The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (45 page)

“Cheers!” Tash and Carstares repeated; Gyldenfeldt chimed in a moment later. And dinner was underway.

The conversation centered around the airship and the wonderful food until after the arrival of desert. Paulo himself served the Tiramisu and accepted the accolades and compliments of everyone with perfect aplomb.

“So Phineas,” the LensBaron began. “What will you take for your marvelous chef? I believe I shall offer up half of all of my assets.”

Carstares laughed easily. “Ah, Sir, while the offer is tempting I fear that our Paulo is truly one of a kind and I shall have to decline.”

“Well then, what else will you tempt me with?” Gyldenfeldt replied, a sly note crept into his voice.

Carstares sobered instantly. “A good question Sir. What would you like?" He paused only a moment before continuing. “Ah, I believe I see your point. How about a fine cigar and some rare brandy to round out our evening?”

Gyldenfeldt chuckled. “Most excellent idea! But I rather had something else in mind. I would like to hear about this business proposition you mentioned earlier or was that pure ruse?”

Caught off guard Carstares blustered. “Ruse? I am offended!”

“Nay Sir, no offence was intended. Please forgive my blunt way of speaking. It is just that I was curious. If you recall, I had written to you early last year regarding your company doing business in Aalborg but I never received any more than a pro-forma reply. Why this sudden change of heart?”

Tash swallowed nervously, she had written that terse refusal herself and she was racking her brain to remember exactly what she had said.

“Timing don’t ya know! Timing is everything my good man.” Carstares said, a trifle too loudly.

“Yes, I have heard that...” The LensBaron trailed off, narrowing his eyes.

“If I may Mr. Starblower?” Tash said quietly.

“Of course my dear, I am sure you could explain it better than I could.”

“You see Sir, we had just opened our facility in Norway at that time.”

“Yes I am aware of that, it was the reason I wrote to you.”

“Then you must be aware that the particular facility we are speaking of was an experiment. All of the employees are Norwegen save for the two managers. The facility is more for researching how Scandinavian leatherworking skills could be used to improve Starblower manufacturing.”

“I see, and could not the Danes provide you with the same services?” Gyldenfelt said frowning.

“Well of course they could LensBaron! But this is why the timing of your letter was most unfortunate. Starblower Ltd. was already engaged in one experiment and the cost of running two would have been prohibitive. However what your letter did do was turn our eyes to the results of the experiment and how best they could be used.”

“Oh, how so Miss Smythe-Harris?”

“Well Sir, the experiment has been wildly successful. What we have learned from the Norwegians stands to greatly benefit our manufacturing process. We have designed a new factory using this information.”

“Well how nice for Starblower Ltd.” Gyldenfeldt said, not bothering to hide his sarcasm.

Undaunted Tash continued on. “We hope that by using this partnership formula with Aalborg we can build a new factory that will benefit all. The factory will produce military boots of a comfortable and waterproof design. All of the workers will be hired locally; this would produce nearly 500 jobs for your people. Not to mention that the boots will be provided to your army at a massively discounted cost.”

“Forgive me if I sound a bit negative, but what’s in it for your company madam?”

Tash laughed lightly. “Why boots of course! When the whole of Europe see these marvelous designs for both military and civilian footwear I suspect that we will not be able to keep up with the demand. A situation that in my experience leads to profit. Tell me LensBaron, I know that you own a rather extensive estate. How many times have you gone out for review and returned with wet, muddy feet? Our boots are waterproof and easily clean off with water.

“I admit,” the LensBaron began reluctantly, “that I have ruined many pairs of good leather boots.” He sat back in his chair and studied Tash for moment. “All right, I am intrigued and I can see how this may be of a benefit to Aalborg. How would you like to proceed?”

“In the morning we can meet in the passenger lounge and I can give you details. We can exchange agent names and hammer out the licensing details.”

Carstares had been carefully watching Gyldenfeldt while Tash made her pitch. He had become aware just how much this was going to cost Starblower Ltd. and he had to admire Tash’s tenacity. But he did not sense this generous proposition would bring the LensBaron over to their side. The man had all but hijacked their mission to assuage his own damaged prestige. Which in the main was fine but Carstares needed to be able to trust the man and in order to do so it would be better if the LensBaron were in their debt. “Well this is excellent I say!”

Tash and the LensBaron both turned startled eyes on Carstares who smiled benignly. “LensBaron, there is another reason your timing was off. You see, even if we had known of your interest in having a Starblower factory in your fair city we would have still placed it in Norway.”

The LensBaron’s expression went from confusion to full blown anger in a matter of seconds. He opened his mouth to speak but was forestalled by Carstares who held up his hand.

“Please Sir, allow me to further explain. You see there are quite a few of us British who wish to invest in the Scandinavian...’states’. I agreed to be the first to test the waters as it were. We decided as a group that Carl the Fourth, the King of the united Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway would probably be our biggest hurdle.”

“Well obviously he wasn’t.” Gyldenfelt replied acidly.

“Well more than you might have thought good Sir.” Carstares let out a loud, long sigh and theatrically shook his head in sorrow. “What my fellow investors and I discovered is that the way things are set up now it is probably not worth investing in Scandanavia despite how much the trade would do for the people and the profits.”

The LensBaron did not deign to reply, instead he crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at Carstares, silently demanding further explanation.

“Given the nature of recent events it seemed to me and my fellows that a sad but nonetheless undeniable truth is that not all of the great nations of Europe have been blessed with a monarch as prudent and decisive as our own dear Queen. Fortunately for some, they do have noble individuals who act as...captains of the body politic, if you will. They grant stabilising council, nay, leadership, to their monarchs in these turbulent times.” Carstares paused for effect and to gauge Gyldenfeldt’s reaction, which was less than encouraging. Never the less he continued on.

“I am coming to see, my dear Bodil, that you may indeed be the man for your people in that regard. A fact I had not appreciated when making my initial offer in Norway. At the time it seemed but prudent to deal with the consolidated states of Norway and Sweden, but perhaps in that I was in error. Our recent visit highlighted some shall we say disquiet among the Norwegians, some lingering doubts caused by King Charles’s noble but rashly executed promise to aid the Danish a few years ago during the Prussian Invasion.”

Gyldenfeldt bristled. “King Charles was
foremost
in offering aid to repulse the German adventurism and illegal seizure of our lands, Sir! What exactly do you imply here?”

Carstares held the irate man’s eye cooly. “Only that had the governments of Scandinavia had a sound and loyal political leader, then his majesty’s offer of aid could have arrived in a more timely fashion when your member state so clearly needed it, Sir. That is my implication, which is
not
short of the truth. LensBaron, you are needed by your people, and if not you, another like you with your vision and decisiveness.”

Carstares relaxed back in his chair with a sigh. “Honor must have careful support or else the valor of brave men will be wasted. Organization Bodil, that is what led to the defeat of six years ago. Not lack of heart or courage.” Carstares risked a brief smile at the suddenly more thoughtful nobleman. “Basically a good business sense if y’ prefer Bodil. That’s something I know well!”

“And organization is something that even I cannot argue the Prussians have in great supply” Gyldenfeldt remarked ruefully. All of them could see that he was weighing Carstares’ words thoughtfully. “So you and your ‘friends’ simply decided to back the apparent biggest side then Phineas?”

Carstares smiled inwardly, the man was starting to appreciate the point. Time to play to his ego one last time. “Indeed Bodil indeed. A trifle short sighted of me now perhaps, but frankly I had scarce heard of you then, and...” Carstares raised a finger to emphasise his point “neither had my fellows in England. Now
that
is something I could rectify for you post haste after our current adventure is concluded. Make sure the captains of British Industry are better aware of the real leadership in Scandinavia.”

“
Could
rectify Phineas?” Gyldenfeldt queried; his face a perfect neutral mask.

Got him! Carstares crowed inwardly. “Jus’ good business Bodil, I wouldn’t recommend a company that hadn’t proved its service to me. If your scheme here goes as planned then that would be all I’d need to sing your praises. But its not come through yet, I look forward to seeing your denunciation of this Reinhardt fellow. But more I want to see Everard safely back with his family once more. I imagine he’d readily second my commendation of your astute political grasp. I for one think your decisiveness is the most gratifying thing I’ve yet seen in this whole damn’d business!” Swiveling in his seat to address Jerard he added, “Eh, Phillips? The Baron here has gone right for the throat as a soldier should, no messin’ about!”

Jerard was surprised by Carstares’ sudden question, but he could see the man had a plan in mind. Wiping his mouth with his napkin as he regained his composure he nodded. “Yes Sir, I appreciate both the Baron’s desire to restore his family honor as well as the skill he displays in confounding his political enemies in so doing.”

Carstares raised his glass, “A toast then, to a long and profitable friendship!”

Gyldenfeldt hesitated a brief moment before raising his glass. To those around him it appeared that he had come to a great decision. “Yes, Phineous, to a long a profitable friendship.”

After cheers were said all around Tash drained the remnants of her wine and got to her feet. “And now gentlemen, If you will excuse me, I am ready to retire. Brandy and cigars await your pleasure in the passenger lounge.”

The gentlemen stood as well, Carstares bowed to Tash and risked a wink.

The LensBaron too offered a most courtly bow. “Madam, that was a most delightful and enlightening meal. What time shall we meet tomorrow to discuss our business?”

Tash smiled charmingly. “I suppose Sir that it will depend upon you. The Discretion should arrive in Copenhagen around 9:30am. I am not sure of the docking arrangements but I imagine departure from the ship can be arranged by 10:30 at the least. Captain?”

Jerard nodded, “You are correct madam, that is my estimation as well.”

“Would 8:30am be too early LensBaron? We could meet in the passenger lounge and have breakfast first.”

“That sounds perfect madam. Until then, rest well.”

“You too LensBaron, thank you.”

“Excuse me gentlemen,” Jerard interjected, “if you will, I shall retire as well. To get our lady Discretion in the air will require me to be up before dawn.”

“Of course Captain.” Carstares replied as Gyldenfeldt nodded graciously.

Jerard moved around the table and offered his arm to Tash. “Madam may I escort you?”

“Why thank you Captain.” Tash beamed taking Jerard’s arm.

The two moved towards the door with Carstares and Gyldenfeldt following, already deep in discussion regarding cigars.

Once the passenger lounge door closed behind Carstares and Gyldenfeldt, Jerard leaned in close to Tash and spoke. “I think we’ve got him.”

“Yes I believe you are right Captain.”

“But...if I may ask?”

“What’s that captain?" Tash replied vaguely, her mind was definitely somewhere else.

“Will Mr. Starblower be willing to use his influence to the benefit of the LensBaron? I don’t really know much about financial circles and I have no idea if Mr. Starblower even has that kind of influence. I mean no disrespect but he
is
a noted recluse...” Jerard trailed off uncertainly, he hoped he had not overstepped his bounds with the question.

Tash briefly rubbed her eyes and forehead as if she were suffering a headache. “Good questions Captain. To the first I can answer yes. He
will
use his influence to benefit the LensBaron. As to the scope of his influence? I am afraid I haven’t a clue. Good night Captain, sleep well.”

Jerard had opened his mouth to ask another question but her last line forestalled him as she quickly opened her cabin door and disappeared inside. The door closed almost in Jerard’s face. He quickly stepped back and looked at the closed door. Well then, he thought, it was not the reassurance he had been looking for but somehow he had the feeling that, for the briefest moment, he had been treated to the unvarnished truth.

Jerard rubbed his eyes and looked again out of the front of the gondola. He wished the visibility were better. He wished he did not have a headache and he wished that he had gotten more sleep last night. “Are we there yet Fred?”

Fred stood up from behind the heavy brass telescope. “Should be virtually on top of it Captain. At least within five miles allowing for maximum error in this mirk - no offense meant Mr. Wallace.” He added with a glance at the stoic young man at the helm.

The helmsman nodded but did not reply, intent on holding the Discretion’s five-hundred foot length level and slightly into the easterly wind.

“All right then, even allowing for the atmospherics we ought to be in radio range. Try them again Mr. Jones.” Phillips ordered.