Leaving them momentarily standing by the gates, Gavin went to speak to the guards at the control house. It wasn’t long before he returned.
“Everything’s in order, if you’d like to continue.” Gavin threw open the gates and led them up a series of ramps leading to the passenger cabin. He unlocked the door, then stepped inside to run the illuminators before turning back to Phoebe with a slight bow over his leg, his kilt swaying with the movement. “Welcome, m’lady.”
Phoebe stepped forward, trailing away from Seth’s arm. “It’s magnificent, Gavin.” She turned back to Seth and gave him a smile.
The airships really were something quite extraordinary, and a lot had gone into making them a reality. Though this ship was Seth’s design, she knew none of it would have been possible without the work of Captain Gunther von Adler, who was able to find a method of creating and stabilizing the gasses needed to make the ships airborne and safe. Far too many of the gasses had been dangerous, leading to more than a few disasters.
The interior of the ship was open and spacious. Walls only added additional weight, so the interior was designed so that each room flowed into the next, illuminators running along the bottom of each wall to lend a soft glow. They moved forward into a luxurious sitting area, and Phoebe ran a hand over the back of a velvet chaise the color of well-aged port. “Gavin, I’m impressed.” Her gaze settled on the far end of the room. “Are those the controls?”
“Aye, that there’s the navigation area.” Gavin linked his arm with hers and explained things as he walked, while Seth disappeared into the seating area. “This here,” he pointed to a massive table with a map on it, “is where I make most of my trip calculations. My other maps are held just there.” He pointed to a glass case filled with diamond shaped shelves designed to hold maps of all sizes. Gavin continued, “And here’s the helm.”
A bay of wood and brass angled in an arc before a wall of glass, allowing the operator a two hundred and seventy degree view for greater ease of navigation.
“I still cannot believe it.” Phoebe moved to the helm, bending forward to get a better look at everything. A compass along with gauges for measuring altitude, velocity, and airship pressure were all clustered around a large brass wheel, several levers on either side of it. “It’s beautiful, Gavin.” When she turned back to face him, she found his gaze intent on hers, making her stomach clench.
“Phoebe, please talk to me…” His voice was just a whisper, the emotion in it tearing her heart to shreds. “’Tis been eight months, aye?”
She reached up and cupped his cheek for just a moment, his stubble rough against her hand. “What would you have me do? I do not think I can tell him.”
Gavin covered her hand with his. “Phoebe—” Hearing footsteps, she turned away from him and back to the controls.
Seth came to stand by her side, and she took his hand in hers, looking up into such kind and loving eyes. Her heart tripped over itself, not only with love but with the fear that she’d made the wrong decision when she’d had the chance to be completely honest with him. What had seemed like an insignificant incident now threatened to ruin everything.
Seth smiled, but she could see his eyes searching her face for what was amiss. “She’s a beautiful ship. Is she not?”
Smiling back, she put all other thoughts from her head, determined to have a good evening with the man she loved. “Truly, I cannot imagine one more beautiful.”
“Shall we get started, then? Why don’t the two of ye settle in, while I finish getting everything ready? There’s drink over at the bar. I’ll be right back.” Gavin left them to take care of things.
“You’ve yet to say where you’re taking me.” Phoebe glanced over at Seth with an eyebrow perked in mock sternness, trying to lighten the mood between them.
He moved to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist, a teasing smile upon his lips. “Nowhere in particular. For once, I want you to be surprised.” He kissed the tip of her upturned nose.
“For once?” She laughed, pulling back just a little to get a better look at him. “Has it ever occurred to you that the reason I don’t like surprises, is that you’re forever and always springing them on me? Even your return was completely unexpected. I nearly fainted at the sight of you.”
He brought her hand to his lips, a look of worry on his beautiful face. “I had not meant to cause you any distress. My apologies. Once in London, I could not stay away from you— not even long enough to send a proper message around. I had to see you, Phoebe.”
Not wanting him to worry, she reached up and cupped his cheek, smiling. “No worries, my love. I do think I’ve quite recovered from the shock.” Unable to resist, she kissed him.
“Phoebe.” His voice was heady, just a murmur against her lips.
Gavin cleared his throat, and they pulled apart, a flush creeping across Phoebe’s cheeks at being caught in a kiss. “We’re ready to go. If ye’d like, ye may take a seat either in the sitting room or by the helm.”
“The helm!” Phoebe exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight as she moved across the room. With a laugh, Gavin pulled out a chair for her next to the captain’s seat, and Seth took the chair on her other side.
Gavin deftly maneuvered them up into the sky, working the controls with ease. They watched as the lights of London became visible on the horizon, sparkling like fireflies in the dark of night.
“It’s so beautiful.” She reached out to Seth, and he took her hand, strong and reassuring. “So different to see it from this high up.”
“That it is, a ghaoil.”
Gavin turned to Phoebe, his knee inadvertently brushing against her leg, seated as she was between the two men in the small space. “Where’d ye like to go, love? Would it please ye to dine above the sparkling lights of London or beneath a blanket of stars?”
Phoebe bit her lip as she thought about it, her excitement causing her to fidget in her seat. “I don’t know. Shall we say the stars?” She turned towards Seth in question. “It’s always so difficult to see them amongst the brightness of the city.”
Seth brought her hand to his lips. “The choice is yours, my love.”
“The stars then.” She looked from Seth to Gavin and smiled, as they started their journey north.
It was a perfect night for their trip. The dry air and cloudless sky sparkled with thousands of dazzling stars. Though it was bitterly cold out, especially this high up, the steam from the engines kept the temperature within the cabin warm and comfortable.
For a ship this size, it was remarkably quiet, gliding with seemingly little effort. With the additional altitude, London now gleamed in the far distance like a distant galaxy, melding into the astral bodies above.
Phoebe shifted in her seat so she could lean back in Seth’s arms, her back to his chest, looking out upon the world around them. He held her to him, his head resting on hers. She still could not fully believe they would be married in only a week’s time. Only a fortnight ago, Seth had been hundreds of miles away, and she had not been sure when she would see or speak to him again.
Once Gavin got them on a course he was happy with, Seth escorted Phoebe to the sitting room and showed her to a plush chair by the window. Gavin soon returned, wheeling a serving cart into the room, laden heavily with a cornucopia of food.
“What did you lads get up to today?” She looked between the two of them with suspicion and humor. “Here, sit. Let me serve that up for you.”
Gavin waved her back to her seat. “Tcha, don’t be silly. I’m sure between the two of us, we can manage to get food on a plate. ”
“You are both too good to me.” Phoebe took the plate Gavin offered, thanking him. It was piled high with a combination of roast duck, sirloin of beef braised in red wine, with a side of roasted potatoes and onions cooked down to sweet perfection. “I do not know how I’ll get through all this, but it looks and smells wonderful.”
The food was deliciously satisfying. While eating, she looked around and was tak
en aback, not only by the beautiful star-studded night and the magnificent airship, but by her companions. She was stunned and flattered that they had planned such an evening with her in mind, and it still shocked her that she could have two such amazing people in her life.
Seth ran a hand down her arm, his voice soft and gentle. “Are you all right, my love?”
She gave him a smile. “I could not be better. I just wanted to thank the two of you for everything.”
They finished their meal, and with everyone’s appetites now satiated, they sat around in idle conversation, each with a drink in their hand. Gavin reclined on a chair, his long legs crossed out in front of him, his kilt going to his knees, tall woolen stockings and lace-up boots covering the rest of his legs. “Have the two of ye given any thought to where ye’ll have the wedding?”
Phoebe looked to Seth and shook her head no. “We hadn’t really the chance to finalize any decisions. It will only be the three of us and Gabriel. We could do it at one of our homes, I suppose, since the weather has been too brisk for an outdoor wedding.”
Gavin took a sip of his brandy peering at them over the rim of his glass, “You could get married here on the ship. We could take her up even.”
Phoebe couldn’t have thought of a more perfect way to get married. She looked over at Seth who had his eyebrows perked in question. She beamed in answer and he nodded at Gavin. “Aye. That would be brilliant.”
They ironed out the details, but before long Phoebe stifled a yawn. “I’m sorry. It’s been quite a busy day.”
“I have the two of ye set up in the guest quarters. I’d be happy to show ye up so ye dinna get lost.” Gavin stood and offered Phoebe a hand.
Phoebe looked from Gavin’s extended hand to Seth, her pulse skipping away. “Will you be joining me, my love?”
Seth sat forward. “I have a few things I need to speak to Gavin about. Do you mind? I’ll still see you up to bed, and I promise I won’t be terribly long.”
“Of course, I do not mind. Stay; I can find my own way, love.” Phoebe leaned over and gave Seth a kiss goodnight. His lips, warm and tempting, made her wish he’d accompany her to bed. She took Gavin’s offered hand and stood. “You need not accompany me. It’s just up the stairs, is it not?”
“Nonsense. It’ll only take but a minute to show ye to yer room, and I’m already on my feet. Wouldn’t want ye to take a wrong turn and fall into the cargo bay.” Ignoring her protests, he took her arm in his and escorted her up a sweeping staircase to the second level, where the bedrooms were housed. He opened the door and stepped inside. “Here’s yer room, love. There’s a privy just there behind that door. Do ye need anything before I go?”
“No, I don’t believe so.” She smiled at him. “Thank you— for all this. It was amazing.”
“Phoebe…” He turned towards her and ran his hands down her arms. “I’m sorry, but… I need to ask, ye understand? Are ye happy, my love?”
She felt her heart tighten, its rhythm erratic. She knew she needed to be honest with him. “I am happy.” She reached up cupped his face for just a moment, before dropping her hand. “I’m sorry, Gavin.”
“Ye ken I dinna want to cause problems between the two of ye, but ye must tell him, my love. Especially if I’m to marry the two of ye.”
Phoebe shook her head, looking down to avoid his gaze. “I cannot manage it, Gavin.”
“Phoebe…” He brushed a stray curl from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “If ye’re to get married… Do ye not think he should know?”
“Of course he should know. I want to be honest with him, but I cannot get the words out. I should have told him when he first returned and now it seems too late.” He gently tipped her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes, the rhythm of her heart erratic as her chest tightened.
“Shall I take care of the matter, then?”
All she could do was nod.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Gavin sat across from his friend, his heart heavy with guilt. Guilt, not only for the kiss stolen so many months ago, but also for being less than honest with Seth about his feelings for Phoebe. Though Phoebe agreed he’d be the one to tell Seth, he was hoping to leave it for another time, so as not to ruin their night together.
Seth took a sip of his whisky, and then rested the glass on his knee, his finger running around the smooth edge. “Clark and Moore wanted me to speak to you. I know you’ve made runs for them before, but I think they have something different in mind this time around.”
Gavin sat back and ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. At least this, he could deal with. “Do ye ken what they’re transporting and from where?”
“They did not say, but I’m guessing weapons—and a large quantity at that. With the type of funding they’ve got at their disposal, they’re likely dealing with Scotland’s Am Freiceadan. I think Moore and Clarke have started hoarding whatever weapons they can get, knowing they’ll need them if they can manage to raise the monies needed to fund a revolution.”
“From The Watch? Aye, I could see how it’d be to their advantage. A revolution has the potential to weaken the Queen and government enough for them to not be a bother for some time.”
Am Feiceadan, known as The Watch, was the group responsible for giving Scotland the edge it needed to win its independence from England twenty years ago, its members notorious for their fighting prowess.
Gavin gave it some thought. “Wouldna be difficult to slide the cases in with the other cargo. Problem is, if I get caught with the weapons and they’re traced to the Cause, they’d make my life difficult and it wouldna be verra pleasant.”
“I know. You’d escape the sentence of treason, seeing as you’re not a subject of the Crown, but it does not mean they couldn’t charge ye with something carrying an equally gruesome sentence. Either way, it will not be a pleasant way to leave this earth. I’ve debated for days whether to tell you of their plans. In the end, I figured I’d put it to you, seeing as you’ve helped them in the past. I only hope you’ll take into account the dangers involved when making your decision.”
Gavin smiled, some of the tension going as he joked with his friend. “Only helped because ye needed to get to and from the Outlands. With a trip like that, I wouldna trust yer sorry arse to any of the other airships. Phoebe would have my hide if anything ever happened to ye.” He polished off the remainder of his drink in one go, filling his glass again. He waved the bottle at Seth in question.
“Aye, go on then.” Seth leaned forward extending his glass for Gavin to fill. “Truth is, after leaving for the Outlands, I’d not have been surprised if she wished me dead.”
Gavin gave his head a shake, his lips curling into a slow smile as the memories came flooding back. “She half did, mo charaid. I saw her ‘bout seven months after you’d gone. Her hurt had turned to anger by then, ye see. Had a bit of a glass together, and the words coming out of her mouth in reference to yerself, I’d have been shocked to hear coming from a dock hand, let alone a lady like herself— though I’d be inclined to blame it on the drink.”
Seth took a sip of whisky, his eyes on the amber liquid glowing in the light. When he spoke, Gavin couldn’t help but notice the guilt tainting his friend’s voice. “I had not realized you’d come to see her. I appreciate it. It was a difficult time for her.”
Playing with his glass, Gavin said, “Aye, it was. I willna say I’d have gone if I were in yer place.” He looked up at Seth for just a moment before looking away, his own guilt tugging at his conscience. “But ye canna dwell on it. We’re nae but human. None of us are perfect, each of us carrying the burden of that humanity. We’ve all made mistakes, aye? We can only hope to redeem ourselves, and that forgiveness will be granted.”
Seth looked at him, a question in his eyes. Gavin knew he was being far more serious and brooding than his normal self. “We’ve been friends a long time, aye? And you know you can talk to me if there’s something bothering you. You’ve always been here for me, and I’d
hope to return the favor.”
Gavin looked back at him and sighed. He’d not get a better opportunity and the time had come for honesty. “Verra well, then. I only ask that ye let me finish what I have to say.” Seth agreed, and Gavin continued. “To be honest, I dinna ken where to even start, so I might as well start at the beginning. Do ye remember when ye first met Phoebe?”
Seth took a deep breath, his eyes flashing at Gavin in question before looking away. “Aye. How could I forget?”
Gavin’s mind wandered back in time, the memories playing through his mind. “She really was so different than any of the other women. Ye’ll remember we would seek her company? The three of us grew to be close friends before ye decided to openly court her.”
“Gavin, I don’t understand where this is going. I remember being concerned that you did not care for her, since you constantly tried to avoid accompanying me when I went to visit her. Did I misjudge the situation?” Seth fidgeted with his glass, seemingly unable to sit and listen quietly, anger tainting his voice. Seth locked eyes with Gavin, demanding the truth.
Gavin struggled with himself, trying to get the words out. When he finally spoke, the anguish in his voice was clear. “I couldna help myself, mo charaid. The time spent in her company had the same effect on me as it did you. I tried to fight it, tried to make excuses not to accompany ye, but in the end, I was far too weak a man. I’m sorry.”
Seth’s face flushed with anger, his jaw clenched as he spoke. “Gavin, what are you telling me?”
“I fell in love with her, Seth— even before ye decided to court her. It was not my intention. Ye must believe me when I tell ye that.”
Seth’s hand tightened around the glass, his knuckles white. “And when I was no longer around? When I’d gone to the Outlands?”
Viridis - A Steampunk Romance Page 15
