“At least there is that,” Aaron said. “We do all have the watches we enjoy here.”
“How you enjoy working in the dead of night confuses me,” Harold replied, with a smile. “But it does mean the wardroom is a bit quieter.”
“For you to dream of my sister?” Aaron teased. “I bet by the time we land, she will have gotten the grandest wedding the country has ever seen planned.”
“I don't know why,” Harold said. “I offered to just get married in Navy Headquarters, but she...”
Aaron snorted.
“Have you not known Annabelle half your life? Navy Headquarters will not suit Lady Bamber.”
“Maybe Lola wants to get married in Navy Headquarters,” Wesley mused. “It would be a quick stop, and then we could both continue our work.”
“Perhaps you should suggest that to Annabelle as a practical reason,” Harold said, although in truth, he was thrilled to be finally planning his wedding.
There was one other thing he was looking forward to, and his mind turned to it as he returned to the wardroom. Tomorrow, they were due to dock for a very special mission. In celebration of the new flagship, they were to pick up some very important guests for a special passenger sail around the bay. They weren't venturing far into the ocean, but they would be showing off their flagship, which was understaffed, to Lords, Ladies, actors, and high priced merchants. It meant that Annabelle and Lola could board for the week, and see how their lovers lived. Only Aaron's wife, Shauna, would stay behind, with their daughter. After the scare that they had in the recruitment camps, with Gwendolyn being kidnapped, Shauna had vowed that one of them would be with her at all times. Besides, it was only a week before her husband would be home for good.
It was rarely done in the navy to ever have civilian passengers, let alone women. Nevertheless, Swift Sunrise was a grand ship, and it had been built as much for war as it had been for decoration.
Tomorrow, Annabelle would be at his side, and all would be right with the world. Harold dreamed about staring into her eyes rather than listening to the captain screaming constantly.
Willcock was once sharp, and proficient. However, the captain now rambled, handed out more beatings than a drunken peasant, and rampaged. Harold wasn't even sure the captain understood his own reality at times. He seemed confused often, and yet refused to delegate any power. He liked to be told of every decision, even about shortening sail in the middle of the night for changing weather. It was nearly intolerable.
Harold tried to distract himself during the day with his duties and his friends. The captain often slept until late and so he didn't have to see him as much as the others, getting off watch just past noon. There were the officers meetings, of course, but at least the others could fortify him. Harold was just glad that their tour here would soon come to end.
His body automatically awoke with the watch bell. Five bells meant he had an hour to get up, dressed, eat, and be on deck.
He liked the hour, normally, to move slowly. He often read for a bit, swinging quietly in his hammock as his mind began to catch up to him.
Today, however, he was consumed with thoughts of last night. No other ship he had been on had taken sides such as in a war zone No other ship had the crew been so divided, over loyalty to a Captain who was a shadow of his former self. It was not a good situation.
He rose, thinking being on deck early wouldn't be bad in light of all this.
Aaron was in the wardroom common room, which surprised him. Aaron was on watch at the moment, and Harold normally relieved him. Today, he was splashing water on his face, his jacket already off.
“Aaron?” Harold questioned. “Did I over sleep?”
“No,” Aaron said, turning towards Harold. Having watched his best friend have seizures for almost 20 years, Harold had learned to automatically do a quick assessment every time he saw Aaron. More than once, these assessments had thrown him into action fast enough to catch Aaron before he cracked his skull on the deck. It was a terrible condition to have in the Navy, and an even harder condition to conceal. The fact that Aaron was retiring before he was found out as unfit was a miracle
His blue eyes were bright, there was color in his cheeks and his hands were steady, showing no signs of the telltale tremors.
“Wesley offered to relieve me, and I thought I'd take him up on it. Docking is always chaotic; I figured a few hours of sleep would help that.”
“Of course,” Harold said. “Wesley is up early.”
“Love,” Aaron winked at him. “He's been plastered to the side looking for shore since dawn. He wants to see Lola as much as I want to see Shauna.”
“Ah,” Harold replied. “I think I shall...”
“Join him?” Aaron asked. “I'm sure my sister will be pushed to the front of the crowd, waiting for you.”
“No doubt,” Harold replied. “You really are alright?”
“Yes, fine, thank you,” Aaron said. “And when we are brothers on land, will you ask that question only half a million times a day?”
“I'm sorry,” Harold shook his head. “Force of habit.”
“Go upstairs to spot Annabelle,” Aaron said. “Today is a good day, a new day. And no one has punched each other yet.”
“Well, thank goodness for small mercies,” Harold replied. Aaron laughed, and headed into his own wardroom.
Harold went by the mess hall to eat a quick breakfast. He was trying to resist the urge to inhale his food and join Wesley, squinting for the shore. He didn't want to seem like a young, overeager, love sick fool. Harold was known for being level headed, and for his calm, controlled words.
Except, he was also a young, overeager, love sick fool.
He couldn't wait any longer. Two bites before finishing his meal, he pushed it aside and bounded upstairs. Finally, Annabelle was no longer an ocean away. She was just moments away, waiting, and he would be in her arms before he knew it. This was the first day of the rest of his life.
CHAPTER TWO
LANDING
LANDING
“Is that them? Is that them? Is that them?” Gwendolyn was practically bouncing off her seat in the carriage. As Aaron's daughter, she shared many of his traits. One of them was his boundless energy. If Shauna wasn't holding onto her, she would have no doubt that Gwendolyn would try to skip across the ocean to the incoming ship.
“That is,” Shauna said. “But we have to wait in the carriage until they dock.”
“Why?” Gwendolyn whined.
“I understand you want to see him,” Shauna replied. “But you won't actually see him until the ship docks, anyways.”
“Why can't we go out?” she turned to Lola, who was sitting on her other side “We can all wait together.”
Lola smiled, glancing at Shauna. Despite the fact that Aaron was like a brother to her, she never made the mistake of parenting his child.
“Gwendolyn,” Shauna said, trying to be patient. “You know we can't go out because people recognize Lola all the time. You remember last time, how they swarmed us?”
“I thought it was rather fun,” Annabelle put in, with a smile. “All those people, suddenly waving flowers. Where do they keep the flowers, Lola?”
“Oh, in their jackets,” Lola replied. “Waiting for the moment I randomly turn up, I suppose.” She leaned against the wall of the carriage. It was quite early in the day, given that she had worked the night before. However, Lola was used to traveling on little sleep, and today was no different.
“Will you see Mr. Harper?” Gwendolyn asked Annabelle, who smiled.
“Indeed I will,” she replied. “He will be on board with the rest of us. But we will be back before you know it, Gwendolyn. A quick trip around the bay, nothing else.”
“Besides, you'll have fun with the house all to yourself, just you and I,” Shauna said. “All the servants will attend to you. You will be able to do almost anything that you want.”
“Anything?” Gwendolyn's eyes lit up. Annabelle chuckled at her niece.
“On the condition that nothing is broken and the house is still standing when we return. Promise?”
“Promise,” Gwendolyn said. “Please, can we wait outside?”
“Here,” Annabelle held out her arms. “I can take her outside, if you want. You can have a momentary break.”
“Thank you,” although they had gotten off on the wrong foot, Shauna was quick to realize that having Aaron's family help with Gwendolyn was a godsend. In addition, they never had to worry about food, money, or a roof over their head again.
Annabelle was simply happy to have someone carry out the family name for another generation. Aaron had always been sickly, and she was worried that he would never produce an heir. However, with the appearance of Gwendolyn, and a wife that he loved so dearly, she had high hopes that the Bamber line would continue.
“Come on then, Gwendolyn,” Annabelle took her out of the carriage, making sure that they stayed with their backs against it. The dock was busy, and although she knew they were safe, she still took precautions. They were still nobles, with money dripping from their clothes, from their necks, and the workers from the dock eyed it as they passed by. “Isn't it a lovely ship?”
“So big.”
“That's because it's the flagship,” Annabelle said. “Your father is considered a hero for what he did in the camps.”
“I know that,” Gwendolyn replied “I tell everyone that.”
“Do you now?” Annabelle smiled. “Well, I suppose it's a fact to be proud of.”
The ship was rather close, and it wasn't long before the dock workers sprung into action, preparing the dock for such a large ship. Gwendolyn was remarkably well behaved, and when the plank hit the dock, she waited patiently. Her eyes, however, were searching the deck.
“Lola,” Annabelle called over her shoulder. “I see Wesley.”
Wesley was hanging by the ropes, his back to the dock. He had used it for height pointing, and waving to order his men. To her delight, Harold was standing on the deck just beside him, watching and occasionally helping. She knew Wesley was being trained for direct command, so it made sense that he was giving orders. She smirked, because it looked like they had forgotten how to dock. However, the truth was that it was a much bigger ship than they were used to. It was harder to make sure everything was tied up and orderly when there was just more men, more space, more ropes.
Despite the fact that she detected they were a little out of sorts, everything looked orderly when the officers finally gathered to disembark.
The captain came off first, to the cheering crowd. He was due to give a short speech to welcome everyone and commemorate the ship, and then the passengers would board.
In an orderly fashion, the officers disembarked. Some of their wives were waiting eagerly, and Annabelle watched as they embraced them. She wanted to run up to Harold in the same way, be embraced by his strong arms and never let go. However, she raised her chin and stayed dignified, smiling when she caught his eye.
Aaron and Wesley flanked him on either side, looking tired but happy. She waited until Harold was just a foot from her, before she moved forward.
“Hello,” he took her hand and kissed it, so formal. She smiled wide, letting go of Gwendolyn only when she saw that Aaron had a grip on her. Then, she turned her full attention to Harold. They had spent so much time apart that it seemed almost surreal that they were together again. Yet, here he was, touching her, gazing into her eyes, smiling. She couldn't believe it.
“Well, hello, sir,” she played along. “Did you have a good journey?”
She fully expected him to reply with an equally playful answer. However, his face changed for a moment and she felt something dark.
“What? What was it?”
“It's nothing,” he placed a hand on her waist. “We'll speak about it later.”
“Oh,” she replied, confused. “Alright then.”
Beside her, the greetings were continuing. Aaron had his arms around Shauna now, and she watched him with a smile.
“Was he alright?” she asked Harold, who remained solemn.
“It will be good for all of us to move on in our careers, I think,” Harold replied, as he put his own arm around her waist. “But for now, all is well.”
“It doesn't seem like all is well,” Annabelle replied. “You'll tell me as soon as you can?”
“I promise that I will,” Harold said, as the captain stepped up on a podium that had been put there for him.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he bellowed, in a strong voice that only cracked a little bit with age. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the docking of the Swift Sunrise. After a test trip, we are happy to report that the flagship is ready for its first official journey. Under my direction, we will take on many dignified passengers, ahem,” He looked down at the script he was carrying. “Among those, will be, Lord Beam,” he said, and the audience applauded “Lady Annabelle Bamber, the famed actress Lola Montclair,” he went on to list many other lords, ladies, and other dignified names. It was going to be quite a full ship, and the audience seemed to be enthusiastic. Some of the men even cheered. Nevertheless, Annabelle noted that half of their faces stayed tense at the jaw, their eyes fixed on the captain, motionless.
“Sister,” Aaron said, when it was all over, finally able to greet her. “Are you ready to leave luxury behind?”
“It is a flagship,” she replied. “So I imagine it's not quite as cramped as you are making it out to be. But, I do have a question for you.”
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
“If it's about how many dresses you can bring....?”
“I was wondering that,” she said. “But I was also wondering why half your crew stares down your Captain like you'd prefer he perish.”
Aaron's eyes widened and he looked like he wanted to put a hand over her mouth.
“Annabelle!” he cried, but she only shrugged.
“If I am going to be on this ship for a week, Aaron, I want to know exactly what situation I am putting myself in.”
“You are in no danger,” he assured her. “I would not allow any of you on if I thought you were in any danger. You know that.”
“Perhaps,” she replied. “But something is wrong. I don't have to be an actress like Lola to be able to see the emotion on your faces. What's happened? When you left, you were overjoyed to be sailing with such a fine captain.”
“Aye, we were,” he said. “We were. Captain Willcock is a god among men.”
“So, what happened?” she prompted again.
“He...” Aaron tried to choose his words carefully, even while keeping his voice very low. “Has suffered the effects of age.”
“As Father did?” Annabelle asked, and Aaron sighed.
“Father was aware that he was aging and slowly gave up control,” he replied. “Before he died, I was managing half the house anyways, even from afar.”
“And the captain is not?” she asked. He shook his head, very subtly.
“But you aren't in danger, Annabelle. It's an unpleasant situation for all of us who work under him....however, this is just a trip around the bay. We aren't going to be meeting pirates, you aren't under his command. It will be alright. I just hope...he knows when it's time to retire.”
“And you?” she asked. “Are you ready for one last sail before you retire?”
“And be Lord Bamber forever?” he said, with a shrug. “It will be an interesting change. I haven't decided whether I'll miss the sea yet.”
“But, Daddy, will you miss me?” Gwendolyn threw her arms around him and both of them laughed.
“I'll only be gone a week,” he said. “And then I'll be with you all the time.”
Annabelle turned back to her fiancé, who was waiting patiently beside her. That was what she loved about Harold. He was always patient, always calm. She was energetic, full of ideas, and never willing to wait for any of it. They were opposites, and yet it made the perfect match.
“I've arrange
d for our wedding to take place in a week and three days,” she said. “You said to make all the arrangements and you would be happy to go along with it....”
“Of course I am happy,” he said. “I will be happy with anything that you suggest.”
“It's in the church,” she said. “And I've already asked the ladies to be my bridesmaids. Shauna will be a matron of honor, of course, and oh, I can't wait!” she threw her arms around him in excitement. He held her tight, and she relished in it for a moment.
However, she couldn't forget the look on their faces, and the way the men had looked at the captain, afraid and yet exhausted. What had happened when they were on board? What was she getting herself into?
The procedure for getting them aboard was a long and tedious one, and Annabelle noted how much less joyous it was than the first time the flagship had boarded them.
She was determined to enjoy this experience, this moment, this chance. However, it seemed like there was a much heavier cloud hanging over their heads than the rain that was threatening.
CHAPTER THREE
ON BOARD
ON BOARD
“We don't get to share your cabin?” Annabelle said when they were finally on board. Harold looked appalled at the very suggestion.
“No, of course not. We---”
She smiled.
“It's alright. I'm jesting. Besides, we aren't married yet. There will be plenty of time for that, in just a week.”
“Indeed,” he squeezed her hand gently, looking around the wardroom. “It's not as if this is luxury, either. I mean, it's luxury for a ship, but that's all.”
“This is luxury for a ship?” Annabelle asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Two Lieutenants, one wardroom? It's as spacious as you could get, without being the captain,” Harold said. “I have seen some ships where there are four or eight. I think this wardroom could fit that many. Perhaps after Aaron and I leave, it will have a full crew. I'm not sure the flagship is really meant for battle though.”
Saving The Lord’s Title (The Regency Renegades - Beauty and Titles) (A Regency Romance Story) Page 2
