Secret of Greek Fire — Part Five
Jacqueline Strikes a Secret Deal
While Herbert and Howard prepare the flying machine, Jacqueline assembles her suitors.
With the morning, Jacqueline had the stable boy saddle a horse and she set off on a tour of the countryside. After a while, she noticed a man on horseback following her. He remained at a discrete distance, and she assumed he had been sent by Uncle George to watch over her. She was grateful for the chaperone, and his willingness to allow her privacy.
In a grove of trees beside a stream, she dismounted. While the horse sampled the grass, she sat and watched the flowing water. Her thoughts turned to her suitors. She knew nothing about most of the men invited to the party, but she would dutifully give them consideration. However, heaviest on her mind were Herbert and Howard. She would keep her true identity a secret from her suitors, but the fact remained — she was a Royal and the Queen would have to approve whomever she betrothed. Given her black-sheep status, Queen Victoria was not likely to take much interest in the matter. Yet, she would be more likely to approve Howard since he was destined to one day become Lord Bennett.
“Hello.”
Jacqueline’s attention snapped to a lean stranger. Deep in thought, she had not noticed his arrival. Now his horse stood beside hers, and he stood over her. She had never seen him before and wondered why her chaperone had not intervened.
He removed his hat and bowed. “You are Lady Fredrick. Do you know who I am?” His voice was soft, but deep with a foreign accent. His skin was an olive tan complexion and his hair was black.
“No.” Jacqueline tumbled to the realization that this was the man following her; there had been no chaperone. “Sir, you have me at a disadvantage.”
She tried to gracefully stand, but struggled. He chuckled and held out a hand to steady her.
“I am Abbas Pasha. Now, do you know who I am?”
“Yes, you are the grandson of Muhammad Ali, the leader of Egypt.”
“For an English woman, you are very well informed. Did your brother tell you this?”
“I overheard Herbert discussing the time he spent living in your household.”
“All lies, I’m sure.” He smiled. The brilliance of his white teeth was astonishing. “So then, do you know why you are here?”
Jacqueline was flabbergasted by the question. He was implying she was following some mysterious directive.
“What is your meaning? I am here resting. I’m having a morning ride.”
“No.” He laughed. “You are here to meet me. Allah has arranged this meeting. Your brother wants something of great value from me. And, I want something from him.”
Jacqueline recalled Herbert’s dinner conversations.
“Yes, Herbert wants the alchemy secret for turning the wild spirit gas into a liquid.”
“Indeed.”
“But, what is it you want?’
“I want you to marry me. I understand you are receiving suitors now. I want an invitation.”
“An invitation?” She pondered her own question, and then an idea materialized. “And then, you will give Herbert the ancient scroll?”
“Indeed. Well, not quite so simple. When I receive your invitation, I will give Herbert a sample of the material. And then, after our formal meeting, and I believe that you have truly given me a fair consideration as a suitor, then I will give the scroll describing the fabrication process to Herbert.”
“I see.” Jacqueline had little interest in being chattel in Herbert’s negotiations.
“You, Lady Fredrick, risk nothing. I will be a complete gentleman throughout the affair. I only wish a fair opportunity to present myself. You see, Herbert has talked at great length about your beauty and charm. I had to meet you for myself, and…” He smiled again. “I see he was not lying. So, is an invitation pending?”
Jacqueline considered the deal for a moment. She knew how important the scroll was to Herbert and the potential flying machine. But, the prospect of being bartered into marriage turned her stomach. On the other hand, Abbas Pasha was a highly attractive gentleman. Being a foreigner, she could forgive his unorthodox means of securing suitor consideration.
“Very well,” she said. “It shall be done.”
“Excellent! I am most grateful. I am staying at the Claridge Hotel. I am to meet with Herbert, concerning the sample material, tonight. Thus, you should send the invitation by messenger rather quickly.” He smiled a third time. “But, it would be best if Herbert does not learn about our meeting and this arrangement.”
“Agreed.”
He mounted his horse. “Then, My Lady, I’ll take my leave.” He spun his horse around, and then again so as to face her once more. “A parting thought. I am a prince and destined to be King of Egypt. As my wife you would know unimaginable luxury. The benefits of my great wealth would be at your feet.”
He spurred the horse and she watched him gallop away.
Jacqueline returned to the house. Without alerting Aunt Edith, she dispatched the invitation.
That evening, Abbas arrived for dinner, as he had said. Herbert formally introduced him to Jacqueline, and she greeted him with aloof reserve; never hinting that she already knew him. During the dinner, Abbas, Herbert, and Howard told stories of their adventures in Egypt. Jacqueline listened, but did not engage the men in their conversation.
When the dinner ended, the men excused themselves to retire to the drawing room for whiskey and cigars. Abbas waited by the door for Jacqueline to approach.
He bowed, and said, “Lady Fredrick, it has been an honor to meet you. Trust your brother has spoken of you many times, and I see he was not exaggerating when he described your beauty and charm. I wish there was some means with which we might meet again, ah, in circumstances more favorable to conversation between us… That is, only you and I.” He took her hand and kissed it.
“Well, uh, Prince Pasha, from today’s conversation, I think I know you quite well.” Jacqueline realized he was creating the opportunity for her to make public his invitation. Sooner or later, Herbert would learn about it. Thus, she added, “Won’t you please attend my coming-out party?”
“Ah, please, I have no formal title. Just Abbas, if you please. And, what is this coming-out party?”
Herbert injected himself between them. “My sister is formally entering society and accepting callers. There is a party which starts this process.”
Abbas asked, “Process? What process?”
“I’m looking for a husband,” Jacqueline answered.
“Oh, well, thank you very much for the invitation. I will be certain to attend.” Abbas smiled.
Herbert frowned.
Jacqueline spun on her heel and returned to her room, wondering what potential nightmare she had unleashed.
***
During breakfast the following morning, Jacqueline learned that Abbas had made good on his promise to provide a sample of the liquid fuel.
“It is most remarkable,” Herbert exclaimed.
Howard added, “I wonder what prompted his change of heart? In the end, he didn’t ask for anything.”
“I don’t know,” Herbert answered. “I never told him we had actually built the flying machine. I suspect he doesn’t see any real value in giving us the fuel. He is still withholding the process by which it is fabricated.”
Uncle George said, “But, it is certainly a most important change in our fortune. Today, we shall give the machine a test flight. We have ten gallons of the liquid. If it performs as promised, that really should be much more than we need.”
“Aye,” Howard added. “We could travel a great distance with that amount.”
Jacqueline said, “Don’t forget… Don’t go so far that you can’t get back.”
Herbert smiled. “Ah, ever so wise. Indeed, we should travel up wind. That way, the wind will help us return home.”
“You say, we are going today?”
“Uh, Jackie, I did say ‘we’, but I’m sorry that doesn’t include you. It is far too dangerous,” Herbert somberly said.
“Fiddlesticks. If it’s safe enough for you, it is safe enough for me.” Jacqueline was outraged at being excluded. She nearly blurted out that her intervention was the only reason they had the fuel.
“No, my dear sister, it simply isn’t possible. Perhaps another day.”
Jacqueline stood and stomped her foot. “I dare say, my dear brother…” But, she could think of no threat to present. Then she recalled how disgruntled he had been when she had invited Abbas to the party. “I’m sure Abbas would take me with him, should he have a flying machine.”
The three men fell silent for a long moment, not daring to inquire what she intended.
And then, Herbert asked, “What are you saying?”
“Nothing. I’m just saying that you should reconsider. As it is, at this moment, I have some influence with Prince Abbas Pasha.” She smirked. “You would do well to keep me using my influence for your benefit.”
Howard asked, “What is she talking about?”
Herbert groaned. “She has invited him to join her growing list of suitors. It means nothing. He merely wants to enjoy our free wine and food.”
“But…” Jacqueline said, and then paused. “How can you be so sure it means nothing? Remember, you don’t yet have the scroll.”
Uncle George chimed in. “Enough of this squabbling. Jackie, I strongly advise that you wait for a future flight, but if you insist, then you can come.”
Jacqueline was delighted she had won.
Uncle George stood. “The lift of the balloon is maximized when the outside air is cooler. Additionally, there is currently only a mild breeze. Thus, I say, let’s be about it with some haste.”
THE END of Part Five
Part Six, (coming soon)
Copyright ©2023 by S. M. Revolinski All Rights Reserved
Thank you for reading my story, I hope you enjoyed it. Check my profile for more stories for you to enjoy. I have more stories and books published on Amazon and other ebook retailers for your reading pleasure.
