Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 02] - Feather Castles by Veryan Patricia

Author:Veryan, Patricia [Veryan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

It was a rather sultry' mid-morning when Tristram and Devenish arrived at the cove where the yawl lay moored. They were greeted with reserve by Mr. George Kimble, and watched without enthusiasm by three taciturn men engaged in loading an apparently inexhaustible supply of barrels into the hold. The master of the Ma Fille was a stockily built young man with a ruddy complexion and blonde hair already beginning to thin. His countenance was pleasant, although he lacked the spectacular good looks of his cousin, the only trace of family likeness manifesting itself in the deep blue of his eyes.

"I've found a new slave for you, old George," said Devenish blithely.

With his bland gaze steady on Tristram, Mr. Kimble declined the offer. "I am not," said he, "in need of new crewmen just now."

"The devil you ain't!" Devenish exploded, bending to snatch up Mrs. O'Crumbs who had waddled to join them. "Than you can do without me, either! And—"

"Look! Look!" shouted one of the men on the yawl. "A one-eyed duck!"

Yells of excitement arose. Kimble's jaw dropped and he stared, glassy-eyed.

And suddenly, it seemed he was indeed able to take on a new crewman. Tristram was assigned to help load the barrels, and Devenish and his cousin undertook a low-voiced and intent discussion. It was all a trifle smoky, thought Tristram, but since Kimble was again making the run to Dinard, it was much too providential to be questioned.

Two nights later, standing on the heaving deck and enjoying the feel of salt spray in his face, Tristram gazed toward distant France and wondered how Rachel would react when they met.

"I'm a man of my word, I'll own, friend," remarked a quiet voice at his elbow. "But did I work you so hard you are too tired to eat?"

Tristram smiled and shook his head. "My lack of appetite has little to do with your demands of us, Mr. Kimble. However, I never dreamed so many barrels could be packed down below. Why in the deuce do you not tie up to a regular dock? I'd think the fees worth every penny, compared to what we went through."

"Would you," said Kimble speculatively, his eyes holding an amused gleam. "My cousin told me about your trouble with memory. You'll find no dock on the other side, either. You'll not forget you're promised to help us offload?"

"I'll not forget. It was pure luck for me that you chanced to be sailing to Dinard, and I'm most grateful you took me on."

Kimble chuckled, his pipe glowing redly in the darkness. "It was purest luck the men decided it was a good sign. They might just as easily have held it to be a warning of imminent disaster."

"A good sign? Oh—the duck, you mean?"

"Yes. My incorrigible cousin's feathered friend. The truth is that only her arrival won you passage." Tristram's puzzlement brought another chuckle. "Never look so conflummerated. We pick up our cargo at an old tavern called Le Canard Borgne."

"The One-Eyed Duck'? Gad! And

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