The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (44 page)

Carstares just shook his head, he now had his confirmation that indeed they were all mad. He offered his arm to Tash and they strolled down the jetty toward the nearly grounded airship. They arrived at the ship when the gondola was still a foot off the ground. Captain Phillips was waiting in the open doorway.

“Come quickly.” He exclaimed. “They see we are down and they are already coming back.” He leaned out and grabbed Tash around the waist, lifting her off the ground. Setting her down beside him he next reached a hand out for the Colonel. “Let’s go!” Jerard shouted over his shoulder barely giving Carstares time to leap into the gondola. Jerard got the door closed and was not surprised when the head of an enterprising youth popped up to get a look in the door’s window. “Well then!” Jerard laughed. “It looks like I owe Mr. Nichols some money.”

“How so?” Tash said, joining the Captain in his laughter.

“He warned me and then bet me that you madam and the amazing Jon Howell would know just how to handle the crowd.”

“Oh dear Captain, I deduce that you bet against us. I shall have to speak to Mr. Nichols about taking candy from babies.”

“Please do Miss Smythe-Harris, I fear that I may be the next baby he has a go at.” Carstares quipped, digging his elbow into the Captain’s side.

“I must say though, I did not expect the huge crowd of look-sees.” Jerard said, his tone more serious. “Lance said that this reaction is common to setting the ship down close to a town of any size.”

“That’s true Captain, we once nearly caused a riot in Switzerland. That was when we learned our lesson and developed our little signal flag routine. I usually prefer leaving the ship in the HLC so it is easier to communicate with the speaking grills. That just was not an option this time.” Tash said, shaking out the flag and beginning to fold it. “May I assume Jon and the rest of the boys have the HLC on the ground?”

“Yes, that was when...” Jerard’s mouth fell open. “Good God! What has happened to your neck?”

Tash’s hand quickly flew to her neck. She had forgotten to rebutton the jacket’s high collar.

Jerard and Carstares stepped toward her at once. Jerard gently moved her hand away and looked her in the eye before speaking.

“Madam, I know healing burns when I see them. I don't recall you having any such injury when we first met.”

“You know Captain,” Carstares joined in bending to peer at Tash’s neck. “They look more like artillery burns to me. But I have never seen a burn in such a perfect stripe pattern. Miss Smythe-Harris if you could please explain?”

“She could but she probably won’t.” Nichols said from the door of the bridge. His voice was only a shade harder than the expression on his face.

Tash took the opportunity to back away from the men and to begin buttoning up her collar.

“Tash, don’t.” Nichols commanded but continued in a softer tone. “The time for modesty is past. You need to leave that collar open to let yourself heal.” Lance moved to put his arm around her shoulders and gently kissed her on the top of the head. He murmured something that neither Phillips nor Carstares could hear but they did see her nod and caught the look of gratitude she gave the chief engineer.

Jerard had to make a conscious decision to be a gentleman, so he did not further his questioning on this matter. But he did vow to himself that he would have this story out and he would have it before the sun set. At this point he did not care if it came from Nichols or Tash, instinct told him it would be Nichols. And instinct further told him that it had something to do with the Discretion. Clearing his throat he addressed Carstares. “Tell me Sir, how did it go?”

Carstares realized that he had been staring at Tash’s throat and quickly turned to Jerard. “Not what we were expecting Captain, no, not what we were expecting at all. I’m afraid you’re in for quite a tale.”

“The Captain and I need to remain on or close to the bridge.” Nichols interrupted. “Might I suggest we go to our stations there and make ourselves comfortable? I can have Tanner bring us up some tea.”

“That’s a wonderful idea Lance, although after the afternoon that the Colonel and I have had, I think we will skip the tea and proceed directly to the Scotch.” Tash smiled, back in control again. She sailed gracefully through the bridge door and before the gentlemen could take a step the sound glasses clinking could be heard.

6:55 Pm
Captain Cabin
Aalborg Harbour

Jerard reflected on the day’s events as he dressed for dinner. Paulo must be working magic again he thought as delicious smells worked their way under his door and caused his stomach to rumble. The truth be told, he was tired and would rather have taken his meal right here in his own company. With a sigh he finished knotting his tie and took a last look at his reflection. “Let’s go old man, can’t keep our guests waiting.” He told the mirror before turning away and retrieving his cap from the desk.

As he closed and locked his cabin door a realization came to Jerard. He actually liked this Baron Gyldenfeldt. The man was intelligent and every inch the soldier. He had displayed a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the Discretion during the tour Phillips had given him earlier. Tash and Carstares had excused themselves from that duty. Instead they had told Jerard that they wished for him to get a personal ‘feel’ for the Baron and perhaps some insight into his motives. After spending time with the man Jerard felt certain that his impression of the Baron did not match theirs. It seemed that Tash had come away from their first meeting totally distrusting Gyldenfeldt, in fact she appeared to be hell-bent on finding a flaw in the man’s story. Carstares, on the other hand, seemed to feel that they had had a stroke of luck in their dealings with the fellow. However, in his own conversation Jerard could detect nothing duplicitous in the Baron’s nature. But who knew what dinner would show him? This afternoon had been all about two soldiers discussing war, weapons and tactics; this evening will no doubt be something quite different.

As Jerard approached the passenger lounge he heard male laughter and quickened his step. He hoped he was not late, it would not do for the Captain of the ship to be seen to have a poor grasp of time. Upon entering the room his fears were assuaged. Inside were the Baron and Carstares seated opposite one another over the chessboard. A quick look around showed Gopal standing impassively by the drinks cabinet on one side of the room and the Baron’s manservant standing just opposite on the other side of the room; Jerard racked his brain to try to remember his name. The man did not so much look like a valet as a bare-knuckle prize fighter. Which was probably why Jerard kept wanting to call him John as in the American fellow he had read about, John Lawrence Sullivan.

“Good evening Captain” Gopal greeted him quietly. “May I get you a drink?”

“Yes, thank you Gopal, I’ll have what the...” Jerard stopped as Gopal raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at the nearly empty bottle of 20 year old Scotch. “...glass of claret.” Jerard finished with a wicked grin. So that’s how it is he thought, accepting the glass from Gopal and making his way over to the other gentlemen. The chess game’s progress would give him a better idea of just how long these two gentlemen had been entertaining themselves. He had to admire Tash for having the foresight to send Gopal along to keep one eye on the whiskey and the other on Carstares. No, he corrected himself, must think of him as Mr. Starblower.

Carstares burst out laughing again. “Oh my good lord Bodil! I can’t believe you did that! How the hell did you keep from getting cashiered man?”

“It was my father, you see. The man would have done anything to keep me
in
the army and
out
of his house. Can you imagine good Sir? My father deemed me a troublemaker!”

Carstares raised his glass and toasted the Baron. “To troublemakers! No wait, to Youth! Isn't that where the trouble always begins?”

Both men laughed at the jest and clinked their glasses together rather harder than was necessary.

“Gopal! Our glasses are empty!” Carstares called merrily to the manservant..

“Indeed Mr. Starblower, and so too is the bottle. Perhaps I may offer you something else before I go to retrieve a fresh one?”

Carstares looked at Gopal in mild shock, had he and Bodil consumed and entire bottle of Scotch? Spotting the Captain he decided to address Phillips instead of answering Gopal’s question. “Phillips! I did not see you there. Come join us. Bodil was regaling me with tales of his misspent youth.”

“Me?” The Baron said laughing. “Phineous! Your little tale of the late Mrs. Robinson...well Sir, I could not top that one with my own Mother’s arrrrr....My Lady! You look lovely this evening!” Gyldenfeldt finished getting hastily to his feet.

Tash executed a slow graceful curtsey giving Carstares time to get to his feet as well. “Gentlemen,” She said sweetly. “Paulo informs me that dinner is ready.”

Jerard was glad he was already on his feet. He handed the glass back to Gopal. Then stepped forward to offer his arm to this vision of beauty and charm. “I must agree with the Baron madam. You look lovely indeed.”

“Why thank you Captain Phillips.” Tash replied and wound her arm through his and tiltied her head up to meet his eye.

Jerard’s breath caught in his throat. He did not know what was more heady, the subtle spicy scent of her perfume, the expression in those laughing blue eyes or the delicious expanse of decollete just barely visible beneath the delicate lace that covered the bodice of her gown from waist to neck. Either way the appreciative smile he wore was genuine in the extreme.

“Captain?” Tash queried softly. “You’re staring.”

“I know.” He replied, loath to break the spell.

“Shall we?”

Jerard blinked several times, for a moment there, it almost sounded like quite a different invitation. He mentally gave himself a good shake and replied as a proper gentleman. “Yes, right this way madam.”

The two left the room seemingly oblivious to everything else.

“What was that all about, Phineous?” The Baron asked.

“I am damned if I know Bodil, damned if I know...” Carstares said. “But what I do know is that we’ve got the best chef to fly the seven seas on board. Let’s eat!”

“
Fly
the seven seas? Good one Sir, good one! The Baron chortled and followed Carstares out of the room.

Gopal stood quietly for another moment. A very thoughtful look on his face. He had observed more about tonight’s players in the last five minutes than he had in the last twelve hours. Gopal gestured to Gyldenfeldt’s manservant for them to follow their masters. Marius seemed reluctant to proceed Gopal out of the room but the Indian stood his ground and gave the man no choice. With a shrug Marius walked out of the room. Following behind the hulking man, Gopal noted he only carried one weapon. A knife, tucked inelegantly in his boot. Crude but effective Gopal noted.

Jerard was a little surprised on entering the passenger dining room. Only one small table was set by the window. Its snowy white linens glowed a rich ivory in the candlelight while the crystal and silver sparkled a stunning contrast. A silver bowl set neatly in the center of the table held a few flowers and what appeared to be floating candles. The effect was simple and elegant and very intimate. He raised his eyebrows at Tash in question and was a little put-off when she declined to comment on the the setting. So he escorted her to the nearest chair and held it for her. After she was seated she motioned to the chair across from herself and Jerard obliged by taking that seat.

“How lovely!” Carstares boomed. “Dear Theodosia you have quite out done yourself. Ah Bodil, you see now why she is my right hand, take a seat man. From the look of things I believe this will be a dinner to remember.” The Colonel smiled at Tash. She really had performed a stroke of genius, the small intimate table that had no official “head” put everyone on an equal footing, even Tash herself Carstares realized. Clever girl.

After everyone was seated Mr. Howell approached the table holding a bottle of wine. “Mr. Starblower, as you requested Sir, here is the wine for the first course.”

To hide his surprise Carstares quickly fished out his monocle and peered at the bottle. Hm, he thought, never heard of it; so he executed a curt nod and motioned for Jon to pour. While Carstares was not a complete novice he would not trust himself to choose dinner wine. Thankfully Tash had thought ahead, again. He was betting he was going to have to taste and approve the wine for every course, how tedious. At least his first taste of this offering was superb.

Just as Mr. Howell finished pouring the wine Tanner and Phelps seemed to appear out of nowhere with small plates that they sat in front of each diner. Carstares had no clue as to what the small pile of colorful food in the center of the plate might be although it smelled vaguely of fish. Gathering up his nerve Carstares took a fork-full.

“Magnificent!” Bodil Gyldenfelt exclaimed as he closed his eyes in apparent ecstasy. “I must have this recipe for my cook. I did not know that your chef was Danish, I thought his name was something Italian sounding. Oh this is quite fabulous indeed, I never would have thought to put oranges together with herring.”

The Colonel blinked several times not sure of how to reply. The kippers were ok in his book but he much preferred them smoked. Fortunately Tash came to his rescue.

“Oh thank you LensBaron! Paulo will be so pleased when I tell him that you are enjoying this dish. And your observation is very astute as well. Yes our chef Paulo is Italian but he is first and foremost a chef. This afternoon he was in your local market and discovered the fresh herring and set about discovering how it was locally prepared. He returned quite excited. I believe this is the prime fishing time for herring here in your country, yes?”

“You are quite correct Madam. We only fish for herring for about six weeks in the summer, from about the end of May until the first week of July. That is when the fish is at its true peak; the flesh delicate and tender as you can see.”

“Indeed.” Jerard interjected. “I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted anything quite like this, it is delicious.” Jerard had to refrain from smacking his lips so he raised his wine glass and offered a toast. “To the perfect beginning of a fine meal. Cheers!”