She tried to imagine what he might have been like as a father—but couldn’t.
“Lydia is brilliant,” he said. “She always was. I was surprised to learn from a colleague that she had all but disappeared from academia in the last decade. Her former mathematics tutors were astonished at her aptitude, even as a child. She was a prodigy. I was honored to have her as my student.”
An unexpected sting of tears blurred Jane’s vision. She knew that about Lydia, knew she possessed an unmatched intellect. She knew Lydia had so much to offer with her solutions and proofs and equations.
She knew Lydia could have changed the world… if she hadn’t disappeared from academia, if she hadn’t given up her public pursuit of mathematics.
Dr. Cole’s hand tightened on hers. Too tight. She tried to squirm her hand from his grasp.
“At any rate, I consider it fortunate that you found the document,” he continued. “Perhaps it’s no coincidence that you found it just before Lydia is to be married. Maybe the truth was meant to come out now that she will no longer be living with you.”
A thin but hard line of steel edged his words. Jane gave him a wary glance. He was still smiling, but something hardened behind his eyes like the first coating of frost on a window. A shiver ran down her back.
She managed to pull her hand away from his. “I’m sorry, but it’s late. I’m expected back.”
“Of course. May I see the document before you go?”
Jane pulled the paper from her pocket and unfolded it, staring at the mixture of printed French and swirled handwriting. “I don’t know very much French, but there is only one name listed as parentage. Lydia Kellaway. No profession is given for her, though her age is listed as seize… she was….”
Jane shook her head to rid herself of the reminder that Lydia had been only five years older than Jane was now when she had a child.
“The address is in Lyons,” she continued. “Both my father—Sir Henry—and my grandmother signed as witnesses.”
“Interesting.” He’d moved a little closer to her, his hand still resting on the vast surface of the globe. “Let me see if I can help you determine any further information. I’m fluent in French, you know.”
He stretched out a hand. Jane started to extend the document, then stopped. She drew it back to her, holding it against her chest.
“Actually, I… I really don’t need to know any more at the moment. It’s time I spoke to Lydia about everything.”
She took a step back. He took a step forward.
“Do you honestly think Lydia will tell you the truth now?” Dr. Cole asked, his tone both kind and slightly condescending. “Even if you confront her with the document, she has no reason to tell you the truth about your father. Are you quite certain my name is not written there?”
“Quite certain.” Jane’s fingers tightened on the paper, crumpling the edge into her palm.
“May I see it, please?”
“What for?”
“This concerns me as much as it does you, Jane. I’ve a right to see the certificate of my daughter’s birth.”
“Why weren’t you present when the document was registered? Why are you not listed as a parent?”
“I was not there because Lydia left without telling me where she was going.” A tension seemed to infuse Dr. Cole’s body, dissolving the warmth in his eyes and replacing it with impatience. “Had I known where she was, of course I would have insisted upon being included.”
“Did you intend to marry her?”
His mouth twisted in a manner that made Jane think of an uncoiling earthworm. “It is not your place to ask questions regarding my relationship with Lydia.”
“It’s my right to know the truth of my parentage.” Jane wished she could somehow believe the truth was different, that Dr. Cole was not really her father. She wished she could believe something hadn’t happened between him and Lydia. Something horrible.
She looked behind her, hoping an exhibition worker or curator would be close by. No one was there, and her view of the rest of the exhibit was blocked by a large display case.
Jane turned back to Dr. Cole. His expression was tight, the throb of a vein in his neck betraying his growing irritation.
“Give me the document, Jane.”
She shook her head. Fear pushed against her chest. She didn’t know why he was so keen on taking possession of the document, but she suspected that once she handed it over, she would never see it again.