by Pelaam
Humming to himself, Midnight ran a bath. It was one of his indulgences. He loved to immerse himself in the heated water and to perfume it with rose or lavender. As he swirled the scented oil into the tub, Midnight chuckled to himself. I probably spend longer bathing than my sister.
Removing his nightshirt, Midnight eased into the bath and slid down into the water with a contented sigh. The oversized bathtub was long enough to let him fully sink right down. Then he rose slowly, just keeping his head high enough to clear the scented water. After a few minutes of pure indulgence, Midnight washed himself.
As he worked the soap through his hair, he giggled. While Aurora’s hair was dark like their mother’s, his was fair, almost silvery, like his father’s. More than once, people had assumed Midnight was his sister’s name and were surprised to find they were greeting a brother and sister, not two sisters. But at least we have the same deep blue eyes as our father.
Once bathed and dried, Midnight began to dress. This time, he wore the uniform that Aurora and their mother had created for flying the Freedom. The pale gold pants were made of good, thick material. It often got quite cold out on deck, so a thicker material was wise. It was also practical and hard-wearing. Over the pants went black, knee-high boots.
A white shirt was followed by a navy blue tie, and topped by, in his case, a black leather waistcoat. Aurora’s was in the same material as the pants. Midnight preferred the leather, as it was good protection against sparks when he needed to visit the dirigible’s engines.
The jackets were navy blue and trimmed in pale gold. Aurora like a short jacket, which ended at her waist. By contrast, Midnight preferred a frockcoat, fitted at his waist. Knowing his sister liked them to make a good impression on passengers, Midnight peered critically at himself in the full-length mirror.
Everything looked in place, but donning the uniform made him feel like he was dressing up. He was much happier in knee-britches with his shirtsleeves rolled up as he tinkered in his workshop. But while he was aboard the Freedom, he was Aurora’s second in command, its engineer, and its helmsman.
As such I represent our business and need to look as professional as possible. Even if it is uncomfortable. So long as I project an air of confidence, our clients need never know. With a sigh and a last tug at his collar, Midnight made his way downstairs for breakfast.
Their invaluable cook and housekeeper, Lucy, was already serving the rest of his family and Midnight quickly took his place at the large dining table. A moment later, his plate had been filled with bacon, eggs, and kidneys. Slices of toast were within easy reach, and his mother poured coffee into his cup.
“You have a good day for the flight.” Griffin sat back and looked out of the windows. “Many passengers?”
“No. Just two today. An engaged couple.” Aurora sat back as well and dabbed her mouth with a white linen napkin. “I’m hoping that if they enjoy the trip, they may agree to giving us a positive testimonial. That might prove be a good source of future passengers.”
“A wonderful idea, Aurora.” ^ nodded. “And you have the ship ready, Midnight?”
“Yes, Papa.” Midnight added a spoonful of Mrs Lawn’s marmalade to his toast. “The ship’s ready, the galley’s stocked, and I have a few additional treats for QC.” Midnight washed his toast down with the last of his coffee.
“Excellent.” Griffin beamed widely. “You’ll be flying by ten o’clock, won’t you?’
“Yes, that’s right. I should get Freedom fired up.” Midnight stood up, then went to kiss his mother’s cheek as Aurora checked her pocket watch.
“Yes.” Aurora replaced her watch. “They’ll be here in a couple of hours.”
“Have a good trip, son.” Griffin tilted his head as Midnight kissed his cheek. “I checked the barometer; you should have good weather.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Midnight smiled. “I checked the one in my room, too, and I believe you’re right. See you on the ship, Aurora.” With a wave, Midnight left through the French windows with the dogs bouncing around him.
Scooping up a twig, Midnight threw it and when the dogs chased after, he ran for the ship. The dogs turned and chased after him, their barks of joy echoing around Midnight, who laughed out loud.
The dogs knew the boundary of the airstrip and stopped, their tails still wagging. Midnight ruffled the fur of each one in turn before telling them to return to the house. He watched then run back, then turned his attention to the ship.
Hands on hips, Midnight glanced around. My first job is to fire up the furnaces. Then make sure there’s enough inertium gas in the balloon. The gas, once heated, became lighter than air and would allow the ship to rise.
Although inertium was more expensive than other gases, such as hydrogen, it was also safer as there was no risk of the gas igniting. Nor did it react in any other way with heat or flame.
With a jaunty step, Midnight went to the stairs that led below deck. He slid more than walked down the stairs from the top to the middle deck. This was mostly used if they had groups wishing to breakfast or lunch.
Along with the galley, it contained a comfortable dining area, and even separate sitting rooms to allow the men to have brandy and cigars while the ladies had coffee and liqueurs. There were bedrooms for those who found the whole experience, or even just flying itself, too much for their nerves. It also boasted a couple of bathrooms.
As Midnight made his way to the next set of stairs, he checked each room in turn, ensuring everything was in its place. Then he went down to a lower deck. This was almost exclusively his domain.
The deck, as far as Midnight was concerned, was the ship’s heart. It was home to his mechanicals, Freedom’s engines, and her furnace. Aurora almost never came down this far, except to look for him, but Midnight felt quite at home there. It’s so similar to my workshop, it’s easy to forget one is flying when one’s down here.
Humming to himself, Midnight went straight to the furnace to get it fired up. He had a couple of basic mechanicals that stoked the furnaces once they were ready. However, he’d check on them regularly during the flight. But once they’re activated, they’ve performed perfectly every time, so far.
To activate his automatons, Midnight gave them a tiny dose of a concoction dubbed oleum vitae. Although the title was a little misleading, it meant he could give his mechanicals basic verbal commands rather than them being nothing more than a completely mindless mechanical.
With the furnaces burning and his automatons working in tandem for stoking, Midnight made his way back onto the upper deck. Aurora was on board and she greeted him with a smile and a wave.
“All under control, brother mine?” she called out.
“Furnaces burning.” Midnight strode over to her. “The inertium should heat quickly enough. I’d say we’ll be ready to fly in no more than fifteen minutes. When are the passengers due?”
“Not for another thirty minutes or so. Although the lady booking the flight would have liked to fly at dawn and enjoy breakfast watching the sunrise, it seemed her fiancé was less enamoured about such an early start.”
“He sounds a bit of a killjoy.” Midnight sniffed loudly and tossed his head.
“I agree. This flight is supposed to be his engagement gift to her, and he seems to be making all the restrictions.” Aurora shrugged. “Well, we can’t help her. She agreed to marry him. She must have known what he was like before she accepted his proposal.”
“I suppose so. Hello, is that them, do you think?” Midnight pointed toward a large car that made its way slowly along the drive leading to their tiny airfield. “If it is, they’ve certainly not made use of the village inn.”
“I would say so.” Aurora tugged at her collar. “Get ready to welcome them aboard and take any bag they’ve brought with them.”
“If you say so.” Midnight scowled as he got into place. If they want to bring a bag on board, they should be ready to carry it for themselves. But Aurora insists that the more luxurious we make the trip; the mo
re people will choose us.
While Aurora stood on the deck in front of the passenger ramp, ready to greet the passengers, Midnight stood to the right of the rail, and he stifled a groan when a chauffeur got out of the car and rushed around to open the passenger door.
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Midnight declared, his tone deliberately mournful and Aurora glowered at him.
“This is neither the time nor the place for your fanciful notions.” Aurora scowled at him. “They aren’t even on board. You can’t possibly tell from all the way back here. At least let them get on the Freedom before you make your instant judgement.”
“I’m usually right.” Midnight couldn’t help the retort, but quickly focused his attention back on the couple exiting the car before his sister could think of a suitable response.
The amply proportioned young woman pointed repeatedly, and everything about her was animated. By contrast, not only did the man not appear to react to her excitement, but his face was fixed in an expression of disdain. He didn’t so much as turn to face the woman at his side as they spoke.
Midnight scowled as he watched the byplay. How rude. As they got closer, Midnight appraised them further.
The young woman was fresh faced and red cheeked. Her fair hair was piled high with a small sky-blue top hat adorned with a peacock feather balanced artfully slightly to the side. The hat’s shade of blue matched that of the dress she wore. She seemed totally fixated on the ship, her eyes shining, and her smile never faltered as she approached.
The man looked as if he was bored by it all and was dressed in tweeds, as if out for a day’s grouse shooting. Midnight glowered at him. He’d best not think that he can shoot pterodactyls. There were hunting parties for just that inhumane sport. But hunters stayed away from the area owned by Aurora and Midnight’s family. They had registered QC as a family pet for her protection.
As the man got closer, Midnight began cataloguing his faults. He looks as if he’s sucking on a particularly sour lemon. His chin’s receding, and his forehead’s too high where his hair appears to be retreating rapidly. Makes him look older than he probably is.
Behind the couple traipsed an older man dressed in a dark blue chauffeur’s uniform, complete with peaked cap, and Midnight stared at him. His thick, dark muttonchops were well-trimmed, with a hint of silver flecked here and there. In one hand he carried a large picnic basket, and in the other was an oversized carpetbag.
“What on earth are they bringing aboard? Did they mention having a late breakfast or luncheon?” Midnight glanced at Aurora who shook her head.
“No. Although I gave them that option. The inference was they would not be partaking.”
“I suppose we’ll soon find out.” Midnight sighed and resumed his place to his sister’s left at the top of the ramp.
The moment the couple reached the top, the man addressed Midnight, holding out his hand.
“Captain Pendragon, I assume.”
“Ah, no. That would be my sister.” Midnight indicated Aurora. “I’m the engineer and helmsman, Midnight Pendragon.”
“Welcome aboard. I’m Aurora Pendragon, captain of the Freedom.” Aurora stepped forward.
“Oh, Dryden, I told you the captain’s name was Aurora. How do you do, Captain Pendragon. My name’s Drusilla Bartlby and this is my fiancé, Mr Dryden Brewer.
“A great pleasure to meet you both.” Aurora shook Drusilla’s, then Dryden’s, hand. “I hope you enjoy your flight with us. Um, I wasn’t aware you wished to bring your own food on board. That’s normally provided as part of the package. If you had any special dietary needs, you only needed to let us know.”
“Yes, well, I saw no reason to pay you any more than was necessary.” Dryden sniffed loudly. “You provide the flight; I provide my own fare. Then I know it’s to my taste. I insisted on bringing some changes of clothing, too. One never knows how the weather may turn.” Dryden glanced around. “We also need Brown to accompany us. I appreciate my fiancée may not have included him in the booking, but we need a servant to wait on us, and I expect you and your…engineer, will be too busy.” He glanced briefly toward Midnight, then back at Aurora.
Only someone looking very closely, or who knew Aurora’s temper, would see she was vibrating with barely contained fury and Midnight stifled his groan. I have a feeling this is going to be an awfully long voyage.
“You’re quite right, of course. Neither my brother nor I are anybody’s servants.” Aurora’s voice was like ice and even Dryden, bulky as he was, took a step back as if struck by a physical blow. “As this is merely a daytrip, I hardly see the need for additional clothing, and I have a well-earned reputation for providing food of the highest quality to meet any needs of my passengers.”
“Oh, Captain, do please forgive us. Don’t send us away.” Drusilla dashed forward to grasp to Aurora’s forearm. “You really must forgive Dryden. Sometimes he has the most old-fashioned ideas.”
Midnight risked a glance at Dryden whose expression was one of pure fury. If she thinks he only has those ideas sometimes, either she’s deluding herself, or he’s been keeping them well hidden.
“Look, Brown is a servant. This isn’t a pleasure trip for him. I’ll pay half fare for him. He will be working, not sight-seeing. Will that suffice?”
“Yes, all right.” Aurora waved her hand impatiently at Dryden and at the man’s shocked expression, Midnight decided it was time for him to intercede.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where you can sit most comfortably while we take off, then I’ll take your, um, Mr Brown below deck and he can stow away your gear.” Midnight indicated a section of the deck where a pergola, draped with sheer, sky-blue curtains stood.
“Oh, how beautiful.” Drusilla didn’t seem the type to hide her feelings and Midnight found himself taking to her quickly. The same, however, was far from true of her fiancé. Without a word of thanks, Dryden simply walked past them and plonked himself down.
“If you’d care to sit here while we take off, Miss—”
“Dru. Please.”
“Miss Dru.” Midnight nodded.
“You’re far too over-familiar with people, Drusilla.” Dryden snapped, his tone sharp. “You’ll have to change your ways once you’re my wife. No one will be addressing you in such a casual way, then.”
“Yes, dear.” Dru sat, hands in her lap, and Midnight’s heart ached at the way the light of excitement dimmed in her eyes.
Going straight to his sister, Midnight whispered into Aurora’s ear.
“You know, I think Miss Dru might like to stand beside you on the bridge as the ship ascends.”
“What?” Aurora glanced back and her shoulders sagged. “Oh, that damned man. Thank goodness that’s not something I need worry about.” She sighed heavily, then fixed a bright smile in place. “Oh, Miss Dru. May I see you for a moment?”
“Yes, of course.” Dru got to her feet and hurried immediately to Aurora, glancing anxiously between her and Midnight. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. In fact, I thought you might like to stand beside me as we take flight.”
“Really?” Drucilla’s face lit up in a wide grin. “Oh, how wonderful.”
Pleased his instincts were correct, Midnight turned to the chauffeur, whose weather-worn face was creased into a soft smile.
“If you come with me below deck, I’ll show you where you can stow that stuff.” Midnight held out a hand. “Here, let me take one. You won’t be able to navigate your way down the stairs if you have both hands full. They’re more ladder-like than normal steps.”
Midnight descended first and led the servant to the galley.
“You can stow any foodstuff in here, then if you come this way,” Midnight set the case he’d carried down while he waited for the man to drop off the picnic basket. “What is your name?” he asked.
“Brown, sir.”
“I’m not your employer.” Midnight stuck out his hand. “Midnight Pendragon.”
; “Well, in that case, when I’m not with the master, the moniker’s George.” The man shook Midnight’s hand firmly. “Where do I put this lot?”
“This way, George.” Midnight led him a little further along the passageway and into a comfortable lounge. “I think this place will be as good as anywhere. Through there is a bedroom.” Midnight indicated a door opposite where they stood. There are another couple of lounges with bedrooms, for our longer voyages. Not that we tend to go on many.”
“I’ve never flown, Sir, I mean, Midnight.” George set the bag down, then clasped his hands tightly together to stop them from shaking. “I would much rather have remained on the ground, but Master Dryden won’t lift a finger for himself. I feel sorry for Miss Drusilla when they’re married. He’ll expect her to wait on him hand and foot, just like any other of his servants.”
“He does seem like hard work.” Midnight nodded. “Surely she knows how difficult he’s going to be.”
“No.” George pursed his lips and shook his head. “He’s a crafty one. She’s a step up the social ladder for him, so he’s playing his true nature close to his chest. The poor lass just thinks he can be a little tricky at times. But she hasn’t seen the worst of him. And if you ask me,” George lowered his voice. “She won’t until it’s too late.”
“That’s a shame.” Midnight shook his head. “Are you sure you don’t want to come back up on deck? You can stay here, of course, but it’s a bit dreary to stay down here on your own.”
“I don’t mind that.” George chuckled. “I’ve waited in far worse places than this. Like I said, I’ve never flown. Never wanted to. If you ask me, men would have wings if God had meant them to fly. I’d prefer to be anywhere than on this ship. Staying down here, I can at least pretend I’m on the ocean.”
“Well, if you’re certain?” Midnight asked and George nodded firmly. “I assure you our ship is safe and sound. My sister and I take a personal pride in the Freedom.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s good to know.” George smiled, but his lips trembled just like his hands.
