101. A Call of Love Read Free Page A

in First Class.”
    Lord Kenington spoke in an authoritative voice and then he realised that the Purser was looking rather worried.
    “What is the matter?” he asked. “Surely you can speak to the man.”
    “It will be very difficult for me to do so, my Lord.” “Why?” “Mr. Watkins is one of our big shareholders and we have been told that when he travels to make sure that he has every possible comfort and attention.”
    “Are you certain we are speaking about the same man?” Lord Kenington asked.
    “As far as we are concerned, my Lord, there is only one Arthur Watkins aboard and he is in the best cabin. In fact, as we don’t have sitting rooms, the cabin next to his cabin is always kept for him, so he can entertain privately anyone he wishes.”
    Lord Kenington was sure an invitation to that cabin would soon be given to Aisha.
    So he therefore remarked,
    “I understand your difficulty. At the same time the young lady who has complained to me is unfortunately travelling without a chaperone. So she is frightened by the way Mr. Watkins is behaving.”
    The Purser scratched his head.
    “I could change Miss Warde into a different cabin,” he said, “but I doubt if it would remain unknown to Mr. Watkins. He only has to look at the list over here, which of course he is entitled to do, to learn exactly where everyone is sleeping.”
    “As Miss Warde has applied to me for help,” Lord Kenington replied, “perhaps there is an unoccupied cabin near me where I could keep an eye on her. I think I know her father and it would be extremely regrettable if she was frightened or upset because, through no fault of her own, she was travelling without a chaperone.”
    The Purser put his Register down on the table so that Lord Kenington could examine it.
    “There’s an empty cabin next to yours, my Lord,” he said, “but I was, in fact, keeping it for a passenger who is coming aboard at Gibraltar.”
    “Then maybe this passenger could be put elsewhere or in the cabin now occupied by Miss Warde.” He knew that if he had been anyone else, the Purser would have insisted that the cabin next to his was too good for a young girl and it should therefore be reserved for the distinguished personage embarking at Gibraltar.
    Equally he was well aware that there was no one else on board who could equal his own prominence.
    So he was not surprised that the Purser was not prepared to argue the matter with him on the subject
    “Very well, my Lord. I’ll now tell the Stewardess to move Miss Warde’s belongings into the cabin next to yours. If you’re sure that Miss Warde can pay the extra price that we charge for our best cabins.”
    “Thank you and see that it is done immediately. I will tell Miss Warde how accommodating you have been and I am sure that she will be very grateful.”
    He walked away, not aware that the Purser had turned to his assistant to say,
    “Here’s a pretty mess to say the least. If Watkins knows I’m interfering with what he thinks is his fun, he’ll kick up a right row at Headquarters and I’ll be the one for the high jump!”
    The Assistant Purser looked round to make sure he was not overheard before he replied,
    “Money or no money, Watkins is an unpleasant bit of work, as well you know.”
    Lord Kenington had now gone back to where Aisha was waiting for him.
    When he reached her, she jumped up and asked,
    “Have you been able to move me, my Lord, or is the ship too full?”
    “I have been able to move you,” he replied.
    She gave a cry of relief,
    “Oh, how kind of you, but do you think he will find out where I have gone? The Purser may tell him.”
    “You are being moved into the cabin next to mine and I think you can trust me to deal with any man who behaves in such an offensive manner. As a matter of fact I understand he is a big shareholder in the P & O Company.”
    Aisha gave a cry of horror.
    “In which case, he probably feels he owns the ship and may refuse to allow me to be