to stare longer at some of the paintings. When she noticed him watching her, she smiled. “The marbles are far more interesting than anything else here. But I cannot resist the paintings by Joseph Turner.”
“Then, I am even more convinced we must return.”
The reward of her smile solidified his desire.
They were brought to the far end of the museum. Mr. Thompson turned to face them before opening the door. “We are so grateful for your patronage. Your donations to the museum over the years have been important and will have long-lasting effects. We are particularly pleased the museum has been gifted these marbles. Lord Elgin brought back such a precious trove.” He pulled out his keys and fiddled for a moment before he opened the door.
They stepped into a darkened, cavernous room. Their guide began lighting candles, and then he lifted long folds of fabric off the nearest collection of statues. The room was full of shrouded items.
Hayes was eager to see more of the statues resting beneath the dark coverings. “These are how old?”
“They were built around 432 BC in honor of the goddess Athena. The Parthenon was destroyed in 1687, leaving precious sculptures and other artifacts largely unappreciated until Lord Elgin was bequeathed them in gratitude from the Ottoman Empire.”
The statues were tall, the closest one completely without a head, but head or no, arms or no, they were all magnificent. “These are so lifelike.” Hayes stepped closer.
“They are superb.” Lady Elsie walked beside him. They kept to the perimeter, along a row of ancient sculptures. “I wish they could speak.”
“Pardon?” Hayes thought that a rather eerie idea.
“Certainly. Can you imagine the tales they would tell?” She stepped up to one with no arm but a full head. “Was this one witness to the destruction of the Parthenon itself?” She pointed to another. “Did this one view the Ottomans’ entry into the city? Did he wish to warn the others? And that?” She pointed to a woman. “Was she writing down the record? Making the books?” She sighed in an almost whimsical manner. “We cannot fathom all they’ve seen. The Parthenon sat on a hill, did it not?”
Mr. Thompson nodded. “Yes, parts of it still stand. You are looking at a few of the twenty-one figures from the east and west pediments. They are amazing to behold, but if you look at that far wall, the entire seventy-five meters of the Parthenon Frieze is fully intact.”
Lady Elsie’s gasp beside Hayes made him smile. She hungered for information. She longed to know and see. Suddenly, to him, curiosity and intelligence were the most desirable qualities in a woman. They were certainly most attractive in his new acquaintance.
They walked down the entire row of twenty-one statues, each one just as remarkable as the last, with their full figures, the accuracy of their muscles and bodies incredible to Hayes. He couldn’t help but stop and study each one, walking around them to see every angle.
Lady Elsie turned to him. “I appreciate very much that you are as intrigued as I am about such things.”
“I think we both have curious minds, do we not?”
“Certainly. We are uniquely well-suited in that regard, I believe.” She looked away, her cheeks coloring a slight and enchanting pink. When her gaze returned to him, her eyes were an even more brilliant shade of blue. “My mother mentioned we host book meetings, and the ladies would love to hear you talk of your country; I wondered if you would like to come this Tuesday.”
He dipped his head. “I would be honored, but I’m afraid not this coming Tuesday. I am requested at St. James’s.” He felt a sharp pang of disappointment. “But perhaps you and your family could accompany me there.”
“I shall speak to Father to see if we have business there.” The small smile she gave him seemed forced. Did she not wish to go with him?
“Business where? Since when do you stand around talking about business?” Lord Devon approached. “Prince Hayes, Father and I were talking, and we would like to invite you as our personal guest to White’s for as long as you’re staying in London.”
