Castle In The Clouds, Chapters 22 and 23 (standard:drama, 6067 words) [11/21] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Feb 03 2010	Views/Reads: 2538/1771	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
In this continuation of my drama, Llewellyn's benefactors arrive, and Byron Rothman in particular, is intrigued by Veronica Day.

Chapter Twenty One Veronica strolled along the shingle, drawing her
pastel shawl closer around her body in the fresh morning breeze. The 
castle lay behind her, high on its base of volcanic rock; there was the 
feeling that somewhere within its walls someone watched. The discomfort 
was there and growing though she did her best to negate it. 

As charming as Thomas had been throughout their meal the previous
evening, his earlier behaviour had been strange to say the least. He 
had obviously been unsettled, and the fact he'd witnessed her earlier 
encounter with Gibbings was obvious. 

Gibbings' concern for her was evident, and in a way unexpected, born of
Hambleton's observations, she suspected, more than anything else. 

Her number one priority remained to return the favour Gibbings had
bestowed on her when he'd rescued her from the sea, to help him the way 
he'd helped her. Frustratingly she'd a notion he'd come close yesterday 
to unloading his problems – and now the temptation was there to seek 
him out again. 

But she'd formed the opinion that Thomas' unusual behaviour stemmed from
the fact that in his eyes, Gibbings was allowing her to distract him 
from his work. Not so long ago she'd singled out Dorothea as a threat 
to his employment, now if she were not careful that threat might come 
from Thomas himself. Any further conversations with Gibbings, 
therefore, would need more appropriate timing and be discreet. 

Veronica's thoughts were interrupted by a deep drone, the sound familiar
to her owing to her association with the Capital and other major 
cities. She turned to witness the approach of a shining silver 
automobile, which she assumed to be a hitherto unprecedented sight on 
the island. 

She stood back from the rough road to allow them passage and as they
passed slowly by she saw the man in the driver's seat incline towards 
her, raising his hat as he did so to reveal a crop of reddish-brown 
hair; nodding acknowledgement he smiled, his eyes remaining on her for 
some few yards, while his passenger's gaze remained steadfastly set 
ahead. 

The vehicle continued onto the wide path at the forefront of the castle
grounds, drawing to a halt at the head of the castle approach. Veronica 
suspected Thomas' benefactors had arrived and sure enough she saw 
Thomas emerge from the castle entrance the moment they pulled up, 
advancing swiftly down the slope to welcome them. 

No sooner had he greeted them than he became aware of her presence,
craning his head in her direction and waving her over. 

'Veronica,' he called enthusiastically, and smiling broadly, 'the two
gentlemen I spoke to you of, come be introduced to my friends, Mr. 
Byron Rothman and Mr. Edward Reynolds.' 

Veronica felt Rothman's blue eyes on her immediately, lively, almost
dancing. She took in his thin lips and boyish countenance which creased 
into an easy smile. 'Byron Rothman. So you are the delectable Miss Day. 
I am a great admirer of your music madam; it is indeed an honour to 
meet with you in the flesh.' He took a step forward, taking her hand in 
his and kissing her palm softly. 

'Thank you indeed Mr. Rothman, I am flattered.' She turned to his
companion. 'Mr. Reynolds, good morning to you.' 

'Madam.' Reynolds, a portly man wearing tweeds, with a blotchy
complexion and brown moustache less neatly trimmed than his host's, 
acknowledged her with a brief downward motion of his head. 

Llewellyn turned his attention to the car. 'A fine automobile,' he
enthused. 

'A Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost,' Rothman informed. 'Brand spanking new; six
cylinder engine no less – reputed to be the finest motor car in the 
world,' he added proudly -'and what finer day to journey out in it.' He 
spread his hands towards the skies, his gaze returning to Veronica, who 
shook her head. 'If you would excuse me I feel rather tired,' she said, 


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