***
Andrew had only stayed away two days before he sent a note asking Jack and I to meet him at the State House for the tour of the museum. Edith was at our house, so she accompanied us.
Andrew was waiting outside the large brick structure, and when he saw us, he smiled. The cut over his lip was all but healing, and the bruise around his eye had lightened to green and purple, but at least he could open it. He offered his arm to me and led us into the building and up the wide staircase to the second floor. There we were met by Mr. Charles Peale and his son.
Mr. Peale, a man in his seventies who leaned heavily on his ebony cane, greeted us kindly before guiding us into the first room, answering any questions we had.
We entered upon a room filled with large preserved beasts, some I had never seen nor heard of. A bison, elk, anteater, grizzly bear, llama, and many monkeys were among the group. Jack’s eyes were alight with intrigue. He was not only a great reader, but he enjoyed learning. Edith, dear girl, shrank back from the beasts with their black, lifeless eyes that looked straight at you.
We were led into the long room that was aptly named, for cases that, by what Mr. Peale said, were filled with over one thousand birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors and ran almost the length of the room. Backgrounds had been painted to match the birds to their natural surroundings. It was an overwhelming and impressive collection, one which I had never seen. Jack had been to view the museum a few times, but never when Mr. Peale was giving the tour.
Portraits of famous people, from scientists to heroes of the revolution, were staring down at us from their frames on the walls. There were insects, fossils, coins, and an organ loft that played music as people viewed the curiosities. When we left the long room, and I caught sight of the marine room, I jerked back, causing Andrew to chuckle.
“John,” I called over my shoulder, but not taking my eyes from the fright before me, “remind me never to set foot in the ocean.” What Mr. Peale called a hammer head shark, though I thought it more a creature from the depths of hell, was ahead of us.
Edith would not even step foot in the room, so I released Andrew’s arm and went to stand beside her, telling the others that Edith and I would like to view the long room again and that they should take their time. Edith nearly pulled me away, while Jack apologized to Mr. Peale for our lack of scientific enjoyment.
When they joined us, and Andrew said we were to view the great beast, I again took his arm. The American Incognitum, as it was called by most, was the skeletal remains of a mastodon that Mr. Peale had excavated years before. It was said to be so large that a banquet could be served beneath its ribcage, and there were rumors that such a thing had happened when Mr. Peale first opened his museum.
As we walked to the other building, Andrew and I had a chance to speak as Jack and Edith fell behind with Mr. Peale and his son.
“I was pleased to see that Miss Harvey and not Miss Clark was with your brother. Might I drop a friendly word in your ear?” He did not wait for me to agree before saying, “That connection should be severed before it has a chance to take root.” I did not know what to say, so I said nothing.
He continued seriously. “Whom you know is important and whom you marry is even more so. Having connections such as those, without family, are never good for one’s aspirations, especially those seeking political power.”
I did not misunderstand what he was saying, but I pretended to. “John has no political aspirations.”
“No, but I do and when you and I marry having a brother who is married to a woman of no family would be a hindrance to our aspirations.” Unable to breathe, I stopped and turned to look up at him in astonishment. It was not that he took for granted that I would marry him; it was that he had made an unofficial declaration. A part of me wanted to dance or shout or sing for joy. What I wanted more than anything was imminent. But, my excitement was tempered with the knowledge that I did not entirely agree with his words about Guinevere. Jack was a man and could choose whomever he wanted for his life’s partner, as I would choose mine. I would not hold it against Andrew, for what he said did make a certain amount of sense. I could hear my mother’s voice in my head instructing me to encourage Andrew, for men will never come to the point without the necessary encouragement.
“I cannot speak for what will happen with my brother and Miss Clark, but I do hope that it will not hinder our future.”
He did not miss my meaning. He took my gloved hand and kissed the back. “Nothing in the world could do that, and if you have no objection, I would like to seek an interview with your brother soon.”
“I have no objection,” I replied earnestly though breathlessly.
“Come along, you two, the great American Incognitum awaits,” Jack called to us as they passed us.
Andrew leaned closer to me. “Others are always watching. We must be above reproof.”
Chapter 20
Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1) Page 30