Winter of the Passion Flower (The de Vargas Family) Read Free Page B

edge
of the garment.
    “Hurry up.” She encouraged him, but her
tone was waspish “We don’t have all night.”
    Shrugging his shoulders, he undid the top
lace, loosening the rest of the ribbon in the brass eyelets. Strong, calloused
fingers lingered on her skin and she struggled to keep her composure as warm
hands brushed against her bare shoulders. Indigo reached around, pulling the
garment down, exposing her back. She heard a quick intake of breath as her
tattoo was revealed and the captain realized it was identical to his.
    “Can you now see why I will trust my life
and my livelihood with you on such a short acquaintance? We are connected,” she
said. “Now, lace me back up.” His fingers trembled against her shoulder,
pulling the laces tight, and finishing with a clumsy bow.
    “That will do,” she said quietly turning
back to face him. “Now, sit back down. We have a long night ahead.”
    As Indigo saw the question in his eyes, her
face broke into a sultry smile.
    “Not the sort of night that you anticipate,
sir.” She leaned back in her chair. “That may come later if you are good and do
as you are told.”
    In the early hours, Mr. Grimoult stifled a
yawn and his head dropped until he snored quietly into his chest. The captain
remained alert as Indigo described her biome tourist enterprise and the
smuggling of exotic plants in her steam-powered submarine. Her wealthy
clientele, escaping the bitter English winters, holidayed in warm luxurious
environments in one of three huge biomes simulating a variety of temperate
climates. The biomes were accessible from the longest pier in Cornwall via a
steam-powered funicular railway that traversed the steep cliff. The
entertainment biome catered to the wealthier members of society and a
procession of clowns, minstrels and variety bands provided entertainment for
the patrons and their children. A skating rink, miniature zoo and theatre
completed the entertainment biome. A simulated beach enabled sea bathing
holidays in the coldest months and provided a therapeutic option for the rich
clientele in the beach biome. Water was pumped in from the ocean, and warmed
through a series of steam rooms.
    Discussion turned to the voyage ahead, and
planning a mission without her usual, experienced crew.
    “The Artemis is fitted with a
greenhouse and a steam generator pumps ocean water, which maintains the
tropical temperature during the expeditions. It enables us to keep the plants
alive. Mr. Grimoult has invented a light reproduction device,” Indigo
explained.
    Seeing the disbelief on the captain’s face,
Indigo nudged Mr. Grimoult awake with her elbow.
    “Mr. Grimoult…Mr. Grimoult? Would you please
tell the captain about your light device?” The old man raised his head slowly
and caught up with the conversation. He rubbed a hand over his weary, lined
face.
    “Yes, Captain. Madame speaks the truth. I
use luminiferous aether, sprayed onto the back of brass tubing. When the
submarine is submerged, the aether is released in small doses and keeps the
plants alive.”
    “The plants are purely for the pleasure of
the guests at the complex,” Indigo emphasized. “The opportunity to exhibit at
the Great Exhibition in May will source more financial backing and facilitate
an expansion of our enterprise.” Indigo paused, tapping her fingers angrily on
the table. “I am sure Duke Lorca is behind the disappearance of my crew.”
    She explained that the duke, who lived in a
towering castle overlooking the next cove, had offered her financial backing.
“I am unsure of the reasoning behind the offer. I believe that he may have some
knowledge of the plants that I have been cultivating.” She looked down at the
table, shuffling her papers, without meeting the captain’s eye. He did not need
to be privy to her whole business. “He believes a union between us will be an
easy way to reverse the losses he has incurred recently. Lorca even tried
wooing me and became most despondent when