Storm on Venus

by R. A. Bentley

  Reaching out to touch him, Wilfred felt a sudden surge of emotion so powerful that he was almost moved to tears. The Venusians had at least the appearance of humanity and the ship that brought them could conceivably have been built by some secretive foreign power, but this wonderful creature before him could never have arisen on Earth. Here at last was an indubitable space-being, proof positive that out there in the firmament there really were other inhabited worlds, that mankind was not alone. How, once it was generally known, could anything be the same again? 'It's all right, old chap,' he said gently. 'Don't be afraid; we won't hurt you.'

  Daphne came and crouched beside him. 'Chin up now,' she said, with brisk kindness. 'I'm going to bathe and dress these wounds and then we're going to get you some help.'

  The creature's reaction was startling. On seeing her anxious face near to his, he immediately attempted, wincing with pain, to struggle from the bed.

  'No, you mustn't!' cried Daphne, jumping up. 'You might start bleeding again.'

  But though Wilfred attempted to restrain him, the stricken thaal would not be satisfied until he was kneeling on the floor, his bottom up, and his stringy arms stretched out towards her.

  'You would honour him if you were to place your foot on his head,' said a voice, causing them to swing round in alarm. It was the Migraani, who had silently appeared behind them and may have been there for some time.

  'I can't do that,' said Daphne. 'He's ill!'

  'He is not a human and you ought not to treat him as such. He would not thank you for it.'

  'Does that include beating him half to death?' said Wilfred rounding on her angrily. 'I wouldn't treat a dog like that!'

  'I know nothing of dogs,' said the Migraani coldly. 'Tell me, my dear, is it the Earth woman's way to go alone with a young man not her fiancé? It would never be allowed on Venus.'

  'Mr Carstairs is my friend,' said Daphne indignantly. 'I trust him completely. And I don't think it's any of your business.'

  'Miss Lambent merely expressed a desire to see your ship,' said Wilfred. 'It was my idea to look inside.'

  'I should have shown you the ship gladly,' said the Migraani, pointedly ignoring him. 'You had only to ask. Do you wish to see it now?'

  'No,' said Daphne. 'I've seen enough, thank you. I just want to help this poor creature. I shall need soap and water and bandages, and a mop and pail to clean up the blood; it's disgusting in here.'

  The Migraani seemed taken aback. 'That is not possible.'

  'Why? Haven't you got any bandages?'

  'You do not understand. It is not . . . seemly. If you do not wish to see the ship, I think it best that you leave.'

  'Not until I've helped this poor creature,' said Daphne. 'It's obviously no good leaving it to you!'

  The Migraani narrowed her eyes threateningly. It seemed she was not accustomed to being crossed. 'Then I shall be obliged to tell Mr Prendergast about this. You might trust Mr Carstairs but perhaps he does not.'

  'And if you do that,' said Daphne boldly, 'I shall tell my father that the man with whom he is negotiating flays his servants alive — unless it was you, of course.'

  Seeing a light under his uncle's bedroom door, Wilfred rather hesitantly knocked. It was a while before Freddy answered. He was clutching one of the racy novels he favoured and gave every indication of having dozed off while reading it.

  'Uncle, I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour but I need your advice.'

  'Why certainly old chap,' smiled Freddy, stifling a yawn. 'Come on in and take a pew. Nightcap?'

  'Have you any brandy?'

  'That serious, eh?'

  Finding no other chairs in the room, Wilfred, perched awkwardly on the edge of the bed. He was feeling very nervous, but would do anything to end this torture. He had just spent half an hour loitering under Daphne's window, merely in the hope of seeing her fleeting shadow upon the curtain; definitely not the action of Charles's rational man.

  'The thing is, Uncle. I might as well come straight out with it — I'm in love, besotted, going out of my mind. That's what I need your advice about.'

  Handing over the brandy, Freddy nodded knowingly. 'Thought you might be. It was either that or the distemper.'

  Wilfred frowned. 'Really? How could you tell?'

  'My dear chap, you'd make a terrible poker player, your every fleeting emotion is plastered upon that noble phis for all to see; not to mention the reams of half-written poetry you've been leaving about the place.' He held up his hand. 'No, you needn't tell me who it is; that's pretty obvious! And in case you're wondering, I don't disapprove. Quite the reverse, in fact.'

  'You don't?' said Wilfred, surprised. 'I rather thought you might.'

  Freddy chuckled amiably. 'I haven't always been a fat old beetroot-face, you know. I was quite the gay Lothario when I was your age, though you might not think it now. As far as I'm concerned, its only natural for a young fellow to sow a few wild oats before he settles down, and I don't see why you shouldn't too. You wouldn't wish to marry her, of course – quite unsuitable – but it doesn't do for a man to have no experience in these matters and I cannot think of anyone better with whom to gain it than young Bunty. She's a most engaging and lively young woman and not at all unattractive. I must say, I'm really quite envious. Now you mustn't be shy. I expect you're thinking of a little love nest, somewhere discrete, eh? Well, I'll be glad to help out. In fact, I think I know just the place.'

  'That's very generous of you, Uncle,' said Wilfred politely. 'I appreciate it. But it's not Miss Fairweather.'

  'No?' said Freddy, looking disappointed. 'Who is it, then? The little gel with the dimples? The lofty brunette?'

  'Neither of them. It's . . . someone in this house, actually.'

  Freddy tucked in his chin and stared at his nephew in sudden bewilderment. 'Here, you say? You're in love with someone here, at Hathercombe? Why, who the deuce can that be? Maud seems unlikely, Cook would turn the scales against a moderate hippo, and the scullery maid is disturbingly cross-eyed. It's not Agnes, is it? Oh Wilfred, I should be upset if it were little Aggie. A sweet, comely little gel, I grant you, but almost certainly an innocent, as well she might be at her age. You know, dallying below stairs is never a good idea for an honest young fellow. It dissipates the sexual energy and gives him an inflated idea of himself; though better, I admit, than personal impurity. You should also consider her position if the liaison were to be discovered, or if, God forbid, there were to be a child. It would certainly be the undoing of her and then you should have it on your conscience. Bunty Fairweather by all means, for there is no point in shutting the stable door once the horse has bolted, but I really cannot recommend Agnes.' Suddenly a thought struck him. 'I say, you haven't already, er . . .? Surely there hasn't been time.'

  'For goodness' sake, Uncle,' cried Wilfred, 'it's not Agnes either!'

  'Not Agnes?' frowned Freddy. 'Well then, I can't guess I'm afraid. You have beaten me entirely. Who is it?'

  Now that the moment had come, Wilfred hesitated for some moments. 'As a matter of fact it's Daphne,' he blurted. 'Daphne Lambent. There! Now it's out. I know what you'll say, but I can't help it. I worship her.'

  'Oh ha!' cried Freddy, clearly much relieved. 'Ha-ha, Daphne! Is that all? Why bless my soul, every man from here to Timbuktu is in love with Daphne, even me! You're not to worry about that.'

  'You? But you're her godfather!'

  'Doesn't confer immunity, old chap. Falling for Daphne is an inevitable concomitant of being alive and male. Consider our unappealing little envoy, he's only been here a day or two and he's clearly smitten already.'

  'Is he? I can't say I've noticed.'

  'Well, they say love is blind. He can scarcely drag his eyes from her. The Migraani neither, come to that.'

  'Oh but see here, that's not the same at all!' protested Wilfred. 'I'm not just an admirer; I'm in love! In all my life I've never met anyone who could hold a candle to her. If I can't have her, I shall die!'

  Setting aside
his drink, Freddy gazed thoughtfully at his nephew. 'Then I'm very sorry to hear that, for as you will no doubt have noticed, she is engaged to Charles Prendergast.'

  'But he doesn't love her! You can see he doesn't. He's only marrying her because she's a peer's daughter and it'll impress some confounded constituency selection committee. And if you ask me, she doesn't love him either, though she might think she does. She's only marrying him because he's rich and her mother wants her to. It's too bad!'

  'Well, all that may be true, but that's how marriages are made in our class as you well know. It doesn't mean it won't work out. She's given you no encouragement, I take it?'

  Wilfred ruefully shook his head. 'I hardly think so. She seems to have taken me up as a chum rather.' He wished he could tell of their wonderful adventure, of what a brick she had been and how she'd bathed and dressed the thaal's wounds like a regular Florence Nightingale with the Migraani glowering behind her. But he'd promised Daphne he would remain silent and he would never break his word.

  'Well then, I think you are in honour-bound not to pursue her,' said his uncle. 'You may not care for Charles; I don't much myself. He's a regular stuffed-shirt with not an ounce of humour or imagination. But he seems an honourable chap and he's won her fair and square. Only a bounder would try and break it up. Of course, if she were to call it off herself, it would be a different matter, but that's not likely and I don't think you should hope for it.'

  Finishing his drink, Wilfred stood up, defeated. 'You're right, of course, and naturally I wouldn't dream of breaking them up, even if I could. I knew perfectly well what you would say before I knocked on your door; I suppose I just needed to get it off my chest. I'd better let you to get to bed.'

  'Well I'm glad it was me you came to,' said Freddy, patting him on the back. 'Try not to take it too hard; there are plenty more fish in the sea you know. I wish I had a pound for every gel that's broken my heart. I'd be rich.'

  Wilfred secretly wondered if his uncle could ever have had a broken heart if he could dismiss it so lightly, but he didn't want to upset him by saying so. 'I daresay you're right,' he sighed. 'Maybe I'll take a stiff walk before I turn in.'

  'Good idea,' said Freddy, opening the door. 'And a cold bath, eh? Nothing like a cold bath for dissipating unwanted ardour, what? And if you really find it too much to bear, we can always make our excuses and go back to town early. I'll leave it to you entirely, though I should like to discover what all this Venus business is about before we go. Oh, and by the way, I've been meaning to ask . . .'

  Wilfred turned back. 'Yes?'

  'Simms, Prendergast's man, did you ever complain about him?'

  Wilfred frowned in confusion at this non sequitur. 'What? No. He came to me actually. Turns out he's quite a good egg. Apologised for beating me in the race and even offered me my fiver back. Apparently he put his winnings into a card game and doubled them. I didn't take it of course, but he's going to change the oil in my car.'

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Wilfred and Freddy found themselves unexpectedly alone at breakfast.

  'One is reminded of the Marie Celeste,' observed Freddy. 'Table laid for a meal, ship undamaged, no sign of a struggle.'

  'Maybe they've already gone out,' suggested Wilfred, helping himself to more bacon. 'It's a lovely day again.'

  'What, all of them?' frowned Freddy. 'That seems unlikely. I move we consult the oracle. Give the bell a tinkle, will you dear boy? No wait, here he is now. Tell me Masters, where is everyone this morning? Is there some terrible plague abroad, or have the Venusians carried them off?'

  'The ladies and Mr Prendergast are with His Lordship, sir. He sends his best regards and requests that you and Mr Carstairs be so kind as to join him in his study, as soon as you've breakfasted.'

  'Does he by Jove!' cried Freddy, leaping to his feet. 'Then if I'm not mistaken, all is at last to be revealed! Come on Wilfred; we mustn't keep them waiting. Oh I say, did you want to finish your bacon?'

  'Doesn't matter,' said Wilfred, cramming his mouth full. 'Lay on Macduff.'

  With only a cursory knock at the door they fairly bounded into the Professor's book-lined sanctum, only to be brought up short by the unexpected atmosphere within. Charles, staring grimly at the floor, scarcely acknowledged them, and Daphne, sitting close beside her mother, raised only an embarrassed little smile. The Professor, who was standing with his back to the fireplace, had a thoroughly woebegone look, and Lady Maud appeared to have been crying.

  'Why, whatever is the matter?' demanded Freddy. 'Has somebody died?'

  'Come in, gentlemen and sit down,' said the Professor. 'You must forgive our long faces — this family has just received something of a shock. Or rather, I have administered one.'

  'You can say that again,' said Charles, dryly.

  Freddy and Wilfred gazed at each other in amazement. For Charles to lapse into such crude vernacular was like hearing a lesser man swear.

  'Yes, er quite,' said the Professor. 'Freddy, Mr Carstairs, you are the last to hear what I am about to tell you, and for that I must apologise, but you will soon understand why. I must also ask you to let nothing you learn here go beyond these walls. It will be necessary to inform the domestic staff eventually, but not yet.'

  'Why of course, old man,' said Freddy. 'Our lips are sealed, aren't they Wilfred?'

  'Thank you, Freddy,' said the Professor. 'I know that I can rely on your discretion, as I have these many years. Mr Carstairs, I must first tell you something that, while not exactly a secret, is not generally known. It is simply this: our beloved Daphne is not our natural daughter, she is adopted.'

  'I see, sir,' said Wilfred, unsure how to respond. The tension in the room was almost palpable and he distinctly heard Lady Lambent sob. Surely, he thought, this simple revelation could not alone have produced such a profound effect? Adoption was a common enough practice after all, if not, perhaps, among the peerage. Suddenly his heart leapt. Had Charles jilted Daphne? Was she perhaps of lowly birth; too lowly for him to contemplate marrying her? But if so, why was he still here?

  'However,' continued the Professor, 'what even you don't know, Freddy, is how I came by your goddaughter, for in that regard I have sorely misled you. Not only you, I am ashamed to say, but my own dear wife and, worst of all, Daphne herself. I have this morning told them everything, begging their forgiveness, and now I am going to tell you.

  You will remember it was the winter of nineteen hundred and eight, quite close to Christmas, when Daphne came to us. On the night in question I was working late, preparing a lecture I was to give to the Royal Society, when there came a knock at the door. The servants being all in bed I opened it myself and found there an elderly gentleman in frock coat and side whiskers, which is to say, of perfectly ordinary, if somewhat old-fashioned, appearance for that time. He asked politely if he might speak to me and I brought him into this very room. You can perhaps imagine my astonishment when he began to explain that he had but recently arrived from the planet Venus. Indeed, he claimed to be an emissary from the Queen of that heavenly sphere.

  You might wonder that I didn't eject him immediately or even send for the police, but he was too old and frail to offer me much harm and there was something about him – a certain authority – that somehow disposed me to believe him. I even allowed him to lead me through the cold and darkness to the picnic glade where, you will not be surprised to learn, I found he was speaking only the truth, for there was his spaceship; the same one, I suspect, that is waiting there now.

  'A woman then appeared from the depths of that great vessel, carrying a peacefully sleeping infant whom he caused to be placed in my arms, saying: "She is beautiful, is she not? I want you to take her and care for her as if she were your own. When the time comes, I or my successor shall return for her. I will not insult you by offering payment, but you will know the satisfaction of having done our queen a great service." I was so overwhelmed by the strange circumstances in which I found myself and by this extraordin
ary request that, against my better judgement, I agreed.' Here the Professor smiled sadly at Daphne. 'Needless to say, I have never for one moment had cause to regret that decision; she has been the light of our lives.'

  There now followed a dazed silence during which uncle and nephew looked at each other with a wild surmise, both struggling to make sense of what they had just heard.

  'Ludo,' said Freddy at last, 'had it been anyone but you I should have suspected some sort of joke at our expense. As it is you, I have no option but to take your assertion seriously. Are you really saying that young Daphne here, whom I have known all her life, is a Venusian?'

  'Not only that, old friend,' sighed the Professor. 'Our daughter, whom I suppose I ought properly to call our ward, is no less a personage than Her Royal Highness Princess Pepseema Haalijsu, heiress to the Venusian throne. Indeed, she is the uncrowned queen, for her mother has unfortunately died.'

  'Miss Lambent the Queen of Venus!' blurted Wilfred. 'Why, that is unbelievable!' And then he blushed, for if anyone deserved such a title it was surely Daphne. Would she think he had insulted her?

  'But you said she was a foundling, abandoned on the doorstep,' protested Freddy. 'You even instituted a search for the mother. I helped in that search.'

  'Yes, and I regret the deception greatly,' said the Professor, 'though as you will recall, we very soon gave it up. Indeed, the next day we hired a nurse.' He turned to Wilfred. 'You see, we were unable to have children of our own and dearly wanted them. It was like a miracle to us.'

  'He said I should have her always,' cried Maud accusingly. 'And now she is going away from me and I shall never see her again. Why, oh why, did you lie to me Ludo? You have broken my heart!' She now began to weep quite openly, causing Daphne to put an arm around her and try to comfort her.

  'But how could I tell you the truth?' protested the Professor. 'You would have thought me mad. So would you, Freddy, I am sure. Were it not for that spaceship in the woods, you would think me mad now. Of course I contemplated telling you, and very nearly did on several occasions, but as the years went by I came almost to believe I had dreamed the whole thing. Alas, if only that were so!'