Chapter 103: The Dangerous Game Part 1

Crysabel and her maid helped Cal into yet another new gown. At the rate she was spending money on clothes, the twenty thousand sovereign gift might hurt more than she thought. Who knew being wealthy was so expensive?
"Matilde, check the drape on your side." Crysabel huffed as she leaned forward to tug on the over blouse. This one was a green which reminded Cal of seaweed.
"When can I start wearing gowns I already own?" Cal twisted her neck to look at herself in the mirror. This made the fifth outing in a month.
"Oh, you can't do that." Crysabel clucked her tongue and made a microscopic adjustment. "People will start gossiping that you are going bankrupt."
"I'm filling a closet with gowns I will never likely wear again; I will be going bankrupt. Besides, I'm trying to encourage gossip that I might be traitor, a little chin-wagging about me being poor is the least of my worries."
"The people who invite you to these balls are milking the fascination with a high-ranking female naval officer who may or may not have an improper relationship with the Kershian Ambassador. That is interesting. Poverty is boring, they will worry you will try to hit them up for money. It's what they would do."
"Can we combine different gowns to make them look new?"
Crysabel looked thoughtful. Matilde nodded once.
"The coach will be here at any moment, my Lady."
Cal sighed and let Matilde help put her shoes on. They were so uncomfortable Cal insisted on putting them on last. She would have ridden to the ball and put them on in the carriage, but the gown didn't give her space to move.
Her live-in students lined up, leaning against the walls to watch her come down the stairs. If I charged admission for these evenings, I could easily pay for the gown. Pentam gazed up the stairs with a dazed look, but his eyes were focused over Cal's shoulder on Crysabel who was due to give birth to their first child at any time.
Bundo opened the door and helped Cal into the coach. He climbed up beside the driver and they were off. Only in her own bedroom was Cal free of his presence. She'd thought having him as a shadow would be irritating, but she found it was a comfort.
"Your prey is in sight," Bundo whispered as he handed Cal out of the coach. "I saw the Kershian coach pull out as we came in."
"Thanks, I was despairing of anything coming of this. I could have used the time in the barn."
"Hans and I have been following your instructions. It may be time to ask Mr. Booksdale how to get the hydrogen."
"We are further along than I thought." Cal fussed with her gown to give her time to talk with Bundo.
"That much hydrogen will take time to assemble."
"True." Cal squared her shoulders. "Off to battle."
Bundo grinned and headed for the servant's entrance where he could be useful and entertaining, and not-coincidentally, close to the ballroom.
"The Lady Commander Calliope Shillingsworth."
Cal stepped through the doors as she was announced. Some bright soul had apparently decided Lady Commander was a proper title. She suspected the story of her temper tantrum had a lot to do with it. Cal smiled and floated across the floor as Crysabel had taught her.
A cluster of people made sure to cross her path and probe for any new rumours. Bri stood by the table helping himself to wine from a servant's tray. Cal timed her arrival to take the glass from his hand. Bri smiled and took another glass for himself.
"The famous Lady Commander herself." Bri toasted her. "It is true the Queen came and left the Admiralty on their knees while she dressed them down?"
"I think her Majesty was annoyed at the implication a woman wasn't fit for command."
"Understandable, but what price did you pay for the show?"
"She mentioned Arctic patrols if I repeated the performance." Cal sipped at her wine as they wandered from the table to meander through the crowd.
Bri laughed. "Your Queen is not to be trifled with; her name makes empires tremble."
Cal introduced Bri to some of her acquaintances as they passed. He answered questions about his homeland briefly and politely. The rest of the evening Cal kept the conversation light and away from politics. He could talk on anything from music to art, naming the piece the orchestra played or commenting on the paintings on the wall.
When the dancing began, Cal thought Bri might stay for a dance, but he dragged himself away reluctantly.
At least once a week, Cal arranged to 'bump' into the ambassador. She even went so far as attending concerts and galleries mid-week when she had the energy after work. She had Bundo drive her past the Embassy and took note of the Kershian guards inside the gate and Anglian on the outside.
***
"Why do you need ten thousand cubic yards of hydrogen?" Pentam met her at the door after a concert. "Trying to source that much at one time will raise eyebrows."
"Is there any way to do it without causing suspicion?"
"We could make it ourselves." Pentam shook his head. "Produce it through electrolysis from water.. All we would need is the water itself and sufficient electricity."
"I know a guy who invented this electrical engine thing which can make electricity," she commented helpfully.
"You'll want a way of turning the magnet."
"Gowns are a mystery beyond me, but making something spin, that I can do."