07 When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith

Author:Wilbur Smith
Language: deu
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

20

Sean came through from the bathroom, his beard in wild disorder and a bath-towel round his waist.

The famous Duke of York

He had ten thousand men

He marched them up to the top of the hill

And he marched them down again.’

He sang as he poured bay rum from a cut-glass bottle into his cupped hands and rubbed it into his hair. Duff sat in one of the gilt chairs watching him. Sean combed his hair carefully then smiled at himself in the mirror. ‘You magnificent creature,’ Sean told his reflection.

‘You’re getting fat,’ Duff grunted.

Sean looked hurt. ‘It’s muscle.’

‘You’ve got a backside on you like a hippopotamus.’ Sean removed his towel and turned his back to the mirror; he surveyed it over his shoulder.

‘I need a heavy hammer to drive a long nail,’ he protested.

‘Oh, no,’ groaned Duff. ‘Your wit at this time of the morning is like pork for breakfast, heavy on the stomach.’

Sean took a silk shirt out of his drawer, held it like a toreador’s cape, made two passes and swirled it onto his back with a half veronica.

‘Olé!’ applauded Duff wryly. Sean pulled on his trousers and sat to fit his boots.

‘You’re in a nice mood this morning,’ he told Duff.

‘I’ve just come through an emotional hurricane!’

‘What’s the trouble?’

‘Candy wants a church wedding.’

‘Is that bad?’

‘Well, it’s not good.’

‘Why?’

‘Is your memory so short?’

‘Oh, you mean your other wife.’

‘That’s right, my other wife.’

‘Have you told Candy about her?’

‘Good God, no.’ Duff looked horrified.

‘Yes, I see your problem – what about Candy’s husband? Doesn’t that even the score between you?’

‘No, he has gone to his reward.’

‘Well, that’s convenient. Does anyone else know you’re married already?’ Duff shook his head.

‘What about Francois?’

‘No, I never told him.’

‘Well, what’s your problem – take her down to the church and marry her.’

Duff looked uncomfortable.

‘I don’t mind marrying a second time in a magistrate’s court, it would only be a couple of old Dutchmen I’d be cheating, but to go into a church—’ Duff shook his head.

‘I’d be the only one who’d know,’ said Sean.

‘You and the headman.’

‘Duff,’ Sean beamed at him. ‘Duff, my boy, you have scruples – this is amazing!’

Duff squirmed a little in his chair.

‘Let me think.’ Sean held his forehead dramatically. ‘Yes, yes, it’s coming to me – that’s it.’

‘Come on, tell me.’ Duff sat on the edge of his chair.

‘Go to Candy and tell her it’s all fixed, not only are you prepared to marry her in a church but you’re even going to build your own church.’

‘That’s wonderful,‘Duff murmured sarcastically, ‘that’s the way out of my difficulties all right.’

‘Let me finish.’ Sean started filling his silver cigar case. ‘You also tell her that you want a civil ceremony as well – I believe that’s what royalty do. Tell her that, it should win her over.’

‘I still don’t follow you.’

‘Then you build your own chapel up at Xanadu – we can find a distinguished-looking character, dress him up in a dog collar and teach him the right words. That keeps Candy happy. Immediately after the service the priest takes the coach for Capetown.

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