Beginning, Section II, Next Section
Chapter 17
Beth was wandering aimlessly around the lower passageway. She wasn't tired enough to go to bed, and she was too sick of champagne to return to the dining room. With a sigh she gave up her perambulations of the lower passageway, and climbed the stairs to the upper landing. She sat down and looked quietly at the picture that hung on the wall. It was a piece of mountain scenery, in the foreground, two people sat. Lady Catherine said that she had been given it by an old friend. Beth knew who the old friend was, she had seen one at home. With another sigh, Beth stood up and started to walk to her room. She was surprised when she was almost there to hear a familiar voice.
"I really couldn't give a damn, Dusty." The reply was muffled and unclear. "Great. What do you expect me to do, just walk up to her, I'm sorry miss Beth, but I believe you are my long lost sister, and I would like to apologize for having fired at you twice by accident." Again came the muffled tones of the other occupant. "And how? Be reasonable, Elizabeth Fitzwilliam left three years ago. So I walk up to a girl I only think is my sister, and whom, because of the relations she does admit to having I am reluctant to be associated with. Be logical, whoever it is must be able to run the corporation. And you know that as well as I do." There was another muffled response. "Getting better, I take her to the head of the stairs, miss Beth do you recognise any of the people in that picture." Another bunch of muffled talk. "Yes I know I'm letting my temper get away with me, but you are not required to keep it controlled every time you look out the window. My father said this was a job that no emotion was required for, and that emotion was actually detrimental, but my father never worked with the men." Beth listened in amazement, and finally she could take the insults uttered at her few relations no longer. She opened the door and stormed into the room, not even glancing at the other occupant.
"How dare you? How dare you say such things Mr. High-and-mighty-I-don't-know-my-last-name. It's all very well for you to talk, you were born and given your position, you skite about your high relatives and your position. But have you ever tried to work for your position. What do I do just walk up to her and tell her that she is a shameless tramp, with no real relatives." Beth knew she was being unjust, but she had completely lost her temper. "You obviously don't listen to those around you. I happen to have spoken to Mr. Phillip Jamieson, I know how you treat your employees. I wouldn't even admit to being related to you. Not for all the power in the world." Beth turned and stormed out of the room, tears of rage streaming from her eyes. She was so angry that she had failed to notice that when she mentioned Mr. Jamieson that Fizz had turned dead white and looked like he had been struck in the face.
Fizz and Dusty watched silently as Beth stormed from the room.
"She has the temper for it." Fizz scowled darkly at Dusty.
"Now what do I do. She has more power than she realises with Grantley, if she spreads any bad talk about the Corporation, we're cooked."
"You could write to her, explain everything, and I mean everything, apologize. Even explain to her why you think she might be your sister. I don't know, but you will have to set her straight on Jamieson. She's probably also frightened out of her wits, I will almost guarantee that she heard almost all of the relevant conversation." Fizz glared, but walked over and sat down at the desk in the room.
"Go be polite to her or go down stairs again, I don't think she realised that you were even in the room." Dusty nodded and left the room. Fizz started to write.
Rolly was surprised that evening when Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam walked up to her.
"Rolly?" she nodded. "I thought I had better...." Dusty trailed off at a look from Rolly. Rolly took his arm and dragged him out into the corridor.
"You were saying?"
"Why was that?" Rolly grinned.
"Sorry, but I have the feeling that what you were about to say was not advisable in that room." Dusty nodded his comprehension.
"What I was going to say is that it might be an idea if you went and talked with Beth."
"What's happened?" Rolly looked suspicious.
"Beth overheard a conversation between Mr. Darcy and myself, and it upset her considerably." Rolly looked thoughtful.
"You mean you were discussing the lack of respectability of her relatives, and considering how you could find out about her family in more detail. I never thought that Fizz was the soul of tact." Dusty started.
"I fail to understand you." Roll looked at him and laughed.
"You know very well what I mean. Fizz may be a miracle on the active field, but his social graces in polite society are almost nil due to his upbringing, also probably due to some other occurrences as well." Dusty looked at Rolly, then took her arm and led her into the library.
At the same time Rose-Anne came out of the dining room, she watched the departure of Caroline and the Colonel with open-mouthed delight, then quickly returned to the dining room, this was a piece of news she could not keep to her self.
"Clarice-Annabelle! You won't believe this." Rose-Anne was temporarily rendered speechless by laughter. "I saw Caroline retreat hastily into the library with the Colonel just now." Clarice-Annabelle looked absolutely stunned.
"She does work fast, I thought that she was a dry'n. If you'll excuse me, Rose-Anne." Rose-Anne nodded, she was already looking for Alexandra and Stella-Carman. Soon the whole room new that Caroline had been seen in retreat with the Colonel, and they were headed upstairs.
Dusty closed the door behind them after they had entered.
"You know you have set me up for life with this group Colonel." Dusty looked surprised. "Rose-Anne came out of the dining room as we left the hall, I expect everybody knows by now that Caroline and the Colonel were seen heading upstairs."
"But we're in the library!" Rolly grinned.
"Exactly, but they all expect us to be headed upstairs soon. Now what was it you wanted to say?"
"Ohhh!....Ummm!" Dusty was surprised at this latest piece of information, though he did admit that he had never studied Fluffy mentality in detail before. "I was just going to ask you how much you actually knew, and why are you calling Mr. Darcy Fizz."
Rolly sat down and settled her frills.
"You know very well why I call him Fizz, we met him at Netherfield." Dusty frowned.
"Netherfield?!?!" Rolly sighed in exasperation.
"Go get Mr. Darcy."
"But...." The Colonel started.
"Okay, I'll get him." Rolly stood up in a business-like manner.
"Okay, okay, I'll get him. But he won't be happy."
"Do I look worried. I have nothing to lose." Dusty walked quickly from the room, and found that he had to agree with her last statement. He took the stairs on the run, and knocked quietly at Fizz's door, waiting to be let in.
Rolly sat reading Scott, she expected it to take several minutes for Dusty to return with Fizz, only a lunatic would not acquaint the person coming with what had already passed. And she was correct, it was most of five minutes before Dusty returned. Fizz was trailing morosely behind.
"What do you want, Miss Bingley?" His tone was uncompromising to say the least.
"Just for you to assure the colonel that we met at Netherfield back in June, and that you told us yourself that you were a certain Fizz, after you had set my ankle." Fizz glanced at Dusty.
"She is telling the truth, and you can trust her, as you observe, no one else in the group appears suspicious. Call him Dusty Rolly." Dusty frowned.
"They are suspicious of my intentions with Miss Bingley though." Fizz grinned for the first time.
"Live up to those suspicions then." Fizz made this remark as he walked out the door, leaving Dusty feeling incredibly embarrassed, and Rolly laughing.
Chapter 18
Beth rose early the next morning, and having got food from the staff, she retreated to Rosing's east woods. The east woods at Rosings were not very wide or deep, but they made a pleasant place to walk, or rest.
Beth had been sitting on a log at the edge of the wood, staring absently at the beautiful view in front of her, when a slight cough startled her. She turned her head to observe Fizz standing next to her.
"Morning, miss Beth. I had been hoping I'd meet you here." Fizz pulled an envelope from his pocket, and held it out to her. Beth took it gingerly. Fizz bowed and walked away. Beth glanced down at the envelope, it was quite fat, and it felt like it had several folded pages in it. Beth lifted her head and stared after Fizz. Fizz was already well clear of the woods, and walking fast towards Rosings. Beth returned her attention to the envelope, she opened it and found it contained four sheets of note paper. The pages were written back and front, and the hand was cramped. Beth looked up again, surprised. Fizz was now only a small figure in the distance. Beth opened the letter and began to read.
Miss Beth,Be not alarmed on receiving this letter. I do not write it to cause you pain or discomfort, but my honour and self-respect demand that I write it. Last night you accused me of mistreating my employees (though that is the wrong term) in the Darcy Corporation, you named Mr. Phillip Jamieson as your information source. You also appeared to be offended that I had not told you that I was Mr. Darcy at Netherfield.
My father, Mr. George Darcy, was a rigid Calvinist, and a believer in pre-ordained destinies. He married Anne Fitzwilliam in 1890. I was born in 1892. The family retainer, John Hawkins, says that my sister was born in 1897, though I was not actually aware that I had a sister until eighteen months ago.
I never saw my father, until my fifth birthday. After that, I never saw my mother. My father started my training on my fifth birthday. I will not go much into my training, suffice to say that it was extensive and intense, and most of it was totally irrelevant. On my thirteenth birthday, my father introduced me to the heads of the company as his successor, I was placed under Mr. David Jamieson for my training on the field. On my sixteenth birthday I became my father's second-in-command. This event coincided with the death of Mr. David Jamieson. Mr. Jamieson was an honest and upright man, my father depended almost entirely on him, and he died saving my life. I spent the next five years of my life as my father's second-in-command. Phillip Jamieson was my appointed aid, originally I was delighted, but my pleasure did not last long. I saw a side of Phillip my father never saw, I saw him for the licentious, mean, and conniving slime-ball that he was.
My father died eighteen months ago. On that day I assumed full responsibilities for the Darcy Corporation, and renounced the name of Darcy. I did this because I knew I was not a Darcy. This is not to say I was an adopted son, I was, am and have been quite bitter towards my father. Admittedly, I would probably have become the same person with out the training, but my bitterness is for what he did to my mother, and because he gave me no option. My mother left three days before my sister's fifth birthday. She left to protect my sister from my father's training. For these reasons I renounced my ancestry and became nameless, though my aunt Catherine still calls me by the name Fitzwilliam Darcy. At the same time I will state that my father left me a legacy of loneliness. There are only three people in the world whom I trust implicitly. I have only one true friend, otherwise they are merely acquaintances of varying intimacy.
You also accused me of mistreatment of the employees of the Darcy Corporation. You said that Mr. Phillip Jamieson was you source of information. This subject is still painful to me, and I rely on your discretion in the matter of who you tell this to.
Until three months ago, the Darcy Corporation had a rescue and emergencies line running between England and Normandy. This line was run by Rosalie and Edward Fitzwilliam, elder siblings of Richard.
As stated above I have long distrusted Phillip Jamieson, when my father died, he applied to become my second-in-command. I refused, I needed a second-in-command whom I could trust with my life. Phillip then requested that I give him 30,000 pounds to renounce his claims on the Darcy Corporation. I agreed, but doubted that he would really give up his claims.
Six months ago I received a letter from Phillip. Phillip requested I give him another 30,000 pounds, to help him out of financial difficulties. I refused. Immediately afterwards Dusty, Bingley, and I were sent into Syria, we returned three months ago, two days before the ambush occurred. Three months ago, our England-Normandy rescue line was ambushed and destroyed. Dusty and I left immediately for Normandy. It took us two months to sort out all the threads, eject the double agents from the corporation and run the culprit of the leak to earth. The culprit was Phillip Jamieson, his intention was undoubtedly an attempt to instill distrust of the Darcy Corporation into the Allied Army, fortunately we were able to prevent the occurrence leaking out. We were unfortunately lax in our dealing with Phillip, and he escaped. He has since committed suicide. This is the true story of my dealings with Phillip Jamieson, I am unaware of what he has told you, but Richard can verify all details of this letter.
All there remains for me to say is God bless you and keep you safe through the war.
Fizz.
Beth screwed the letter up and shoved it in her pocket. Who did he think he was, blaming his father and a former aid for what had happened and why he had renounced his name. Seconds later she had pulled the letter out and was re-reading it. When she finished reading it her thoughts flew back to a month previously.
Chapter 19:
"I dislike to say this." and he had looked unhappy. "But Mr. Darcy is not a man whom I'd trust." Beth had asked why, curiosity getting the better of her judgment. "We were brought up together. He was trained at home, and I was sent to Eton and Cambridge. On his thirteenth birthday, he was apprenticed to my father, to have his training completed. When he turned sixteen, he became his father's second-in-command, this is because my father died. The circumstances were suspicious, but there is no proof. When he became the second-in-command I was appointed his aid. He has certain predatorial instincts, and he was insanely jealous of my position with his father. As his aid I was able to prevent many of his more criminal activities, though I could not prevent all of them. As his father's health declined, I became less able to control him, he started double agenting for money. When his father died, I was immediately ejected from the corporation without credentials. I know for a fact that a month ago, definite proof was found about his activities in Normandy, unfortunately the convoy they were on was sunk with all hands. I have my suspicions though." Beth had at the time demanded why he had not taken this information to the proper quarters. "While I have the memories of his father, Mr. George, I can never betray the son. Mr. George Darcy was a good man, it is a pity about his son." Jamieson had left two days later and Beth had discussed the matter with Rolly, who said that her brother knew little about the situation, but she doubted that Darcy would double agent, the risks for a person in his position would be to great. Beth had left the matter at that, but she had been shocked when she had found that Mr. Darcy and Fizz were the same people.
As Beth thought about the two stories, she found that she soon considered Fizz's rendition the more plausible. After all, if Mr. Jamieson was not going to betray the father, why had he told her?
Beth did not return to Rosings until the sun was low in the sky and it was almost dinner time. She was met by a frantic Rolly in the main entrance.
"Where have you been Bethie. The nice Mr. Darcy and the Colonel left before lunch, a telegram had them out of the house in seconds." Beth led Rolly upstairs, away from all the curious fluffies. She handed Rolly the letter as they entered their room.
"I was walking in the east woods when Fizz gave me this." Rolly nodded and opened it, starting to read.
"Fizz uttered something about Normandy as they ran out the door." Beth nodded, but watched Rolly's face as she read. Rolly finished the letter, and folded it up and handed it back to Beth. "What do you think of it Beth?" Beth shrugged.
"I'm not sure, I think I believe Fizz's rendition of events to be more plausible, there are too many gaps in Jamieson's story, and too many things that don't line up." Rolly nodded.
"At least this lines up with his behaviour, and with what Charles has told me. Grantley has pulled you off. Three weeks of holiday, then he'll reconsider your assignment." Beth nodded.
"Okay, thanks. That sounds like the dinner bell." Rolly followed Beth out of the room, she doubted that she would ever really understand Beth.
Chapter 20
Washington was seated at his desk, silently watching while Fizz and Dusty walked in circles on the other side of the desk.
"And I am asking you so you can stop trying to walk through the carpet. How did Phillip Jamieson die?" Fizz shook his head.
"I have already told you. Mr. Phillip Jamieson committed suicide."
"Then I want to know why?" Dusty sat down, Fizz continued to pace slowly.
"He committed suicide because his only other choice was court-marshal. He chose suicide."
"Do you have any proof that would have got him court marshaled?" Fizz sighed and pulled out a cigarette case. He inspected it closely, then opened it. From it he selected two coarsely rolled cigarettes.
"These should answer your question." He held them out to Washington, who took them, unrolled them and inspected the paper closely.
"Okay." Washington sat up again and started to shuffle the papers on his desk. "What are you two going to do now. And while I'm on it, where did Jamieson get those cigarettes from?"
"He got them from Captain Smirth at Rosings, Kent."
"Why didn't you nail Smirth to?" Fizz sat down.
"For the simple reason that last time we nailed someone Grantley was having watched, you absolutely hammered us. Grantley has had Smirth watched since before we were at Netherfield last year." Washington frowned, and grabbed his telephone.
"Get me Grantley." Washington's fingers were beating a hasty tattoo. "Grantley? Washington here......Why the hell are you stuffing around with Smirth?......... Uh-huh, we've got proof right here........ I'll send it around immediately.....You are a nice trusting soul.....No it was seen being transferred at Rosings, Kent...... Yeah, he'll be over in fifteen minutes." Washington hung up the phone. "Dusty, you're running the stuff round in a minute. But first, what are you boys going to do now?" Dusty looked up.
"We'll be packing to clean up the mess in Normandy, we didn't quite complete the job." Washington nodded, and having taken a copy of the cigarette papers, he handed the papers to Dusty.
"Get these to Grantley as soon as possible, he's in the usual place." Dusty nodded and left the room. Fizz stood up again.
"What did Dusty get out of Hawkins on the subject of my sister?" Washington frowned.
"Why do you want to find the girl Fizz?"
"Because she is my sister." Fizz stared restlessly at the wall.
"Still cuts that you only ever knew your father does it?" Fizz nodded silently. "Okay. Your mother went and lived with her younger sister when she left your father. This sister was married to a Mr. Bennet, they reside north of London, and are not particularly high-class. Your mother died five years ago, three years ago your sister left your aunt and uncle, she left no trace behind her." Fizz frowned thoughtfully.
"Is it known what my father thought she was destined to become?" Washington shook his head, and Fizz sighed again. "Any pictures, paintings, anything that shows what she looks like?" Once again Washington shook his head. "Okay." Fizz stood up. "I better get the stuff together for Dusty and me." Fizz left the room, watched by Washington.
"I hope he finds his sister, I doubt anything else can save him now." Washington shook his head and returned to his paperwork.
Beth sat quietly, rifling through the contents of her suitcase. Her first official leave in three years left her strangely unmoved, and she couldn't understand why.
"Bethie!" Rolly came running into the room, squealing. "You're wanted on the telephone." Beth sat up.
"Who....?"
"I don't know, but they seem to think it important." Beth nodded.
"All right, lead on MacDuff. I do dislike telephones." Rolly quickly left the room, Beth hard on her heels. They were met by Lady Catherine's butler on the stairs.
"Miss, there is a telegram for you, if you would care to follow me." Beth hurried after the Butler and grabbed the telephone.
"Beth speaking."
"Telegram from James Lincoln. Don't come Aunt better, matter about Sally, she died." Beth frowned as she heard her telegram. Then hung up the telephone and returned upstairs. Rolly was sitting on her bed.
"What is it Beth?"
"My leave has been canceled, to be taken later. I do hate Grantley's code name." Rolly frowned.
"I never understood the connection?"
"Grant and Lee were Southerners, and Lincoln was a northerner in the American civil war. Grantley is part American. We are supposed to haul our fish in. Though I don't know how we'll do it. Apparently help is coming from Washington, it was part of the Corporation that found the evidence." Rolly nodded.
"Okay. Suppose that means you can unpack again." Beth nodded and emptied her suitcase on the floor.
"I really don't know what we're going to do Rolly."
"Try coming down to dinner for starters." Rolly had just heard the dinner bell, and she was hungry.
Chapter 21
"Wake up, Beth. Beth will you please wake up." Beth groaned and rolled over. "Beth if you don't wake up this minute I'll empty the water jug over you." Beth groaned and opened her eyes.
"What's got you Rolly?" Beth glanced at her clock. "It's only five o'clock. Go back to bed."
"Beth! Smirth has gone." This had Beth upright immediately.
"What!"
"I told you, Smirth has gone, done a bunk, nicked off, etc."
"When?"
"'Bout two hours ago, I watched him catch the London train."
Beth rubbed her head violently.
"Did he take his stuff with him?"
"No, went without it." Beth leapt out of bed and pulled some clothes on.
"Get the radio together, I'll be back in a minute." Beth left the room on the run, as Rolly slowly pulled the radio out of its hideaway and started to assemble it.
Beth returned within five minutes to find Rolly morsing away.
"He's not happy Beth, in fact, I'd say he's down-right cranky." Beth took over the radio, and seconds later it replied to her message in three words.
"Find and Follow." Beth grimaced as she dismantled the radio system.
"That was an understatement, Rolly. We'd better pac....No wait, it should be a better to be unsuspected. We'll leave when Smirth's disappearance is general knowledge." Beth returned to her bed, and lay there staring at the ceiling.
"What is it Beth?" Beth frowned.
"I wish I knew what caused him to blow his cover so completely. I don't think he knew about us, or we'd have been eliminated."
Beth and Rolly caught the 11:30 train from Hunsford to London.
"Beth?" Beth glanced at Rolly.
"Yes."
"You remember the dead man you saw?" Beth nodded. "Had you seen him earlier in the day?" Beth nodded again.
"He was fishing, and fishing very badly, near where I was watching Smirth."
"You said that he got some cigarettes off Smirth. How many did he take?" Beth shrugged.
"I don't actually know, he walked off with Smirth's case, it was never open..... Who did Grantley say got the dope on Smirth?"
"I think he said it came from the Darcy Corporation."
"And Fizz and Dusty arrived that evening, left the next day, and two days later something alarms Smirth. I wonder why they didn't grab Smirth while they were there?"
"Perhaps you can ask them when we next see them."
"I hope we don't." Beth and Rolly completed the trip in silence.
Grantley looked under his brows at the two women.
"You two twits are giving me more grey hairs than the rest of the operations put together." Beth shrugged.
"At least we are efficient twits. We do know where Smirth is, even if we can't get him." Grantley grunted.
"Beth your leave is re-instated. Rolly you keep an eye on Smirth, report the minute, and I mean the minute, he starts moving again." The girls nodded and left the room.
"Heigh-ho, I'm for the telegraph office. Coming Rolly?" Rolly nodded.
"Nothing else I can do yet." The two girls arrived at the telegraph office slightly out of breath. Rolly stood looking bored while Beth penned a hasty telegram, and took it to the counter.
"Reply paid, three words." She handed the telegram over and handed the correct amount of change over. The man serving her grunted and got to work. The reply came ten minutes later.
"Response: 'Good. three weeks.'" The man turned his back as Rolly and Beth left the telegraph station.
"How nice, three weeks traveling with my other aunt and uncle. Have fun watching Rolly, and don't get into too much trouble." Rolly laughed as the two friends separated.
Beth caught the 9:00pm train to South London, and was greeted on arrival by her aunt, a small bouncing lady with a cheerful smile.
"Elizabeth! At last! Where have you been for so long?" Beth smiled, but did not answer.
Chapter 21
Author's note: Massed complications, Elizabeth in the prologue is meant to be Elizabeth Fitzwilliam. Fizz is looking for Elizabeth Fitzjames. But Fizz remains a Fitzwilliam, and now everyone is totally confused. Also the 'views' Beth sees are actually found in Tasmania, but I'm sure you'll ignore the fact.
Beth rolled over, and frowned thoughtfully at the roof. Now where was she, this roof seemed familiar but.... She had it, she had come home for the first time in four years. Beth climbed out of bed, dressed and padded downstairs in search of food. She found her aunt and uncle seated at the breakfast table.
"Elizabeth. We thought we'd let you sleep. Come get some breakfast. Your uncle and I were just discussing a trip to north Scotland." Beth grinned, they new her weak spot.
"How north?" Mrs. Gardiner laughed.
"A whisker more north than the mainland. I'm sure you will forgive my grammar. We were considering visiting the islands near Penrith Strait." Beth creased her brows, then nodded.
"That's where grandma came from isn't it?" Mrs. Gardiner nodded.
"Oh I'd love to go up there."
"Then it's all fixed. Mr. Gardiner will go get tickets etc, and you and I will curl up in the morning room and talk." Mrs. Gardiner suited her remark with actions, and Beth was soon settled in a rather beat up, but well remembered chair.
"Aunt Gardiner, why can no one tell me who my father is?" Mrs. Gardiner sighed, and dropped her knitting.
"Well I suppose it's because none of us know. I was only ten when your mother married, and Amabel was younger. Neither of us had yet left the nursery, then when she returned, well, no one spoke of it. I don't think our parents approved of the match, for I know that it was not a formal wedding or anything, Anne just left." Mrs. Gardiner shrugged.
"Then Anne just returned, and since then, everyone who might know more has died." Beth sighed and pulled he knees up to her chin. "It's rather lonesome not having a true identity, I'm just Miss Beth, everywhere." Mrs. Gardiner smiled.
"At least you rank for the Miss, there are many girls out there who would be willing to give up their identities to be called Miss. But remember, you will always be a Fitzjames." Mrs. Gardiner gave Beth a hug and stood up. "That sounds like Mr. Gardiner returned, I think we'd better go pack." Beth trailed out off the room after her aunt, but soon found herself being taken shopping. Fluffy clothes were not the correct attire for Elizabeth Fitzjames.
Elizabeth sat quietly, the wind blew softly passed her, playing with the clouds and making the view fascinating. The mountains were rugged, granite topped warriors, which climbed rapidly and fell swiftly.
"Elizabeth, be careful." Beth looked back at her aunt, who was seated on a large rock, and nodded. She then stood up and walked back to her aunt.
"Where do we go tomorrow?" Mrs. Gardiner looked thoughtfully.
"I thought we might go to Beinn Fhada. There is apparently an old fortress built there."
"How do we get there? It is a full fifty miles out and would take half a day by boat."
"I believe the family run an aeroplane for tourists. We'll ask at the inn tonight, I have heard that it is quite beautiful." Beth nodded, and she and the Gardiners began their descent back to the horse and buggy, all that was available for hire from the inn.
Mrs. Gardiner sat down with Beth and her husband, and looked at the maid.
"I believe that tours are run of Beinn Fhada and MacUalraig?" The serving maid looked eager.
"Yes ma'am. A flight leaves for the island at ten in the morning, if somebody shows up. My brother flies the plane."
"Is the family in?"
"No miss, haven't seen hide no' hair of them come two Christmases. The old master died here and the young one hasn't been back since. 'Tis the young master who set up the service. Shall I tell Bill what you're coming tomorrow?"
"Yes please." The maid left, leaving the Gardiners in peace with Beth.
"Why did you ask if the family were in, Beth?"
"I don't actually know. Habit I suppose. The views here are magnificent, I could live my whole life up here without any difficulty."
"Hmmm, yes it is very nice, but I must admit that I am a city girl. Come Beth, let's to bed, we rise early tomorrow.
Beth looked at the plane, well actually they were three planes. She then looked at the small cluster of men who stood near them.
"What happens if you have more than three people wanting to go?"
"We take a couple of trips then. Hop up miss, you'll be there in no time." Beth found the ride noisy, but exciting, and the air view of Beinn Fhada was spectacular. They were left on a small runway, as the planes turned and left for the mainland again. Beth looked at the view in open mouthed wonder.
"Heavens. This place is amazing."
"Beth, here comes our transport for MacUalraig please come."
The man who was driving the horse and buggy had the look of agelessness.
"Howdy mem, miss, sir." The man bowed and hopped out of the buggy, handed them up into it and then returned to his precarious perch. "We be having a good season this year, you've picked a mighty fine time to come visit. The old place looks her best right now."
"How old is it?"
"Well we got records syne 1632, that was when the first Darcy moved here."
"DARCY???" The man looked back in surprise.
"Yes miss, they bin here syne 1632, bought the place off old Douglas, him was a dirty blaigyard." Beth bit her lip and looked out at the scenery. "The house keeper will tell you more when we arrive. I'm Hawkins." The man relapsed into silence, and the buggy slowly traveled up, down and around, before breaking with great suddenness into a small valley. MacUalraig was a formidable grey fortress at the other end.
"She spans 300 yards at the front and about 200 in depth. She sleeps 1279, without a strain, and that's nobody sharing a room, of bedrooms."
Chapter 23
Mrs. Hawkins, the housekeeper met the party in the main courtyard.
"Welcome to MacUalraig. If you come with me, I'll show you the house. Hawkins will later show you the lands." She led the way into the house. Beth gaped at the size of the place. It was not large, it was immense.
"Your sure that this doesn't interfere with work?"
"No, ma'am, it's a pleasure, there's not much to do here at this time of year. Jackson will take your coats, and if you'll follow me, I'll start by showing you the library." Jackson was a bent old man, who looked like he'd spent his whole life old, he took the coats and wraps and vanished into the back of the entrance hall. The Gardiners and Beth quickly followed Mrs. Hawkins, so as not to get lost.
The library was an impressive room, it had a balcony at one end, and except for the windows and the roof and floor, the rest was covered with books.
"We're very proud of the library. It's got books dating back to I don't know when. Now if you'll follow me, I'll now show you the ballroom, the Royal suite, and the picture gallery." Mrs. Hawkins briskly trotted away, followed by the others. The Ballroom held Beth spellbound. It was cream in colour with guilt edging. "The room is the largest one in Scotland, a full 100 yards in length, and 50 in depth. We last held a ball in here in 1890, when the last master married." Mrs. Hawkins looked a little sad, but then darted out a door and quickly led them to a ornate door.
"These are the Royal apartments." She slowly worked the heavy door open. "These rooms were actually quite heavily used by the Scotch royalty until about Jimmy the Saxth."
"This must take quite a lot of time and expense to keep in such good condition?"
"Aye. MacUalraig has allus lived off the island. This place runs no profit, but it doesn't run at a loss either." Mrs. Hawkins led them out of the Royal apartments, and back in the direction of the Ballroom.
"The picture gallery is situated behind the ballroom, so you'll have to wait a minute while I get the candles." Mrs. Hawkins scurried away, and Mrs. Gardiner relaxed on her husband's arm.
"The thought of living in such a place exhausts me."
Beth laughed. "I think there is a lot more to come aunt. Hawkins did say that it slept over a thousand people, without making up the attics."
"Beth please. You will kill me if you continue talking like that." Beth grinned again, and met her uncle's eye. The pair of them collapsed in laughter. "I don't see what you find so funny. My legs are killing me already." Beth got her laughter back under control.
"Sorry aunt, but I expect that these rooms are never used, except to show to tourers." Mrs. Gardiner nodded, as Mrs. Hawkins scampered up, a candelabra in each hand. The Gardiners and Beth followed her back into the ballroom, and out one of its other doors. The picture Gallery was as long as the ballroom, but considerably narrower.
"On my left is Lord Douglas, him was the dirty blaigyard who sold MacUalraig to the first Mr. Darcy. The First Mr. Darcy was .... Ebenzer Darcy, here he is with his wife Eugenia, and their children."
"How many are there?"
"Children? Well" Mrs. Hawkins frowned thoughtfully, "I believe that there were fifteen of them." Mrs. Hawkins walked on. "This is Mr. Jackson Darcy, his wife was Sophia Kennedy, a great beauty. They had eight children. If you don't mind I think I'll skip the next century." Mrs. Hawkins walked swiftly passed a bunch of pictures. "We now have the present master's great-great-grandfather. He was James Darcy, he and his wife had....twenty-five children. Mr. James was the founder of the Darcy Corporation. We then have Johnstone Darcy, he had one son. Johnstone's son was Ilya Darcy, Ilya and his wife had....ten children. The eldest was Mr. George, our former master. Mr. George, you see here. His wife left him twelve years back, and we know of no picture of her. She left for a very good reason actually, Mr. George was a rigorous Calvinist, she left to protect her daughter. We have the son of that match here, Master Fizz. He's abroad at present, we're not sure what he's doing." Mrs. Gardiner looked curious.
"You call him master Fizz, what was his real name?"
"Well he was christened Fitzwilliam Darcy, but he renounced his ancestry two years back, when his father died." Mr. Gardiner looked surprised.
"That's a bit unusual." Mrs. Hawkins smiled sadly.
"Very unusual, but he did it for a good reason, and none of us will ever disagree with his decision." Beth looked critically at the picture.
"It's not a very good one of him." Mrs. Hawkins looked surprised.
"Does the miss know master Fizz?" Beth reddened slightly.
"I've met him on occasions."
"And is he well?" Beth got redder.
"He seemed to be well last time I saw him." Mrs. Hawkins sighed.
"Thank you miss. He hasn't been back in two years, we worry a bit about him. His father was cruel hard on the poor boy. Now if you feel up to it, I'd like to take you upstairs to the music room, it is a really beautiful apartment." Mr. Gardiner glanced at his wife.
"Perhaps if we delay it until after we've viewed the grounds?" Mrs. Hawkins smiled.
"I'm sorry, I do forget. I'll take you out to Hawkins now. He can tell you about the architecture and the gardens." Mrs. Hawkins quickly led them back to the front of the house, where they were met by Mr. Hawkins.
Chapter 24
Beth stood in the main courtyard staring up at the building. Her aunt and uncle stood a short distance away, discussing the architecture with Hawkins. There was a large dog of indeterminate breed, who'd come over and inspected the visitors. Hawkins had called him Charlie, and Charlie had since retreated to the main door. He moved slightly to one side when Mrs. Hawkins came down the front steps.
"Hawkins. Remind me to turn the goose when you return to the aireydrome." Hawkins nodded, but did not glance up. Mrs. Hawkins came and stood next to Beth.
"What's your name miss?" Beth smiled.
"I'm Beth."
"No more?" Beth shook her head, and was startled when Mrs. Hawkins enveloped her in a large hug. "Ye're a good lassie, and so like....." Mrs. Hawkins was interrupted by Charlie, who was barking loudly. "Chairlie! Quiet!" Charlie ignored her and vanished, still barking through the courtyard entrance arch. "That dawg is a mystery." Mrs. Hawkins shook her head and turning, to re-enter the house took another look after Charlie.
"Maircy, it's the maister. Hawkins! The maister has come." Hawkins spun around at the sound of his wife's uplifted voice, and stared in astonishment. Fizz was walking slowly, deeply preoccupied, and totally unaware that he was observed.
"Maister!" Hawkins' bellow of greeting penetrated Fizz's preoccupation, and he glanced up.
"Hawkins." Fizz nodded a greeting to the Gardiners, but did not observe Beth, who had retreated into some nearby shadows. Charlie was prancing around Fizz's heels, and was soon ordered to be still. "James has the luggage in the old trap. I was coming for assistance, but as you've got a party I'll...." Fizz's voice trailed off as he saw Beth. "Miss Beth. My apologies, I did not see you previously." Beth nodded in response, and looked nervously at the ground. Fizz coughed slightly, but was interrupted by the arrival of another man.
"For God's sake Fizz, does it take all day to get...... Oh I do beg your pardon. I did not realize. Fizz could you please help me?" The speaker had gone bright red, and Beth had the feeling that the last petition had nothing to do with the luggage. Fizz smiled faintly.
"Hawkins. Perhaps if you were to show the visitors the lake. James and I'll deal with our luggage and join you."
"Maircy, maister. If you haven't bought that caper-witted Jimmie with you. Him what stole Hawkins' Pig Rifle." James turned a brilliant scarlet at this, and the Gardiners almost collapsed with laughter. James beat a hasty retreat, and was soon followed by Fizz.
Hawkins led the Gardiners and Beth round to the back of the house. The gardens were small but well-cared for. The lake was impressive though. Trees grew in thick clumps on the surrounds, with moss and cushion grass in between. Hawkins slowly walked them through the gardens, then onto the small twisting path that went around the lake. Mr. Gardiner walked slightly ahead with Hawkins, discussing the fishing of such a place, Beth and her aunt brought up the rear, discussing the appearance of the place and the behaviour of Fizz and his friend James, when suddenly Mrs. Gardiner halted Beth.
"Isn't this them coming now?" Beth glanced back, then nodded.
"They did say they would join us shortly."
"This is shorter than I expected." The party halted and waited until the two men caught up. Fizz was immediately dragged into the discussion of the fishing capabilities of Beinn Fhada. James was instructed to amuse the ladies.
The party continued in this formation, until Mrs. Gardiner decided that Beth's arm was insufficient support. She then switched positions with Fizz, who joined James in talking to Beth.
"Was he sufficient company, miss Beth?" Beth nodded, laughter creeping into her eyes.
"He has yet to inform me how he is related to you?" Fizz glanced at James and cocked an eyebrow. James nodded.
"James is Rosalie and Edward Fitzwilliam's eldest son. Just to amuse you and tease you, he runs our Mediterranean rescue service. His brother Jermyn may join us in two days. Depending what Dusty decides to do." Beth nodded.
"How do you two see this view?" Fizz looked at her sharply.
"What do you mean by that?" Beth shrugged.
"Well when I look at it, I observe the shadow effects in the organ pipes on the mountain, I see beauty in the lighter foreground and the dark shadowy background. How do you see it?" James laughed.
"Well I see it in much the same method as you miss Beth. I might have more problems if I was not naval, but I am naval, so land never interests me in the military style." Beth looked inquiringly at Fizz.
"And the truth, not what you think I want to hear." Fizz shrugged.
"I would observe that I should be wary of snipers and guards on the left slope of Craisoge. I would note that many people could remain undetected on Cleuchdaigle. I would be wary of the gulch north of the Bealach. I would normally station a guard or watchman near Corrie Galeige. Depending why I was there. If I were just to appear, I would immediately search for places where I could conceal myself, and where others could be concealed. I would look for positions to post guards." Fizz shrugged again. "It is purely academic. If I was here for no reason, I would not observe what is around me. If I had a purpose, I would observe from the aspect that most suited the operation." Beth took another look at the view afforded them, and slowly she adjusted her mind to see the view as Fizz saw it.
"Would you not also be wary of someone positioned over there?" Beth indicated a nearby mountain.
"If I were unfamiliar with the terrain, yes I probably would, but in a few seconds that place you are indicating will become highly exposed." Beth watched in amazement as Fizz's prediction occurred. "It's the sun reflecting off the sea and traveling up Corrie na Seidh. It is a very interesting affect." They turned and soon caught up with the Gardiners and Hawkins.
"Maister Fizz?" Fizz glanced at Hawkins. "I think we'd best be hurrying." Fizz glanced to the north, and frowned.
"Too late Hawkins, it wouldn't be safe." Hawkins looked again to the north, then nodded.
"What's too late?" James looked puzzled, Beth and the Gardiners looked curious.
"We've got a storm coming. You won't be able to return to the mainland till it's over."
"But...." Beth stopped, Fizz glanced at her, and comprehended the situation.
"We have radio and telephone contacts in MacUalraig." Beth nodded and the party quickly returned to MacUalraig.
Chapter 25
Beth stood silently by the window, watching the rain as it pelted down. The clouds obscured most of the view, and the wind howled around the building. In a storm MacUalraig came alive. The creak of the door opening caused Beth to turn around. Hawkins, who had just entered was staring as if he'd seen a ghost.
"I something up Mr. Hawkins?" Hawkins shook himself, then shook his head.
"No miss. I wasn't expecting anybody to be in here." Beth nodded, "Maister Fizz is in the family rooms with Mr. James, if you would care to join them." Beth nodded again, and quietly left the room. "Uncanny..." Hawkins followed her out of the room, and directed her to the family rooms.
Fizz was curled up in the deep window ledge, James was reclining in a hammock that hung nearby. Fizz was inspecting something that lay on his knee. James was reading from a beat up edition of Ivanhoe. Both men ceased their occupations when Beth entered the room.
"Grab the other hammock Beth." James grinned at Beth's look of mock reproach. "Well I can't call you anything else, unless I join Fizz with miss Beth. And that is far to formal for such weather conditions as these."
"Something wrong with the weather conditions?"
"Not at all. The wind just sounds like Mrs. Hawkins when she has burnt the goose." Fizz looked thoughtful, then nodded.
"You do have a point. Beth sit down, as Jims said, this weather is not right for formality. Jims give her something to do. Hawkins, where did this picture come from?"
"Mrs. Hawkins found it in the attics last march maister." Fizz nodded and placed the piece of canvas upside-down on the nearby coffee table. Hawkins walked out of the room, and Fizz fell to gazing out the window. Beth stole Ivanhoe from James, and James stole the piece of canvas from the coffee table.
"Fizz, where is this from and what is it?" Fizz's response was unintelligible to Beth. "Oh." James sank into contemplative silence.
"Fizz!" Fizz glanced over at Beth.
"Yes."
"Are there ghosts here?" Fizz looked surprised.
"Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"
"Mr. Hawkins walked in on me a couple of minutes ago. He looked like he had seen a ghost." Fizz frowned.
"Where were you?"
"In a room on the other side of the entrance hall. It was dark green in colouring, and had no furnishings." Fizz creased his brows together, then stood up.
"If you'll excuse me. I need to speak to Hawkins. Jims, the canvas please." James handed the canvas over and Fizz left the room. Beth looked surprised.
"Don't worry, he always has a method to his madness." Beth blinked and looked at James.
Fizz found Hawkins in the bookroom, fiddling abstractly with some papers.
"What's up Hawkins?" Hawkins looked thoughtfully at Fizz, but said nothing. "Come on, out with it. You surprised miss Beth a moment ago, she said you looked like you'd seen a ghost. You were still uncomfortable with something when you introduced her into the family room. What is it?" Hawkins picked up a pile of papers and started to shuffle through them.
"It's to uncanny Fizz. She was in your mother's room." Hawkins shivered slightly. "Mrs. Hawkins noticed it just before you arrived. Miss Beth has been at MacUalraig before. Watch, her aunt and uncle continue to look out of place. MacUalraig has excepted miss Beth." Fizz frowned and looked at the piece of canvas in his hand, then looked back at Hawkins.
"I'll see what her aunt and uncle can say on the matter." Fizz turned to leave the room, when Hawkins coughed slightly.
"Maister, Mr. Dusty just called in that he'd be arriving at eleven." Fizz looked surprised.
"What's it about?"
"He didn't actually say. but he seemed excited." Fizz nodded, and walked out of the room.
Fizz found Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner sitting in the smaller saloon, and looking, as Hawkins said, completely out of place and uncomfortable. Fizz gingerly fingered the canvas, and wondered how to broach the subject.
"Mrs. Gardiner?" Mrs. Gardiner looked up. "Could you possibly tell me anything about Beth's mother?" Mrs. Gardiner frowned thoughtfully.
"Not really. She was very beautiful. Amabel, my younger sister, and I were still in the nursery when she married, and as a result we never met her until she returned ten years later. I actually don't know who she married."
"Where did your family originally come from?"
"My mother came from Strathlynn, dad came from London. Anne was born here."
"Anne?"
"Yes, she was Anne Fitzjames." Fizz gaped, blinked "Beth...." Mrs. Gardiner trailed of as Hawkins came into the room on the run.
"Maister! Your second radio is making a rare fuss." Fizz and Hawkins left the room on the run.
Beth had moved to Fizz's window sill when Fizz erupted into the room.
"Beth. We've got Grantley on the radio. He's making a fuss, but won't explain." Beth followed Fizz out of the room, followed closely by James. Fizz led the way up the four flights of stairs and through the rabbit warren corridors until they reached the radio room. Sure enough, the radio was spitting static and Morse like an agitated hen.
Chapter 26
"Beth and Bed. What's up Grantley?"
"Are you alone?" Fizz and James immediately departed the room.
"Yes."
"Smirth is moving again. Return to London immediately. Rolly has traced him to Dover so far, we expect him to catch a troop carrier in the next couple of days."
"Hold it for a bit, I don't know how long it will take to get to London." Beth stood up and quickly left the room, she met Fizz in the corridor.
"Everything okay?"
"Sort of. I've been recalled, is there anyway I can get back to the mainland?" Fizz frowned for a second.
"Yes. We can get you back to the mainland by five. Dusty's incoming at eleven." Beth nodded and returned to the radio.
"Grantley? I can be in London by tomorrow evening, barring accidents."
"Good." The radio connection died and Elizabeth left the room. Fizz was once again waiting.
"Follow me, you'll want to pack." Fizz swiftly led Beth through the twisting winding, rabbit warren like passages and corridors, and soon left her at the door to her room.
"Supper will be in forty minutes, Mrs. Hawkins will come to escort you and your relatives." Fizz turned and swiftly left. Beth turned to her packing and was soon done, she had ten minutes to spare before Mrs. Hawkins came.
Supper at MacUalraig, Beth found, was not a meal with any pretenses to formality. It was served in the servants hall, and the few servants that remained at MacUalraig joined the meal. Beth tried to picture Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the situation, and the result had her trying to stifle her laughter. James, who was seated next to her looked at her curiously.
"Sorry, I was trying to picture Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Kent eating a meal with so little formality." James bit his lip trying to control his laughter, but soon Fizz demanded to be let in on the subject.
"Beth was trying to see Lady Catherine de Bourgh eating a meal with so little formality. We found the idea a trifle humorous." Fizz's face considered the matter for a second, then he nodded.
"Decidedly humorous. The thought of her having any of her serving staff, except Barton, in the room at the same time is incongruous." Fizz's shoulders shook gently and he returned his attention to the food on his plate. James grinned at Beth, the servants took on the rigid expression of true servants, and the Gardiners looked puzzled, but things soon settled down. The meal was soon finished and the party broke up.
Dusty arrived at eleven, and brought a damp and wintry blast into the room with him.
"Hi Fizz. What did you want the boat for so suddenly?" Fizz nodded at Beth.
"Miss Beth was recalled suddenly, it appears to be an emergency." Dusty nodded to Beth and the other occupants of the room.
"Jims, Jermyn is with the boat, if you care to relieve him from duty. The weather is lousy." James nodded and left the room. Fizz led Beth back to her room then departed to get her some extra attire.
"The weather is lousy. I'll get you some oilskins." Beth grabbed her bags and glanced out the window. The window was moaning eerily as it howled and wailed around the house. A short knock brought her back to reality, and Fizz entered with a bundle of dark oilskin.
"Into these, James will escort you to the boat as soon as you're ready." Fizz grabbed her bags and left the room. Beth hurriedly pulled the bulky oilskins on, and found James waiting in the front entrance way.
"Take my arm. The wind is strong out." Beth gasped as the wind bit into her as the door opened. "Quickly." James grabbed her arm and quickly ran her across the courtyard and around the corner of the house. Fizz met them just around the corner, and the three struggled through the tearing wind down to a small rock pier just west of the lake. A small fishing boat lay tightly moored to the pier. Beth quickly climbed aboard, and only heard part of the conversation between James and Fizz.
"...Below half......Jermyn and Dusty.......East near Crasoige.....not near gut.....Dynnyrner." James nodded as these instructions ended and joined Beth in the boat.
"Grab tight, will be a rough trip." Beth nodded, she had already comprehended that this would be no joy ride. Beth watched as James started the large engine, it came to life with a throaty bellow, and stationing himself beside the tiller James nodded to Fizz, who immediately cast off the lines. Beinn Fhada vanished almost immediately into the mist and spray, all that remained was the small heaving boat, and James, who was totally braced against the wheel.
"......engine." Beth looked at the engine then at James.
"Stronger." Beth pointed up as she yelled and James nodded. Beth swiftly found the throttle and opened it further, a yell from James caused her to glance back. She moved back to him.
"ALL....THE...WAY!" Beth quickly complied and slowly the boat changed behaviour, it finally began to surge forward. Another yell had Beth clambering back to James.
"HOLD.....THIS.....COURSE......MUST.......GET.....RADIO.....CONTACT!" Beth took over the wheel, and soon found that it took every ounce of strength and concentration for her to hold it. It seemed like centuries later when the strain eased and made it possible for her to look up. James had taken the wheel again. Beth returned to her corner, occasionally re-emerging to take the wheel while James dealt with something important.
Chapter 27
Fizz was seated in his window, staring expressionlessly out at the inky darkness of the storm. Dusty and Jermyn lay in nearby hammocks reading.
"Fizz." Fizz glanced back into the room.
"Yeah?"
"Who is Beth? I'll swear I've seen her before we met at Rosings." Fizz glanced back out at the storm, sighed, and looked back at Dusty.
"You have, she is Elizabeth Anne Darcy, known as Elizabeth Fitzjames, you last saw her when she was four years old." Dusty sat up and swore explosively.
"What in hell were you thinking when you let her go in this weather?" Fizz returned his attention to the storm.
"I had to."
"You had to! Fizz do you know how bad the weather is out there?" Fizz stood up and walked to the door.
"Dusty, I have not lived here for eight years without respite without knowing the weather. Of course I know how bad the damn weather is. You know as well as I do that when you are recalled you use any means available to get there as soon as possible." Fizz slammed out of the room as he finished, leaving Dusty and Jermyn staring in astonishment at each other.
"Jermyn?" Jermyn closed his mouth and blinked at Dusty. "Would you have said that Fizz was worried?"
"I'd certainly agree that something has him riled up. Fizz is never worried." Dusty nodded.
"That's what I thought. It seems like Hawkins was right." Dusty sat down again, but could not settle. He stood up and started to pace the room. He was about to sit down again when the door flew open and Hawkins erupted into the room.
"Have you seen the maister?"
"No he just left the room. What's up?"
"Do either you or Jermyn know master James' code?"
"Oh god! Jermyn, go with Hawkins to the radio room, see if you can understand anything. I'll look for Fizz." Dusty left the room on the run, Jermyn and Hawkins were right on his heels. Dusty hesitated momentarily in the front entrance hall. Where would Fizz go? There wasn't time to search three thousand rooms. The Fencing room. Dusty drew blank at the fencing room, also the family apartments, and the library. The picture gallery and Fizz's room were also empty. Dusty swore and returned to the front entrance way.
"FIZZ!" Dusty listened intently as the echoes of his yell slowly died in the distance. A muffled response came from the nether regions of the house. Of course, why hadn't he thought of the Grey Saloon before. Dusty took off at the run, and met Fizz at approximately the halfway point between the two situations.
Fizz took one glance at Dusty.
"Go find Willie and Young Jackson. Tell them I want The Launch immediately." Fizz took of in the direction of the stairs and the radio room. Dusty departed immediately afterwards in the direction of the servants hall. He found Willie and Young Jackson drinking tea in the hall.
"Willie, Young Jackson. Maister wants The Launch out." Young Jackson glanced out the window and laid down his tea cup.
"Ef you kin 'olp us, sir? We'd be right grateful." Dusty nodded and followed the two men out of the house. The wind practically blew the men off their feet in its intensity. Willie said something, but it was lost to the wind. It took ten minutes for the men to reach the boat shed and another forty to get The Launch into the water and tied to the pier. They check The Launch once more and were almost literally blown back to the house. Jermyn met them at the door, he was dead white and practically fainting. Dusty grabbed Jermyn as Willie and Young Jackson wrestled the door closed. Dusty handed the now unconscious Jermyn to Willie.
"Look after him, I need to see what's happened." Willie nodded and Dusty ran for the radio room. Fizz was standing next to the radio scribbling madly, Hawkins was seated in a nearby hammock.
"What's up Fizz? Jermyn just fainted on us downstairs." Fizz didn't even glance up as he finished writing and folded the two separate letters.
"James reports that the boat is starting to founder. Fortunately we got a good reading on their position." Fizz handed the two letters to Dusty. "If I haven't made contact by eight the day after tomorrow, deliver these two letters to Washington and Grantley as soon as possible." Dusty stared as Fizz ran from the room.
"'Ees gone mad." Dusty scarcely spared Hawkins a glance before darting after Fizz.
Dusty caught Fizz on the pier.
"What are you doing?" Fizz didn't even look at Dusty when he shouted his response.
"I'm going to get them. Remember your instructions." Dusty watched helplessly while Fizz climbed aboard The Launch and started the engines. As The Launch vanished into the darkness Dusty was startled by a voice at his elbow.
"And people wonder why his men are willing to die for him." Dusty turned and saw Hawkins staring after The Launch. Hawkins then took Dusty's arm. "Come lad, nothing more we can do here." Dusty allowed himself to be pulled of the pier and was thankful when he was back inside.
Jermyn was just coming round when Dusty and Hawkins entered.
"James.....?" Dusty closed his eyes for a second.
"Fizz just left to get them." Dusty was astounded by the relief that flooded Jermyn's eyes.
"If Fizz can't save him, then no one could. Could I please have a drink?" Dusty shook his head and walked out of the room.
Chapter 28:
"JAMES!" He glanced up from wheel and compass, then looked in the direction she indicated, and nodded. Beth returned to her pumping and did not realise that James had started blinking their own lights. Hence it was not until their own engine was drowned out by the other boat's engine that she looked up and saw the massive boat slowly drawing alongside. It was a massive wood affair with an incredibly noisy engine, it appeared to be totally unaffected by the weather. Beth watched with a mixture of fear and amazement as the boat started to maneuver and draw alongside, but suddenly it bore away and vanished into the mist and spray.
"BETH.....PUMP!" Beth started guiltily when she realised that she had indeed ceased pumping. She quickly resumed pumping and was not aware of the other boat's return until James grabbed her and dove for the other boat. The last thing Beth heard before she lost consciousness was James. "So this is your legendary The Launch, Fizz?"
Beth regained consciousness with a groan, she could never remember being so stiff and sore. Slowly the memories of the previous night returned to her, and she nervously glanced around herself. The room was unfamiliar, but it had a comfortable lived in feel to it. With another groan Beth eased herself upright, she was attired in a full length and high-necked nightgown, her hands showed chafed and raw at the ends of the full sleeves.
"So your awake miss." Beth looked up, and saw a small silver-haired lady with pink cheeks was peering around the door. "Could you eat anything? The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes." The head vanished, and Beth lay down again and dozed.
A soft knock roused Beth, and she gave a groggy 'come in'. James and the doctor entered simultaneously. The doctor only stayed briefly, Beth was given a clean bill of health, then he left. James sat down gingerly on the foot of the bed and looked thoughtfully at Beth.
"You okay?" Beth nodded.
"Just a bit stiff. Where are we?"
"Dynnyrner. It's my grandparents place. It's about 70 nautical miles from Beinn Fhada." Beth creased her brows thoughtfully.
"Dusty is your uncle isn't he?" James nodded and grinned. "How long would we have stayed afloat had.....had that boat not come?"
"It was Fizz. The boat sank before we were out of sight."
"Is Fizz still here?" James shook his head.
"No, he left as soon as you were in the house, something about Dusty and some letters." James hesitated. "Are you sure your all right?" Beth nodded, but the tears continued to course down her face. James looked uncomfortably at the walls and the door, then moved up beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Beth buried her head in his shoulder and sobbed. Beth was just recovering when Mrs. Fitzwilliam entered the room.
"James, you impossible boy. I told you you could not see her until she had eaten and dressed. Off with you, your breakfast is getting cold." James released Beth and vanished out the door. Mrs. Fitzwilliam sat down next to Beth and deposited the large tray on the bedside table. "I hope you feel a lot better for that." Beth nodded, rubbing her eyes and eyeing the tray of food eagerly. Mrs. Fitzwilliam laughed and handed the tray to Beth. Beth fell to ravenously, as Mrs. Fitzwilliam continued to talk. "I have always found that a good cry is the best way to ease nervous tension. And from what James has told me, and from the weather last night, I'd say you've had more than your fair share in the past twenty-four hours." Beth responded to the talk with the occasional nod, and soon finished all the food. "Do you feel well enough to get up?" Beth nodded and started to untangle herself from the bedclothes. "Oh no you don't. Remain put until I return with clothes." Mrs. Fitzwilliam vanished, and James almost immediately reappeared and sat on the foot of her bed.
"Did the food help?" Beth nodded.
"Was my stuff saved?" James hesitated then shook his head.
"What that horrible boy means is that he threw it overboard as soon as the boat started to founder. Out James, Miss Beth needs to dress." James vanished again and Mrs. Fitzwilliam deposited the clothes Beth had been wearing the night before on the foot of her bed. "I'll keep James downstairs till you come. I think your crying worried him. Drat the boy." Mrs. Fitzwilliam gave Beth a quick hug before leaving her to dress, Beth couldn't help but laugh after Mrs. Fitzwilliam left.
Chapter 29
"Master Dusty?" Dusty glanced up from his book. "The Maister's just returning."
"Good. He's not docked yet?"
"No, he wants to run straight onto the launcher. Young Jackson and Willie may want a hand, the weather's deteriorated, which is why he's not docking." Dusty nodded and followed Hawkins out of the room.
Dusty stood with the men on the foreshore and watched while The Launch started to enter the harbour, when suddenly it reversed out. Dusty was surprised seconds later to hear the radio splutter into life. Hawkins was listening to it closely.
"Willie! Maister wants the launcher in the water."
"But that's crazy, he'll have a hard enough time docking in this weather." Hawkins frowned.
"Are ye questioning the Maister's decisions?" Willie hastily shook his head, as he Young Jackson, and MacNeill hastily headed for the launcher and the boatshed.
Dusty watched in amazement as the launcher was put into the water. He'd heard Fizz describe the process before, but this was the first time he'd seen it. The three men entered the boatshed, to reappear seconds later harnessed together. MacNeill cast around the shore for a bit, before sitting down and bracing himself. On a nod from the braced MacNeill Young Jackson and Willie entered the sea, dragging the launcher with them. There was about forty yards of rope between MacNeill on the shore and Willie, there were a further five yards between Willie and Young Jackson. A sudden yell from Hawkins brought Dusty back to an actually observation of the process. The yell had Willie and Young Jackson ducked under the water. Seconds later a large wave broke and covered the launcher before speeding up the shore, the wave receded and Willie and Young Jackson reappeared spitting water. This was shortly followed by a sudden yell from Willie. Young Jackson braced himself as Willie lost his footing and vanished into the surf. After a short period Young Jackson cautiously started to pull in the part of the rope that connected him to Willie. Willie reappeared spluttering, another yell from Hawkins had them both back under the water.
"Master Dusty, you'll need to give them a hand, the weather's too bad." Dusty nodded and headed down to the shore. MacNeill observed his coming and gave three sharp tugs on the rope. The two men in the sea vanished temporarily then came ashore on a wave. The fourth harness was quickly attached and Dusty joined Willie and Young Jackson in the sea. The coldness of the water made movement awkward, but Dusty soon got the hang of the job. A yell from Hawkins on the shore meant duck under, large wave coming. A yell from closer meant that someone was being knocked of their feet. A sudden wave knocked Dusty of his feet, and with a yell he vanished under the surf. The darkness, the coldness and the sheer power of the water terrified Dusty, but he soon felt the rope begin to tighten and draw him to the surface. It took another ten minutes and numerous duckings, voluntary or otherwise, to get the launcher moored at a suitable depth.
Hawkins met the men on the beach, and looked at them carefully.
"Into the boatshed and out of those clothes, Fizz will hold off until you're back." Dusty's teeth were chattering uncontrollably, and he could feel nothing. The boatshed felt unbearably hot to Dusty, but he soon could feel sufficiently to strip off the majority of his sodden attire. MacNeill handed him a length of coarse toweling, with instructions to rub hard. A hard rub, a glass of rum, and some dry clothes later, Dusty began to feel human again, and the group went outside to watch Fizz put The Launch onto the launcher.
Three attempts to land later The Launch withdrew out a bit. Dusty could see that Fizz was up to something. Seconds later, approximately one hundred feet of rope came flying shoreward. MacNeill quickly tied it around a nearby post that was driven deeply into the ground. The Launch once again approached the launcher, the engine could be heard over the wind and weather, until it stopped.
"I don't believe it? The Maister's going to do it dead." Dusty glanced over at the staring Willie, not recognizing the jargon.
"I think he has no choice, it's after eight." Dusty glanced at his watch, sure enough, five past eight was what his clock read.
"What's the importance of the time?"
"That tank can't run above 48 hours without refueling. And that's in good weather." Dusty blinked, he actually didn't see the correlation. "Basically that means that I expect he has run out of gas."
"Has he landed dead before?"
"Not in that tank. I expect that that is why he sent the rope ashore." Dusty watched in silence as The Launch suddenly swung broadside to the launcher, bringing a gasp of horror from Willie.
Chapter 30
"Be quiet Willie. He still has some room." Hawkins sounded unhappy. Dusty watched silently as the sea relentlessly swept The Launch towards the launcher. The Launch was slowly swinging back to the prow first position, but Dusty felt that it was not quick enough, and from Willie's muttered remarks, it sounded like Willie didn't think it was fast enough either. Dusty was startled to feel a light touch on his sleeve, and turning he observed Jermyn.
"What is it?"
"Fizz is wanted on the radio as soon as he is in." Jermyn was staring out at the landing. Hawkins had left the main group and was standing near a large winch.
With a loud crunching crash The Launch slammed into the first of the guiding posts, the prow swinging forward as The Launch slammed home to lie on the launcher. With a shrieking howl the winch tightened and started to wind the launcher and its load out of the water.
"That was the only available course left." Dusty stared in amazement at Jermyn. "It's one of the best dead landings I've seen." Jermyn glanced at Dusty. "I saw Dad and James do one in fairly quiet weather at Dynnyrner. They wrecked the boat." Dusty nodded and joined Willie, Young Jackson and MacNeill with helping deal with The Launch. Fizz wearily climbed out of the boat, and rubbed his head.
"Anything happened while I was gone Dusty?"
"Jermyn says you're wanted on the radio, but otherwise nothing has occurred." Fizz nodded in a relieved manner.
"Maister. Be off, we'll deal with the boat." Hawkins was frowning at Fizz.
Fizz, Dusty, and Jermyn quickly retreated to the house.
"Who was it Jermyn?" Jermyn frowned momentarily.
"Mrs. Hawkins didn't actually say." Fizz nodded and the return to the house was completed quickly.
"MacUalraig. Who is it?"
"Washington calling Fizz."
"Fizz and Bubble, continue."
"You're recalled."
"Not yet, we're nailed here till the weather clears or the boat is mended."
"You've trashed two boats in two days?"
"Sunk one and damaged the other. We have a raging storm up here."
"I assumed as much. Okay get back as soon as you can. Grantley wants some assistance with Smirth. That blighter has vanished onto the continent with two tails."
"We'll arrive as soon as possible."
"Good. Washington out." There was a dull click and the local radio station came back on line. Fizz sat back and chewed his lip thoughtfully.
Hawkins showed up twenty minutes later. "It'll take three days at the fastest to repair that damage." Fizz nodded, and glanced out the window.
"I think the weather will have cleared by tomorrow noon." Fizz fiddled with the radio. "Horace, could you get Dynnyrner for me?......Thanks." Fizz sat back and thoughtfully stared at the ceiling. Five minutes passed before the buzz came.
"Dynnyrner has responded, you may go ahead."
"MacUalraig! Is James there?"
"On the spot. What's got you on the radio so quickly?"
"We've been recalled, unfortunately I wrecked the boat on the launcher so we're nailed here till the weather clears or the boat is repaired. This is just a warning to be ready to move fast. Miss Beth leave safely?"
"Warning received, and Beth took off this morning."