Chapter 58: The Royal Society Part 4
"You understand why my father removed him from the expedition's roster. We had no desire to spend months at sea with such a boorish man."
Dr. Gostan's mouth was moving but Pentam couldn't hear him over the noise of the audience as they turned to find the source of the new interruption.
Cal strolled down the aisle of the auditorium, dressed in immaculate whites with a blue jacket. Her hair had been cut short, yet still somehow looked feminine.
"May I introduce Miss Calliope Shillingsworth, artist extraordinaire and engineer of the Peregrine." Pentam pointed toward Cal. The room erupted in applause, completely drowning out Dr. Gostan who finally slumped down in his seat looking petulant.
Cal made her way up the stairs to the podium.
"Sorry I was late, we ran into a spot of trouble with the steam carriage. It took me longer than it should have to set it right." She hugged Pentam. "I caught enough to know you are doing a marvelous job."
Cal turned to the podium and stood straight at attention, yet somehow projecting her complete control over the situation.
"As my dear friend Pentam was explaining, the serpent damaged the rudder and the engine room. The chief engineer, Monky, was blinded in the incident. I expect he is here tonight as he returned to Anglia with my father and the rest of the team.
"As you can imagine, being without an engine or means to steer the ship was a concern..."
Pentam stood back and marvelled at how Cal immediately captured the imagination of the audience. She told the story of setting her assistant engineer to work on the damage to the boiler, while she built a steam cannon to go after the monster. There was no hint of boasting in the matter of fact account of the construction, set up and use of the steam cannon.
"As you may guess, we weren't in a position to recover the body of the large serpent. Yet it did leave something behind for us. Something which Mr. Booksdale discovered and gave to me, and now, I return it to him to complete the display from our expedition."
Cal pulled the tooth from her satchel, and even this competent, strong Cal needed two hands to lift it to where the audience could see.
Screams and shouts came from all sides of the auditorium, then the applause started as Cal passed the tooth to Pentam.
They waited until the pandemonium had quieted enough to speak.
"The members of the team will be available in the display hall to answer questions. Refreshments will be served." Pentam waved at the team to stand beside him, insisting on bringing the assistants up too. They were mobbed as soon as they entered the display hall.
***
"My heavens, I've never seen such a show." Lord Carroway poured drinks for Pentam, Sir Shillingsworth and Cal. The rest of the team had headed in their separate directions, already booked to speak across the country.
"I must admit to a certain satisfaction in putting Dr. Gostan in his place." Cal swirled her brandy. "But most of it was down to Pentam."
"He was very good." Lord Carroway agreed. "I've been to plays with less drama and excitement."
"I have something for you." Cal drew the journal out of her satchel. "This could be some of the best work I've ever done." She handed it to him.
Lord Carroway opened it and began to go through the pages, his expression changing with each picture. He closed it, and sighed.
"I will look at it later, when it wouldn't be rude of me to give it the concentration it deserves. It will be a center piece of my collection. I've decided to open it to the public once a week for now, I'll see how it goes."
"Speaking of your collection." Pentam sat back with a satisfied look. "There will be some deliveries over the next few days. I know you sent the preserving jars, but we have a number of mounted specimens for you. I think they will show better if you're opening to the public."
Lord Carroway's eyes lit up. "One of those crabs? I'd love one of the crabs."
"We certainly have a crab for you. The crew brought us a nice selection. But I'm sure it will be overshadowed by your sea serpent."
Cal worried Lord Carroway would drop dead from shock.
"A sea serpent? But you said you only caught three."
"That's right." Cal leaned forward. "One for the Royal Museum, one for the University to study, and one for the man with the vision to sponsor the expedition. Not even the curator at the museum argued the point. With you letting people visit, we'll start a whole new wave of interest in science and exploration."
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