by Reina Torres
Looking up at the captain, she smiled at him. “Being here is such a gift.” He nodded and she continued. “And the best gifts are the simple ones.”
Edmund began to play as if on cue and the captain nodded to her.
“Go ahead, my dear.”
“’Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free.
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.”
The captain joined in.
“And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘twill be in the valley of love and delight.”
And while they sang together, Rosemary chanced a look at Andrew where he was standing by the door. He stood there in the shadows of the edge of the room and she couldn’t quite see his face, but he didn’t walk away. He didn’t leave the room. He didn’t turn away, so she hoped.
Hoped that whatever had driven this distance between them would unravel itself soon.
Before the heart that she had given him broke into pieces too small for her to put back together.
Chapter Eleven
Andrew wondered if it was all a dream. Was he still back in that ship, locked away below deck? For the first time in a long time, his legs felt weak as if the boards under his feet were rolling like waves.
The room was in a pleasant uproar. The guests, most of them in their Sunday best attire, were milling about near their seats or pressing forward to the stage. The captain stood close to Rosemary, beaming with pride and sharing quiet comments with Edmund.
There was the barest hint of relief as he saw her surrounded by well wishers, knowing that his instinct had been correct. If he’d found her when he’d gone looking he might have been able to save her some of the shock and fear that she had experienced.
And yet, he might have suggested that it would be a simple case of all’s well that ends well, but there was one person that had yet to offer Rosemary congratulations.
Not that it would be forthcoming if he was reading Mrs. Abraham’s expression correctly. Standing beside the stage door, the older woman seethed in anger. Eyes narrowed and lips a thin slash of pale in the dark, she glowered from the shadows. The ramrod straight length of her spine looked ready to snap as she watched an older woman gush over Rosemary, her lengths of pearls moving against each other so loudly that Andrew wasn’t even sure Rosemary could hear her words.
He should go.
Yes.
He should.
And yet, there he stood.
Watching over Rosemary as if it was his right.
The thought twisting in his gut found purchase in his chest, working around the thundering muscles in his heart.
The captain had been right, she wasn’t for a man like him. Rosemary should have a rich man to take care of her. Give her a fine house. Jewels and silks to adorn every inch of her. The finest of food and travel. And children.
His lungs tightened, making him work for every breath imaging Rosemary with a baby in her arms. A man could lose himself in that image for a lifetime, knowing what a treasure he had in her.
Andrew took a step back, intending to leave before the crowd completely disappeared, but a movement in the shadows caught his eye.
Mrs. Abraham seemed to stand still against the wall, but there was something in the pointed line of her chin that had him keep his eyes on her.
He tried to imagine what had prompted her to unleash her fury on Rosemary. He hadn’t even seen Mrs. Abraham speak to Rosemary before. Just the idea of putting such a gentle soul in front of a crowd for malicious reason made him question the woman’s humanity.
An older gentleman stepped up to Rosemary, using his cane to push his way past a young swain with adoration in his gaze. “Well, young lady,” he cleared his throat as he tugged on his starched collar, “I hope you’re prepared to be a sensation!”
Rosemary’s cheeks flushed with a becoming pink. “That is sweet of you to say, sir, but I’m sure this was just a delightful opportunity. I’m sure Dollie will be performing again.”
The older man laughed, but it didn’t sound like it was at Rosemary’s expense. “I hope you’re ready to perform again and again, my dear, because Dollie won’t be back.” Clearing his throat, the older man reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a card. “Maxfield Mueller, my dear. Dollie is a dear friend of mine, so you’ll understand why I was shocked to receive a letter from her just this last week. The poor boy she sent with the message looked like he’d ridden to Hades and back, but he came to give me her letter and impress upon me that I needed to be in port to take this particular leg of the Siren’s river voyage. She assured me that I would be thoroughly entranced by your performance.”
Rosemary looked on in shock. “I’m sorry, Mister Mueller. How could Dollie know that I would perform if she was gone?”
“It seems that along with a talent for reaching people with her voice, our Dollie could read people better than a book. She also left you a letter in her room,” the older man turned to the captain and continued, “I hope you’re planning to feature Rosemary in Dollie’s place. That’s what Dollie hopes you’ll do.”
“I think you read my mind Mister Mueller. Rosemary’s voice will attract people by the droves to the Siren.”
“Really, Cornelius?” Mrs. Abraham had found her voice. “I can’t see how that would be possible! After all, Rosemary is… I mean, you know she’s not-”
Andrew held his breath, unsure of what he could do to help.
“You’re right, Eula.” The Captain’s overly bright tone wouldn’t reveal his feelings as it was the same voice he used at the rail calling to the people on the docks, and when he was trying to be heard over the engines when he needed to speak. “Rosemary doesn’t have the right clothes, but we’ll fix that.”
Mr. Mueller, thank goodness, didn’t notice the icy cold stare from wife to husband. He was eager to help and impart his news. “Dollie, the dear woman left her gowns. I think you’ll find that in the letter she left for Miss Tillman.”
That caught Rosemary’s attention again. “She left her gowns for me?”
The older gentleman smiled at her. “She has great hopes for you, young lady. After you read her letter, you’ll know just how much you meant to her.”
“Me?” Rosemary lifted her hand and pressed it against her chest.
“Rose-” Andrew would have kicked himself for the slip, but he hoped that no one would catch his mistake. “Miss Tillman, are you all right?”
She met his eyes and he saw that her confusion had deepened and the hand that lay across her woolen dress was shaking. “Yes,” her voice was almost a whisper, “yes, I believe so.”
But Andrew was already moving, striding straight to her side. He was there a moment before her legs failed her.
Catching her gently around her waist with one hand and around her back with the other, Andrew ignored the sudden rush of movement around them and carefully guided her to the first row of chairs.
He heard the vague rumble of voices as the captain cleared the room and Mr. Mueller politely excused himself. It was Edmund who brought a cool cloth for Rosemary, which was good, because Andrew sat beside her, letting her lean back against him so he could be sure that she stayed safely upright.
Edmund knelt down beside her, surprisingly nimble for his age. A few softly spoken words to Rosemary and a reassurance from Andrew that she would be well taken care of, Edmund left the room as well, his parting look was reserved for the Captain and his wife arguing in the corner of the room.
“Andrew?”
The sound of his name on her lips was bittersweet.
Worried about her, he wondered aloud, “Do you need something? Water to drink? Something stronger?”
He felt her wince against him. “No,” she shook her head, “I don’t drink.”
Smiling, he leaned closer and let her hair brush against his cheek. “You’ve had quite a shock. Several of them. When I was aboard my first ship, the men would shove a cup with rum into my hands if they thought I wa
s nervous or upset.”
Her laugh was almost a sigh as her eyes gently closed. “You were just a boy.”
“I was expected to do the work of a man,” he explained, “but yes, the rum wasn’t the answer. When I woke up the next morning, I was sick with more than just the motion of the sea.”
He felt a touch on his arm and looked down to see Rosemary’s hand laid across his coat sleeve.
So close. She was so close. Leaning against him almost as if she welcomed his strength, but he had to keep himself focused. His strength was supposed to remind him to keep his distance.
“Don’t you dare speak to me that way, you old fool!”
“You’ll hush, woman. This is between you and me.”
“Oh, you think I’ll hush, will I?”
“Well, we can all hope for a miracle!”
The outraged gasp was a painful sound and Rosemary turned away from the noise.
Andrew tried to shield her from the argument.
“Why would you do this, Eula?” The captain’s tone was that of a wounded man. “What did you mean by putting Rosemary in front of an audience?”
“I heard them talking about her.”
Andrew lifted his gaze and caught sight of the couple in a mirror on the wall. The captain’s face was florid and his brows pinched so tight it gave him the appearance of only have a single brow instead of two. “Them?”
“Edmund and Dollie, those traitors! She was going to leave and good riddance to her! I was tired of catering to her just so she would caterwaul six nights of every week. And Edmund. He’s only here because of her. Now that’s she’s gone, why can’t we turn your concert hall into another gambling room? We make money from that!”
“This is an entertainment boat! People come to the Siren for the entertainment just as much as the food and the games of chance.”
There was a long moment as the two stared at each other. Andrew took the opportunity to get Rosemary out of the room. Leaning closer, he murmured in her ear. “Let’s get you up and back to your room. You’re exhausted.”
Her sigh as he helped her to her feet was almost music to his ears. Everything about her was musical.
They’d managed to make it a couple of steps before the argument started again, but this time it extended farther.
“Don’t you walk out of here, girl!”
Andrew kept himself between Rosemary and Mrs. Abraham, but Rosemary turned and looked up at him, confusion written in her eyes.
“Oh, leave the girl alone, Eula. She’s not involved in this!”
“Not involved?” She was practically shrieking and Andrew wondered if he should cover Rosemary’s ears. “How can you say that? This is all about her! Once Dollie figured out that she was Vera’s daughter, that’s when all of this started. I told you it was a mistake to bring her on board. I told you!”
Rosemary stepped away from the shelter of his shadow and into the cold light of Eula’s stare.
“Why would it have been a mistake?” She almost couldn’t believe that she was challenging the woman. She must have lost her mind. “I love being here on the Siren! This is my family.”
Mrs. Abraham winced and her shoulders tightened, making her appear smaller. “You’re no family of mine. Do. You. Hear. That?”
Rosemary felt Andrew’s hands on her arms as if he was ready to pull her back, but she wasn’t afraid.
Hurt, yes.
Afraid? No.
“I know you never liked me, ma’am. Still, the captain has been kind to me and I’m loyal to the Siren and to the both of you in return.”
“Like you? Why would I like you?”
The captain set a hand on her shoulder and Eula shook it off.
“What would I have to like about you? You’re just-”
“Eula, stop!”
“You ruined everything!”
There was something missing. Something she didn’t understand. “What did I do?”
She could have sworn that the captain tried to cover his wife’s mouth with his hand, but Eula, a good head shorter than he was, and faster to boot, ducked away, moving closer. “You.” She reached out an arm and jabbed at the air between them. “It was you and your mother.”
Rosemary felt her stomach turn. “What about my mother?”
The captain turned and Rosemary knew that he wasn’t looking at her. Not at that moment.
“Andrew. Maybe you ought to step outside.”
“No, sir.” She felt Andrew’s hands give her a gentle squeeze. “I’m not leaving Rosemary. Not now.”
Rosemary wanted to thank him for the kindness, but she didn’t want to turn away from Eula. She was smart enough to be a little afraid of the woman. That kind of seething anger frightened her.
The captain continued, walking a few steps closer. “Andrew, there’s something that perhaps you shouldn’t hear. I would rather if you didn’t. It’s something about Rosemary and I don’t think she’d want you to know-”
“About her mother? I know who her mother is, sir, and I thank her and honor her memory for bringing Rosemary into the world. There’s nothing about Rosemary that you or Missus Abraham can say that would make me think any less of her.”
“Oh, really?” Eula stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with her husband. “So you know her secrets, do you?”
“Yes, ma’am. I know the quality of her heart and her character. Beyond that, I doubt there’s anything you could tell me that would make me feel differently.”
Eula took another step forward and Rosemary backed up, seeking Andrew’s comfort at her back, and he didn’t disappoint her. Whatever had kept him away before was seemingly forgotten.
“You know she’s illegitimate?”
“From what I understand. Yes, ma’am.”
Eula didn’t look convinced, but she also had an eager glint in her eyes. “And you know her mother wasn’t white?”
Rosemary recoiled from the woman, not because of the truth, but because she sounded so happy to spit the words at her.
“Again, that doesn’t matter to me, ma’am. I was brought up among men from all over the world. Sailors came to us in different ports from different countries. What mattered to us was how well they knew their jobs. Our lives depended on each other. The color of their skin didn’t matter to me. It doesn’t define a person.”
“What is it,” Eula wondered as she turned her gaze on Rosemary, “what is it about you and your mother? What makes men such fools that they fall into your web?”
Tears sprung up into Rosemary’s eyes. She’d never done a thing to this woman. Never hurt her in word or deed. She’d always tried to see the good that her husband must see in her, but even now, Eula took a moment of joy and was trying to crush it beneath her heel.
“My mother was a good woman. I don’t know what you’re accusing us of. I don’t.” She lifted a hand and touched her fingers against his where he still held onto her arm. “I wish you would just tell me so I could understand.”
The moment the words were out of her lips, Rosemary regretted them.
The smile that touched Eula’s lips was not comforting nor was it even civil. It was cold and seemed to reveal her teeth like that of an alligator ready to snap at its supper.
“Your mother destroyed my brother! She drew him into her web, made him forget who he was. When our mother found out that he planned to marry Vera and take her away with him, well she put a stop to that.”
“What does that mean?” Rosemary felt as if she was standing at the top of a steep cliff, her feet poking out over the edge. “What did she do?”
Eula’s eyes were wild, filling with anger like a boiling kettle fills with steam. “No matter what she said. No matter how she tried to get through to him, my brother refused to see reason. My father argued with her, but mother wouldn’t be swayed. For a child of hers to fall in love with,” she lifted her chin and even though she was shorter than Rosemary, Eula somehow managed to look down on her, “someone like you, he had to be sick.�
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“No,” Rosemary shook her head and leaned back against Andrew, glad that he wasn’t trying to push her away, “how could she do that?”
Eula was somehow closer than she’d been a moment before, her finger less than a few inches before her chest. “She did what she had to do! The only reason I didn’t drown you like a kitten when you were born was because he promised me I’d never have to think of you ever again.”
Rosemary followed her line of sight and saw the captain’s sorrowful expression. “You know why I brought her here, Eula. When Vera died-”
“My maid,” Eula wasn’t quite done, “Vera was my maid.”
The captain, to his credit, continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I had to bring Rosemary here. No matter what your mother thinks, Rosemary is family and she’s an innocent in all of this. She’s your niece, Eula.”
“She’s my shame!”
Rosemary couldn’t help the tears that coursed down her cheeks and she certainly couldn’t stop the gasping sob that tore from her chest.
And no matter what had kept Andrew away from her before, he certainly didn’t turn away at that moment.
Instead, he turned her around, putting himself between her and Eula’s hateful gaze. She felt his hand settle on the back of her head and gently guide it to his shoulder as she cried.
“Eula,” the captain’s voice had changed. It wasn’t his usual affable tone, nor was it the strident, worried tone it had been since they’d begun their argument. Now, it was deeper, curt with warning. “I think it’s high time we had a talk-”
“What exactly have we been doing? Hmm?”
The man sighed and Rosemary could hear his impatience. “You’ve been screaming. And you’ve been cold and heartless, Eula. I had hoped that time would soften your anger. That in time you would see that your mother was wrong for what she did. Vera and Charles were in love. Probably more in love than you’ve ever been with me.”
Rosemary’s heart ached for him.
