Mistress of the Storm Read Online Free PDF

Cyril and IrisCutgrass and officer of the Preventative Men – waited there patiently, oblivious to the shoves and buffets of the surrounding crowd. His was not a popular or well-paid career, but Jasper had never seen that as sufficient reason not to take pride in his professional appearance. From the gleaming buttons on his jacket to his lovingly polished, if more than a little worn, boots, Jasper shone with the enthusiasm of a man whose life revolved around his employment.
    He could scarcely believe he was actually here. But he wouldn’t have missed the
Storm
’s return to Wellow for anything. From the minute he’d heard she was expected, he’d known he had to bear witness. He knew her arrival would bring enlightenment. And she was bringing the weather with her too, just like the books said.
    The heavens opened, and rain started to pour down on the crowd. Out at sea lightning struck. The
Storm
rounded the headland and the crowd let out a gasp.
    ‘The most famous of the Gentry fleet,’ Jasper breathed to himself. ‘The
Storm.
’
    He stood on the quay and gazed out in awe through the drenching rain. His woollen coat had soaked up so much water it must have been twice its usual weight. It was maddeningly uncomfortable. But Jasper Cutgrass didn’t give a damn. This was the happiest day of his life.
    Villainous Usage had also been helplessly pulled to the quay, in no little part by the iron will of his parent, MotherUsage. The Usages were the kind of family the people of Wellow crossed the street to avoid. As his mother elbowed herself a clear view of the
Storm
, Villainous trailed silently in her wake, his verminous eyes darting from observer to observer. Nobody bothered protesting: they were mesmerized by the scene taking place before them on the open sea.
    It had been a wearing day for Villainous. The rent man had turned up just as Mother was putting her key to the door. And some interfering busybody in the baker’s had the effrontery to offer her a job washing laundry. He just thanked his lucky stars the
Storm
was finally coming back to Wellow. At last he could resurrect the family business, the source of their former good fortune.
    As Mother sighted the fabled ship at last, her face took on an unaccustomed look of genuine happiness. Her greasy chins wobbled with emotion. Villainous winced as she gripped his arm in excitement. ‘She’s here, son,’ she crowed triumphantly.
    Villainous gazed at the
Storm
with reverence. He had never got beyond the basics of sailing (too cold, too wet and too much like hard work for his liking) but he knew enough to understand that the crew of the
Storm
were masters of their art. Like hounds of the sea they bayed and bellowed as they worked the vessel, clearly loving every thrilling minute of this battle with the elements.
    Mother turned to her son gleefully. He had never seen her so jubilant. ‘This is where our fortunes change,’ shepromised, stroking the shiny arm of his coat affectionately. Villainous’ weasel-thin face was set in a rictus of anticipation. The sight of his haphazard dentistry was unnerving, but Mother patted his cheek happily. Her son enjoyed the momentary affection while it lasted.
    Standing under the overhang of a quayside building, Isaac Tempest – an old man now – watched the
Storm
’s arrival with his seventeen-year-old grandson. Two generations, both unable to resist the
Storm
’s call.
    Placidly Isaac packed his pipe with tobacco. Lighting it, he drew hard until a cloud of sweet vanilla smoke surrounded them. His grandson stared out to sea, covetously admiring the skill shown by the crew of the
Storm
. His family were steeped in sailing. Without their talent and daring the Gentry could never have established their empire. But the crew of the
Storm
were more legendary still.
    ‘Don’t need to make such a show of it, do they?’ he finally blurted out in a disgruntled outburst.
    His grandfather hid a smile. ‘They can’t resist the sport,’ he