Read Online Prudence Pursued by Shirley Raye Redmond - Free Book Online
Authors: Shirley Raye Redmond
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arm, pulling back the loose sleeve of her garment so Harry could examine the wound. “It has not yet become red and swollen.”
“In another few days it will,” Harry assured, holding her arm gently.
As he spoke with her regarding the vaccination procedure, Prudence studied his profile and compared it to his sister’s. If one did not know better, one would assume they were fraternal twins. She couldn’t help comparing young Harry to Sir James as well. While the younger man was certainly not a dandy, she noted he dressed more fashionably and took more care when tying his neck cloth. Although personable, his manner was quiet and retiring compared to Sir James’s bolder personality.
Margaret glanced up then and noticed Prudence watching her. She blinked once or twice, and then pulled her arm from Harry’s grasp. “Harry, you must tell Prudence about the title the natives of Borneo have conferred upon Sir James. He is the rajah of something or another, is he not? I can’t remember the details.”
Harry regarded Prudence with becoming shyness. “I would be happy to explain what I know, Miss Pentyre,” he assured her. “Sir James is indeed the Rajah of Sarawak. And following his extraordinary success in putting down the pirates there and keeping the harbor safe for British trading vessels, His Majesty has made him a Confidential Agent too.”
“What does it mean?” Mrs. Leyes inquired, pulling her attention from her bottle of tincture.
“Sir James is allowed to represent the British government in certain political situations regarding the island,” Harry explained. “He may act independently, as long as he ensures the foreign princes are friendly toward the Crown and resist all efforts of piracy.”
“Tell me what you know of his injuries,” Prudence said, wishing to pursue the subject further. She decided to learn all she could about Sir James Brownell. She noted, however, how Margaret appeared uninterested in the topic, having addressed Clarissa to show her the patterns she’d been considering. Had Aunt Judith noticed this lack of interest each time Sir James was the topic of conversation? It quite smacked of boredom, if not rudeness. Was it this sort of behavior her aunt wanted Prudence to help amend?
“I am told the battle lasted nearly five hours,” Harry explained. His eyes glowed with excitement. “I will not go into detail. The battle was quite gruesome and the particulars not fit for a lady’s ears, but I can report two Englishmen were killed and a dozen injured. Sir James said the Malays fought like tigers. Still, he defeated the pirates, killing more than fifty of them before all was said and done.”
After a moment’s consideration, Prudence said, “I fear Sir James is a man fond of war.”
“I think not,” Harry argued. “Those murderous pirates had to be put down. They’ve killed thousands of people, including Chinese merchants, Spanish traders and many of the local natives—the Dyaks. Sir James lost many friends and acquaintances among the natives in the battle, I am told. The loss grieves him still.”
“But surely the title of rajah is an honorary one?” Prudence insisted.
“Not at all, Miss Pentyre,” he told her. “Sir James is actually the head of the government in Sarawak. I believe there are some twelve thousand residents, not including the Chinese traders and their families. Sir James wrested power from an unscrupulous sultan who abetted the pirates and has since established law and order on the island. Now all the local chieftains must report to him.”
“Who then is in charge while Sir James is recuperating here in Bath?” she wanted to know.
“I cannot say,” Harry admitted, shrugging. “You must ask him yourself.”
“My cousin was saying just moments before you arrived how she finds Sir James rather odd.” Margaret regarded her friends with raised eyebrows.
Harry gasped his disbelief. Clarissa fluttered. “You cannot mean it, Miss Pentyre? He is
“In another few days it will,” Harry assured, holding her arm gently.
As he spoke with her regarding the vaccination procedure, Prudence studied his profile and compared it to his sister’s. If one did not know better, one would assume they were fraternal twins. She couldn’t help comparing young Harry to Sir James as well. While the younger man was certainly not a dandy, she noted he dressed more fashionably and took more care when tying his neck cloth. Although personable, his manner was quiet and retiring compared to Sir James’s bolder personality.
Margaret glanced up then and noticed Prudence watching her. She blinked once or twice, and then pulled her arm from Harry’s grasp. “Harry, you must tell Prudence about the title the natives of Borneo have conferred upon Sir James. He is the rajah of something or another, is he not? I can’t remember the details.”
Harry regarded Prudence with becoming shyness. “I would be happy to explain what I know, Miss Pentyre,” he assured her. “Sir James is indeed the Rajah of Sarawak. And following his extraordinary success in putting down the pirates there and keeping the harbor safe for British trading vessels, His Majesty has made him a Confidential Agent too.”
“What does it mean?” Mrs. Leyes inquired, pulling her attention from her bottle of tincture.
“Sir James is allowed to represent the British government in certain political situations regarding the island,” Harry explained. “He may act independently, as long as he ensures the foreign princes are friendly toward the Crown and resist all efforts of piracy.”
“Tell me what you know of his injuries,” Prudence said, wishing to pursue the subject further. She decided to learn all she could about Sir James Brownell. She noted, however, how Margaret appeared uninterested in the topic, having addressed Clarissa to show her the patterns she’d been considering. Had Aunt Judith noticed this lack of interest each time Sir James was the topic of conversation? It quite smacked of boredom, if not rudeness. Was it this sort of behavior her aunt wanted Prudence to help amend?
“I am told the battle lasted nearly five hours,” Harry explained. His eyes glowed with excitement. “I will not go into detail. The battle was quite gruesome and the particulars not fit for a lady’s ears, but I can report two Englishmen were killed and a dozen injured. Sir James said the Malays fought like tigers. Still, he defeated the pirates, killing more than fifty of them before all was said and done.”
After a moment’s consideration, Prudence said, “I fear Sir James is a man fond of war.”
“I think not,” Harry argued. “Those murderous pirates had to be put down. They’ve killed thousands of people, including Chinese merchants, Spanish traders and many of the local natives—the Dyaks. Sir James lost many friends and acquaintances among the natives in the battle, I am told. The loss grieves him still.”
“But surely the title of rajah is an honorary one?” Prudence insisted.
“Not at all, Miss Pentyre,” he told her. “Sir James is actually the head of the government in Sarawak. I believe there are some twelve thousand residents, not including the Chinese traders and their families. Sir James wrested power from an unscrupulous sultan who abetted the pirates and has since established law and order on the island. Now all the local chieftains must report to him.”
“Who then is in charge while Sir James is recuperating here in Bath?” she wanted to know.
“I cannot say,” Harry admitted, shrugging. “You must ask him yourself.”
“My cousin was saying just moments before you arrived how she finds Sir James rather odd.” Margaret regarded her friends with raised eyebrows.
Harry gasped his disbelief. Clarissa fluttered. “You cannot mean it, Miss Pentyre? He is
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