Chương 2: Chapter 2: The Call to Adventure Part 2
"It is my money." Lord Carroway made no effort to hide his petulant tone. "After all the trips I've sponsored, I think I deserve to set the goal for one."
"The Sargasso Sea is understudied, Sir, and might be worth the trip on its own account."
Pentam, getting revenge for being used only for his appearance? If it bothered him so much, why did he constantly fuss over it?
"Very well." Sir Shillingsworth sent a glare at Pentam which ought to have left him but smouldering ash in its wake. "I will assemble a company and find a suitable steamship. I do not intend to waste time waiting for a feckless breeze."
"I would expect nothing less." Lord Carroway wandered behind Cal and peered over her shoulder. "Astonishing."
"Her skill is why I employ her."
"Indeed, perhaps I may glance at the sketchbook she was holding earlier."
More observant than I thought.
"That sketchbook is to Calliope, what a diary is to a Lady." Sir Shillingsworth frowned at the Lord. "Would you expect to peruse the pages of such a book?"
"No, of course not, it's just..." Lord Carroway trailed off. Cal lifted her head and raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. Sir Shillingsworth's nod was just as scant.
"With your permission." Cal pulled a roll of paper from yet another pocket. "I could do a quick sketch for you."
The look of delight on the Lord's face was more than worth the price of the expensive paper. She drew him carefully, without her customary speed. The time spent added worth to the portrait. It also gave her time to make sure the portrait flattered the man.
James returned with a cart, pouring tea for Sir Shillingsworth and Pentam. Cal's mouth watered at the tray of sweets. Oh well.
When she'd completed the portrait, Cal took a small bottle from a pocket. She uncorked it and attached a mechanism with a bulb on one end and a nozzle at the other. A squeeze of the bulb sent mist over the paper. After coating the entire paper, she disassembled the contraption, returning it to her pocket. With utmost care, she lifted the paper by its edges and moved it across the desk. Then she brought out an oilcloth, unrolled it and used the rag within to wipe down the desktop. The sharp scent of pine invaded the room as she replaced the rag.
"Quite extraordinary." Lord Carroway stood with his hands behind his back peering at himself looking up from the paper.
"Please don't touch the paper until tomorrow, my Lord. By then the varnish protecting it will have dried."
"I paid hundreds of pounds for a portrait which barely looked human, never mind like me. And this..." He waved his hand. "James, come and look."
The man came over with a cup of tea and plate of sweets which he placed in front of her. He gave her a slight nod and a smile.
"She has captured your essence, my Lord."
"Sir Shillingsworth, have your artist list what materials she needs to record your expedition and I will see she gets them." The Lord's eyes returned to the drawing as surely as a compass pointed north.
"I wasn't planning on her travelling with us."
"Nonsense, I will want to see the journey through her art."
Sir Shillingsworth paused an instant to look at Cal. She tried to keep her nod dignified and not run over to beg him to say yes.
"Of course, my Lord. I will send you her list." Her father gave Cal the tiniest bend of his lips and actually waited for her to finish her tea before sweeping out of the room, pulling Cal and Pentam in his wake.
"That was well done, dear." Sir Shillingsworth helped Cal into the coach as steam puffed from a valve.
"Thank you, Father. I am delighted to finally be able to travel with you."
His lips pursed, but he didn't say anything. Pentam climbed into the front of the machine and set it in gear. They trundled off to her home where they'd put the expedition together.
Cal made a list in her sketchbook of what she wanted to bring.
Quà tặng
-- Nhận quà Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực