Slaves of Elysium Read Free Page B

of Rebecca’s supine body as best she could, but the motion of the boat made her clumsy, which did little to improve Rebecca’s mood. As she struggled to soothe her employer, Jeni thought again of the way she stood over the lazarette hatch. Despite her anger and discomfort, it was as though she had been deliberately flaunting herself in front of Ash. Did she take pleasure in taunting somebody she considered her inferior, or was her vanity manifesting itself through exhibitionism? Then again, the display might have been a means of asserting herself by intimidation. In all it spoke of a spiteful and self-centred character. But then that was something Jeni already knew. In fact, it was part of what had drawn her to Rebecca’s employment.
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    All through the long afternoon the Galatea pressed on. The trailing yachts slipped further astern and were lost in the haze of the horizon. The Lady Delaware maintained her lead but drew no further ahead.
    Rebecca stayed in her cabin refusing food and fighting down her seasickness. Jeni kept the men supplied with drinks and finger meals, and even found herself infected with a little of their excitement. If they were in a race then they might as well do their best to win, and Ash seemed hopeful they could overhaul the Lady Delaware during the night.
    As evening fell, Devereaux came down from the fly bridge to take the lower helm. He and Ash worked out a watch rota between them. Jeni decided he possessed more determination than she had given him credit for, and suspected this show of resolve pleased Ash as well. It might have been a foolish wager, but at least he looked like seeing it through.
    Night closed in about them and they sailed on under clear skies and a dusting of brilliant stars. They might have been alone on the ocean except for the blip on radar screen that marked the position of the race leader. Ever so slightly the gap between them was shortening.
    The sea swell also seemed to have diminished, so Jeni took a light supper to Rebecca’s cabin in the hope of getting her to eat something. Though her face was still pale Rebecca appeared to be a little better. She was sprawled on her bed mechanically leafing through a magazine.
    â€˜I’ve got some food, miss,’ Jeni said.
    Without looking up, Rebecca said, ‘I’m not hungry.’
    â€˜It would do you good to eat something. Perhaps you might change your mind later, miss,’ Jeni added, putting the tray down on the bedside locker.
    â€˜No, take it away!’ Rebecca snapped, waving a hand at the tray. Her fingertip caught the rim of the glass of fruit juice, sending it tumbling to the floor. ‘Now look what you’ve made me do!’ Rebecca accused angrily. ‘Clean it up at once.’
    Jeni fetched a cloth from the bathroom locker, got down on her hands and knees beside the bed and began mopping up. As she did so she said, ‘Mr Devereaux hopes you’re feeling better, miss. He said he’s sorry he won’t be joining you tonight, but he has to share watches with Mr Ash.’
    Rebecca frowned. ‘Ash should be able to steer the boat himself. That’s what he’s paid to do.’
    â€˜He has to rest sometime, miss,’ Jeni said respectfully. ‘He must be getting very tired by now.’
    Rebecca rolled over on the bed so she looked down at Jeni. ‘I don’t care if he’s tired,’ she scowled, her indignation fuelled by discomfort and frustration.
    Jeni flinched. ‘No, miss.’
    â€˜And it’s not your place to defend him, either.’
    â€˜No, miss.’
    â€˜Remember, you’re just a servant.’ Rebecca sneered down at her. ‘I could buy you a thousand times over. You do what I say when I say, and you don’t speak back, understand?’
    Bent low over her mopping, Jeni trembled and mutely shook her head. Rebecca flicked the flat of her magazine across Jeni’s back. ‘I didn’t hear