After all, was not the best lesson taught by example? And Virginia had shown Lilly much.
The girl had grown into a bird of paradise, and looked the very part of a Greek goddess whether she was draped in the finest Parisian styles and fabrics, or dressed down in a simple riding jacket, breeches and boots for long days with her horses at the ranch.
From there it was simple. Virginia being but the second fiddle to the younger first and finer instrument knew it was her duty to accent Lilly’s music without ever distracting from it or offering a sour note.
There would be time enough when age would spoil the harmony.
Some years before, Lilly had been sent to England to stay with her maternal grandparents so she could be tutored in the gentle arts of a refined young lady and where she might meet some suitors of superior breeding.
Virginia remembered Gusher’s outbursts then, though she never saw his hypocrisy as anything more than a charming quirk of the oilman’s character for like many wealthy Americans, Quarrie would loudly denounce the British “prigs” and “lords,” while secretly coveting their “class” and “social status.”
A typically silly young teenager having experienced her first few kisses and semi-serious proposals, Lilly was less admiring of her father’s matrimonial sentiments or Virginia’s, who cast a similar solitary shadow in keeping with her own romantic tragedy.
Lilly claimed that she wished to marry, and make a grand union of it, having had several suitors from neighboring ranches and oil families back in Texas saying, “I will likely gravitate toward oil because it reminds me of cities and civilization. It is a refined substance far surpassing horse sweat, which is all I can smell on the vigorous men who work with the animals.”
Virginia had noticed that Lilly seemed to have picked up at least a “touch” of the class her father found so dubious, for prior to their notice of relocation to South Africa, the girl had grown petulant with her servants while exhibiting an “ill-natured” temper.
Back at the ranch, the oil money had been something to buy pretty horses with, but her time in high society had acquainted her with some of the favors it could purchase.
Lilly had been angered when instead of hiring a private ship to take her and the elder Quarries to South Africa, her father had ordered grouchy old Captain Seward to book them passage on a steamer. His selection the S.S. Dunwich had been common compared to the great luxury liners in which the European aristocracy were known to sail.
Later, she got part of her wish aboard the sleek Lancet though its small size forced her to share some amenities with other travelers.
“Little better than steerage...” she had complained over tea the first night after their departure from Freetown. “Why old Jacob might as well share a cabin as our gentlemen escort, it’s that bad!”
“Now Lilly!” Virginia scolded. “You know Jacob Raines is a valued employee to this family, and most especially to your grandparents both of whom would have been heartily put out if their manservant was forced to share the deck below with the engine and crew. You know your grandmother’s arthritis has begun acting up with the humidity over the water. Who would pour her hot baths?”
“Oh, Granby will always find something to complain about,” Lilly had complained herself. “And it’s Jacob’s constant attention that has made her and Grampy unable to look after themselves.” Her top lip curled. “What’s the use of being—uh, special—if I’m forced to travel with such regular company, especially a n—”
“Lilly! I needn’t remind you how valuable Jacob is to this family, or how outrageous it is for a young lady to put on an air of superiority while using vulgarities,” Virginia cautioned, but quickly relented with a smile. “Whether such an air is deserving or not.”
“I’m sorry Ginny,” Lilly had said, pouting. “It’s just I don’t understand why daddy’s dragging us to this godforsaken country. What am I to find for a husband—a monkey?”
Her soft white hands fluttered over her bosom.
“England fairly teemed with prospects, don’t you know.” She had smiled. “Oh Ginny, two of the gentlemen who were poised to promise me something claimed royal lineage.”
“Royal lineage? Be sure to settle for honest,” Virginia had said, frowning. “Get more than a promise from a man be his blood red or blue.”
But of course, Virginia knew the value of a man’s promise that had doomed her to a life without love, wedding or children.
No. Hers had been a real love and a true—regardless of how it had been squandered—and true love could always be assailed by fate. The love that she had felt need not diminish, and while it might be missing from the world for her, for Lilly it might be out there.
Virginia paused a moment in the jungle cabin, leaning over the newly made bed and wondering if she’d gone mad. How could she think of these silly things while in such dire straits? Surely, it was the effect of Van Resen’s goading optimism. She had already agreed to Lilly’s insistence that they dress for dinner!
The governess was surrounded by danger and the scientist wanted her to keep a stiff upper lip.
“And neither of us is even English!” She chuckled to herself as her mind shifted back to her previous train of thought.
There were princesses in the world, she knew that much. She’d met some during their stay in London, and a single glance at young Lilly was proof that they existed.
Surely there might be a prince out there somewhere, too?
CHAPTER 5 – Gazda
Gazda squatted over the carcass and used the large knuckles of his right hand to wipe at the scarlet that stained his puckered lips. He had just sucked down the last of the panther’s hot blood, and was now deciding whether he should skin the beast.
The night ape had almost perfected the process of
