Remarkable Creatures

Then I wished I hadn't, for seeing the expressions my words ignited on the men's faces. Both registered surprise, giving way to a degree of suspicion, more prominent in Reverend Conybeare's case, but also apparent even in Mr Buckland's benign features.

'Of course you know that Mary would never do such a thing,' I reminded them.

'She is an honest soul, and trained--by your good selves, I might add--in the importance of preserving specimens as they are found. She knows they are of little use if tampered with.'

'Of course,' Mr Buckland agreed, his face clearing, as if all he needed was a prompt from a sensible mind.

Reverend Conybeare was still frowning, however. Clearly my reminder had tapped into a seam of doubt. 'Who told Cuvier about the specimen?' he demanded.

I hesitated, but there was no way around revealing the truth. 'Mary herself wrote to him. I believe she sent along a drawing.'

Reverend Conybeare snorted. ' Mary wrote? I dread to think what such a letter would be like. The girl is practically illiterate! It would have been much better if Cuvier had learned of it after tonight's lecture. Buckland, we must present our case to him ourselves, with drawings and a detailed description. You and I should write, and perhaps someone else as well, so Cuvier will hear about it from several angles. Johnson in Bristol, perhaps. He was very keen when I mentioned the plesiosaurus at the Institution at the beginning of the month, and I know he has corresponded with Cuvier in the past.' As he spoke, Reverend Conybeare ran his hand up and down the mahogany banister, still rattled by the news. If he hadn't irritated me with his suspicion of Mary, I might have felt sorry for him.

Mr Buckland also noted his friend's nerves. 'Conybeare, you are not going to withdraw your address now, are you? Many guests have come expressly to hear you: Babbage, Gordon, Drummond, Rudge, even McDownell. You've seen the room: it's packed, the best attendance I've ever seen. Of course I can entertain them with my musings on the megalosaurus, but how much more powerful if we both speak of these creatures of the past. Together we will give them an evening they will never forget!'

I tutted. 'This is not the theatre, Mr Buckland.'

'Ah, but in a way it is, Miss Philpot. And what wonderful entertainment we have prepared for them! We are in the midst of opening their eyes to incontrovertible evidence of a wondrous past world, to the most magnificent creatures God has created--apart from man, of course.' Mr Buckland was warming to his theme.

'Perhaps you should save your thoughts for the meeting,' I suggested.

'Of course, of course. Now, Conybeare, are you with me?'

'Yes.' Reverend Conybeare visibly donned a more confident air. 'In my paper I have already addressed some of Cuvier's concerns about the number of vertebrae.

Besides, you have seen the creature, Buckland. You believe in it.'

Mr Buckland nodded.

'Then you believe in Mary Anning as well,' I interjected. 'And you will defend her from Cuvier's unjust charges.'

'I do not see what that has to do with this meeting,' Reverend Conybeare countered. 'I mentioned Mary when I spoke about the plesiosaurus at the Bristol Institution. Buckland and I will write to Cuvier. Is that not enough?'

'Every geologist of note as well as other interested parties are upstairs in that room right now. One announcement from you, that you have complete confidence in Mary's abilities as a fossil hunter, will counter any comments from Baron Cuvier that they might hear of later.'

'Why should I want to cast doubt in public on Miss Anning's abilities, and indeed--and more importantly, I might add--doubt on the very specimen I am just preparing to speak about?'

'A woman's good name is at stake, as well as her livelihood--a livelihood that provides you with the specimens you need to further your theories and your own good name. Surely that must matter to you enough to speak out?'

Reverend Conybeare and I glared at each other, our eyes locked. We might have remained like that all evening if it weren't for Johnny, who had become impatient with all of the talk and wanted more action. He ducked behind Reverend Conybeare and leapt onto the stairs above him. 'If you don't agree to clear Miss Anning's name, I shall go and tell the roomful of gentlemen upstairs what Cuvier has said,' he called down to us. 'How would you like that?'

Reverend Conybeare made a move to grab him, but Johnny leaped up several more steps to remain out of reach. I should have scolded my nephew for his bad behaviour, but instead found myself snorting to hide laughter. I turned to Mr Buckland, the more reasonable of the two. 'Mr Buckland, I know how fond you are of Mary, and that you recognise how much in debt we all are to her for her immense skill in finding fossils. I understand too that this evening is very important to you, and I would not want to ruin that. But surely somewhere in the meeting there is room for you to express your support of Mary? Perhaps you could simply acknowledge her efforts without