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.Squalls of rainsurrounded the ship, severely reducing visibility.William stood down in thebow lost to his thoughts.Here, close to the sea, under the fo'c's'le was thenearest to privacy that could be found on a crowded warship.He welcomed thePage 239ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlcold spray and wind on his face.It suited his mood.The crew recognised theircaptain's black humour and left him to his reflections.Someone climbed down and stood beside him, unspeaking."I thought you wereavoiding me, milady?" William said."Yes," Lucy agreed."I was.I am afraid that I am something of a coward,Captain.I avoid confrontation, especially when I'm in the wrong.""Whatever else you are, milady, no man who has seen you fight will call youcoward.""Fighting!"Lucy shrugged."Anyone can fight.What takes courage isapologising to a man that I have wronged.I spoke harshly and used ill-judgedwords to you, sir.Please accept my apology.""Shush," said William.He touched her lips with his fingertips."Shush.That is what you said to me when we were in the water.See, Captain,I don't just insult strangers.I also insult the man that saved my life.""The fault is hardly yours to bear alone.I am a rude and vulgar man, unusedto the niceties of your class.I also aim well above my station.However, Ihave often aimed high and in my experience, that is the only way to hit adistant target."The two stood in silence for some time watching the water."How did the test of the magic candles go?" asked William."Well enough," Lucy replied."But I found it more difficult to make contactthan in the Tower.""The sea is supposed to drain magic," William observed."Mayhap, that is whatyou felt.""I hope so," Lucy said."Lilith says that it could be connected with thedistance between the candles.That could become a problem when we cross theocean."Lucy shivered.William undid his cloak and put it around her shoulders."Yousee another example of my uncouthness, milady.I must wait until you chillbefore offering you protection.A gentleman would have done so before youshivered."She smiled."That is better.A smile from my lady banishes all cold," William said,gallantly."And I accused you of lacking poetry, sir," she said."Another example of your good judgement," William said."Did your unclediscuss my proposal with you?""He did.""And did he ask your opinion?"She said nothing.Page 240ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Come talk to me, my lady.""I see you will know it all, sir.I told him that I could see politicaladvantage in the match.""Did you indeed!I suppose that I have deserved such a reply.Did your uncleenquire after your personal wishes?" William asked."He did.""And am I also to be allowed to know them?" William asked."I told him that I did not oppose the idea.Indeed, I might find the matchsomewhat." She paused, clearly anxious to select the right word.".stimulating , despite certain difficulties that I foresee." Lucy snuggled upto him."I am still a little chilled so I will stand closer to you, if I may."She reached up, pulled his head down, and kissed him on the lips."That is byway of an apology for my behaviour earlier.""Is it? Then I trust you will insult me often," William said."I find yourapologies stimulating." Inside his heart sang.He had kissed her twice butthis was the first time that she had kissed him."I know you think that I am an arrogant aristocrat, and mayhap you are right,but I believe you love me." William started to speak but she talked over him."There is a great danger in that.You are the commander of our enterprise andI will obey you, but I am the weapon in your hand.When the time comes, youmust be prepared to use me as you would any other weapon.Our enterprise islost if you hold me back out of love.You must be brave, William, and let mego in harm's way."William would think on this conversation later but for the moment his mindhad picked up one detail.She did not oppose the match."Sail ho, one point off the port bow." A sailor's voice called from thecrow's nest.William hurled himself up the steps to the fo'c's'le."What type of vessel isshe, can you not see?"Lucy watched him go, with a slight smile.'You see.Lilith.My reservationsabout his suit are not entirely ill-founded.Were I to be his wife, I wouldalways have to compete with his first love, his beloved mistress.''And who is she?' thought Lilith, confused.'Why, the ship of course.That sleek mistress that always obeys, neveranswers back, and is ever waiting his will.How does mere flesh and bloodcompete?'Lucy climbed back after William and found a place to stand that was out ofthe way.William was talking to the master."Can you see her, Mr.Smethwick?"asked William."I think there is something there, in that squall.But my sight ain't what itwas, Captain.Especially in this weather."'I can't see it either, Lilith.Can you help?' Lucy thought.Page 241ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html'Let me switch on night sight to cut through the haze and try to bend thelight to increase magnification.I will drop gravity shields in front of youreyes now.'Master Smethwick nudged William and pointed to Lucy.Her eyes took on a hardcrystalline appearance and her skin glowed.William spoke directly to the girl, "Can you see the ship, Lucy? Can youdescribe her? What is her course?""She is moving to cross our bow," the girl said."Cross our bow? I can't allow that.Boatswain, take us two points to port,"William bawled.Orders cascaded downhe chain of command until the helmsman hauled on thewhipstaff and brought the ship's bow around."She has three masts, square sails on the first two and a triangular sail onthe rear," said Lucy."Is she race-built?" the master asked.Lucy looked at him blankly."Is her architecture cut down, like theSwallow ?" William said."Oh yes," Lucy said."But she is smaller and fatter than this boat.""Ship."William corrected automatically."What colours does she show?""I can't see colours when using night sight," said Lucy."But she is comingout now so you can look yourself [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]