On the day of our departure, Li seemed to have finally begun to relax. I had worried all week for her, but she said that Leo talked to her.
“He talked about the people and they sound strange, but I am not frightened by them. Really, what is there that I could do to change everyone’s mind about going?” she told me as we made our way to the port.
“You will be delighted by the plantation house, I’m sure. There are also several English families who live on the land to work it and manage the crop while I am away. It will not seem so unfamiliar with the presence of a few fellow Brits,” said Julian.
Celia and Lord Hilbourne saw us off from the port. Celia teared up as she said her goodbyes and made us promise to write often, even though she knew that a letter would take a long time to arrive.
“We will write from every port,” Leo told her. He was the last to kiss her, and we waved our farewell when the ship began to move. I was surprised to find myself a little anxious now that Li was so much calmer. Celia was my anchor for some time, and I was leaving her behind. Looking over my shoulder to where she stood drying her eyes, I smiled at her. She smiled back through her tears, and I turned away before I allowed myself to cry as well.
* * *
The ship was surprisingly comfortable. Leo and Li’s rooms were joined to ours by a single door, and Bernadine and Fleur shared a small room on the opposite side. Once we were settled in, we went up on deck to take in the air and meet with the people who would be our companions for the long voyage. It was a calm afternoon, and the sea was rocking us gently side to side.
Immediately, two men began to walk toward us and it was apparent that they were acquainted with Julian. The first man looked about Lord Hilbourne’s age, but he was a bit more stout and had a rather large mustache. The other was certainly older than Julian, but it did not seem the difference was many years.
“Julian! Leo! I did not expect to see you here, young man, and your brother as well, no doubt.” The older man shook hands vigorously with Julian and then Leo.
“What a coincidence,” the younger gentleman said and then surveyed Li and myself.
“Allow me to introduce my wife, Tamsin,” Julian said, and the surprise was obvious on both the faces of the men.
“And this is Leo’s wife, Liesl.” The men bowed to us, the younger of the men kissing my and Li’s hands consecutively. Julian continued and introduced the gentlemen to us.
“Sir Rupert Hammond and his son Mr. Rex Hammond.”
I saw Leo talking to Li, so I leaned in, and he was telling her that the Hammonds were responsible for some of the spice imports that came to London from Asia.
“Well, my boys,” Sir Hammond said, “it seems I saw you only eight months ago in London, and you’ve made it a quick business of finding and securing wives. You might consider teaching my son a little something about your secret?” We all laughed, including Rex, noting that the man was evidently known for a rake.
“Will you be coming along all the way to Cochin?” Julian asked. Cochin was the port where we would disembark for Punam.
“Of course, and then we shall continue on to China. We’ve the grave business of expanding,” he said, laughing. It was a robust laugh that made us all smile along with him.
“I wonder you did not let me know you would be traveling to Punam Estate, we might have made plans to stay a while in India,” said Rex.
“Surely you can make room in your busy schedule for a few weeks at the Full Moon, you know that you are both always welcome,” Julian said, and Leo nodded.
“We shall see, my boy,” Sir Hammond said and then turned to face Li and me.
“So, this will be your first time in India, Mrs. Hilbourne? And Mrs. Hilbourne... My, that will get confusing, don’t you think?” he smiled.
“Well, seeing as we will be spending the next few months in one another’s company, I think it would be acceptable to use first names. You are both Mr. Hammond, after all,” I said.
“I do believe you have a good idea, there,” Rex said.
“Can we all agree?” There was a chorus of yes, and I saw Li explaining to Leo.
We were talking for a while when the Captain walked up to us. I was surprised that Julian made no mention of being already acquainted with him as well, but I suspected that it was not as much of a coincidence as the Hammonds being onboard. He was introduced as Captain Marcato. He was tall, towering over even Julian, with broad shoulders and olive complexion. When he spoke, he did not hide his Italian accent. Captain Marcato was also not a man of decorum, because before the introductions were even finished he was talking to Li and me, who he seemed far more interested in than those he already knew.
“Signoras, you are enjoying the sea?” he asked in his thick Italian accent.
“We are fortunate to have favorable weather, today.” He used big, exaggerated hand gestures when he spoke, making the most menial conversation seem terribly important.
“Oh yes, it has been pleasantly calm, so far,” Li said, happily.
“Not to worry, though. Should the water become rough, you will be safe on the
The Corragioso
. She is built to handle just about anything and what she can’t, I do not put her through,” he said.
“That’s very comforting,” I replied looking significantly at Li, hoping that this would calm her fears a little more.
We were on deck for a long time mixing with the people who were muddling about. I felt free of the bounds of my past the farther away we got from home.
* * *
When we went back down to our rooms, I called for Fleur. After a moment, I stepped over to the door that led to her and Bernadine’s small room and opened the door. Fleur sat on the edge of the bed, and Bernadine lay beneath the blankets with a cloth on her forehead.
“Oh Lady Tamsin! I’m so sorry! She’s been taken ill. Seasick, I think.” Fleur stood as she spoke, Bernadine grumbling behind her.
“That’s all right, Fleur. I just wanted to ask after you both, but I can see that Bernadine is in a terrible state. Can I help?” I asked.
“Ma’am, there ain’t nothin’ anyone on this ship can do. I’ll be waitin’ it out fer the good Lard to make me better.” Bernadine said.
Julian came up behind me and leaned against the doorframe.
“I know that it probably doesn’t feel it, but you might go up on deck for some cool air. That always does the trick for me,” he said.
“Would they allow us on deck? It’s not improper?” asked Fleur sincerely.
“Of course not!” I said. “If someone gives you any trouble, just tell them you were given permission.”
Bernadine began to rise, Fleur helped her from the covers, and they slowly walked toward the door. As they passed by me, I looked at Fleur.
“Fleur, that special permission... it's good for this entire trip.” I smiled at her.
“Yes, Ma’am.” She smiled back, and I could see that despite having to take care of Bernadine, she was excited for the voyage and to be able to stand up on deck and look out on the sea.
* * *
We were all settling into life on the boat. Li was passed her fear and even when the waves became large, rocking the boat hard and rolling the things in our rooms from wall to wall, she only panicked for a minute until Leo calmed her. It was over within an hour and the rest of our journey to the first port was pleasant, indeed. Bernadine recovered her sea legs within a few days, and Fleur and I were both relieved. She did not care to spend much time up on deck, though, because seeing no land made her feel lost. I wondered if it was wise of me to bring her, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea to separate her from her niece, who was a surprisingly adventurous person.
I sometimes asked Fleur to stroll with me on deck. One afternoon, we climbed the stairs and the air was wonderful, definitely the warmest day we experienced at sea, so far. We were talking about Portugal, where we would be stopping for a while within the week. Captain Marcato came up to us.
“Ah, Signora Hilbourne, how radiant you look!” he said with his dramatic Italian accent, taking my hand. Fleur blushed even though it was my hand he was holding.
“The weather is wonderful today, don’t you think?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m sure it will stay this way all the way to Portugal. How lucky we are!” he said and then turned to Fleur, who seemed just tiny standing before the Captain. He took her hand and kissed it, making her cheeks even more red.
“Will you introduce me to your friend?” the Captain asked.
“Of course, how terrible of me. This is Fleur... She is a close friend.” I’m sure it was easy to see that she was my ladies maid, but he did not comment on it, and he did not seem like the kind of man who would notice a person’s station based on their clothing, or even care. He walked with us for a long while, until one of the crew came to him and asked for his assistance, so he excused himself and tilted his hat to us.
When I looked at Fleur, she was flushed, and I realized that she did not have many interactions with men. Bernadine was unnecessarily protective of her, just as she was with me. I smiled inwardly thinking of how bright red Fleur was when he kissed her hand. She was sweet and so innocent, it was no wonder she reacted that way, having been brought up by a woman who watched both her mother and half-sister sharing their beds with many unsavory men. Bernadine only wanted better for Fleur, and I did not blame her.
* * *
Portugal was a remarkable and exotic place. As the boat approached the port of Lisbon, Li, Leo, Julian and I stood leaning on the rail of the deck. There were many white buildings with colorful roofs dotting the hills. Julian told us of the recent political turmoil surrounding the King of Portugal, who was in Brazil with the royal family. The people were demanding that he be returned to his throne. The Captain told us that it would still be safe for us in Lisbon, where we would spend the next few weeks.
The Hammonds offered us rooms in their mansion, which was a small way out of town. Julian told me that the Hammonds had a home in every port along the way to Asia, because they never knew how long they would be spending in each place before moving on to their next destination. We graciously accepted their offer, and Rex told us that we would be far more comfortable than at the inn we originally planned to stay in while there.
We alighted from the boat, Fleur and Bernadine in tow. The streets were filled with bustling people dressed in brightly colored clothes. We passed through a market where Julian told us to mind our things, but the people there seemed so lovely calling out greetings to us all in Portuguese.
There was a group of small children who followed us for a long time. A thin little girl came up to me, walking backwards, she looked up into my face and spoke.
“
Seu cabelo está pegando fogo!
” she said, and I heard Julian’s laugh beside me, and I turned to look at him as the girl ran off.
“What are you laughing about?” I asked.
“She said that your hair is on fire.” Julian was giggling as he said it. I threw my head back as well, but it appeared that no one else noticed because the market was so loud to walk through. I did not know he spoke the language of Portugal, and I wondered what else about him I was unaware of.
A man came up to us then, holding a beautiful green fabric with gold flowers embroidered into it. He was speaking loudly and fast, and Julian asked him a question, I gathered it was the price. The man holding the fabric nodded to me as he spoke and Julian smiled. I was frustrated that he was not translating for me. I saw that Li was in a similar situation with Leo and Rex on either side of her, but it was with an old woman, and she held a bright blue fabric with silver birds scattered all over it. Rex appeared to be doing most of the talking, and Li looked up to see my face and we exchanged a smile. She had forgotten her fears and was enjoying the bustling city of Lisbon in spite of herself.
Julian went back and forth with the man a moment longer, then he finally handed the man a small bag of coin to which the man bowed several times, handing over the beautiful fabric.
“For you,” he said, and he went to pass it back to Fleur but she and Bernadine were nowhere to be seen. We somehow managed to lose them in the crowd. I immediately became worried. Julian called to the rest of our group walking ahead and they came back. We stood together skimming the faces that rushed by but we could not see them.
“Stay here.” Julian handed me the bolt of fabric and walked away with Leo, leaving us with the Hammonds.
“Not to worry, they’ll be sure to find your girl straight away,” Rupert said, comforting me. Li’s eyes were darting around, and I could see that she was growing nervous without Leo by her side, so I put my arm through hers while we looked around for Bernadine and Fleur. It was only a few minutes later when Li patted my hand and pointed into the crowd.
“There! It’s Captain Marcato, and he has both Fleur and Bernadine with him!” The relief must have shown in my face as I saw the Captain, standing taller than anyone else in the crowd.
“You see! I told you they’d turn up,” said Rupert.
“I believe you lost something?” the Captain said as he came closer. Fleur was smiling but Bernadine seemed flustered.
“The Captain found us no sooner than we realized we were lost. It was such luck!” said Fleur, looking up at him, blocking the sun with her hand.
“That is lucky! I cannot thank you enough for bringing them back to us. I don’t know what I would do without them,” I said graciously.
“I can see the importance of having such a companion,” he said looking down at Fleur. Bernadine cut into the conversation.
“Thank yeh, Sir, but I think that’s all the assistance we’ll be needin’.”
“Mrs. Sharp!” I said in shock at Bernadine’s rudeness. It was the first time since I was a little girl that I called her by her family name. She looked wounded by the anger in my voice.
“Apologies, Cap’n. I meant no harm. This place ‘as me all out of sorts,” she said, frowning.