Stephen Lawhead by The Return Of King Arthur Avalon

Author:The Return Of King Arthur Avalon [Avalon, The Return Of King Arthur]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-07-03T13:31:15+00:00

Part IV

Thirty

“Are you sure you want to be doin’ this, miss?” asked George Kernan, not for the first time since leaving Penzance harbor.

The young woman rose from arranging her equipment, turned, and faced the ship’s skipper. “Asked and answered, Mr. Kernan. For the third time: yes, I know what I am doing.” Her green eyes, almost turquoise against the deep blue of her new overalls, skewered him with angry intensity. “The sea is calm; the weather fine. Don’t tell me there is a problem with the boat, or I shall become quite cross.”

“No,” George hastened to assure her, “she’s in first-class condition, is Godolphin Girl. You won’t find a better boat this side of Falmouth.”

“Then why do you keep pestering me with your ridiculous concerns?”

“It’s dangerous, miss, is all. Now, I know we agreed, but I thought you was only

—”

“Dangerous!” She spat the word with a force that made the seaman wince. “For the amount of money I’m paying you, Captain Kernan, you can well afford to keep your qualms to yourself, don’t you think?”

Kernan had faced difficult charters before; he drew himself up and gave it one last try. “But diving alone, miss — that’s the crux. We’d got no idea that you was attempting anything like that. We thought you only wanted to see the commotion like.”

“But I most certainly do wish to see the commotion. I wish to see it close up, Mr.

Kernan. As for diving alone, if the site has become as busy as you say, then I shall hardly be alone, shall I? In any case, I take sole and entire responsibility for myself.

Is that clear?”

“Of course, miss.”

“Now then, if you and your idiot son will simply do as you are told, there is no reason anyone should get hurt.” Her green eyes narrowed. “Do we understand one another?”

“Yes, miss.” George swallowed. “I understand.”

“Good,” she said, dismissing him with an imperious flick of her hand. “I do not expect to be interrupted again. You may inform me when we are within a mile of our destination.”

“Very good, miss.”

Captain Kernan stood for a moment, watching the belligerent young woman at her preparations. That day on the quayside she had been all sweetness and light, her low, throaty laugh enchanting as he told her how he and his crew had discovered the boiling, sulfurous sea, and recounted tales of various inexplicable doings in those queer waters. Why, she had even made him feel gallant and obliging when he accepted her money for the upcoming charter.

Still, he had tried to dissuade her. “Two thousand pounds is a lot of money, miss —

ah —” He fished for a name.

“You’re right,” she had agreed, counting the bills into his hand. “And you deserve every penny, Captain Kernan. You’ve been so helpful — agreeing to take me out on short notice — it’s the least I can do.”

Well, thought George, scratching his head ruefully, there was no ‘you deserve every penny’ today. Women! He should have figured something was up when they arrived on the quayside to find her already waiting for them with her knapsack and diving bag.

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