Prudence (The Custard Protocol 1)

Rue brightened – shapes to steal. “Oh, how nice. Anyone I know?”

“The Kingair Pack?”

Rue winced. “Ah. I see.”

Prim looked at her sharply. “What?”

“Fringe relations. They advised Brigadier Featherstonehaugh of my coming?”

The officer nodded, smiling nervously at her reaction.

“Now I know why Paw didn’t fight harder to keep me home,” said Rue. “Werewolves. Interfering busybodies, the lot of them.”

“Rue, language,” remonstrated Primrose, fidgeting awkwardly in embarrassment.

Like a true gentleman, Lieutenant Broadwattle moved the conversation on. “Unfortunately, pressing business makes the brigadier unable to welcome you himself. Nevertheless I am charged with informing you as to his profound honour at being graced by a visit from the daughters of such collectively esteemed vampires, Tunstell and Akeldama.” Rue could read the truth behind that statement – they were an inconvenience. The officer continued, “I suggest, however, that you keep your ancestry private. We have tried desperately to civilise this country but vampires, I’m afraid, are not at all liked in India. Natives categorise them as Rakshasas, a folkloric daemon. We are told that the cultural practices of vampires are less sanguine in this part of the world. Although I have not had the pleasure myself.”

The two customs officials winced noticeably at the word Rakshasas and made small hand gestures to ward off evil. They were both Indian, heads wrapped in cloth, with dark eyes and impressively full beards.

The young officer moved swiftly on. “Werewolves, on the other hand, are most welcome. Many animals are considered, at least partly, sacred in India. Although they have no native packs – wrong climate – the werewolf curse is thought a blessing… with sufficient full moon controls, of course.”

“How novel,” said Rue.

“Not to mention forward-thinking,” added Primrose, smiling warmly at the two native men. She was trying to show that she had no hard feelings for their vilification of her relations.

One could not blame a people for disliking vampires. Vampires were like Brussels sprouts – not for everyone and impossible to improve upon with sauce. There were even those in London who disapproved of Dama, and he was very saucy indeed.

The young officer managed a weak smile. “If we could get on to the minutia, ladies? Because of your connections, we have tried to make this as simple as possible. Of course, in casual conversation when you are home, perhaps a favourable mention in polite company on the efficient nature of my regiment?”

“I assure you, thus far, we will have nothing but glowing things to say about the Bombay company.”

Lieutenant Broadwattle smiled radiantly, his slightly homely face made handsome by good cheer. “Here are your papers of registration for the airship. Spotted Custard, as I understand, is the name? You, Lady Akeldama, are down as primary owner, with three other members of rank listed as the Honourable Primrose Tunstell, Professor Tunstell, and one Mr Lefoux. Is that correct?”

“Indeed it is.”

“If you wouldn’t mind filling in your staff and crew roster for restocking purposes here?”

He handed Rue the stylus, which Rue immediately passed to Prim who kept better track of such things and had vastly superior penmanship. The two customs officers watched this, hawk-like. They seemed to be paying inordinately close attention to the proceedings. Oddly, they were as focused on Lieutenant Broadwattle as they were on Prim and Rue. Was Lieutenant Broadwattle under suspicion of misconduct? Rue cocked her head at the young man. He seemed twitchy, but nothing out of the ordinary for a gentlemen faced with Primrose in a pretty dress and good temper.

He did seem perturbed that Rue had passed off the paperwork, perhaps because it now occupied the whole of that young lady’s attention. He rallied enough to ask, “Do you know the nature of your stores and local contacts, Lady Akeldama?”

Rue shook her head. “No, I have people for that.”

“Of course you do.”

“Will there be anything else, lieutenant?”

“I have the length of your stay down for one week starting tomorrow. Is that sufficient for your needs?”

“As long as I can complete my social calls during that time. May I extend if necessary?”

“Indeed, my lady. However…” He trailed off, distracted by Prim.

Rue sighed. She was used to it. “I take it most activity commences after dark, when it is cooler.”

Primrose was puzzling over a list of numbers in the margins of the paperwork.

The two customs officials tensed.

Then she moved blithely on with an obvious mental shrug.

“Sir?” Rue drew Lieutenant Broadwattle’s attention back to herself.

“Yes, after dark. Speaking of which, some of the local diplomats, their wives, and a few officers are meeting for a garden party at sunset this evening. Would you care to join us? The ambassador’s wife has authorised me to extend the invitation. I must say, we would welcome fresh faces and new society, not to mention unmarried ladies.”

“Lieutenant Broadwattle!” reprimanded Primrose, pinking in pleasure. “You go too far.” Thus proving she had not been entirely focused on the paperwork.

The young man lowered his head in mock shame.

Rue, on the other hand, did nothing to disguise her delight. She loved a garden party, and to have one materialise that very evening in an exotic land. Topping! “We should love to attend.”

“Will you bring the two gentlemen as escorts?” he asked, clearly hoping the answer would be no.

Rue hated to disappoint. “Possibly one, probably not the other, but they are difficult to predict.”

Prim finished listing relevant names and details and handed the parchment back over. “Any other customs business?”

The young man remembered his duty. “Do you have anything to declare for the record? Imports, business engagements, other taxable items? We were told that this is purely a pleasure jaunt.”

Rue and Prim shook their heads solemnly.

“I do not recommend visiting the city proper without a guide, which I would be happy to arrange. Would tomorrow early morning suit? Sun-up? It is best to get as much done as possible before the heat.”

After exchanging looks with Prim, Rue said, “That would be ideal. Will he come to the ship?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you very much for saving us the bother. Now, Lieutenant Broadwattle, gentlemen, if that concludes our business? I think we will take the unspoken suggestion of the entire city and return to The Spotted Custard for a nap. This heat is most oppressive.”