Episode 71
Balderdash and Codswallop
“Don’t allow it to trouble you overly, m’lord,” Sir Peter said, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Puttering around in the dirt, anyone is liable to see what one wishes to see rather than to adhere to strict scientific discipline.”
“I suppose,” Lord Huntoun said, deflated.
“We will have all day tomorrow here, hein?” the professor put in. “This is still a quelle handsome exhibit. I would be pleased to help you re-assemble it properly.”
“You could hang hats from it in your entry hall,” Sir Peter chuckled.
“I would be most grateful for your assistance, monsieur professor,” Lord Huntoun nodded, smiling bravely.
“Then perhaps we’ll get an early start and set you right, m’lord,” Sir Peter said and stepped away toward the library.
“I suppose,” Lord Huntoun said and turned from his creation with a tired sigh. The Frenchman and his student pet followed him from the conservancy.
Geoffrey Pike made to leave as well until Arabella hooked an arm in his and turned him to face her. His surprise turned to a wry smile as she pulled him close.
“Yes, m’lady?” he said and bowed his head toward hers, eyes closed.
She shoved him from her, and he stumbled back, slick shoe soles sliding on the granite tiles.
“You worm!” she seethed.
“I thought you–”
“So, that dreadful animal of my father’s has a few too-many bones in its spine! I suggest you may want to borrow a few as you seem to be suffering a paucity of the same!”
“What would you have me do, Bella?” he stammered.
“You could have stood by my father against that impudent Stokes and his odious Frenchman! God help him, he thinks of you as something of a son!”
“If your father made an error in his assumptions, who am I to question the assessment of experts in this field?”
“Balderdash and codswallop! This seeking of old bones and fashioning creatures out of nightmares from them isn’t a science! It’s a fancy. It’s a humbug! But as long as it gave my father pleasure, I indulge him. The man’s earned the right to pursue any foolishness he pleases after a life of service to the crown!”
“Well, I agree, Bella. You father takes all this study and supposition rather more seriously than perhaps he should.”
“And I say he doesn’t take it half as seriously as he might.” Her hands were fisted now as she glared at the huntounosaurus staring sightlessly back at her.
“I fear I don’t follow, my dear” Geoffrey’s brows knitted in confusion.
“I say, I insist that, just to show that upstart Stokes for the braggart he is, that my father go out and find the biggest, ugliest, most bloody wonderful antediluvian monster he can dig up.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Oh, no I haven’t Geoffrey Pike,” she said and turned to him with a dangerous smile deepening her dimple. “You will accompany my father and I to Texas and we’ll find a beastie to make Sir Peter Stokes regret his impertinence.”
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