Free Mariah Mundi and the Ship of Fools by G.P. Taylor Page B

revolvers.
    ‘We will follow you,’ Ellerby said harshly. ‘If we find anyone trying this again, they will be dealt with sternly.’
    Charity didn’t believe him. There was something about the man that he felt he couldn’t trust. But this was not the place to question Ellerby as to his loyalty. As they led Mariah away, Charity thought that whoever wanted Mariah dead would need an accomplice. If Tharakan wasn’t the one, then Ellerby could be.
    ‘Mr Ellerby, do you have another cabin that we could take him to?’ Charity asked as they got near to the open door of Suite 395.
    ‘The ship is full, Captain. Not a single bed is left,’ Ellerby replied without a glint of concern.
    Then Biba DeFeaux stepped from the door of the room, followed by Casper Vikash. ‘My father has sent me to see you,’ she said. ‘We have taken the liberty of packing all your things. The Marquis thought it would be wise if you both stayed on Deck 13. There is a private suite and Casper will keep us all safe.’
    Biba DeFeaux smiled at Charity as she twisted the ringlets of her red curls. Here was the girl who but two hours before had refused to speak. He thought for a moment. It all appeared to be too convenient, too manipulated by the power of a wealthy man. He looked around the room and saw that everything had been packed into the trunks. Several of DeFeaux’s servants stood, arms folded in their neat black uniforms, awaitinginstructions. Biba looked at Charity and then touched Mariah’s face.
    ‘I think it would be best if we went to Deck 13,’ she said with a click of her fingers. ‘Casper will see to everything.’

[7]
Tiger, Tiger
    M ARIAH woke up and stared at the ceiling. He could see his dim reflection in the polished gilt that covered the ornate surface above him. This was not his cabin, he thought to himself as he tried to lift his head from the soft silk-lined pillow. Everything was bright and bold and glistened slightly. In the room were a narrow bed, a chair, a bookcase brimming with leather-bound volumes and a brass spyglass on a large stand. On every wall was an electric light set in an ornate tortoiseshell cover. There was a large window to his left. The glass was set in a brass frame that could not be opened and on either side were thick drapes of embroidered green silk.
    For a moment he thought he was dead and that this place was heaven or even possibly hell. Mariah hadn’t made his mind up as to which would be preferable. It was something he didn’t feel he should consider until he was much older. Yet there was a nagging doubt in his mind that he could be nearer to having to decide than he wanted.
    He was aware of every breath that he took. His lungs burnt and his eyes felt sore. Whatever had happened the night before had exhausted him. Pulling the covers to his face, he turnedover. The room was so designed that from the bed you could look through the window. Mariah could see that he was high up on the ship. It was daylight and he could smell tea. By the window was his trunk and on that a silver tray, one porcelain cup and a large teapot. To one side was a covered salver and, next to that, two eggs wrapped in small knitted caps. Beside the eggs were plates of toast and neatly cut beef sandwiches.
    There was a gentle tap at the door. The handle turned and Biba DeFeaux looked inside.
    ‘I had them bring you breakfast,’ she said, remarkably confident for someone who had once been terrified to silence by a large bear. ‘Captain Charity told me what you liked.’
    ‘Is he here?’ asked Mariah.
    ‘No, he and my father have gone to look at the gold bullion. Casper is here to look after us. They say that you were going to throw yourself from the ship,’ she said as she walked to the trunk. She poured Mariah a cup of tea and handed it to him.
    ‘I can’t remember what happened. I just remember dreaming,’ he replied.
    ‘I was made to see a psychiatrist. They thought the bear had made me quite mad,’ she said as