hull value - For long cold seconds Nicholas doubted his hearing, and
then he felt the flush of exultation burning on his cheeks.
In addition, it was necessary to compute the value of the passage
provided to the survivors of the vessel - It was six - six million
dollars! He was clear and running free as a wild albatross sweeping
across the oceans on wide pinions.
Nicholas turned his head and looked at Duncan Alexander, and he smiled.
He had never felt so strong and vital and alive in his life before. He
felt like a giant, immortal, and at his side was the vibrant young body
pressing to him, endowing him with eternal youth.
Across the aisle, Duncan Alexander tossed his head, a gesture of
dismissal and turned to speak briefly with his counsel who sat beside
him. He did not look at Nicholas, however, and there was a waxen cast
to his skin now as though it had a fine sheen of perspiration laid upon
it, and the blood had drained away beneath the tan.
Anyway, another few days and you'd probably have started to find me a
boring dolly bird, or one of us would have had a heart attack. Samantha
smiled at him, a pathetic, lopsided little grin, nothing like her usual
brilliant golden flashing smile. I like to quit while I'm still ahead.
They sat close on the couch in the Pan Am Clipper Lounge at Heathrow.
Nicholas was shocked by the extent of his own desolation. It felt as
though he were about to be deprived of the vital forces of life itself,
he felt the youth and strength draining away as he looked at her and
knew that in a few minutes she would be gone.
Samantha, he said. Stay here with me. Nicholas/ she whispered huskily,
I have to go, my darling. It's not for very long but I have to go. Why?
he demanded.
Because it's my life. ,make me your life. She touched his cheek, as
she countered his offer.
I have a better idea, give up Warlock and Sea Witch forget your icebergs
and come with me. You know I cannot do that. No/ she agreed, you could
not, and I would not want you to. But, Nicholas, my love, no more can I
give up my life. All right, then, marry me/he said.
Why, Nicholas? So I don't lose my lucky charm, so that you'd damn well
have to do what I tell you. And she laughed delightedly and snuggled
against his chest. It doesn't work like that any more, my fine
Victorian gentleman. There is only one good reason for marrying,
Nicholas, and that's to have babies. Do you want to give me a baby?
What a splendid idea. So that I can warm the bottles and wash the
nappies while you go off to the ends of the oceans - and we'll have
lunch together once a month? She shook her head. We might have a baby
together one day - but not now, there is still too much to do, there is
still too much life to live. Dammit. He shook his head. I don't like
to let you run around loose. Next thing you'll take off with some
twenty-five year-old oaf, bulging with muscles and, You have given me a
taste for vintage wine, she laughed in denial. Come as soon as you can,
Nicholas. As soon as you have done your work here, come to Florida and
I'll show you my life. The hostess crossed the lounge towards them, a
pretty smiling girl in the neat blue Pan Am uniform.
Dr. Silver? They are calling Flight 432 now. They stood and looked at
