Free Clockwork Blue by Gloria Harchar

behind the desk.
     
    " Later. I ' m going for a ride on Brownie. I want to look for those orange insects I discovered the other day, " she said , longing to do just that —and she would, just as soon as the meeting with Falconwood was over . She had seen some strange fluorescent bugs that would make a beautiful dye if extracted properly, and she wanted to discover the host plant. " I ' ll see you this evening. "
     
    " Where is Ramsey? I haven't seen him this morning," he asked uncannily.
     
    With horror, she recalled the last time Ramsey had gotten in difficulty with the constable, and how Papa had coughed, grabbed his chest and fainted. No, this was her problem to resolve and hers alone. " He's most likely studying with his friends. " She wondered how she could lie about his continued absence for seven days.
     
    " I thought he usually studied with you. "
     
    " He wanted to prepare for his exams with John Wimble. " She wished with all her might that was true.
     
    He sighed. " I worry about that rebellious streak in him. Although you ' ve been taking risks, too. I heard about that little skirmish in town. "
     
    " You know if the protests become too dangerous, we will stop. "
     
    " I trust you to do so, but will Ramsey? I don ' t want to lose him to the gaol, and that is where he ' s headed if he continues his defiant ways. "
     
    Or deportation to the far reaches of New South Wales. She took a deep breath. " Speaking of Ramsey.... "
     
    " Yes ? " Her father slipped out his pocket watch to glance at it, and she knew the time had come for him to go. He made his way toward the door.
     
    She followed him, noting the frayed floral carpet that had been her mother ' s choice when they had moved to Chawleigh cottage eight ye ars ago, which her father was reluctant to replace. " I think you should send Ramsey on tour. "
     
    Halting on the threshold, he widened his eyes . " On tour? That fancy notion is for the gentry. "
     
    She walked past him to the foyer . " Why does it have to be only for them? We have the funds and the connections. A ye ar traveling the continent would be good for Ramsey ' s education."
     
    " He has two ye ars left at university. If I sent him on such a journey, I should at least wait until he ' s finished. "
     
    " True, but I ' m worried about him, Papa. And you ' re right—he is headed for gaol. He is getting too involved in politics. An extended trip would be just what he needs to cool his heels and keep him out of trouble. "
     
    Her father walked with her down the hall, rubbing his chin. " Ye s, ye s. Perhaps you are correct. "
     
    The front door opened and their topic of discussion appeared. Anxiety caused Nicola ' s skin to tingle. She stared at Ramsey.
     
    Her father looked at his nephew, surprised. " What are you doing back so soon? "
     
    Ramsey frowned. " So soon? "
     
    Nicola cleared her throat. " Uh, you came back from your studies to get a few items, right, Ramsey? After all, you cannot borrow any of John Wimble ' s clothing. " Wimble was at least a foot shorter than she herself was. She stared at Ramsey meaningfully.
     
    " Ah, yes. Quite right. Wimble's smock would split down my back , that is for certain. "
     
    The lines in her father ' s forehead eased. " Stay away from Stanley Kern. His radical talks will lead you down the wrong path, I ' m afraid. "
     
    Ramsey jutted out his chin. " Stanley is a brilliant scholar, a poet. He does much to admire. "
     
    It was an old argument between them, and Nicola didn ' t want her father to get too upset. " Win the debate, all right? " she fabricated, discreetly kicking Ramsey in the shin.
     
    " What? Oh, uh, ye s. So, Uncle, don ' t expect to see me for the next few days. "
     
    " Can I trust you to stay out of mischief? "
     
    Ramsey gave his uncle a level look. " The debate is important to me. "
     
    " All right then, Ramsey. Good luck with it. " He turned to Nicola . " I will see you this evening. " He walked outside, leaving them