Weddings of the Century: A Pair of Wedding Novellas(5)

"Correct. In fact, she was a poor Devonshire girl who spent time with the Gypsies, then married a sailor and picked up some Arabic and Malay from him. When he left her, she went off her head and started thinking she was a displaced Asiatic princess."

"An interesting tale, but what has that to do with you?"

Dominick grinned wickedly. "She became quite famous. Experts on primitive cultures came to study her and try to deduce her origins. People would have paid to see her, I imagine."

Renfrew's brows shot up. "You're hoping to lure Sir William Mayfield out to see you?"

"Exactly. From what you learned about the Mayfields, it would be almost impossible to communicate with Roxanne while she is at home, but Sir William would take her with him to investigate an interesting savage." Dryness entered his voice. "I gather that he needs her to take his notes and bring him tea."

"So you're going to walk into the middle of Plymouth dressed like that, and hope that Sir William and his daughter will come racing to meet you," Renfrew said with heavy sarcasm.

"Actually, I have a Polynesian canoe in the hold, and I'm going to paddle it onto a nearby beach." Dominick chuckled. "Let people think that I sailed her all the way from the Pacific. That will bring my quarry in a hurry. Sir William is particularly interested in ancient navigators, I believe. He had a variety of theories, most of them wrong."

"You don't look like any Polynesian I ever met. They don't usually run to beards, their features are shaped differently, and I certainly never saw one with gray eyes."

"How many Britons would know that? No one can prove that I didn't come from an island that hasn't been discovered yet." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "I'll give the experts a dash of Tahiti, a dollop of Sandwich Islands, perhaps a pinch of Samoa, and have them gibbering with confusion. "

"It might work," Renfrew admitted, "though you'll freeze if you prance around in a loincloth in this climate."

"I'll wear my feather cloak if I feel cold," the other man said blithely. "It's most impressive."

Renfrew's eyes narrowed. "'Fess up, Dominick. You didn't invite me here merely so I could admire your clever plan."

"Quite right." Dominick smiled wickedly. "There will be a stir when I'm discovered. Since you live in the area and have traveled widely, it would be quite reasonable for you to come see the wild man. I'll speak a garble of Polynesian languages, and you will profess to be able to understand some of what I say. With the distinguished Sir George Renfrew to certify my savage self, no one will doubt me." He stroked his wild black beard. "In fact, I shall become greatly attached to you and refuse to leave your side. You will become my keeper and protector."

Renfrew's jaw dropped. "Damnation, Dominick, I've turned respectable! Don't try to draw me into one of your mad starts. We're not at Cambridge anymore."

Dominick looked down his aquiline, un-Polynesian nose. "Not respectable. Stuffy. Hard to believe you're the same man who drove a herd of wild pigs through a Jamaican ball after the governor snubbed you."

"He deserved it." Renfrew tried vainly to repress a smile. "It was a most juvenile prank."

"But amusing." Dominick's face became serious. "This is truly important to me, George. I will be eternally grateful if you help. You're the only man I can trust in such a scheme."

Suddenly uncomfortable, Renfrew stared down at his glass, swirling the brandy. He'd been in a bad spot once in Hong Kong, and Dominick had pulled him through it. His friend would not mention that. He didn't have to.

"Very well, I'll help if you wish," Renfrew said slowly. "But are you really sure about doing this? I gather that you fell in love with Miss Mayfield before you left England, but that was a long time ago. You're not the same person now. You may be setting yourself up for a crushing disappointment.''

"Don't think I haven't considered that," Dominick said soberly. "It's true that we were both very young. But there was something between us that was timeless. I believe that it will still be there is I have a chance to meet Roxanne. I must do this."

Renfrew sighed. "Very well. Bring on the canoe!"





Chapter 3





Sir William Mayfield folded his newspaper and laid it next to his breakfast plate. "The coddled eggs were overcooked, Roxanne, and the braised kidneys were dry."

She glanced up from buttering her toast. "I'm sorry, Papa. Shall I order more for you?"

"There isn't time today, but see that the cook does better tomorrow." He peered over his half spectacles. "Fetch your bonnet and notebook. We're going to see a primitive curiosity."

It was typical of him to overlook the fact that she had scarcely touched her breakfast, but it was easier to obey than to continue eating. She laid down her knife and got to her feet. "Very well, Papa. What sort of curiosity?"

"A savage who appears to have sailed here from the Pacific."

"Is that the fellow they're calling the Wild Man of the West Country?" she asked with interest. "I read about him yesterday in the Plymouth newspaper."

"You shouldn't waste your time reading such rubbish. However, that is the nickname that the vulgar have attached to the brute." Mayfield permitted himself a thin smile. "Admittedly there is a certain logic to it. He is certainly wild, and quite unlike any creature ever before seen in this part of the world."