Was that tension or energy starting to coil at the balls of her feet? She took a calming breath and reached over to the tea set to pour out a new cup of tea for Southmore. “What sort of business? I was aware that you and my uncle had several meetings, but all my uncle told me was that you were making an offer that he was not interested in at the time.”
The Church’s emissary accepted the teacup and nodded as he sipped. “Understandable since at the time this did not involve you precisely. I had offered patronage for his research. Costs for the equipment required in his research and an additional five thousand pounds, annually.”
It was a nice figure, actually, that would supplement her stipend from the Academy. But Uncle Elliot had received a larger stipend due to his seniority. And his patron had been much more generous. So it wasn’t any stretch of the imagination why he had turned down Southmore’s offer.
“My offer still stands, naturally,” he continued. “You are Elliot Waterstone’s natural successor, aren’t you? You were the closest to him when he did his experiments. You knew how he thought. You have the training and I have heard that the Academy praises you on the work you have done. With my patronage, you can pick up your uncle’s reigns and continue his work.”
“My uncle and I may have shared laboratory space,” Zan found herself saying, “but electricity and physics are not my area of expertise. Why did you not approach Mr. Pendergrast from the Academy to offer patronage? Some account him quite the crack with the electricity machines.”
“Ah, Miss Hu, you probably do not know this, but I have several friends and acquaintances in the Academy and occasionally I avail myself of their opinions. You may be flattered that they recommended you as the most likely successor to Elliot Waterstone’s scientific legacy despite the fact that you are a woman. They have also mentioned that poor Mr. Pendergrast has a weak grasp of his subject despite his objections to the contrary. Completely below the league of your uncle’s genius, I assure you.”
Zan shifted in her seat, feeling the tension coiling up her legs to her kneecaps until they were locked in place. She shifted her gaze down to her own teacup to avoid Southmore’s penetrating stare. “I am flattered that your associates at the Academy think so highly of me. But I must admit, your offer is somewhat overwhelming. If you haven’t noticed, many things have happened in the past week and I am not sure if I want to take up my uncle’s research. My own studies on chemical composition are dear to my heart…”
“Your own pet projects can be funded as well, if you continue your uncle’s research as well.”
She looked up. “Why? Why are you so interested in my uncle’s studies into the electrical and magnetic fields? There are other competent experimentalists studying the same thing.”
“It has not escaped the Church’s notice that the newly discovered force of electricity could be used as a tool,” Southmore said, a pedantic tone entering his voice. “A tool for power. This could be used for good or evil, Miss Hu, and we would all wish that it would be used for the former and not the latter. The Church has a keen interest in emerging discoveries and wish that all could be used for the benefit of human kind and the glory of God.”
“Benefit for human kind? Wouldn’t you be surprised, Mr. Southmore, but some of the most productive of citizens aren’t what they seem. What you’re saying is that you want control over those discoveries. Science isn’t simply to be corralled. Benevolent guidance can turn to dictatorial control—and that may stifle the sort of creativity that led to the discovery of an electrical force in the first place.”
“Excellent arguments, but wouldn’t you be safe rather than sorry? Besides, those who are not human must still follow God’s path.”
It’s a risk we all have to take. Aloud, she said, “Mr. Southmore, I’ve had a busy day. And perhaps an even busier afternoon. Even if I finally decided to take up my uncle’s mantle, it would be very difficult going indeed. My uncle drew up an agreement with the Museum to have all of his research—which includes his machines—archived. I do not even have his notes to work from. My uncle destroyed them all about a week before his death.”
A frown appeared on Southmore’s brow. “How terribly unfortunate. I do not have any contacts with the Museum to prevail upon them about letting you access to those machines. And I cannot do anything about all the lost notes, of course. But you are still the best candidate to resurrect Elliot Waterstone’s studies.”
She swallowed as her throat tightened. “I shall have to think about your generous offer. I have yet to consult with my uncle’s last patron, Mr. Caradon, on whether or not he is to continue his previous agreement.”
“Caradon?” Southmore’s eyes widened. “Quite a shady character, Miss Hu. With your delicate sensibilities, you should not be associating with the likes of…of that merchant.”
Zan didn’t think she had delicate sensibilities, but she had to admit that her own control and moods had been wavering ever since her uncle’s passing. And as for what Southmore had been about to say, she could understand it well enough. Uncle Elliot’s patron, Moon Caradon, was the illegitimate son of an earl. A real bastard. “He has been civil enough to me, Mr. Southmore.”
“Being civil face to face is one thing, but beware of underhanded tactics behind your back. There are those unscrupulous enough to take advantage of you during your period of mourning.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
Southmore finally got up and nodded to her. “And do think about my offer, Miss Hu. You will discover that there would be benefits with our alliance. Good day.”
Zan watched the Church’s emissary let himself out of the sitting room. A moment after his exit, she let out a breath and put her teacup down on the table. It rattled on its saucer. The tension or energy or whatever had been holding her legs in a paralytic grip slowly ebbed away until all she could feel was a faint ache along the arch of her left foot.
