Read Online Seaflower by Julian Stockwin - Free Book Online

he said, but was met with a chilly silence.
    'I
do believe that the French set great store by the preliminaries,' Renzi
muttered. Kydd felt reproachful stares around the table.
    ‘ Seigneur, nous vous rendons grace pour ce repas que
nous nous appretons a partager . .
.' The ancient words of the grace droned into the silence. Eyes lifted, and
there was an awkward pause.
    ‘ Et voici ma soeur, Louise' said Monsieur Vemou reproachfully.
    'And
his sister, Louise,' Renzi murmured to Kydd.
    They
turned down the table to the woman, who inclined her head graciously and said,
'Plissed to mit you.'
    Kydd
gave a broad smile. 'Aye, an' we too, er, ma'am!'
    'I
'ave been the governess an' richer of French to ze English before.'
    'Oh,'
said Kydd. 'Before what?'
    At
the slight frown this brought, Renzi said firmly, 'Pray let us not be accounted
boors, my friend.' The table sat expressionless. Renzi turned to Louise.
'Madame, your English does credit to your calling.'
    Kydd
let the conversation flow around him. It passed belief the situation he was now
in. The French were a parcel of mad rascals who had murdered their king and now
wanted to set the world at defiance — but here he was, on the face of it one of
the conquerors of this island, being politely entertained by them. Perhaps the
food would be poisoned? He glanced at Renzi, who seemed to take it all in his
stride. He had the attention of the whole table — except Madame Louise, whose
quiet gaze strayed from time to time in Kydd's direction.
    'Tom,
Madame Vemou wishes to know what it is like living in a boat,' prompted Renzi,
keeping his face a study in restraint Kydd opened his mouth but recoiled, the
task of rendering into polite talk the stern realities of life at sea beyond
him. Renzi's smooth flow of French, however, seemed to satisfy the table.
    During
the meal, a tasty stew, Kydd tried to remember his manners. He grinned
inwardly, thinking of what his mother would have to say to him, in this alien
place so far from home. The watered wine was excellent medicine for the pork
and beans, and he began to relax. 'Hear tell th't France is a pretty place’ he
tried. The comment rippled out under translation, but caused some dismay.
Mystified, he turned to Renzi.
    'It
appears, my friend, that none here has ever been to France.'
    Kydd
gave a weak smile. To his amazement, Monsieur Vernou, who was well into his
third glass of wine, suddenly stood up, scattering dishes. He stabbed a finger
at Kydd and broke into impassioned speech.
    'Monsieur
Vernou .. . states that he is not to
be mistaken for one of those regicides in Paris ... who have brought such dishonour on their country ... who have brought ruin and shame to the
land ...' Renzi's. polite manner was
not best suited to the passion of the words.
    Monsieur
Vernou stopped and, grasping the lapels of his waistcoat, glared down at Kydd.
    'In
addition, Monsieur Vernou wishes it to be understood that he is proud to be
termed a béké
— which I understand to
be of a class in some way superior to others . . .'
    The
little Frenchman was still in patriotic flow so Kydd stood up too, and said in
a strong voice, 'We never killed our king — we yet honour him. An' we say, God
save th' King!' He raised his glass and drained it.
    From
the end of the table, the gentle voice of Louise cut in. 'We also, M'sieur Keed
— you are in ze company of rqyalistes, you un'erstand.'
    A
rapid volley of French at Monsieur Vernou had the Frenchman starting in
consternation. 'Mais bien sur! Que Dieu benisse Sa Majeste Britannique’
    All
rose. 'Que Dieu benisse Sa Majeste’
    Renzi
returned the compliment and the table sat down to a happy babble. 'I pray the
lunacy on the streets of Paris does not cross the seas to here,' Renzi
remarked, in a low voice to Kydd. 'These good people will be its first victims.'
     
    The
next few days passed in a blur of contentment for Kydd. The boatswain arrived
with stores — coils of good hemp rope, six blocks to replace those