A Flower for the Queen: A Historical Novel Read Online Free PDF

additional upper deck! ”
    “If we are to bring back the world, we cannot bring it back in the carpenter’s storeroom, my Lord. But then I suppose you would need to be a man of science to understand,” Banks replied witheringly.
    “A ‘personal orchestra comprising four musicians with room for luggage and instruments’,” Lord Sandwich began to read out loud from one of the documents on the desk. “‘Stowage and provisions for a dozen hunting hounds’?”
    He paused, and then flung the paper onto the table. “It does not take a man of science to see that you do not wish to bring back the world so much as to take the world with you!”
    “The ship did almost capsize in sea trials, Joseph,” Cook interjected in a kind and patient tone.
    “And how many times did we almost capsize in the middle of the ocean on the Endeavour ?” Banks shot back, sounding proud of the achievement and indignant at the same time.
    “Yes, but that was in the middle of a typhoon over one of the deepest oceans on earth, not on a fine summer’s day in a gentle breeze, cruising the Thames at low tide.”
    “You know the expedition is plagued with enough problems as it is,” Lord Sandwich continued in a voice that suggested the end of the matter was fast approaching. “Let’s just hope we will be able to leave next month as planned. I am sure that Mr Forster and his son will do a splendid job in your absence.”
    Banks gave a last exasperated sigh in defeat as Lord Sandwich remained implacable.
    “None the less, in recognition of your service and assistance so far, I am more than happy to provide passage to the Cape for …?” Lord Sandwich’s question hung in mid-air as he regarded Masson for the first time.
    “Francis Masson, at your service, my Lord,” Masson replied, still stunned.
    “Exactly. Well, I believe my business here is finished, and so I bid you all a good day. Sir Joseph, Captain Cook.” Lord Sandwich picked up his cane and hat and left.
    Beaten, Banks walked to the window and waited, leaving the rest of the men to fidget in silence until, at last, Lord Sandwich’s carriage moved out of Crane Court before turning onto Fleet Street, the clattering of horses hooves and the sounds of the coachman’s encouragements clearly audible in the sullen quiet that had befallen the room. From the look on Bank’s face, Masson wondered if he wasn’t willing the carriage to explode and as desperate as Masson was to set the record straight, he judged that this would not be the right moment.
    “Mr Boulton,” Banks said at last, redirecting his fury to his portly assistant, “Would you care to enlighten me as to the criteria by which you selected Mr Masson?”
    “By elimination, sir.”
    “Clearly. But on what basis did you eliminate the others?”
    “On the basis that they failed to find their way to the interview, sir.” Boulton’s face had turned the same colour as his stock. Banks’s only visible reaction was a single raised eyebrow; Cook could only chuckle and shake his head.
    Banks turned and walked over to examine Masson, as if trying to assign him to an appropriate scientific taxonomy. After circling twice, he looked Masson square in the face and asked, “Can you dissect a plant and collect its seeds?”
    “If I may speak, sir,” Masson started, before pausing as Boulton coughed urgently. Masson turned to see a look of blind panic on Boulton’s face, and his resolve faltered. When he turned back, he found Banks looking at him expectantly.
    “I can, sir.”
    “Are you familiar with the methods of Linnaeus?”
    “I am, sir.”
    “Have you travelled a great deal?”
    “Would that be within the British Isles or beyond, sir?”
    “Beyond, naturally.”
    “Not a great deal, sir. In fact, not at all.”
    “Not at all …” Banks repeated, turning from Masson to Bolton, who braced himself for a verbal onslaught.
    The room fell silent as Banks took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
    “Were you really