Authors: Janelle Taylor
When the persistent Daniel Grey came calling that following afternoon, a sullen Tessa civilly sent him on his way with the lie that Alex wasn’t home at present. When Tessa returned to Alex’s room, she was giggling like a young girl as she came forward to relate the humorous scene below delighting in turning away a handsome and wealthy suitor.
“He surely be determined to have ye, Mum. He be planning to call again after dinner. He said to give ye this package.”
Alex scowled in displeasure at the news of another appearance by that irritating rake with the wandering, groping hands. “You’d think after three pinches, two slaps, and several refusals he would get the idea I cannot tolerate him! However shall I discourage him, Tessa?” she declared her vexation. “What bribe has he sent this time?” she asked, taking the package wrapped in scented paper. “First flowers, then lace kerchiefs, now what?” she ventured as she ripped open the unwanted gift.
When she lifted the top to the box, her eyes widened in surprise. “Look at this, Tessa!” she squealed in astonishment. “Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a diamond and emerald bracelet?”
“My, oh my, Mum,” Tessa murmured in wistful approval of the expensive gift. “’Tis real jewels, I do believe. He be lining his trap with treasures,” Tessa
enviously concluded, eying the wealth before her greedy gaze.
“You’re right, Tess. A trap for sure,” she readily agreed. She hastily closed the box and handed it to her servant. “Please wrap this and have it returned to Mister Grey this afternoon.”
“Ye be returning it?” Tessa shrieked in disbelief. Was her haughty mistress daft!
“Certainly! I couldn’t possibly accept such a costly present from a man I dislike immensely. Besides, he would surely attempt to collect some reward in exchange for it. Nothing comes free, Tessa dear, not even love,” she warned, patting her tummy again to stress her point. “Everything has some price. And I’m not willing to pay Mister Daniel Grey’s!” she asserted contemptuously.
“But ye be leaving soon, Mum. How can he collect if ye be gone?” she tempted her mistress to keep the exquisite bracelet which was of great value and beauty, hoping it would cause trouble.
“That wouldn’t be proper, Tessa. Please return it to Mister Grey, and I don’t want to hear it mentioned again.” She turned and left the room, totally dismissing Daniel and the gift.
Tessa gazed down at the lovely bracelet which was worth so much money. Since Lady Alexandria was leaving in a few days, she would never know if the bracelet never found its way back home…Thinking of how much money could be made from its sale, she smiled and placed the bracelet in her pocket.
Humming cheerfully, she collected the wrapping paper and left the room.
That afternoon raced by in a flurry of plans and decisions. Uncle Henry informed Alex, “The
Sea Star
is the only ship leaving port within the next few days heading for England. Captain Thackery assured me you will be safe under his protection. He’s agreed to let you use the first mate’s quarters for a hefty purse. I’ve gotten you a perfect disguise and you must wear it at all times.”
As he withdrew the garments from a large package, Alex placed her hand over her mouth to prevent her giggles from spilling forth. “You expect me to travel to England dressed like that?” she mocked his careful plans in unleashed merriment.
“Most assuredly, my dear. Don’t you ever leave your cabin dressed any other way! Under the circumstances, it would be seemly if you remained in your cabin as much as possible. For certain, this should protect you from amorous seamen. The
Sea Star
crew didn’t have any leave this port, so those men will be looking for any diversion. Please, Alex, don’t tempt them to forget you’re a lady and a well-paying traveller,” he warned, his expression grave.
“I’ve given you my promise to be good and careful. I won’t entice a single man. But I can’t remain in a stuffy, dingy cabin for weeks on end. I’ll wear this…disguise every time I leave it,” she vowed, then laughed as she studied the clothing which he had provided for her protection.
“I know this isn’t much warning, but Thackery sails with the morning tide. He wants you on board by nightfall. I just wish Tessa could travel with you,” he grumbled.
“I will not be cooped up with a woman throwing up every few minutes! If I’m to be confined to my cabin, then let it be alone. I’ll take several of your books along to keep my mind occupied,” she stated.
Henry went to call Tessa to help Alex with her final packing. Alex looked around the room for one last time. This trip had been good for her. She had savored life and freedom for a short time. She was torn between remaining here to protect that freedom and returning home to prevent a lengthy separation by war. Would she be able to stall her father’s plans for an arranged marriage? If not, she would check out every available bachelor in England and select the best one! But first, she might see if she could locate the mysterious man by the pond…
“Forget it, Alex! That’s sheer madness,” she cautioned herself.
“What’s sheer madness?” her uncle questioned from the doorway.
Caught by surprise, she whirled and glanced sheepishly at him. She lied most convincingly, “To find the perfect man when I return home. You know Papa insists I be wed before this year’s out. I was just preparing myself to settle for the second best man,” she wretchedly stated.
“You’re finally talking intelligently, my dear girl.
I’m proud of you. Charles only wants the best for his only daughter,” he remarked fondly.
“I know, Uncle Henry. But is marriage to some stranger really the best for me? What about love?” she protested miserably, her nerves tensing at the idea of marriage and her trip home.
“Love comes with time, Alex, not at first or even second sight,” he admonished his romantic niece.
Doesn’t it? she mentally argued. If not, how could she explain these crazy feelings about Stephen? She cursed this magical spell he had cast over her heart and body. She cursed the nights she had awakened longing for him and those wild passions he had unleashed. Why was life so cruel and demanding? Why couldn’t she marry a man she could love and desire?
“Alex?” her uncle called her from her dreamy state. “Is something troubling you?” he probed.
She forced a buoyant smile to her lips and shook her head of tawny curls. “I’m just fine. I’ll be ready to leave shortly. I promise to come again when the war’s over.”
“I doubt your new husband will permit you to leave his side so soon.”
“You sound as if you think America will win this conflict in a matter of months,” she snapped, then promptly apologized for her curtness.
“I fully understand. You’ve a lot on your mind. Just remember this if you leave your cabin for any reason, any reason,” he stressed, tapping the hat.
Henry called two of his servants to take her baggage
to the waiting carriage. Alex completed her disguise and turned to face him. “Well?” she inquired, twirling before him like a dancing doll.
“Excellent! You should be perfectly safe if you practice caution.”
Arm-in-arm they left her bedroom and walked down the steps and out the front door. Henry helped her into the carriage and waited for her to situate herself before telling the coachman to head for the dock. They travelled in near silence, each absorbed in thought.
Within a mile of the port, Henry leaned over to whisper his final warnings to her, “Don’t forget, Alex; no one must learn your real name or see those messages stitched to your petticoat. They’re innocent enough, but they could be misconstrued. At the first sign of trouble, get rid of that petticoat. And tell no one your name. Understand?” he entreated gravely.
“Why, Uncle Henry? If trouble came about, wouldn’t it be wiser if I told them I was the daughter of Lord Charles Hampton? Surely that would halt any problems?” she quietly reasoned, confused by his caution.
“No, you mustn’t,” he instantly replied. “If there’s trouble on the ship, Lady Hampton would command a hefty ransom or her life could be endangered by some hot-headed loyalist. Who better to trade for information than a highborn lady? Think what foolish ideas a desperate man could get plotting ransom for you. Besides, some crude males think it sporty to ravish a lady of quality. As to those messages on your petticoat,
there’s no telling how some unscrupulous man might use them against me or your father. Why, they might call such messages treason,” he boldly hinted.
“Treason? But what do they say?” she curiously inquired.
“Nothing of interest or concern to you or the Motherland, dear. Just some vital business facts for Charles’s use. Still, other shippers wouldn’t take kindly to such a trade of critical information. If you wish to protect both mine and your father’s business interests and reputations, destroy that petticoat if the ship is attacked.”
“Attacked? By whom?” she nervously demanded.
“I told you when you demanded this voyage home it could be dangerous. I’m referring to English scouting ships or privateers. Plus, I’m not too sure how far we can trust this Thackery. Just remain in hiding as much as possible,” he reiterated his warning for what seemed the hundredth time.
“Not to worry, Uncle Henry, I’ll do as you say: remain hidden; rid myself of this naughty petticoat; guard my name from all ears,” she merrily repeated her lists of commands, then laughed as if this were some exciting and harmless game.
“I’m not teasing, Alexandria. The seas are perilous; many men can’t be trusted. You’re a beautiful woman travelling alone. This isn’t a joking matter,” he sternly scolded her, frowning.
Alex sobered instantly at his grave expression and apprehensive mood. It seemed pointless to revoice her
promises or to offer him comfort, so she remained silent and attentive. “Tell Charles to send me word of your safe arrival as soon as possible. I’ll not sleep a wink until then.”
“How can Papa send word to America during a war?” she reasoned.
“He’ll find some way. We both know many privateers who’ll carry messages for a tidy sum of gold. Just follow my words and be careful.”
Alex sighed heavily. “Please, Uncle Henry. My ears are crowded with dire warnings and advice.”
“Just hope you find no need for any of it,” he said under his breath, but she heard him.
Alex was briefly tempted to call off her return voyage just to calm his frayed nerves, but couldn’t force herself to be that selfless. She honestly didn’t know if it was the war, her father, or Stephen who was drawing her back to England…
When the dock was in sight, Henry quickly told her to put on her hat and to get ready to follow his every suggestion. She hurriedly complied, knowing her best interests would be served. The carriage halted and Henry jumped down to help her out. She held herself erect and silent as a man clad in dingy gray pants and shirt came forward to greet them. Alex wished for a scented kerchief when he was within smelling distance. His hair was scraggly and unkempt. His beard needed a good trim. Repulsed by his stench and filth, she almost changed her mind about this untimely trip.
“Ye be Cowling?” the rangy man asked, his age indeterminable.
“Yes, and this is my sister Maria Hathaway. As you can see, she’s in mourning for her recently departed husband and only son. I pray the crew will follow my request and leave her to herself as much as possible. It was a tragic accident and she’s not quite over the shock,” Henry quickly offered his ruse and an explanation for her heavy black veils and mourning gown of midnight black.
As a pair of the bluest and gentlest eyes focused on the slender woman whom they could not see, Alex’s heart was warmed by the sympathy which she could read through the lacy material which fell from the crown of her hat to her breasts. “I be sorry fur ye misfortunes, ma’am. We’ll see kindly to’er, sir. Capt’n Thackery be a strict man, but a fair un. He’ll allow no’um to bother ye sister. I’ll see to her meals meself.”
“Thank you; you’re most kind. Take this for your extra troubles,” Henry stated, handing the man a handful of gold coins.
A bony hand gripped the cold metal tightly and thanked him profusely. “Yessir. Ye sister be in good hands,” he vowed once more. “Come, ma’am; I’ll show ye to ye cabin. Old Pete’ll let no’um trouble ye whilst ye be under my care.”
Henry and Alex embraced affectionately and slowly parted. “Take care…sister. If you need anything, ask Pete.”
With Pete holding her left arm, Alex was assisted up the slanted wooden walk to the ship. Pete hurried before her to open the door which descended into the heart of the ship. Careful not to trip, Alex slowly moved down the steps into the passageway. Pete led her to a door and opened it. He placed her baggage inside and came back to tell her she could enter.
In a muffled tone to disguise the youthful quality of her voice, she softly thanked him and closed the door. She was immediately distressed to discover the first mate’s cabin door had no lock! Glancing around the small room, she quickly lifted the room’s only chair to place it securely under the doorknob, hoping to prevent anyone from coming inside. She sighed in relief, feeling a little bit safer. Yet, she fretted over how to protect her valuables when she left this cabin.
She walked to the bunk and sat down. Panic and dejection filled her. Perhaps she should disembark and forget this wild idea. But it was too late for that; Henry had probably left by now and the streets were deserted at this time of night. If she changed her mind by morning, she could always leave at dawn before the sailing…
Alex removed her shoes and paced the floor for hours, keenly aware of the loud singing and laughter coming from below her cabin. Why was she being so cowardly? Hadn’t she ranted about wanting adventure and suspense? Surely this voyage would provide both! With her uncle’s knowledge of her presence aboard and her disguise, she would be safe. Wouldn’t she?
As time snailishly passed, her thoughts went to Daniel Grey. She grinned impishly as she envisioned his reaction to the returned bracelet. No doubt that refusal added to her hasty departure would deflate his puffed-up self-esteem!
Alex walked to the solitary porthole and peered out. She thanked her lucky star this was only mid-June. Else, how could she tolerate the summer heat of this stuffy cabin for three weeks? She observed wispy elouds as they trailed their fluffy wings across the face of the full moon and watched stars twinkle and glimmer on the indigo backdrop. Her gaze followed the moon’s pathway across the water’s dark surface. A light breeze entered the round opening and played in her amber tresses. She inhaled the heady smell of the ocean which mingled with floral hints from the nearby shore. It was such a romantic setting. How she dreaded the loneliness of this impending voyage.