Secrets of the Dragon Tomb by Patrick Samphire Page A

cough. Olivia was the most proper person I’d ever met, and this was her equivalent of laughing out loud and pointing a finger at him. I agreed with her. Sir Titus was one of those admirers, the ones who’d fled the moment they found out Mama’s father had gambled away his fortune and her dowry with it. Sir Titus’s father’s business sounded like a convenient excuse.
    â€œWell.” Mama cleared her throat. “You are returned to us now. I trust you will stay for our garden party this afternoon? It wouldn’t be the same without you. The famous Sir Titus Dane. What an honor that would be. We would be the envy of the neighborhood.”
    â€œOh, do stay,” Jane cooed, and turned her wide falling-in-love eyes upon him, even though Sir Titus must have been as old as Papa. “I would adore hearing of your adventures, sir.”
    â€œI fear not,” Sir Titus said, “although it is with many regrets. I have already intruded enough, arriving like this without word. But my business carries me to Mars so infrequently that, when I found myself in the area, I could not resist the temptation of taking a slight diversion to pay my respects to one of my dearest friends—”
    â€œSir Titus!” Mama giggled, sounding like Jane at her most infatuated.
    â€œHowever, I have appointments to keep tomorrow, to the north of here, that may detain me for several weeks, and I cannot honorably postpone them. It is enough that I have been able to … satisfy my curiosity, renew a dear acquaintance, and”—here he looked directly at Jane—“make new, equally delightful, acquaintances.” He paused and raised a finger to his lips, his brow furrowing. “Although.” He smiled. “It does now occur to me. It may be that I can charter a private airship to carry me north. If so, I may be able to attend at least part of your party.”
    â€œOh, yes!” Mama and Jane fluttered together.
    â€œSir Titus, you do us a great honor,” Mama added. “A great, great honor.”
    â€œThen I shall see what I can do.” He stood, and the rest of us stood with him. “I have trespassed upon your time long enough. If I am able, I shall return at noon. If not, I can but hope that my business in the north will soon be completed and that I may impose upon your hospitality again before I return to Earth.”
    *   *   *
    As soon as Sir Titus had taken his leave, Mama said, “Mrs. Adolpho and Mrs. Cartwright must be told that Sir Titus Dane called upon us. As must Lady Ashville. If he is not able to return this afternoon, it will be of the greatest importance. But how to let them know without seeming boastful?”
    A frown creased her forehead. Then she noticed the rest of us standing there. “What on Mars are you all standing about for? We have a garden party to prepare, and we have lost too much time. Olivia! See to the automatic servants, then check the tables. They must be suitably positioned in the shade, but not so far that they cannot observe the goings-on and be observed in turn. Oh dear, one just cannot expect the laborers to get it right. And tell the automatic servants to take away breakfast. We have no time for it this morning.”
    I stared at her as my stomach growled angrily. Mama ignored me.
    â€œJane,” she said. “You must get dressed. Together, we shall shine over this party like twin stars in the heavens.”
    â€œPapa has canceled the garden party,” I said.
    â€œEdward! Please do not talk such nonsense. We are too busy.”
    I shrugged. Papa couldn’t say I hadn’t tried. If he wanted to attempt to persuade Mama himself, he was more than welcome. If he succeeded, it would be a first.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?” I asked.
    Mama looked at me like I was covered in bugs. “ Do? You are a young gentleman, Edward! You are not supposed to do anything. Just … try