Page 35 of The Gentleman's Seduction
May see what Things upon the Ice were done.
“It’s from the last fair in 1814,” he added. He kept an arm around her waist, holding her as they walked carefully over the slick ice to a strip of sand that formed a pathway toward the small town built upon the river.
A group of men stood at the edge of the ice city, and the leader held up a hand to Martin. They were dressed a little rough and a tad dingy.
“Ten shillings for you and the lady.” The man held out a box with a slot in the top to collect coins.
“Of course. Here you are. Which stalls have the best cider and beer?” Martin asked as he paid the man, and the group stepped back to allow Livvy and Martin to pass.
The man in charge of the money smiled and pointed at a stand in the middle of the first row of set up shops. “That’d be O’Malley’s Pub. Decent fellow, even if he is Irish. Best beer on the Thames.”
“Thank you.” Martin nodded at the men as they passed.
“Why did you pay them?” Livvy asked with a glance back at the men who were still guarding the entrance to the frost fair.
“Those are watermen. They usually make a living transporting people up and down the Thames, and they help the lightermen who move the goods. When the river freezes over, they lose the ability to make a living. They are in charge of the fair. All these traders here you see have paid to build stalls.” Martin pointed as they walked down the sand-and-ice avenue. Leather makers, jewelers, and even temporary pubs were all there on the ice. They were getting close to Blackfriars Bridge when a monstrous gray shape appeared at the edge of the bank of the river.
“What’s that?” Livvy pointed at the shape. As they got closer, she almost laughed as she recognized it, although she was convinced she had to be dreaming.
“An elephant! It must have come from the zoo. My God, look at it.” A boyish look of wonder and delight shone upon his face, and Livvy’s heart skipped a beat. This was the Martin she wanted to be with, the man who made her feel like she still had a future to be courted and loved and destined for a happy life.
“Come on. They’re going to have it walk upon the ice!” Martin tugged her by the hand as they raced like children for the elephant and the crowd watching it. The huge, beautiful creature was marching proudly over the ice. An Indian man in colorful clothing was smiling and encouraging the elephant to keep walking. It was one of the most magnificent things Livvy had ever seen. Her eyes burned with tears as she watched the elephant lift its trunk and touch its handler’s shoulder with affection.
“Could we get closer?” Livvy asked Martin.
“I suppose so. This way.” He led her toward the crowd until they were only half a dozen feet away.
“Sir!” Martin called out to the man leading the elephant.
The man turned their way, smiling a little he patted the elephant’s trunk. “Yes?”
“May we come closer? My…” Martin glanced at her. “My wife would like to see your magnificent beast up close.”
“Would she?” The man’s smile broadened. “Come, come, madam.” He waved Livvy closer.
She approached, spellbound by the leathery gray-skinned creature. It gazed down at her, ears flopping slowly as it raised its trunk in an inquisitive way and swayed slightly on its feet.
“May I touch it?” she asked the man.
“Yes, yes, please.” The man held out his hand to Livvy, and she came closer, only a foot away from the elephant. The elephant’s trunk touched her cloaked shoulder, and she reached up, removing her gloves so she could touch it. The skin was leathery like it appeared, yet it was also softer than she expected and covered with fine hairs. She laughed in delight when she shook the trunk the way she would someone’s hand in greeting.
“Oh look, Martin!” she called out. He was watching her from a few feet away. “Come and touch him. He’s wonderful.”
Martin shook his head. “I think I’m close enough. I saw one of these in Africa during my time in Egypt. They aren’t native to Egypt, but some gentleman of my acquaintance had insisted on them being brought there. There was one bull elephant, gigantic fellow, and he grew angry at being dragged through the sands and stomped on a man, crushing him to death.”
Livvy eyed the gentle giant beside her and sighed. “Martin, I can see his eyes. They’re so noble and full of peace. He won’t hurt you.” Livvy patted the elephant, and he flapped his ears slowly as if in agreement.
“He’s an awfully big fellow and—” Martin hedged.
“Martin, if you come over here right now, I will come to you tonight.” She made her tone quiet but very clear.
His eyes widened. “What, tonight?”
“Yes.” She’d made the decision earlier that day when she’d seen him at breakfast. She wanted to find the man she laughed with, shopped with, swapped books with.
“If I touch an elephant…” He cleared his throat. “Then…”
“Yes,” she repeated. “Now stop being so frightened.”
