by Jerri Hines
Her father had promised the trip would be quick, a little more than a month. Then why, she wondered, did it already feel like an eternity!
* * * *
Cathryn didn’t look at Lieutenant Pennington when she entered the stateroom alongside the Montgomerys, but he stood and pulled out a chair that was between him and Captain Sanborn. She had no option but to comply.
“I hope your maid is feeling better this evening, Miss Blankenship,” Captain Joel Sanborn said, greeting her with a large smile. Captain Sanborn had been the embodiment of a gentleman in his efforts to make Cathryn feel exceedingly welcome on board his ship.
She returned his smile and grudgingly took her seat. Next to her sat Lieutenant Pennington, who seemed set in making her voyage perfectly miserable. Across from her were her chaperones for the trip, who had boarded the day before. She found them to be quite a pleasant couple.
Olivia Montgomery was a middle-aged woman, who stood a head higher than her dowdy little husband, Samuel Montgomery. The other seats remained vacant, for the guests felt unwell.
“Poor Louis, he hasn’t felt well since we came on board. I told Livy, our nanny, to make sure he was well cared for,” Olivia acknowledged. “I hope the voyage goes better soon. Peter seemed peaked, also. I will be drained by the time we land in England.”
“Rest assured, Mrs. Montgomery, it will pass. It takes a few days to get the ocean under you. As you can see, we have quite a few missing at the table,” Captain Sanborn said. “Miss Blankenship, you seem to have quickly gotten your sea legs.”
“Fortunate, indeed, Captain,” Cathryn answered. She picked around on her plate. Mrs. Montgomery had informed her that formal meals on board the ship were rare. Mrs. Montgomery seemed exacerbated; Cathryn relieved.
“I hope you brought along books or sewing,” Captain Sanborn said. “Time will pass faster if your mind is occupied.”
“Thank you. I have brought books to read and my sketching pad,” she answered politely.
“Oh, I have heard you are quite good at drawing, Cathryn,” Olivia Montgomery interjected into the conversation. “I saw a portrait you sketched for Melanie Johnson of her little girl, Sophie. It was adorable, I must say. I don’t suppose you might be able to do the same for my boys while on board. I wouldn’t want to impose upon you.”
“It shouldn’t be an issue, Mrs. Montgomery. You have so graciously agreed to oversee my journey. It would be the least I could do,” Cathryn said and smiled at the lady who seemed greatly pleased.
“I’m impressed, Miss Blankenship,” Lieutenant Pennington said, eyeing Cathryn. Something in his look challenged her. “If the opportunity arises, I would love to see your works.”
“I’m sure you will have plenty more to do than look over some simple drawings, Lieutenant,” she retorted without looking at him. Her attention turned back toward the Montgomerys. “Do you know who else is on board with us? I saw a young girl with a companion…”
Mrs. Montgomery leaned over across the table. Her eyes cocked to the side. “I’m afraid we probably won’t be seeing too much of the young lady. Her aunt is traveling with her, but in her condition...I had suspected because I had heard rumors in Charles Town…”
“Olivia!” her husband immediately cried out indignantly. “She is but a child herself.”
Cathryn, confused at the outburst, wanted to question further, but the look upon Mr. Montgomery’s face told Cathryn not to press the point. She would be patient. Mrs. Montgomery seemed the sort that needed to expel gossip. Captain Sanborn turned the conversation.
After supper, the Montgomerys excused themselves to retire for the night, thanking the Captain profoundly for his kindness. Cathryn followed suit. Lieutenant Pennington accompanied them to the companionway.
“It is early yet. Would you ladies care for a turn around the deck?”
Cathryn would have liked nothing better than to refuse, but she had a need for air and was pleased Mrs. Montgomery accepted. Lieutenant Pennington offered her his arm and preceded her up the ladder into the night’s air. The night was brilliant.
She could hear the ship cutting through the water and feel the spray floating back against her face. The breeze sang lightly through the sails. All seemed so peaceful.
Cathryn refused to glance up at Lieutenant Pennington, ignoring his attempts at idle conversation. She heard Mrs. Montgomery rambling on to her husband. Mr. Montgomery fussed about with the logic of traveling in such confining quarters.
Lieutenant Pennington gave pause at the railing. Cathryn released his arm and gazed up at the night’s sky. Her hands gripped the varnished wood and she pulled herself into the wind, inhaling so deeply, she seemed to take in the whole of the ocean.
“It is a magnificent view,” Lieutenant Pennington said.
She turned. The glow from the binnacle lamps caught his eyes fixed on hers. She felt blood rush to her cheeks, but said nothing.
“If I profoundly apologize, would you find it within yourself to talk to me once more? It will be such a long journey to remain silent, for I know it will gnaw within you.”
“It would mean more if I felt you are sincere with your apology, sir,” she said simply, but she realized he was correct in his assumption that left to Mrs. Montgomery, she would be clawing at the side of the ship for conversation. “I hope you can understand my position being in such a mortifying situation. Can you not understand that I might not want to be reminded of it?”
“I have forgotten it already. But, pray, can you not blame me for my actions?”
“I’m confused, Lieutenant, upon your meaning.”
“If you will permit me to be honest, Miss Blankenship,” he said with a smile on his lips. “Here I’m asked to look over your wellbeing upon your journey. It isn’t often to have such an agreeable mission and to find that mission is plotting her escape.”
“How dare you!” she exclaimed. Her eyes glanced over at Mrs. Montgomery. She had no desire for her to hear. “You don’t know!”
“Ah, Miss Blankenship, but I do,” he said without hesitation. “Most young ladies in your situation would be ecstatic with the prospect of a London Season. Your grandparents offered you an opportunity that your mother wished for her only daughter.”
“I have no desire for a London Season, sir,” she said indignantly. “I am only going to please my father and only for a year. I promised him a year. Then I will return home.”
“To your beau you tried to coax the other night?” he asked.
She gave him pause. Why did she let him needle her? “It’s none of your concern, sir.”
“No, I suppose not, but I believe you may find you will enjoy England. You should, Miss Blankenship. Most would be envious of the position you find yourself in at the moment. You will be well sought after in London,” he responded.
Cathryn stood quietly, turning back to the ocean. “You talk as if you know of what you speak. William said that only a select few are invited to these events.”
“I have been known to attend.”
She eyed him suspiciously, drawing her shawl about her tighter. For the moment, she didn’t want to banter with him. Cathryn could feel the ship moving quickly over the water away from her home.
“Are you always so sure of others’ feelings, Lieutenant?”
“No, I usually try not to assess what others are feeling, Miss Blankenship. What they are thinking perhaps, but I feel a certain responsibility toward you. I admire and respect your father, Miss Blankenship,” he said sincerely. “I can imagine you must feel lost at the moment. I want only to relieve your fears and anxiety over the situation that you obviously find distasteful.”
They stood in silence. He broke it, saying, “If this William loves you, he will wait.”
“Love? Wait. Why would he? We have nothing…” she questioned, confusion rang in her tone. Glancing up at him, a broad smile emerged. Mother of all! He had baited her. Her eyes glaring, her temper burst forth. “Oh, is this what you want, sir? To constantly
antagonize me?”
“No, again I apologize.”
Cathryn doubted his words. She heard no sincerity in his voice. No…instead, he seemed quite pleased with the information.
Ignoring her silence, he continued, “I haven’t been fair to you. I know about you, but you know nothing about me.”
She wanted to respond that she had no interest, but curiosity got the better of her. “I assume you live in England.”
He nodded. “I come from a small estate outside of Plymouth. When I was five, my uncle took my mother, sister and I in after my father was killed in service to the Crown. Shortly after, my sister lost her sight during a sickness.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He shook his head. “We all have our own burdens to bear. My uncle may be only a simple squire, but he has been kind to us. My mother has no worries. He bought me my commission when I was eighteen.”
Cathryn watched him as he talked of his family. Warmth surfaced in his voice; his face softened.
He paused for a moment. “I went to school at Winchester with a relative of yours. Lord Lyttleton. I believe he would be your cousin.”
“You will find I have a confession. I’m not well versed with my father’s family. I have heard the name, I believe, but you would know better than I,” Cathryn heard herself explain.
She didn’t add that her father never talked of his family, good or bad. He hadn’t even expressed his insistence for her to meet with them.
“Ah, family matters. I suppose it is hard to keep up with such across the ocean, but I can well imagine they have kept up with you.”
“And why would you say that? To be honest, I’m tired of everyone saying that I will be sought after. Why? William said they treated him as a commoner. The lowest of the low. His family is the most respected in the county. If they treated William such, who am I?”
He laughed, a loud hearty laugh that resounded over the deck. Mrs. Montgomery looked over her shoulder. A sudden hush fell around Cathryn. Her annoyance once again rose with humiliation. The wind blew her hair, freeing strands that encircled her face. She brushed them out of her eyes. She started to walk by him.
He reached out, stopping her progression. “You’re serious. Don’t go. Please, I meant no harm. Stay at least until you aren’t mad anymore.”
His hand rested upon hers. He disturbed her. Everything about him disturbed her, but at the moment she was tired and so dreadfully homesick. “I don’t believe we could wait that long.”
She withdrew her hand from his and walked back to her cabin without even a word toward the Montgomerys.
Chapter Three
By midday, Tacy began to show signs of improving…that was until the rains descended. Then the winds howled and waves crashed against the bow. Not long after, the captain sent word that everyone should remain in their cabins.
With the ship rocking back and forth, the roll and pitch of the ship affected Cathryn. Her eyes hurt from the dimness of the light through the portal; her stomach queasy. Never had she endured such miserable conditions.
Still dressed in her gown from the day before, Cathryn rose with red, swollen eyes. Last night, she had cried herself to sleep. She had been gone no more than a day, and was despondent beyond belief.
How she missed Elm Bluff! She wanted someone to explain how marrying William could have been worse than this!
Though, Cathryn had begun to suspect her father’s insistence she depart for England had more to do with the threat of violence within the Colonies than his desire for her to have a Season. She hadn’t paid attention to the talk of the turmoil, but over dinner last evening, the men’s conversation was consumed on the subject.
Mr. Montgomery explained the frustration of the people being taxed without representation, having to house the soldiers, and how there were those who were calling for independence up in Virginia and Boston. Rumors had already broken out in Boston.
Lieutenant Pennington held to the Crown’s view which was the first time Cathryn found herself in agreement with the lieutenant. With her father’s position high within the ranks of the British government, her stance could be no other than to stand behind the Crown.
“How long do you think this cursed storm will last?” Tacy lifted her head.
Cathryn ignored her question, but she doubted Tacy expected an answer. “The Captain sent his cabin boy down with some broth and bread. He said it would help with your stomach.”
Tacy shifted uncomfortably. “I am better. I think.” Then she fell back down on her cot. “Oh, I don’t know!”
“The whole of the ship is probably sick after this storm,” Cathryn said, wiping Tacy’s brow. The poor thing looked so white and pale against the sheets. Taking a piece of the bread, Cathryn broke it into a smaller piece. “Eat a bit. You need to try to keep something down.”
Cathryn fanned herself while Tacy sat up and ate. How warm and stale the cabin was! Thankfully it wasn’t July. She could well imagine it would be as an oven. Leaning against the wall, she stretched her aching back.
“Tacy, you are supposed to know this British society I’m to step into. Do you not? I mean Father said you served with an aristocratic family.”
Tacy nodded slowly. “Yes, Miss Cathryn. The Albemarles. A fine family.”
Cathryn hesitated. There were lines that servants and mistresses weren’t supposed to cross, but the Tacy she knew was bluntly honest and would tell her the information she sought. Her father always told her that the servants knew more about their lives than they did themselves.
“Why then does everyone tell me that I will be accepted into London society so readily? I can’t imagine for the life of me why. Won’t they look down upon me as a simpleton from the Colonies as they did William? But I suppose my father having been a governor for the Crown…”
“Give me but a moment.” Tacy winced as if she once more felt a wave of nausea. She squeezed Cathryn’s hand and waited for the feeling to subside.
“Miss, that’s an easy question. It’s nothin’ that anyone kept from you. It’s just the Peytons are high society in Charles Town and when they cross the pond, they’re not. You are. Your grandfather was an earl and your mother has her line connected with the King himself.”
“So it’s my birth…that’s all.” Cathryn wiped Tacy’s bow again.
Tacy took in a deep breath. “Not all. As with most things in life, what men cling to the most. You’re an heiress, Miss Cathryn. You must realize that. You being Governor Blankenship’s only daughter.”
“I’m sure my father has taken care of me, Tacy, but I wouldn’t go so far as being considered such…”
Tacy shook her head and swung her feet off her bed. “I’m going to get up if it’s the last thing I do,” she said, determined. Gripping tightly to the side of the cot, she attempted to rise. She paused for a moment and glanced over at Cathryn. “You’re a sweet thing most times, as long as you don’t lose that temper of yours, but so naïve.
“You must know that your dowry is considerable. Why, I’ve heard that not only you inherited a substantial sum from your mother, but it is common knowledge that your father has significant assets from his dealings in Antigua…and,” Tacy leaned over and whispered. “It is whispered that the good governor inherited the bulk of his father’s wealth, which is unheard for a second son. You are quite an heiress. That’s why I don’t know why your father didn’t tell you all of this before you left. There are fortune hunters out there.”
“Because I’m not marrying anyone in England,” Cathryn stated. “I promised Father a year. Then I’m going home.”
“Yes, ma’am, if you say so,” Tacy said. “I don’t think your father cared as long as you left.”
“So you think that he believes a war is coming?”
“Something is in the air, Miss Cathryn. That I know,” she said and tried to stand. Her hands pressed against the wall as the ship swayed. “This I do know also, Miss Cathryn. As much as I appreciate you looking after me
and all, this will never do in England.”
“So you want me to leave you?” Cathryn smiled. The news hadn’t been bad. Her worries about being shunned when she stepped onto her parents’ home country began to fade.
“Of course, quarters are close in a ship,” Tacy said, straightening herself out to full height. “But when we get to England, I’ll help you with what’s proper. I promise you.”
“I believe I will need you to assist me, Tacy,” Cathryn acknowledged. “I don’t want to embarrass myself.”
Tacy chuckled, “Mind you, Miss. There’s only so much I can do.”
* * * *
In time, Tacy recovered sufficiently, but the Montgomerys weren’t as fortunate. Word came the whole of the family had succumbed to rough waters. Oh, the weather has to break soon!
A knock disturbed the quiet. Cathryn opened the door to discover Captain Sanborn’s cabin boy.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Miss Blankenship. The captain was wondering if your maid was feeling better.”
Cathryn glanced back over her shoulder. Tacy nodded. “Yes, I believe she is. Does he have need of her?”
“There is a matter he wishes to speak of with her, if you don’t mind.”
“But of course,” Cathryn replied. “We will follow you.”
From the look of the boy, she realized that Captain Sanborn wanted only Tacy, but she couldn’t stand another minute in the cabin. She needed to escape the four confining walls if only for a moment.
Cathryn stepped out of the cabin to be bombarded by the sounds of the ship. Moans and groans resonated around her. A scream of pure pain sent a shiver down her spine.
Tacy caught hold of Cathryn’s arm before entering the Captain’s quarters. Drenched, Captain Sanborn sat behind his desk. Without question he had only removed himself from the deck. He glanced up when the boy knocked upon his open door.
“Ah, Miss Blankenship,” Captain Sanborn stood. “I’m glad to see the weather hasn’t bothered you and to see your maid regain her health. I have a favor to ask. I have to apologize, for this matter has never occurred, and I’m at a loss as to the right course of action.”
