released her and said, gently, 'Cec, you're here in Jamaica with nothin' any more. Have ye any means?'
'Of course,' she said, but would not look at him directly. Kydd was stabbed with pity: he knew his sister was strong and independent, and would rather die than admit to any weakness. But a single woman without substance far from home . . .
'Have ye any plans? There's nothin' t' keep you here.'
She glanced at him. 'If you mean, what do I next, then ... I will attend on Jane for her nuptials, of course.'
Kydd's mouth opened in amazement. 'But ...'
She looked at him with fondness. 'That is to say, my dear brother, that I crave time to think, to put this nightmare from me — you do understand?'
Kydd let a small smile show. There was time enough for brother and sister to get together later. He felt doubtful, but blurted out, 'Nicholas an' I, we were on our way t' kick up a hullabaloo on account of our success in
'Thank you both — I hope you'll forgive me, but I need to be alone for just a little while.' Her sad smile touched him deeply.
Then he remembered. 'Here, Cec, if y' please.' He brought out his prize-money ticket. 'Do ye see? Y'r Jack Tar is a foolish wight ashore. They say, 'Sailors get money like horses, 'n' spend it like asses.' I'd take it kindly if ye could look after this f'r me - takes th' temptation away.'
She.looked at him steadily, then kissed him.
'Y' presents it at the prize agent when he's got word fr'm the Admiralty — sign on th' other side an' be sure the mumpin' rogue doesn't chouse ye.'
Renzi was waiting outside, and they fell into step as Kydd told him of the conversation. Renzi listened, and nodded gravely. Cecilia was right, she needed time to herself for the moment to settle her feelings. Therefore there was no reason why they shouldn't carry on with his original plan. 'Brother, there is someone that it would give me the greatest of pleasure that you should meet.' Kydd looked at him curiously. 'And it requires that we go up-country in a ketureen.'
On Broad Street they found one, the driver at first disbelieving that two sailors wanted to head away from the delights of the port. 'On'y dese sugar pens dere, nuthin' else, kooner-men!'
They made Spanish Town before noon. The ketureen waited on the Grand Parade while Renzi impressed Kydd with the sea splendours of the Rodney Memorial, the noble portico of the King's House and the Rio Cobre of Columbus. They dined at a roadside stall on rich yellow akee, salt fish and bammy bread before resuming their journey. By late afternoon they had reached May Pen where they took the road north.
Renzi felt that the time had come, could no longer be deferred. 'My dear friend . . .' His hand lay on Kydd's arm. 'Do you listen to what I say.'
Kydd looked at him.
'The personage we will stay with tonight is - my brother, Richard.'
Kydd kept his silence.
'He is a gentleman of some consequence in this island, I may say, and is an ornament to the family.' Renzi stared into the distance. 'He knows of my — resolve in the matter of my moral judgement, and respects it. Dare I ask it, it would infinitely oblige, should you feign ignorance of my true position.'
Kydd agreed solemnly.
'Then I will touch on another matter, one which is perhaps the more delicate of the two.' Renzi glanced at him before speaking. 'Do you not take offence, dear friend, if I point out that in the article of polite formalities, you are as yet ... untutored, natural.' He watched Kydd's expression tighten. 'But these, of course, are an accomplishment obligatory only on those with pretensions to genteel society,' Renzi continued
