The Sea Maiden

by Mary Speer

  “Karina, Karina, open the door!”

  It was now close to sunset as viewed through the large balcony window. Karina missed dinner and was ignoring the knocking. Lynnette continued to knock until she got a response from Karina.

  “What is it? Is something wrong?” Karina asked in a sleepy voice.

  As Karina opened the door, Lynnette bolted through closing and locking the door behind her, and then pushed Karina against the bedside, forcing her to sit.

  “I have something to tell you!”

  “What?”

  She thought it was probably something to do with Peter.

  “After you left the table this afternoon, Darlene overheard something while she was cleaning the kitchen.”

  “What?”

  “She heard Lord something, who visited your father, say that the social gathering he was having next Saturday was perfect timing for announcing the engagement.”

  “You mean Lord Harmon?”

  “Yes.”

  “What engagement?”

  “YOURS AND HIS!”

  “What?”

  “He’s announcing his engagement to YOU! Apparently your father has given your hand in marriage to him.” Lynnette declared.

  “ME! That’s ridiculous Lynnette, that man is three times my age, father would never do that to me. Why do you believe they were referring to me? Was my name mentioned?”

  “Well, I don’t know, I wasn’t present, but Darlene was!”

  “Darlene is a gossiper; she probably said this to get attention.”

  “Well then why not ask her yourself?”

  “Very well I shall.”

  Both girls went looking for Darlene in the maid’s quarters downstairs. Darlene was a middle-aged woman prone to gossip and nearly dismissed because of it once. After Gunther left, Charles dined alone in his study; Karina slept through it so most of the serving staff finished early and had retired to their rooms. A few fluttering candles lit the dim hallway to Darlene’s door. Karina knocked.

  “Darlene its Karina, please open the door.”

  “Yes miss?”

  “Darlene, I’m sorry to disturb you but I need to ask you something. I need you to tell me what you heard this afternoon when my father had a visitor.”

  Afraid of saying anything that would cause her dismissal, Darlene denied having heard anything.

  “I didn’t hear anything important Miss.” Darlene lied.

  “Darlene, I heard you tell the others that an engagement would be announced next Saturday, who were they speaking about?” Lynnette demanded

  “I don’t have to answer to you girl.” Darlene smirked.

  “But you do have to answer to me Darlene.” Karina stated flatly.

  Darlene regretted having opened her mouth, feeling scolded she looked down and answered meekly.

  “I believe they spoke of your engagement to Lord Harmon Miss.”

  Karina blinked.

  ”Did you hear my name mentioned?”

  “No Miss.”

  “So you’re not sure it was me they spoke of.”

  “No Miss.”

  “Then why did you tell the others they spoke of me?”

  “Because Lord Harmon said, ‘she will make a stunning bride with such beautiful long blond hair, and your father agreed and said you resembled your mother.”

  After hearing this, Karina became very distressed and decided to confront her father it was the only way to be sure. Darlene, fearful that she would lose her position begged Karina not to tell her father what she overheard. Karina assured her that her name would not be mentioned and told Lynnette to stay downstairs while she talked to her father in private and find out the truth. Lynnette anticipating her meeting with Peter at sunset decided to stay just a few minutes besides she didn’t want to be the first to arrive. Karina knocked on her father’s bedroom door but he didn’t answer, then she pushed opened the door, but he was not there. She returned to the study and found him sitting in his chair starring out the window at the sunset. The sky glowed red orange and clouds appeared violet purple, it was quite a spectacular site.

  Piqued with curiosity Lynnette followed her to the study to try and listen.

  “Father-”

  “Isn’t it a beautiful sunset? Like a beautiful painting, God is a great artist.” Charles said.

  “Father, I have a question about what is going to be announced at Lord Harmon’s next Saturday.”

  Charles dreaded this moment but he had to tell her sooner or later. He turned to face her and in his firmest voice he said,

  “There are some things you need to know first. They are all difficult to speak of so I was waiting for the right moment but it seems there is never a right moment. The doctors have advised me to get my affairs in order.”

  “Why? What’s wrong father?”

  He was silent for a moment.

  “As you already know my health has been declining and the doctors told me that I have a deteriorating medical condition rapidly advancing from organ to organ. According to these medical experts I’m not expected to live past Christmas” Charles informed her.

  Alarmed, Karina raised her hand to her lips and tears began streaming down her cheek. She had been aware of her father’s failing health but not to such an extent. Outside the study Lynnette covered her mouth with her hand in shock.

  “Father there must be something that can be done! I-”

  “Karina please! Let me finish there is something more I need to tell you. Last summer pirates intercepted two of my best ships carrying a great amount of supplies to the American coast. The losses were staggering. I have not been able to fully recover financially due to my poor health. My creditors, clients and suppliers are demanding payment but Lord Harmon has agreed to help because we are nearly ruined, with my advancing illness I have an easy way out but you who I most wanted to protect will be the one left nearly bankrupt if we don’t make certain plans or the eager vultures will be circling in wait…so I had to make a hard decision that I fear, you as a young girl, will not understand. I only hope that in time you see the logic in my decision and forgive me. Lord Harmon came here today because he has agreed to marry you. He plans to announce the engagement next Saturday. We have agreed for the wedding to take place in four Sundays. That’s why we must go.”

  Karina, stood there stunned, her teary face stared at him in disbelief.

  “Father I cannot marry that man!”

  “The decision has been made! You will be Lord Harmon’s wife!”

  “No father, I will not marry him!”

  “YOU WILL!” Charles lost his temper and slammed his fist down on the desk. Karina began sobbing uncontrollably as she knelt at her fathers’ feet sitting in his chair. “I told you we are nearly bankrupt! Gunther is a successful business man who knows the shipping business well, he will provide for you and save you from ruin. He’s our only hope.”

  Karina sobbed quietly for a moment then said,

  “God please let me wake from this nightmare….father I don’t want to lose you or go against you but please don’t make me marry a man I don’t love or will ever love. There has to be some other way.”

  Charles expected this kind of reaction from her and had to be firm and resist any tears that might weaken his resolution he needed to be away from her so he stood up with some effort.

  “I’m sorry Karina, but there is no other way I’m an old man whose life will soon be over but you have a future.”

  “A future with a man I don’t love? Father how can you do this to me?” Karina nearly shouted.

  “I will not have my only daughter living on the street at the pray of criminals. Gunther is the richest and most successful shipper I know. He can keep us from losing everything. You are young and he is old! You will outlive him soon and then u will have your freedom but as a woman of title, wealth and power!” Charles started moving away from her. “Without this arrangement you will not only condemn yourself to a life of misery and poverty but also that of
Lynnette’s, her mother, brothers as well as the rest of the staff. Some of them are too old to be re-employed. Are you so selfish that you would allow this to happen?”

  In tears, Karina knelt as father turned away from her wanting to put distance between them. In truth she had not thought how this would affect Lynnette and the others whose lives depended on their employment at Pembroke Hall. Karina’s lower lip pulsed in anguish; slowly she rose to her feet looking for a sign of sympathy from her father but didn’t find one.

  Charles also felt troubled and needed to hide from his daughter. He rang for Nate his long time butler and caregiver.

  “Nate, if you can please escort me to my room I’m not up to the challenge of climbing those dreaded stairs on my own.”

  “Yes sir.”

  With a heavy heart he walked passed Karina aided by Nate and his walking stick. Karina followed her father out of the study sobbing behind him, her hand shielding her eyes, then stood and watched her father and Nate climb the stairs to his room hoping for a change of heart. Once in his room Charles collapsed into his bedside chair, with his breathing labored from the climb up the stairs. Nate prepared his bed. Charles told him he preferred to sit a while and requested some hot tea. Karina went to her room wanting to be alone.

  CHAPTER 5

  Sunset Encounter

  Upon hearing Lord Pembroke ring for Nate, Lynnette bolted from the door to the study it was now half hour past sunset and she went to meet Peter as agreed who was probably already waiting for her. She was upset for Karina but excited to meet with Peter, she told herself she would only allow a short conversation with him.

  Lynnette went to tell her mother Karina was not well and would be spending time with her in her quarters then she put her black hood on and left to meet Peter by the trees behind the stable. She saw the blue scarf tied by the fence. She looked around to make sure no one was watching and went toward the trees. She walked a little and was about to call for Peter when he surprised her by pulling her up against a tree and kissing her passionately.

  “Wait…wait!”

  “I’ve been waiting forever….my time is short. Kiss me!”

  Peter slowly brought them both down to a kneeling position until they lied flat on the soft grass. Lynnette was lost in the passionate kiss, so much for a short conversation, she thought but she was still determined to leave before things escalated, after all she might never see him again except in her dreams.

  CHAPTER 6

  Charles Secret

  Charles hated himself for causing his child so much distress by forcing a marriage on her, and he had not told her everything yet but today’s drama was enough for one night. He had yet to tell her about her half-brother Jonathan living in America, the illegitimate son, he had kept secret.

  Jonathan Williams was born as a result of brief affair Lord Pembroke had with a serving girl at a local Inn while traveling to America. Charles was 25 years old at the time and engaged to be married to his first wife, Melissa, upon his return to England. Melissa came from a very wealthy family. Charles knew he had to keep his illegitimate child in complete secrecy. After his marriage to Melissa, they found out, she was barren, Melissa was heartbroken. They had been married nearly 30 years when she died. Charles had hoped to have strong sons by her to help him run the business and leave behind a legacy but had given up this fantasy instead Charles began frequenting the boy he fathered in America. He provided for both the boy and his mother in the early years and ensured the boy got an education; but due to the distance and circumstances surrounding his existence Charles visited the boy less and less as the years passed. Even after Melissa’s death he continued to keep Jonathan a secret in fear that his wife’s family members would break business ties with him if they found out he had been unfaithful to his wife. Charles decided to keep things as they were after all Jonathan was across the sea. Jonathan grew up grateful for his father’s low-key influence, it helped open many doors for him but felt a personal rejection by him for failing to acknowledge him as his son. Jonathan now in his 50’s had a family of his own. He became successful businessman, and considered a fair man in his community. Charles had his regrets over not being a better father to him but he could not change the past.

  Inconsolable, Karina still dressed lied down on her bed and curled up in a fetal position. She wondered how she might manage to live through this, prayed she might only be having a bad dream and wake up soon. This was surreal to her like it was happening to someone else. Her eyes grew moist and she clutched her pillow close to her wishing it would all go away. About two hours later, she heard a knock on her door. The door opened and Lynnette stepped inside the room and gently closed the door behind her. Karina didn’t acknowledge her. Lynnette lied down next to her, and tenderly removed a long strand of hair off of Karina’s face. Aware of her friend’s distress; she wished she could help in some way but for now remained silent and didn’t press her for details, nor tell her about Peter’s visit. She would just wait until Karina was ready to open up to her. She hated seeing her this way; Karina was normally cheerful and enthusiastic. After Karina fell asleep Lynnette quietly left the room.

  CHAPTER 7

  The Letter

  Tuesday morning the sun showed through an opening of the heavy drapery in her bedroom window. Then she opened her eyes and saw it was daylight but the previous day’s events quickly caused her to tense and become overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and helplessness, she was alone in this. Then she thought of Thunder, he was her only joyful thought and that of riding through miles of green pasture with the wind in her, hearing the sound of his hooves as they connected with the ground it was the sound of freedom. A wild thought came into her head-, ‘running away,’ it was a ridiculous thought of course running away. Then a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was late morning and she had missed breakfast. Bessie the kitchen maid brought in a tray of food. Lynnette peaked through the door,

  “Karina! Are you awake?”

  Karina stirred but didn’t answer. Karina was not in the mood to talk if she could just leap out the window onto Thunder and run away.

  “Karina your father wishes to speak to you.” Lynnette made her way to her bed and gently sat down beside her. After a brief pause she said, “Karina, I wanted to tell you something, um…last night, I followed you to the study…you see I saw some servants standing nearby so I wanted to make sure they gave you privacy so I told them to leave and I was about to leave myself but then I heard you and your father talking and I thought it would be best if I stay…you know to make sure nobody overheard anything they were not suppose too…and so I um…I heard …you and your father talking. I know it was wrong of me…please forgive me?”

  Feeling ashamed, Lynnette kept her head down and avoided eye contact with Karina. Upon hearing Lynnette’s confession and apology for her indiscretion Karina asked,

  “So you heard everything?”

  “Yes”

  Under different circumstances Karina might have laughed at Lynnette’s poor excuse for eves dropping. It was almost comical.

  “I hope you didn’t tell the others?”

  “No not a word. Not even mother, but because of Darlene’s gossiping yesterday there are already rumors of you getting married to Lord Harmon circulating; however I didn’t know about your father’s condition or the situation with Pembroke Hall.” Karina remained silent. “Your father wants to see you in his study again this morning and requested I tell you.”

  Karina sat up slowly resigned to hear more bad news she was losing him and needed to pay close attention to everything he had to say whether she liked it or not. She put on her robe and obediently went downstairs to meet her father in the study Lynnette followed her.

  “Please watch the door Lynnette.” Karina told Lynnette knowing full well she would likely stand outside and listen. She was her closest friend and in her heart she knew Lynnette would do anything to help. Karina knocked on the door to the study. Charles faced away from her. Karin
a approached the old man. “Yes father?”

  Charles got up with some difficulty, leaning on his walking stick for support, he made his way to his desk opened the top drawer and withdrew a letter. He handed the letter to her. Lynnette pressed her ear to the door but could not hear anything she wondered what was happening. Karina took the letter from him and began to read:

  “Dearest Karina.

  My words cannot express how deep your welfare concerns me so my actions will in time prove it even though they may seem harsh to you now. I chose to write this letter to you to keep these delicate matters private and because there is less physical exertion for me. I hope someday you will understand the logic. You are now aware that our situation is critical and what transpired between us yesterday was difficult for both of us. As a young girl your notion of marriage are naive romantic ones, no doubt based on story books and even on some of our own serving staff who found love among one another. You must remember you are not one of them. We belong to a higher social class. The wealthy are not always free to choose their marriage partners. Through marriage we strengthen family wealth, and power and create legacies. Those who have gone against these principles strain or weaken their family’s social position and future. I admit I didn’t prepare you for this and I apologize. I allowed you to socialize with our servants and their children and now the situation will be harder to endure but for everyone’s sake you must. I do not mean to be cruel by putting this on you; but I found no other way. There is something else you should know. Something I didn’t want to share with you until now. This may bring you some comfort knowing you have another blood relative, your half-brother….my son. His name is Jonathan Williams he lives in New England; he is approximately 51 years old now. When I was 25 I became engaged to my first wife Melissa whose family was very wealthy. My own father had amassed great wealth through our shipping business and I traveled often to the colonies to deliver supplies. During that time I met a beautiful young serving girl named Lavinia Williams. She worked at the Inn I stayed at. I had a love affair with her and she conceived a son. I was fond of her but I could not marry her, she was not of our social class and my father, your grandfather, would have never accepted her. So I had to end the relationship. She was heartbroken of course. My marriage to Melissa was going to merge both our family shipping businesses in addition to a substantial dowry. I did feel responsible for ruining Lavinia and had to keep her from talking; I didn’t want this kind of gossip to reach England and ruin my chances with Melissa and her family. So I dealt with the consequence of my carelessness as best as possible. I purchased some land and had a small house built for her and the child to live in. I told Lavinia she could live there rent free until the child was of age then I would give her title to the property so long as she kept the fact that I was the father a secret. Lavinia made an extra income being a seamstress and selling fabrics and she requested I also help her acquire a store front to run her business and be able to provide for herself and the child. She was hurt and angry but wise in this regard and I had little choice but to agree. By doing this I maintained a peaceful medium between us, and still kept my paternity a secret. I did visit Jonathan throughout his childhood. At first my intentions were diplomatic ones but the more I visited him the more we bonded as father and son. I yearned to spend time with him as he did with me but because of Melissa’s health and other issues the visits became more and more infrequent as the years passed and I became more like a visiting Uncle then a father. For a period of 5 years I was not able to travel to the colonies and I did not see Jonathan until he was nearly 15 years old. This must have been incredibly difficult for Jonathan, he took it very personal. I believe he felt abandoned by me. His mother, Lavinia, eventually married and did have more children, which was especially difficult for Jonathan. According to Lavinia, Jonathan resented his step siblings for having a father. When I saw him again he seemed distant and resentful. The years flew by and Lavinia kept our secret and I kept my word to her and released the title of the property to her. Her business grew prosperous. After his stepfather passed away, Jonathan continued to run the fabric store and proved to be a successful businessman. In time he opened another shop selling spices which was also prosperous. The last time I saw him 10 years ago he was polite but distant and more businesslike than I liked; of course, I had no right to expect more. What I can tell you is that your brother, Jonathan, is a good man; he’s a son any father would have been proud of. I regret the fact that I chose to protect my business over acknowledging him as my son all these years and kept him a secret from you as well. This hurt him deeply and hurt our relationship I don’t blame him if he never forgives me.