Imprudence (The Custard Protocol #2)(63)
In the interim, Lord and Lady Maccon would stay at Shepheard’s in fine style with no one the wiser to the fact that they intended their retirement to be one of dabbling in the tea trade – a most ignominiously mercantile end for a pair of vaunted aristocrats.
Rue was proud of them. It would suit her mother to have something to do under the desert skies. Otherwise she might end up Queen of Sheba or on a mission to save the local crocodiles from embankments, or whatnot.
Rue, Percy, Primrose, and various decklings laden with baggage accompanied the Maccons to their hotel. The decklings and the luggage were lowered from The Spotted Custard to the ground in porter’s nets with balletic aplomb. The officers utilised the Egyptian passenger swing with a great deal less aplomb. Rue tried to be graceful, but grace wasn’t her strong point, and upon dismounting from the wooden bar got the single long rope tangled in her skirts. Prim attempted sidesaddle and nearly fell off. Percy, white-faced, lost his top hat and then his dignity in a flailing of limbs and curses. However, once groundside they were rejuvenated by coffee from an enterprising nearby vendor.
Rue’s mother complained that this was a sign of how great the need was for proper tea in this country. “Here we are, after a harrowing yet commonplace occurrence, and all that is on offer is coffee.”
It was a quick march from the mooring obelisk to the hotel. Quesnel did not accompany them. He could not meet Rue’s gaze and insisted he must stay to supervise the maintenance and restock.
Tasherit stayed aboard, as ordered. Rue also officially requested that she ensure the safety of the crew. Catlike in protection of her territory and her people, Miss Sekhmet adored official sanction to cause maximum bloodshed. She wore her favourite tan skirt and red hunting jacket, which looked very like a military uniform, and tucked a pistol of indeterminate make into the sash at her waist. Rue didn’t ask if she could use the gun, let alone where she had purchased it. Tasherit would never arm herself with a weapon she couldn’t wield, and her means of acquisition were mysterious and likely to remain so.
With her ship in good hands, Rue marched along, taking in the wonders of the city around her. In the comparative cool of early morning, the streets were alive with activity – performers plying their arts, vendors selling wares out of stalls or off the backs of donkeys, and all manner of street urchin. On the short walk to the hotel, they stepped to the side to allow not one but two processions. One was religious and the other military. They were passed by several open-topped steam carriages and a caravan of impressive camels – no doubt off to view the pyramids. A massive omnibus scuttled by, steam-powered and covered in passengers, so many they appeared piled and draped over a box on wheels, dangling in such a way as to be both precarious and decorative.
Cairo was a desert child dressed in soot and sand. The men wore flowing robes of rust, soft blue, and cream with the women confined to darker shades. There seemed a great deal of importance placed upon the type and style of a gentleman’s headwear, more so than even the top hats of Rue’s home country. She could only respect that, given her familial relationship to Uncle Rabiffano and Aunt Ivy. The street was loud, full of chatter and music. The laymen sang as they marched towards the Nile and the railway stations beyond. Even as Rue delighted in her new surroundings, she dreaded the impending horror of abandoning her parents in this dusty place.
Shepheard’s was very impressed with itself and with the honour of housing Lord and Lady Maccon. Certainly, the hotel was accustomed to entertaining persons of great wealth and privilege, even occasionally great title and power, but rarely all four at once.
The Maccons were let the best rooms. The owner himself saw them settled before bowing out in an obsequious manner. Rue gave the decklings some coin and the afternoon off, to be home before sundown. Thus the aristocrats found themselves alone in the sitting room as the heat of the day pressed down.
“Young Percy,” said Paw, “a private word if you would?”
Percy, surprised, followed Lord Maccon into a separate chamber, leaving the ladies to enjoy a light repast of tea and sandwiches.
“Not bad tea, actually.” Lady Maccon was begrudging. “I suppose they must cater to British preferences. I wonder how much it costs them to import?”
“Mother, are you sure of this decision? I worry about leaving you two in this foreign place alone.”
“Don’t be silly, infant. We’re well equipped to handle ourselves. He’s looking better already, wouldn’t you say?”
“He’s certainly looking older, if that’s what you mean.” Rue nibbled at a funny honey nut biscuit thing.
“Good. He may catch up with me and we shall look the same age.”
Primrose came over perturbed by illogic. “I don’t think mathematics quite work that way, Lady Maccon.”
Mother laughed. “I was trying to lighten the mood. Infant here looks so concerned about life. Or death, as it were.”
Awkward silence permeated the room. Prim poured more tea rather desperately.
Finally, Lady Maccon pulled out her parasol, the ugly one that sprayed things when it wasn’t shooting other things or being used as a blunt instrument. “Prudence dear, I should like you to have this now.” She passed the accessory over. “You know its worth.”
Rue took it gingerly. “Certainly I do, but, Mother, are you certain? It’s very important to you, and you should find a weapon far more useful than I. Particularly as you are residing in a public hotel.”