The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) by Giles, Lori Othen Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Giles, Lori Othen
out of the question. She did not hire you for this position, I did. Don’t let me down boy.”
“I won’t Sir.” Phillips promised. “But who is Tash Sir?”
“Never mind Sir, if she wants you to know she’ll tell you. Oh and Phillips, there is no one quite like her, bring her back safely, she’s like a daughter to me.”
“I will Sir. And thank you Sir.” Phillips turned and made it to the door before he remembered that there was another question he wanted to ask. “Sir,” Jerard turned back to Lovelace. “Has my father anything to do with this fortuitous and seeming coincidental offer of a captaincy for a private airship?”
The barest trace of a smile tickled the corners of Lovelace’s mouth. “Sir, as far as I know I have never met your esteemed father, I believe he is Mr. Morcombe’s client. I am only aware of my own client’s urgent need of an airship captain and the reasons for that.”
Jerard nodded at the man’s non-answer and let himself out. He had things to do and a bill to settle at the Broken Piston.
Lovelace sat back down in his chair hoping he had done the right thing. It was always like this when his instincts kicked in; he had followed them for decades and they had never led him wrong. Drinks at the club with Morcombe tonight would be a sort of celebration; it was not often that two birds could be killed so efficiently with one stone.
Late Afternoon
A Gentleman’s Club
Edinburgh, Scotland
“Letter for you Sir.” Intoned the starkly dressed footman.
The seated gentleman uncrossed his legs and set down the newspaper he had been reading. Without a word he picked up the white envelope offered to him on the silver platter. With a stiff nod the footman retired to his station. The gentleman watched him go before he opened the envelope and extracted the note.
Dear Marquise,
I am pleased to say we all found work just as planned. After a bit of a scene there was exactly the correct number of openings. Serpentines’ ‘references’ were just what the Doctor ordered. Granite has found a berth easily as if born to the position.
Glad to know the fishing trip is underway. The papers have been reporting all of the excitement.
We’re looking forward to getting away from things here but at this point our departure date is yet to be determined. Though I can’t say I relish the idea of the long trip northwards I do look forward to a change of scenery. The herring market is still the place to meet, yes?
Jade
Pleased with the news, the gentleman reached past his brandy glass and picked up the notepad from the small table beside him.
Dear Jade,
This is good news! I’m so glad you are all settling in, oh and don’t worry about the trip from Aberdeen that's all taken care of. As you have your new work to attend to, you just follow the route we spoke of before. The herring market will do unless a more scenic location suggests itself later.
I should tell you I had a bit of trouble with a Shopkeeper in Scotland. His interference was outrageous! I must admit his deplorable behavior made me so angry I had to leave early but we’ll have our holiday nonetheless. Watch out for him if you happen to stop in Scotland, I believe his name was Carstares. Too clever for his own good!
Look me up again when you are able. Though I suppose you’ll have to slip in a message between your new duties now. C'est la vie!
Marquise
The gentleman raised a finger to summon the footman who appeared at his side instantly. “I wish to have a reply posted. I shall require an envelope.”
The footman bowed and left to do the foreign gentleman’s bidding.
Chapter Two
11th June 1870
7:00 am Airship Hangar,
Mudchute Park,
Isle of Dogs, London
Jerard enjoyed the ride out to the Isle of Dogs. The horseless carriage was smoother than most. Its steam powered engine produced a nearly hypnotic rhythm with none of usual clanking and hissing he had experienced in other vehicles of this nature. Watching the soft darkness
“I won’t Sir.” Phillips promised. “But who is Tash Sir?”
“Never mind Sir, if she wants you to know she’ll tell you. Oh and Phillips, there is no one quite like her, bring her back safely, she’s like a daughter to me.”
“I will Sir. And thank you Sir.” Phillips turned and made it to the door before he remembered that there was another question he wanted to ask. “Sir,” Jerard turned back to Lovelace. “Has my father anything to do with this fortuitous and seeming coincidental offer of a captaincy for a private airship?”
The barest trace of a smile tickled the corners of Lovelace’s mouth. “Sir, as far as I know I have never met your esteemed father, I believe he is Mr. Morcombe’s client. I am only aware of my own client’s urgent need of an airship captain and the reasons for that.”
Jerard nodded at the man’s non-answer and let himself out. He had things to do and a bill to settle at the Broken Piston.
Lovelace sat back down in his chair hoping he had done the right thing. It was always like this when his instincts kicked in; he had followed them for decades and they had never led him wrong. Drinks at the club with Morcombe tonight would be a sort of celebration; it was not often that two birds could be killed so efficiently with one stone.
Late Afternoon
A Gentleman’s Club
Edinburgh, Scotland
“Letter for you Sir.” Intoned the starkly dressed footman.
The seated gentleman uncrossed his legs and set down the newspaper he had been reading. Without a word he picked up the white envelope offered to him on the silver platter. With a stiff nod the footman retired to his station. The gentleman watched him go before he opened the envelope and extracted the note.
Dear Marquise,
I am pleased to say we all found work just as planned. After a bit of a scene there was exactly the correct number of openings. Serpentines’ ‘references’ were just what the Doctor ordered. Granite has found a berth easily as if born to the position.
Glad to know the fishing trip is underway. The papers have been reporting all of the excitement.
We’re looking forward to getting away from things here but at this point our departure date is yet to be determined. Though I can’t say I relish the idea of the long trip northwards I do look forward to a change of scenery. The herring market is still the place to meet, yes?
Jade
Pleased with the news, the gentleman reached past his brandy glass and picked up the notepad from the small table beside him.
Dear Jade,
This is good news! I’m so glad you are all settling in, oh and don’t worry about the trip from Aberdeen that's all taken care of. As you have your new work to attend to, you just follow the route we spoke of before. The herring market will do unless a more scenic location suggests itself later.
I should tell you I had a bit of trouble with a Shopkeeper in Scotland. His interference was outrageous! I must admit his deplorable behavior made me so angry I had to leave early but we’ll have our holiday nonetheless. Watch out for him if you happen to stop in Scotland, I believe his name was Carstares. Too clever for his own good!
Look me up again when you are able. Though I suppose you’ll have to slip in a message between your new duties now. C'est la vie!
Marquise
The gentleman raised a finger to summon the footman who appeared at his side instantly. “I wish to have a reply posted. I shall require an envelope.”
The footman bowed and left to do the foreign gentleman’s bidding.
Chapter Two
11th June 1870
7:00 am Airship Hangar,
Mudchute Park,
Isle of Dogs, London
Jerard enjoyed the ride out to the Isle of Dogs. The horseless carriage was smoother than most. Its steam powered engine produced a nearly hypnotic rhythm with none of usual clanking and hissing he had experienced in other vehicles of this nature. Watching the soft darkness
Similar Books
American Blood
Jason Manning
Origin
J.T. Brannan
The Demon Creed (A Demon Outlaws Novel) (Entangled Edge)
Paula Altenburg
Shadow Mage (Blacklight Chronicles)
John Forrester
Only for You
Marquita Valentine
Naked in Saigon
Colin Falconer
Turned to Stone
Jorge Magano
Anticipation
Sarah Mayberry
Escape
Anna Fienberg
Dancing in the Dark: My Struggle Book 4
Karl Ove Knausgaard