Startledshouts and orders broke out among the security forces as theyseemed surprised by the size of the Russian contingent, with theresult that several of the bobbing British airships slowly rose tomeet their foreign counterparts in a belated show of strength. Asteam carriage hurried away, probably to warn those protecting theroyal family of the show of force.
I sawthe sides of the Russian airships lit by flashes of white light asorders were passed to and fro, and a few minutes later theaccompanying airships ceased their forwards motion to let thecentral ship proceed down towards us.
Likesome stately metal whale the airship came to a halt above usblocking out the bright sunshine. The crowd was hushed, in awe atits size. Four ropes were thrown over the sides and figuresrappelled down them to the ground to safely guide it lower. Ordersin a foreign tongue rang out and large spikes were hammered intothe turf and then the ropes secured to them.
As onethe surrounding crowd moved back as the airship lowered itselfmore. When it reached a mere six feet a railed boarding ramp wasswung out from the side to settle between where the crew now stoodlined up facing each other.
SirPercival seemed to have completely forgotten Lady Featherstone ashe now appeared to be overly engaged in examining the stiff Russiancrewmen.
A dooropened on the airship and a portly officer wearing a white suitwith an excessive amount of gold braid exited and made his way downthe ramp. The crowd were still silent, so his heavy steps wereclear for all to hear.
Movementto my left made me turn and I saw the officer that greeted us headout to meet his counterpart. Salutes were made and hands wereshaken and they seemed be getting off to a splendid start. TheRussian gentleman said something and waved his arm as if toencompass the behemoth floating above us. The British officerseemed stuck for words. After listening to something else said bythe Russian officer he turned to head back in ourdirection.
Stoppingwithin speaking distance of those of us in the marquee he saidloudly, “The Russian royal family wish to extend their hand offriendship by inviting a small number of you to view theirairship.”
This wasan invitation I’d race Houdini across burning coals to partake ofand I thrust my plate of uneaten sandwiches at the closestbewhiskered royal-type I could find (her husband wore a fine hathiding a likely bald patch). Just as I’d planned she took the platethereby momentarily taking them out of the running. With both handsfree I held Sir Percival’s arm in a death grip with one and usedthe other to clear a path for us to the officer with my umbrella.Judging by the black looks Sir Percival and I received Christmascards would not be expected this year.
Arrivingin front of the officer I said rather breathlessly, “We’d bedelighted to extend our hand in friendship to the Russian visitors,wouldn’t we, Sir Percival?”
Heseemed to be looking at the crewmen and thinking of something else(I decided not to enquire) and replied, “Um, yes. Er… hand.Certainly.”
Theofficer examined us, possibly wondering if we were safe torepresent the British people. His eyes flicked over the rest of theinvitees, some of whom were querulously wondering just what theblazes was going on, and he must have figured we were the best of apoor bunch as he indicated with his head we should proceed to theboarding ramp. I caught a look in his eyes saying ‘Please, please,don’t let me down’ as I led Sir Percival towards the Russianmilitary manhood.
Three
Wearrived at the line of men and I felt Sir Percival slow down. Iqueried him with a glance and he said sotto voce “We represent theRoyal family, Miss Lovelady. Appearances must be maintained at alltimes.” I realised what he meant when he began to formally examinethe Russian crewmen lined up either side. I just hoped he’d not tryto speak to any of them, although whether he was actually able tospeak Russian was a mystery to me. I didn’t know if they includedRussian lessons in Cossack Horserider Weekly.
I caughtsight of the crewmen widen their eyes in surprise as Sir Percivalexamined their uniforms, and suspected they’d not seen someone withsuch unruly hair before now.
Notwanting to miss the opportunity of boarding the Czar Nicholas Ikept an eye on the fellow invitees following behind us. Four othershad passed the officer’s inspection and had taken Sir Percival’slead in examining the Russian airmen as well. I studiously avoidedlooking back towards the British officer.
Ahead ofus was the rather portly officer wearing the white uniform withgold braid. I tugged Sir Percival’s arm before he got too engagedwith the belt buckle of the closest airman and smiled into theofficer’s wide face. A huffing body forced itself next to mine andI realised the Liaison had joined us.
Ioffered my hand to the officer and said, “Thank you so much forinviting us. I’m Miss Lovelady and this is SirPercival.”
His eyesflicked between our hair and then my hand was engulfed by a largewhite glove and enthusiastically shaken.
“Delighted. Delighted, to meet you,” he replied in a thickaccent. He turned to the Liaison, and asked, “And thisis?”
I tooturned to the Liaison wondering how he’d respond as hisDepartmental ID would probably prevent him from accompanying usaboard the Russian state airship.
“I’m, er… the butler,” he said rather quietly.
My handwas released and the large white glove slapped down on theLiaison’s shoulder. “Welcome! Welcome!”
Withoutfurther ado we were ushered aboard the ramp and I led the way,enjoying the sight of the Liaison’s lemon-sucking face. The rampbobbed slightly as we walked up it and I tucked my umbrella in myelbow and used one hand to keep my matching blue hat on and theother to hold onto the rail.
Strangeeddies of wind found my face
