Part 40 (1/2)
Coffee was served on deck under the awning, and its shadow was so cool, the air so fresh on the water, and the harbour so lovely that I was growing contented, when suddenly I grew conscious of a throb, throb of the ”Arethusa's” heart.
”Why, we're moving!” I exclaimed.
”A short excursion the Prince and I have arranged for a little surprise,” explained Count Corramini. ”We hoped it might amuse you. You do not object, Countess?”
”I think it will be lovely, this hot afternoon,” said Aunt Kathryn, who was radiant with childish pleasure in the exclusive attentions of the two men.
”But poor little Beechy!” I protested.
”Probably she will sleep till late, as she couldn't lunch,” said Aunt Kathryn comfortably. ”And if she wakes, the 'other Beatrice' as she calls Signorina Bari, will sit with her. She offered to, you know.”
I raised no further objection to the plan, as evidently Aunt Kathryn was enjoying herself. But when we had steamed out of the Bay of Ombla, far away from Ragusa's towering fortifications, and on for more than an hour, I ventured to suggest to Count Corramini that it was time to turn back. ”We shan't get to the hotel till after three, as it is,” I said, glancing at my watch.
”Let us consult the Countess,” he replied. ”Here she comes now.”
Aunt Kathryn and the Prince had left us twenty minutes before, to stroll up and down the deck, and had been leaning over the rail for some time, talking in low voices, but with great earnestness. As the Count answered me, they had moved and were coming slowly in our direction, Aunt Kathryn looking excited, as if the Prince had been saying something strange.
”Don't you think we ought to go back to Beechy?” I asked, as she came nearer.
She sat down in the deck chair without replying for a moment, and then she said, in an odd, quavering tone, ”Maida, I've just heard a thing from the Prince, that I'll have to talk to you about. County, can I take her into the sallong?”
The Count jumped up. ”It is for Dalmar-Kalm and me to go, if you wish to speak with Mees Destrey alone,” he exclaimed. And laying his hand on the Prince's shoulder, the two men walked away together.
My only thought was that Prince Dalmar-Kalm must have told Aunt Kathryn of my refusal and asked her to ”use her influence.” But her first words showed me that I was mistaken.
”I'm very angry with the Prince, but I can't help thinking what he's done is romantic. He and the County have _kidnapped_ us.”
”What do you mean?” I exclaimed.
”Oh, you needn't look so horrified. They're only taking us to Cattaro by yacht instead of our going by automobile, that's all.”
”All?” I echoed. ”It's the most impudent thing I ever heard of. Didn't you tell him that you wouldn't go, that you--”
”Well, I'd like to know what good my saying _'Wouldn't'_ could do? I can't stop the yacht.”
”It's Count Corramini's yacht, not the Prince's,” I said, ”and whatever else they may be, they're gentlemen, at least by birth. They can't run off with us like this against our wills.”
Aunt Kathryn actually chuckled. ”Well, they _have_, anyhow,” she retorted. ”And the Prince says, if only we knew what the road to Cattaro was like, I'd thank instead of scolding him.”
”Nonsense!” I exclaimed. ”We must go back. What's to become of Beechy left alone in Ragusa ill, with n.o.body but Mr. Barrymore and Sir Ralph to look after her? It's monstrous!”
”Yes, of course,” said Aunt Kathryn, more meekly. ”But Signorina Bari's there. It isn't so dreadful, Maida. Beechy isn't _very_ sick. She'll be well to-morrow, and when they find we're gone, which they can't till late this afternoon, they won't waste time motoring down; they'll take a s.h.i.+p which leaves Ragusa in the morning for Cattaro. The Prince says they're sure to. We'll all meet by to-morrow noon, and meanwhile I guess there's nothing for us to do but make the best of the joke they've played on us. Anyway, it's an exciting adventure, and you like ad--”
”You call it a joke!” I cried. ”I call it something very different. Let me speak to the Prince.”
I sprang up, forgetting poor Airole asleep on my lap, but Aunt Kathryn scrambled out of her low chair also, and s.n.a.t.c.hed my dress. ”No, I'm not going to have you insult him,” she exclaimed. ”You shan't talk to him without me. He's _my_ friend, not yours, and if I choose to consider this wild trick he's playing more a--a compliment than anything else, why, it won't hurt you. As for Beechy, she's _my_ child, not yours.”
This silenced me for the moment, but only until the men appeared. ”Are we forgiven?” asked the Prince.
”Maida's very angry, and so am I, of course,” replied Aunt Kathryn, bridling, and showing both dimples.
”Dear ladies,” pleaded the Count, ”I wouldn't have consented to help this mad friend of mine, if he hadn't a.s.sured me that you were too much under the influence of your rather reckless chauffeur, who would probably break your bones and his companion's car, in his obstinate determination to go down to Cattaro by motor.”