Chapter 80: A New Thing Part 1

Cal would have shut up the house and moved into rooms in the city, except it would have left Beth and Hans with nowhere to go.
"Surely somewhere there are people who need a place to stay." Cal sat in the kitchen while Beth kneaded bread. "I rattle around here, it's ridiculous."
"I understand there are usually University students looking for a residence. My sister works there as a cleaner. She would ask if you'd like."
"I would like that. A few students would bring some life here, and maybe they could help with organizing father's papers."
"Then I will ask."
Within the week the first student arrived. He looked shocked to have a bedroom to himself with a desk and chair. When Cal went to check on him before she went to bed, he'd covered every flat surface with paper. He flitted from one to another.
"Oh, hello, Miss Shillingsworth. Pray, pardon the disarray," he waved distractedly at the piles. "I have an upcoming exam and all my notes were mixed up in the move."
"If you need more space, you could use the drawing room for an afternoon. It has the most tables."
"No, no, I'm good now. I can't possibly move them again." He shuddered, then looked at the bed. "Guess I'm sleeping on the floor tonight."
"Breakfast begins at seven." Cal left him to his study and went to her rooms.
More students arrived and filled the house with chatter and laughter. It didn't feel like her home anymore and Cal sighed in relief.
Bundo arrived one morning a week later with a bag and a wide grin. He handed Cal a sheaf of papers extending her leave until she was ready to return, then followed Hans into the stable to find a room to stay in.
"We want people to think I'm your servant you brought back. Many officers do exactly that. If I live in the stable no one will give me a second thought, and no one will see me come and go."
"As you wish," Cal said but promised herself he'd get a proper bed.
That evening Cal pulled Hans aside.
"I want you to look at a drawing for me." She unrolled a large paper and anchored the corners with books. "This is a plan for fixing up the barn; with everything going on in the house, it seems a waste to leave it empty."
"That's all well and good." Hans pointed to posts along the long walls. "What are these? The stone doesn't need reinforcing.
"That's so I can open the roof." Cal laughed at Hans' expression. "I'm trying to build an airship. I will need a way to get it in and out of the barn. Those pillars are actually metal tubes filled with oil. It's under pressure so they stay extended. Release the pressure, they sink down and the roof follows on a track." She indicated the pertinent points on the blueprint as she spoke. "There's space under the barn to build everything I need. The floor needs replacing anyway."
"Who's going to do all the work?" Hans peered at the drawing again. "None of this will be cheap."
"I'm not exactly poor." Cal felt the heat on her face. "Father was as proficient an investor as he was a leader. I never need to worry about money for the rest of my life. And once I prove it works, I can sell it to the Navy."
"So they can launch their ships through the roof."
"Exactly."
"I'll get some people in to look at the place and start clearing out rubble."
The students decided rebuilding the barn was a great diversion. At any time during the day, a few were to be found with shovels and wheelbarrows working under Hans' sharp-eyed supervision.
***
A letter came from the expedition company ordering Cal to return to command the Kestrel on a new voyage.
"Come along with me, Bundo." Cal checked out the steam carriage, decided it would survive the trip and lit the fire.
He nodded. "I will pack."
"No need. We'll be back tonight."
Cal drove the carriage to the port. It wasn't much faster than the train, but much more convenient. She parked in front of the Expedition Offices.
"Let's go." Cal squared her shoulders and walked through the doors.
"Ah, Captain. You made better time than I'd hoped." Mister Hacket was a retired captain, heavy-set but he still looked like he could clear out a tavern single-handed.
"Sorry, Mister Hacket, but I'm here to resign my command."
"Surely you aren't letting that worm, Sifton get to you? Henrichs said you were a fine Captain."
"Thank you, but I have other work I must do."
"It's an awful shame to lose you, Lady Shillingsworth. Would you consider taking an indefinite leave?" He suggested, eyebrows raised hopefully.
"Sorry, but I will not be back."
"You'll want to collect your things from the Kestrel then. You know where she is berthed." He looked over at Bundo. "Am I right in guessing this fine gentleman is now under your employ?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You don't need me to tell you to take care of Lady Shillingsworth."
"No, Sir. Thank you for the chance to work on your ship. Not everyone would have hired me."
"Nonsense. You're a good man and a good sailor. Doesn't matter where you're from."
Cal and Bundo signed the necessary papers, then she drove down to the dock.
"Permission to come aboard?" She called from the bottom of the gangway.
"What do you mean?" Paul came to the rail. "She's your ship."
"Not anymore." Cal pushed back the tears threatening to fall.