Magnificent Devices [5] A Lady of Resources by Shelley Adina

Author:Shelley Adina [Adina, Shelley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781939087058
Publisher: Moonshell Books
Published: 2013-09-28T14:00:00+00:00

14

The long dining table seemed even longer with the Dunsmuirs, the Lady, and Maggie gone. There had to be thirty feet of gleaming damask tablecloth, with islands of bone china and place settings and glasses marooned at intervals along its length, and floral arrangements of fragrant lilies and roses separating one side from another like continents. Lizzie, had she been in charge of the arrangements this evening, would have seated everyone at one end so that they might have a proper conversation.

But she was not in charge. Yet.

The butler pulled out the chair at the far end opposite her father and waited for her to seat herself. “This is your place now, Miss Elizabeth, as the daughter of the house,” he said. “We understand that you have been reunited with your family. I hope you will permit me to say that the staff and I are delighted.”

“Why, thank you, Mr.—I mean, Kennidge,” she said, so touched that tears sprang to her eyes. “How very kind of you.”

She would have said more, but Claude took that moment to lean in and call down the length of the table, “Pater, we’re off to Newquay tomorrow to see the new sub-marine cable cars. What fun to whizz about underwater! May we have Victory, or will you make me slog it out on the train?”

Their father craned around the flower arrangement to gaze at him, confused. “I thought you were staying the week, and racing here on the Colley?”

“Water’s too low,” Geoffrey put in before Claude could speak. “And it’s too hot—the ladies don’t want to crew. There will be good fun at Newquay, though. Can’t say it’s too hot under the sea.”

Wait—they could not be thinking of going? And leaving her here all alone? Well, as alone as one could be with one’s father and a staff of a dozen at least?

Her father said as much, and Claude laughed. “You brought it up last night, so don’t go blaming me because I agree it’s a brilliant idea.”

“But Claude, I didn’t mean for you to go this week—practically this instant. What will Elizabeth do without all her friends—and without you?”

All my friends have already gone. But no, that was disloyal and untrue.

“What about it, Lizzie?” Claude asked, waving his fork to get her attention. “Want to come down to Newquay with us and see the latest in sub-marine engines? They’re going to see if they can get to Bristol, underwater. If we lift in the morning, we should be there in time for lunch—and the marina puts on a topping spread.”

“I—well, I hardly—” Good heavens. It would be horribly rude to abandon their father. Every bit as rude as Claude abandoning her. And besides, she could not think of anything less appealing than being under the water. The thought of it closing over her head horrified her. But she could certainly watch from the deck of the marina. “I am to be Father’s hostess when the scientists come tomorrow. I couldn’t possibly go until the day after, at least.

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