Read Online The Karma of Love (Bantam Series No. 14) by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online
Authors: Barbara Cartland
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were so talented, Mrs. Lane,” a voice said mockingly and she had no need to look round to know who spoke.
“She’s drawing a big ship for me,” Neil explained conversationally.
He was not a shy child, having always been brought up with a number of adults around him.
“That is HMS Agamemnon ,” Major Meredith said, “and for your information, Mrs. Lane, it is Britain’s very latest double-screw, armour-plated turret ship.”
“That makes it a lot easier to draw!” Orissa replied sarcastically.
“And do not forget to put in the four heavy guns,” Major Meredith admonished.
“If it is so easy, you had better do it yourself,” Orissa said handin g him the drawing-book and pencil.
She had expected him to refuse but instead he took the book from her and sitting down in the chair began to sketch the ship so that it covered the whole page.
To her surprise she found he could draw very well.
“Where is the ship going?” Neil enquired.
“To join the British Naval Squadron on the China Station,” Major Meredith answered.
The ship was becoming easily recognisable under his skilful pencil.
“You are really an artist!” Orissa exclaimed.
“You flatter me!” he replied.
“Sketching was never one of my hobbies,” she said, watching with fascinated eyes the ship come to life on the paper.
“And what are they?” Major Meredith asked.
“History and Literature,” Orissa answered truthfully.
“I felt you would like History,” Major Meredith remarked.
“Why should you think that?” Orissa enquired.
Then she wondered if the conversation was too personal.
Major Meredith did not answer her question. Instead he finished his drawing, handed it to her and said:
“You should explain to Neil that the Agamemnon replaces the old wooden line-of-battle-ship of the same name which was in the bombardment of the forts of Sebastapol.”
“Does it really?” Orissa’s eyes were alight with interest. “I have always been interested in the Battle of Sebastapol.”
“We were as usual up against the Russians,” Major Meredith said.
“Are things serious in India?”
Despite her resolution not to show too great an interest in Army matters, Orissa could not help the question.
“Very serious,” Major Meredith answered, “but most people are not aware of it.”
As if he wished to say no more, he walked away from her to the railing where Neil was standing staring at the battle-ship.
He stayed for a short while talking to the small boy, telling him about the ship, explaining the meaning of the pennants. Then without speaking again to Orissa he walked away.
Neil spent the afternoon colouring the drawing that Major Meredith had drawn so skilfully.
The following morning they reached Alexandria and there was plenty to see and to draw in the busy Port.
To Orissa’s di sappointment, Lady Critchley dec ided it would be unwise for Neil to go ashore in case he picked up some disease. So Orissa, knowing that almost everyone else on the ship was taking the opportunity of exploring the town, had to stay behind.
At the same time, she forced herself not to complain or feel ill-used.
She was so fortunate to be on the voyage at all, and if she was obliged to put up with some disappointments it was a small price to pay for escaping from her Step-mother.
When they reached Port Said, again she had to accept the disappointment of not going ashore, but everybody was back on board before dinner as the ship was to start its slow journey down the Suez Canal at nine o’clock.
They were all seated as usual in the Dining-Saloon before Major Meredith appeared, and when he did, Orissa thought even before he reached the table that something had occurred.
She could not tell how she knew it, she was only sure that there was something in his bearing, or perhaps in his expression, that was different.
He took his seat before he said to the General in a low voice, which was nevertheless perfec tl y audible to everyone else at the
“She’s drawing a big ship for me,” Neil explained conversationally.
He was not a shy child, having always been brought up with a number of adults around him.
“That is HMS Agamemnon ,” Major Meredith said, “and for your information, Mrs. Lane, it is Britain’s very latest double-screw, armour-plated turret ship.”
“That makes it a lot easier to draw!” Orissa replied sarcastically.
“And do not forget to put in the four heavy guns,” Major Meredith admonished.
“If it is so easy, you had better do it yourself,” Orissa said handin g him the drawing-book and pencil.
She had expected him to refuse but instead he took the book from her and sitting down in the chair began to sketch the ship so that it covered the whole page.
To her surprise she found he could draw very well.
“Where is the ship going?” Neil enquired.
“To join the British Naval Squadron on the China Station,” Major Meredith answered.
The ship was becoming easily recognisable under his skilful pencil.
“You are really an artist!” Orissa exclaimed.
“You flatter me!” he replied.
“Sketching was never one of my hobbies,” she said, watching with fascinated eyes the ship come to life on the paper.
“And what are they?” Major Meredith asked.
“History and Literature,” Orissa answered truthfully.
“I felt you would like History,” Major Meredith remarked.
“Why should you think that?” Orissa enquired.
Then she wondered if the conversation was too personal.
Major Meredith did not answer her question. Instead he finished his drawing, handed it to her and said:
“You should explain to Neil that the Agamemnon replaces the old wooden line-of-battle-ship of the same name which was in the bombardment of the forts of Sebastapol.”
“Does it really?” Orissa’s eyes were alight with interest. “I have always been interested in the Battle of Sebastapol.”
“We were as usual up against the Russians,” Major Meredith said.
“Are things serious in India?”
Despite her resolution not to show too great an interest in Army matters, Orissa could not help the question.
“Very serious,” Major Meredith answered, “but most people are not aware of it.”
As if he wished to say no more, he walked away from her to the railing where Neil was standing staring at the battle-ship.
He stayed for a short while talking to the small boy, telling him about the ship, explaining the meaning of the pennants. Then without speaking again to Orissa he walked away.
Neil spent the afternoon colouring the drawing that Major Meredith had drawn so skilfully.
The following morning they reached Alexandria and there was plenty to see and to draw in the busy Port.
To Orissa’s di sappointment, Lady Critchley dec ided it would be unwise for Neil to go ashore in case he picked up some disease. So Orissa, knowing that almost everyone else on the ship was taking the opportunity of exploring the town, had to stay behind.
At the same time, she forced herself not to complain or feel ill-used.
She was so fortunate to be on the voyage at all, and if she was obliged to put up with some disappointments it was a small price to pay for escaping from her Step-mother.
When they reached Port Said, again she had to accept the disappointment of not going ashore, but everybody was back on board before dinner as the ship was to start its slow journey down the Suez Canal at nine o’clock.
They were all seated as usual in the Dining-Saloon before Major Meredith appeared, and when he did, Orissa thought even before he reached the table that something had occurred.
She could not tell how she knew it, she was only sure that there was something in his bearing, or perhaps in his expression, that was different.
He took his seat before he said to the General in a low voice, which was nevertheless perfec tl y audible to everyone else at the
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