The Tailor and the Prince Read online

  “Well, yes indeed, very important.” Hayward pulled out his pocket watch and pursed his lips. “I have another patient here. I’ll see them now, and be back here in, say, fifteen minutes? Good evening, Master Blackwood, and good luck with your business trip.”

  The surgeon marched out as crisply as he’d entered, and Bertie smiled at his father.

  “I hope you’re out of here quickly, Papa.” Taking a step forward, Bertie bent down to kiss his father’s brow. “I’ll keep in touch with you and be sure to ask for your advice.”

  “Good luck. The prince is a good man, if a little aloof, and very keen to do business. Tom, be sure to assist Master Bertram in any way you can.”

  “Yes, sir. Of course, sir.” Tom stood a little straighter and nodded at Charles.

  “We’ll go straight home, Tom. Early to bed and early to rise. I’d like the paperwork organized first thing. Get well soon, Papa, and don’t worry. Between us, Tom and I will ensure the contract comes to Blackwood and Son.”

  “Good luck, Bertram. No matter what, just remember this. I’m very proud of you, my son.”

  Tears prickled at Bertie’s eyes and he hugged his father, receiving a tight squeeze in return.

  “Thank you, Papa. I promise to be worthy of you.”

  “I know you will. Take care. Both of you.”

  “Come on, Tom. We have much to do.” Bertie was determined not to let his father see him cry. There was paperwork to arrange, an airship to catch, and a contract to gain. Bertie was determined to let nothing stand in his way.

  Chapter Three

  Even with the letter Bertie had from his father, getting his paperwork still proved to be a slower process than he would have liked. Even Tom was getting agitated as time ticked by. Finally, the process was complete.

  “Thank goodness that’s over.” Bertie stomped out of the office, Tom striding beside him. “I thought that was never going to end. Now we need to rush home, get our cases and bags, and hurry to the airship port.”

  “Yes, sir.” Tom moved in tandem with Bertie, flagged down a clockwork carriage, and shouted up to the driver. “We’ll pay double the fare if you wait for us and bring us right back to the airship port in time to catch the seven o’clock departure out east.”

  “You’re on, sir. Hop aboard. What’s the address?”

  Bertie settled himself in place, taking a tight grip of the hand strap as Tom shouted the address. Tom threw himself into the seat, grabbing madly at his own strap as the driver set the carriage in motion, powering rapidly up the gears.

  Bumped and jostled in the carriage, as the driver sought to earn his bonus, Bertie found himself sniggering like a schoolboy as Tom struggled to keep seated. Not that he was faring much better. The tension of the day finally broke free as both laughed out loud, still clinging to their straps to try and avoid being tossed onto the floor.

  Still in a playful mood, Bertie raced Tom into the house and up the stairs. While Tom collected his own luggage, Bertie hurried into his room to sort his own.

  Moving his specially designed creations from his trunk into his carpetbag, Bertie stopped, closed his eyes, and concentrated. He pictured all he’d done in his mind, making sure he’d missed nothing. While his memory might be erratic in other ways, when used in this way it was as good as having a series of photographs to study.

  Satisfied that nothing was forgotten, Bertie carried his trunk, then a case, out into the hallway. “Tom? Are you able to give me a hand?”

  “Coming, Bertie. Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Everything’s packed. I want the trunk and the big case to go into storage for the trip, the smaller case and carpetbag will stay with us. The clothing and designs are in the carpetbag.”

  “Did you get a spell of protection put on it?” Tom looked past Bertie at the voluminous bag.

  “No. I got one put on the trunk. That way, I hope, no one will think twice about my hand luggage. They’ll concentrate on the wrong piece of baggage.”

  “An excellent idea, Bertie. Well done.” Tom grinned. “I’ll need a hand with the trunk. Shall I see if the butler’s available?”

  “No, no. The fewer people who handle it the better. I can help you.” Bertie took hold of the silver dragon handle on his side of the trunk and waited for Tom to do the same. The trunk was heavier than he’d expected, but Tom seemed to have no problem, and Bertie was determined to uphold his end.

  Once they reached the front door, the cabbie stepped forward to assist Tom, and Bertie was glad of the respite. When Bertie turned around his mother stood in the vestibule.

  “Are you leaving now?” she asked.

  “Yes, Mama. The airship leaves tonight. Tom and I sorted all the paperwork, but it took much longer than I anticipated. I hoped to have dinner with you before leaving.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to bring your father home and bring in a nurse to care for him. I’ll be kept very busy. But I’m glad I caught you, I want to give you this.”

  Bertie held out his hand and accepted the green and gold necklace, peering at it closely before meeting his mother’s intent gaze.

  “I’ve never seen this piece before. It’s beautiful.” Bertie wasn’t just flattering his mother. The necklace was a jade dragon with ruby eyes, and it was entwined around a gold tree. The detail was amazing. Bertie could both see and feel the scales the jeweler had painstakingly etched onto his creation.

  “It was your grandmother’s. Especially made for her when she visited out East. I’m afraid the pendant never sat comfortably with me, but Grandmamma was very fond of you. I’d forgotten about it, but for some reason it featured in a dream last night. Put in on and let it sit under your shirt.”

  “Thank you, Mama.” Bertie fastened the necklace, in fact it almost felt as if it fastened itself, settling warmly against his skin to lie between his pecs.

  “How does it feel?”

  “Perfect. It might have been made for me.” Bertie smiled, and his mother nodded.

  “Grandmamma said the pendant would likely choose its next wearer for itself, and it seems it has. She also told me that it was designed for protection, and I thought it might be an addition to the necklace your father commissioned. You’ll be so far away. I wanted you to feel loved and protected by us both, my dear.”

  “Thank you, Mama.” Bertie leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be fine. I have Tom with me. I won’t be alone, and father says the prince is an honorable man. And now, I’m sure I’m more than adequately protected.”

  “Excuse me, ma’am. I’ve left your carpetbag for you to carry, Bertie. We need to go now if we’re to get across town to make it to the port in time.” Tom laid his hand on Bertie’s shoulder. “Everything else is in the carriage. Don’t worry ma’am, I’ll watch out for Master Bertram.”

  “Thank you, Tom. I know you will. And he for you. You’d best hurry, my dear. Bon voyage, and I wish you luck in Japan.”

  “I’ll do you and Papa proud. I promise. Goodbye, Mama.”

  “Goodbye, Bertie.”

  Racing upstairs, Bertie grabbed his carpetbag and rushed back down again. His mother stood on the portico and Bertie waved to her as he ran past to scramble into the carriage. Bertie barely had time to grasp the hanging strap before the carriage sped away.

  The adventure had begun.

  Chapter Four

  The carriage made excellent time, getting them to the port well in time for the airship’s departure. While Tom found a trolley for their baggage, Bertie gazed out at the majestic vessel that would be their home for the next couple of weeks.

  The ship was the biggest he’d ever seen. Bertie had only flown a couple of times before, and then in vessels that were only a fraction of the size of this majestic beauty. He studied her form and design.

  The ship itself gleamed—its copper hull looked as if it had just been polished. Bertie was certain that if he got closer, he’d be able to see his own reflection. The portholes were framed in golden-b
ronze and Bertie imagined how beautiful it would be to look out through them as the ship sailed over Europe.

  High above the ship were the huge arrangements of balloons that kept the ship aloft. A thrill of excitement suffused Bertie. He could hardly wait to board the ship and start the journey to Japan.

  “The main luggage is taken care of, Bertie. Blimey, but she’s a big ‘un.” Tom stared upwards and Bertie laughed.

  “Yes, she is that indeed, Tom. And a wonderful way to travel. I can hardly wait to see what she looks like inside. I’ve never seen such a magnificent vessel.”

  “I hope her captain has put plenty of charms for safety on her. It’s a long journey.” Tom rubbed at his chin, the red stone of his ring gleaming as it caught the sun.

  “I’m sure he will. As well as company mages. I doubt they rely on one man’s magic, Tom.”

  “Well, I suppose not. It just seems a long way for a ship to travel.”

  “We’ll be stopping off to refuel on the way. Just relax, and you’ll enjoy it. I don’t know that I’ll get another opportunity like this. Once papa is fit again, he’ll be the one undertaking such journeys. Put your faith in the ship’s captain and his crew.”

  “I will.” Tom nodded. “At least, I’ll try, Bertie.”

  “Come on. Let’s find where we board. I can’t wait any longer.” Bertie led the way, Tom following on behind him.

  As he’d expected, the ship was as amazing inside as she had been outside. Everywhere Bertie looked, whether at the wood, the brass, or the glass, the ship sparkled and gleamed. Armchairs and sofas in oxblood leather were scattered around highly polished tables in each bar they looked into. The dining rooms looked as if they’d been taken straight out of the best quality French restaurant, complete with their extensive menus.

  According to the brochure Bertie clutched, the airship also boasted a couple of casinos, outdoor sport, cabaret, and the jewel in its crown was the main ballroom. Bertie grinned like a giddy schoolboy.

  “Let’s go to the reception foyer and find out where our rooms are. If this is anything to go by, they’ll be wonderfully relaxing.” Bertie strode on ahead with Tom muttering darkly behind him. “Oh, relax, Tom.” Bertie called out over his shoulder. “Think of it like a train ride. You enjoy those.”

  “Yes, I do. They remain firmly fixed to the ground. And they stop. And I can get out and walk around.”

  Tom’s grumbles didn’t take the shine off being aboard the airship one iota for Bertie. Once they were in the air and engrossed in the many activities, Bertie was certain Tom would forget all his worries about flying.

  Tapping out an impatient tattoo with his foot, Bertie waited to get to the front of the line of people also wanting to get to their rooms. Once at the desk, Bertie produced his passport and the tickets.

  The desk clerk perused them slowly, then ponderously copied their names and various numbers into a large ledger. Once he’d finished, he handed the quill to Bertie to enable him to sign the ledger.

  “According to the booking, it’s two rooms, sir. They don’t need to be adjoining. Is that correct?”

  “Yes. Quite correct.” Bertie nodded. “We just want the rooms to be together. But if adjoining is all you have, we’ll take that.”

  “I see, sir.” The clerk pondered a large schematic before coming to a decision. Then he left the counter and went to an enormous rack on which hung many brass keys. Selecting two, he returned to the counter and held them out to Bertie. “I think these will do you nicely, sir.”

  At a snap of his fingers a porter came at a quick trot. The clerk handed the keys to the porter, who then took charge of Bertie and Tom’s luggage, stacking the larger cases on a trolley which chugged and hissed as he steered it before them.

  With a slight clatter, the trolley entered a spacious lift, the porter indicating for Bertie and Tom to precede him, then murmured quietly to the lift operator. The lift only descended a single floor.

  It was all Bertie could do not to skip along behind the porter as he followed the trolley along the wooden floored hallway. It was all such a marvelous adventure now he was actually aboard the airship. Admittedly, the bag Bertie carried reminded him that it wasn’t all fun and games, but at least while aboard the airship, Bertie felt he and Tom could relax and enjoy the journey.

  “Here we are sir. This is your room.” The porter unlocked and opened a door, then stood aside while Bertie went inside.

  It wasn’t a single room. It was a suite. The sitting room was every bit as luxurious as any top hotel. The walls were dark wood, and the room had well-appointed furniture, including a writing desk. Across the room a door led into the bedroom, which, as Bertie quickly established, was home to a large bed, as well as a deep comfortable armchair. There was even a small bathroom with toilet and washbasin off the bedroom.

  The porter coughed as Bertie peered into the toilet. “Showers are available, sir. And one has the choice of individual, or as part of a,” he coughed again. “More communal affair.”

  “Oh, yes. Most assuredly private, I should say.” Bertie nodded.

  “You book those at reception, sir. We even have masseurs.” The porter stood tall, pride positively radiating from him.

  Bertie fished in his pocket and drew out a suitable tip. “Now, my friend’s room, that’s next door, you said?”

  “Yes, sir. The next room on your left as you come out of your cabin.

  “Come on, Tom. Let’s look at yours.” Bertie indicated to the porter which case to leave behind and led the way. To Bertie’s delight, Tom’s also had a suite of rooms every bit as luxurious as his own.

  “Very nice indeed, Bertie.” Tom called from the doorway to the bedroom, and Bertie grinned.

  “How long before we take off?” Bertie asked the porter who consulted his pocket watch.

  “Thirty minutes, sir.” The porter announced. “There is a bell, and the captain will make an announcement. He’ll recommend that while we attain our cruising height, passengers should remain sitting or lying down. There can be some turbulence as we ascend. Another bell rings when one can move around again. One wouldn’t know one was in the air, sir. It’s our boast.”

  “And jolly well founded, too, I’m sure.” Bertie nodded enthusiastically. “Tom, take fifteen minutes to settle in, then we’ll go up to one of the bars ready for take-off.”

  “Very well, Bertie.”

  “Thank you.” Bertie dismissed the porter with a generous tip and hurried back to his room. There was time for a wash, to change his clothes, and then the adventure would truly begin.

  Chapter Five

  Settled comfortably in the ship’s main bar, Bertie looked around. He could be in any of the best hotels in England—deep, comfortable chairs around highly polished tables, waiters hovering in pristine uniforms, and a drinks menu with almost too much choice. Finally, Bertie settled on a gin sling for himself, while Tom requested neat whiskey.

  When the bell rang, and the captain’s announcement was made, a zing of excitement zipped along Bertie’s spine. Their elevation wasn’t rushed, and Bertie fervently wished he could go outside and see them rising. His ears popped as their elevation increased.

  While Bertie reveled in the experience, Tom seemed barely able to endure it. The knuckles of the hand gripping the arm of his chair were quite white and made his bloodstone ring stand out in sharp contrast.

  “Tom, you were never this nervous when on board ships. They sail the oceans—this ship merely sails the skies. You can’t just walk off a steamship, you know.”

  “I know.” Tom took another sip of his drink, and Bertie couldn’t fail to notice the way his friend’s hand shook. “I don’t know why I’m so unsettled by it. I expected to be nervous, but this is ridiculous.”

  “Don’t be hard on yourself, Tom.”

  “I’m meant to be taking care of you.” Tom’s smile was wry, and Bertie leaned forward.

  “We’re both grown men, although you are like the big brother I never had. So,
we shall just have to take care of each other, shan’t we? Remember how seasick I got when we crossed the channel a couple of months back? You were fine and didn’t make a drama out of that.”

  “I’d forgotten about that.” Tom instantly perked up as Bertie deliberately made himself sound even worse than he had been. Although he’d been bad enough.

  Several minutes later, the sound of the ship’s captain announcing they were at cruising altitude took both men by surprise, and Bertie was delighted that his diversionary tactic had worked.

  As far as Bertie was concerned, it would be no hardship to stay indoors as much as possible with Tom. If he felt the need to promenade outside, Bertie was quite happy to do so alone. Then he frowned as a familiar face came into view.

  It was Felton Coleman, the right-hand man of the chief executive of Lalleyman and Willis, and Bertie’s rival for the silk contract. Bertie sighed. I should have realized someone from Lalleyman and Willis would be on the same airship. Felton has an unrivalled reputation for ruthlessness. For a few seconds their gazes met, and Coleman froze in place, almost as if he thought he’d seen a mirage, or a ghost.

  Then, as if shaking off the notion, Coleman strode toward Bertie, his usual half-sneer on his thin lips.

  “Well, hello there. Blackwood isn’t it? Bertram Blackwood?”

  “Hello, Coleman.” Bertie rose to his feet, but even standing to his full height, he remained three or four inches shorter than Coleman.

  “I thought your firm had given up on the silk contract. What with your father having had that nasty accident. After all, I wouldn’t have expected you to try and fill his shoes in a situation as important as this.” Coleman looked Bertie up and down, and Bertie instantly bristled. It was quite clear that Coleman thought him incapable of standing in for his father.

  “Not at all. My father was very happy for me to take his place. I’m just as capable of ensuring we get that contract, Coleman. It’s by no means Lalleyman and Willis’s yet.”