Across the marble-tiled marble floor Richard and Chacuti made their way further into the house, he asked, AAnd Axa's right fetlock, is it
[email protected] AHe didn't limp even the slightest, walking him through the cold water has taken the swelling
[email protected] AGood,@ he patted her fondly on the back, Awell my dear up you go, I know how long you take to get
[email protected] Chacuti pecked him on the cheek and ran up the sweeping staircase, she passed round a magnificent glass chandelier upon which, although light still entered from the domed window above, numerous candles had been lit bathing the area with their warm, soft glow. Through a doorway she passed into her room. The room was heavily decorated with emerald green wallpaper, a band of vermilion red border passed round the walls at waist height. The ceiling was baroque plasterwork which formed fruits of every type and description; apples, pears, pomegranates and grapes all hung down looking real enough to eat. Chacuti's four-poster bed was covered with white silk drapes which hung elegantly. At the end of the bed a chaise-longue provided seating. Davey recognised its position as being the same in which he had first seen her sitting when he had looked down upon her through the hole in the ceiling. A hidden doorway, decorated the same as the rest of the room led into Chacuti's wardrobe. Davey couldn't help but exclaim, AYour wardrobe's bigger than my
[email protected] Chacuti began to undress, embarrassed he sensed that she too did not wish him to see her taking off her clothes. AErr, there's going to be some kind of party isn't
[email protected] AYes,@ she said, relieved, Aplease can we see
[email protected] He moved outside the room and stood waiting on the landing, the candles burning down on the chandelier indicated the length of time she took in getting ready. But it was worth waiting for, when she appeared she wore a sweeping white ball-gown, her jet-black hair was styled by a heavy gold clasp which held it to one side like a raven's wing. Round her neck hung a gold necklace consisting of three concentric loops which hung low over her bare chest, against her bronzed skin the necklace looked striking. Her bare arms were decorated with gold wristlets and bracelets, even the dress-shoes she wore were golden.
Richard sat in his study smoking a pipe, his face was creased with worry but as Chacuti entered the pipe fell from his mouth, AMy dear child, you look ecstatic,@ he declared. Chacuti twirled around showing off her sweeping dress and the accompanying finery, APositively ecstatic,@ he repeated, quietly he said to himself, Amy little Incas
[email protected] They heard a carriage roll up over the cobbles to the stables where the coachmen would remain whilst the ball was in progress, almost simultaneously the bell at the front door was rung. AThat will be the Norris's they said they would come
[email protected] They jumped up and ran to the hallway where a servant had already admitted them, AWelcome! Welcome!
[email protected] he shook each in turn by the hand. Annette immediately walked off linking arms with Chacuti, ALook at them,@ remarked Mr Norris, Athey've outgrown us all
[email protected] It was quite true, the two girls were as tall and slender as poplars and walked with such poise and grace that as Mr Norris put it, AThey'll break the hearts of some poor young
[email protected] Chacuti spoke to Davey, AThank you for coming back, you are very brave. I wish to see more but please be careful, do not endanger
[email protected] Davey smiled but he was scared, only Uncle Paddy's re-assurances over the power of the helmet had convinced him that he would be safe returning. AI'll just check how long we've got till it starts to get dark,@ he said. He opened the window through which they were viewing the images and peered out, the sun was still high in the sky, they would have several hours before it began to sink. He looked over the field and saw movement, the helmet allowed him to zoom in. It was a young courting couple, they sat together on a fallen-log, looking up towards the old house. Davey recognised them, they both lived in Micawber Street. The helmet enabled him to listen in to their conversation.
AIt must have been beautiful in its day,@ said the young man.
AIf only we could have even one room to live in,@ said the young woman.
AWell, as Mr Micawber said, >Something'll turn up'
[email protected] AI hope so Charlie, I can't wait to get
[email protected] ADon't you worry girl, you wait and see, I'll buy yer a place like that one day,@ he promised vainly.
AThey are in
[email protected] asked Chacuti.
ASeems like it,@ he replied.
AHave you ever been in
[email protected] AWhat me. No, well I do fancy a girl called Aimie
[email protected] AI have been in love,@ sighed Chacuti, she became very sad so Davey quickly asked, AWould you like to see a bit more or should I
[email protected] ALet me see the ball, it was
[email protected] Walking hand in hand through the hall two lines of ladies and gentlemen undulated in time to the sound of a variety of woodwind instruments. ATheir sound used to remind me so much of my home and family in Sit-Nalta,@ said Chacuti wistfully.
Davey listened to the melody; the flutey, reedy sound was similar to the pan-pipes he had watched and heard Chacuti play, it seemed like so long ago, high upon the mountain-side when the Shaman had first appeared. He remembered the death of the runner, Hotchas, and shuddered. Was this to be the fate of the woman at his side?
They listened in to the conversations of the guests:
The women were not so gracious, AShe was a Spanish
[email protected] ALook at her dress, it is far too
[email protected] AShe has no bearing, a commoner born and
[email protected] But the men were far more appreciative, AI hear tell she is an Inca
[email protected] AShe was rescued from the galleon Richard
[email protected] AShe is the most beautiful creature that has ever walked God's
[email protected] AA veritable angel in
[email protected] Chacuti expressed annoyance and then pleasure in turn.
They watched the dance end and the guests resume their seats. Richard had an announcement to make and a small man with a thunderous voice shouted out, AMy Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen pray be up-standing for Mr Richard
[email protected] The guests rose to their feet, Richard spoke loudly and clearly so that all assembled would have no problem hearing him, AI have asked you here today to help me celebrate my good fortune. By good fortune I do not refer to the magnificent house which my new found wealth has enabled me to build, no, I refer to something that money cannot
[email protected] One of the guests whispered to her husband, AWell if his money cannot buy it then it is not worth
[email protected] He continued, AMany of you have heard of her, some of you may have seen her but is she not truly delightful. In the words of the bard*;
Shall I compare thee to a Summers day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May
And Summers lease has all too short a date
The guests clapped and cheered, Chacuti stood, red-faced but radiant as all eyes fixed upon her.
Richard went to her side and stood holding her hand. Whilst they were still enjoying the applause O'Neill went quietly to Richard's side and whispered in his ear.