Chapter 46
White Cliffs Island
After Rose and Serafina dried off and donned new tunics and pantaloons they were led into the library where Henry had tea and bread with honey set out on a clean white tablecloth.
Tristan stood waiting before an open window. "I apologize for the men's clothing. We have no women on the island."
Rose laughed. "I may look a fright, I do not know, but I have to admit I find the clothes quite comfortable."
"I assure you, you do not look a fright," Tristan replied. "Men's clothing can not disguise beauty such as yours."
Rose blushed. "Surely you are only being kind."
"Not in the least. Henry has made tea and laid out bread and honey for us."
"Yes, I noticed," Rose said.
Tristan tensed and he stared at Rose's eyes. "You noticed?"
Rose smiled. "I smelled the tea—jasmine, is it not? And the bread smells fresh from the oven. Delicious."
Tristan took a deep breath and relaxed again. "Your sense of smell is finely tuned. What else have you noticed?"
"Someone here loves flowers as I do. I feel the breeze from the open window. It carries the fragrant mist of jacaranda blossoms." Rose lifted her chin as she breathed in the air. "I sense the nutty fragrance of ginger and the lemony aroma of plumeria." Her nose gave one final twitch. "And the spicy scent of orchids."
"Amazing! Simply amazing!" Tristan gushed.
"And I smell books. Lots of books. Are we in a library?"
"We are! But how would you know the smell of books?"
"I love books. My father used to read aloud to me before he died. I treasure that memory from my youth."
"I will read to you while you have your tea," Tristan declared.
"But we have already put you to so much trouble," Rose argued.
"Not at all—it would be my pleasure to do so. I, too, love books."
Serafina sat back, unnoticed, with her tea and bread while Tristan read aloud with great flair. Rose curled her feet under her, much as though she were reliving a childish pleasure, and listened attentively.
After the tea was drunk and two poems read aloud, Serafina broke the spell of enchantment in the room.
"You have been most kind, Sir, to treat us as visitors rather than trespassers. I suppose we should see to rescuing our boat and getting back to Manoa."
Tristan seemed alarmed. "Not so soon, surely." He looked about with a worried face, perhaps searching for the reason they must delay. "You have not yet seen the island," he decided, finally, as the reason. "We have a great many species of birds here. Perhaps you would like a tour?"
Rose seemed as anxious to stay as Tristan was to keep her there. "I do enjoy the songs of birds. If you were to act as guide, you might describe the birds we are hearing."
"I could certainly do that. We have an uncommon number of birds that nest here on White Cliffs," Tristan said, eager to be of service.
Serafina stood up and then sat back down. "Would you mind terribly if I were to stay here and rest instead? I am afraid the day's excitement has been too much for my old body."
"I have been selfish," Rose announced. "I will stay and care for you."
"No, please. I will feel better if I am allowed a nap. That is all I need to feel restored," Serafina insisted.
"If you are quite sure, then, we will leave you to your rest," Rose said.
The tour of the island lasted the remainder of the day. Tristan and Rose returned at sunset, walking hand in hand along the beach. They entered the house where Serafina waited, dressed in her original clothes, now cleaned and dried by Henry. She had Rose's clothes in hand.
Serafina stood as the two entered the house. "The guards have rescued our sailboat. I believe if we leave now, we can make Manoa before it is completely dark."
Tristan shook his head. "No, I will not hear of it. That would be much too dangerous. You will both spend the night. We have plenty of room. Tomorrow we will make arrangements." He hesitated a few seconds before asking, "Will anyone be concerned if you do not return tonight?"
Rose and Serafina both shook their heads and Tristan seemed relieved. "Then it is settled."
Henry apologized for the dinner, saying he was low on supplies since he had missed his usual trip to the marketplace. Everyone assured him that the dinner of fish and island grown bananas and squash was wonderful.
Rose and Tristan talked of books and flowers and the birds that nested on White Cliffs. The meal and wine lulled them into quiet conversation, but both were reluctant to leave the cozy setting. Only after Serafina began to yawn did they finally head for their rooms to sleep.
The next morning Serafina woke early and went for a walk around the small island. Portions of the island were steeped in white guano, the compacted bird droppings that made such a good fertilizer and more to the point—could be processed to make the white powder for exploding arrows. She judged the island could supply Henge's needs for many years. Half way around the island she saw a small cove that offered a good mooring. This would be the site of her fertilizer factory.
At breakfast that morning, Serafina watched as Tristan and Rose fell deeper and deeper in love with one another.
"Your island flowers are so lush. Do you use the bird droppings as fertilizer in your garden?" Serafina asked.
"Yes," Tristan replied absently. "We used to sell it to growers."
Serafina leaned forward, interested. "Perhaps we could purchase a little to take back to Manoa with us. Rose grows flowers herself and I keep an apothecary garden."
"You may have all you want for free," Tristan replied.
Serafina gave a small bow with her head. "You are most kind. I could gather a little now and we would still be able to leave before lunch."
"No, please take your time. Have one of the guards help you. Henry is already planning a lunch for all of us. You must stay."
Lunch was followed by another reading session in the library. Another walk along the beach brought them to yet another dinner together and another night as guests of the island.
On the third day, there seemed a need on Rose's part to assess her situation. "We must leave today," she told Tristan. "My flower garden will need watering and tending, and my customers will wonder what has become of me." She seemed a little sad to think of leaving.
"But I have grown so fond of your company," Tristan protested. "Is there no way you could stay a little longer?"
Serafina seized the opportunity. "Why do you not stay a few more days, Rose. I will look in on your flower garden and open your shop. It will give me something to do until I return north. I am not anxious to go fishing again. Perhaps I could sell a little fertilizer as well to make up the losses your shop will have sustained."
Rose laughed. "I could not let you do my work for me. It is my responsibility."
Serafina shook her head and patted Rose's hand. "I insist. It would be a vacation for me to try something new. If all goes well, I will return for more fertilizer."
"But, this is impossible," Rose said. "I can not take advantage of Tristan's kindness more than I already have."
Tristan put his hand on Rose's shoulder. "It would be a kindness to me if you stay just a little longer."
As Serafina sailed her small craft back to Manoa she guessed a wedding between her island love birds to be no more than a few days' wait. This would give her the same amount of time to experiment with methods of extracting the precious white powder from the fertilizer she carried in the boat's hold.
Princess Electra Book 4 School of Medicine Page 48