The Lady Astronomer Read Online Free PDF

Maharajah!”
    “I quite like it actually.” She
patted her improvised turban, worn rakishly at what she thought a jaunty angle
and pulled over her left eye to keep her monoscope dust free.
    “Hmm. Well, you’ve distracted Leibniz
long enough for me to get this back, thank you.” Al held the knitting
needles and fine mesh blanket above his head.
    Leibniz made a lunge for it, but Lucretia
picked him up and held him close, whereupon he scowled blackly and sulked
mightily.
    “Gosh, that’s clever. I think we have
found a new craftsperson in the family. What’s the blanket for Al?”
    “It’s meant to be my new glove, but it
kind of kept growing.”
    “I’m sure Orion could snip it into a
more manageable size for you.”
    “Lucretia!” The second
disembodied voice of the evening ghosted down the hallway s them. “Where
are you?”
    “In here. Just discussing the perils
of using lemurs for knitting.”
    “Pardon? Oh, never mind.” Freddie
joined them, deciding not to get entangled in what was obviously a strange
situation. Though there would be nothing unusual about that in this particular
household. Indeed, what he had to impart now was pretty odd. He scratched his
head.
    “Lucretia, you need to come and have a
look at this. You have received a, well a communication. Of sorts.”
    “Oh, marvellous! I do have the best
collection of quill-friends.”
    “This one is particularly quill-like
alright.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Never mind, just come and see.”
He set off at a good pace back down the hallway.
    “Where are we going?”
    “To the kitchen, dear.”
    “Kitchen?”
    “Yes, now do keep up. I felt that your
messenger needed a drink.”
    “You’ve completely lost me. What are
you on about?”
    He stopped abruptly and she bumped into
him. He held the door open, and there on the scarred wooden kitchen table sat a
bird with gloriously jewel coloured plumage. It snaked a long black tongue out
and lapped at the dish of water delicately.
    “A parrot? I have never seen one in
the feather. Mr. B sent me drawings back from his trip with Captain C.”
Lucretia shook her head in wonder and then approached the table.
    “Careful! Little bugger bit me.”
    “Freddie! Language!” She held out
her open palm to the parrot, which abandoned its water and jumped nimbly onto
her hand.
    “Well, I never,” breathed
Freddie.
    Lucretia gave him a delighted smile.
    “Oh, you’re a lovely little fellow,
aren’t you,” she cooed. “Or girl,” she amended hastily. “But
why are you here? Do you have something for me?”
    “A letter from Mr. B, a letter from
Mr. B,” said the parrot.
    “Marvellous!” Freddie clapped his
hands.
    “You are such a child, Fred. Now let’s
hear what else my new friend has to say. And for goodness sake, shut that door
as Orion will eat this little avian envoy given half the chance.”
    “A letter from Mr. B, a letter from
Mr. B,” repeated the parrot.
    “Was there anything else you had to
remember?”
    “A letter from Mr. B, a letter from
Mr. B!”
    “Very well, where is it then?”
    The parrot held out its leg. Tied to it
much in the style of a carrier pigeon was a tightly rolled scroll.
    Parrot still in hand, Lucretia unrolled the
paper and sat down to read it aloud.
     
    An Island That Has Yet To Be Named
    Dearest Lucretia,
    Salutations from a beautiful island in the
middle of the ocean. Devilishly hot, welcoming natives. We have discarded our
footwear, waistcoats, and jackets. I know, I know, most unseemly, but when on
an island in the middle of the ocean and all that. Captain C remains aboard the
ship with many of the men, but a few and I have come to stay with said natives
to observe their customs, take drawings of their plants, foodstuffs, jewellery,
and so on.
    If you are reading this, my friend the
parrot has made it to you. We think he is a boy, but have declined to name him
in case of upsetting his sensibilities. Once he has recovered, he is to come to
London to reside