by Mary Speer
“Oh before I leave…” She brought out a pearl ring that had belonged to mother. It was a bit lose on her, “I have this ring that’s loose do you have something I can place on it until I get it sized down, I do not have time to leave it.”
“I have this ring guard that you can wear with it to keep it from falling off.”
“Oh that’s perfect what do I owe you?”
“No worries Miss it’s on the house.” Karina turned and smiled at Lynnette.
“Alright now I need to stop at Celia’s Dress Shop to get measured for the dress” Karina cringed.
“Why? If you’re not planning to get the dress?”
“It’s just a formality in case Lord Harmon checks if I got measured for the dress.” She whispered.
They walked past the woman customer waiting her turn to speak with the jeweler. With Peter’s assistance, they climbed back on the carriage and Clifton drove them to Celia’s shop two blocks away. Karina and Lynnette got off the carriage.
“We will wait here.”
“Lynnette perhaps you can wait here with Peter and Clifton so they will not get so impatient…I won’t be long, I promise.”
Karina went inside the shop alone and rang the bell at the counter. Celia, a middle aged woman, immediately came out.
“Hello can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to get measured for a bridal gown.”
“Alright my dear and what is your name?”
“Karina Pembroke.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you my dear. What is the date of your wedding?”
“Four Sundays from this Sunday.”
“Oh no that’s quite impossible for me dear. I have several orders ahead of you but I will see what I can do. What is the groom’s last name please?”
“Harmon.”
Celia looked up at her in amazement.
“Not Lord Gunther Harmon?”
Karina nodded with a smile. Celia gasped, after finding out the bride of the richest man in town was in her shop.
“Don’t worry Miss Pembroke your bridal gown will be my first priority. Do you have a specific fabric in mind?”
“No.”
“Very well let me get you some samples, I have some beautiful fabrics.”
Celia rushed around looking for a pad to take notes and then went in the back to get fabric samples. She returned with a stack of fine white fabrics and printed dress designs, she anticipated spending a great deal of time getting all the details and answering questions. Karina picked up the top fabric then briefly scanned some of the designs.
“I like this fabric and that design. Can I get measured now?”
Celia’s mouth dropped open, new brides tended to spend hours and even days and weeks deciding on a gown. It was so out of the ordinary.
“Oh yes…this is a beautiful fabric dear, but the design calls for a lighter fabric.”
“Very well then you pick one.”
Celia blinked, Karina’s answers continued to surprise her.
“Very well than I suggest this fabric over here because it would work much better with that design unless you rather choose a different design?”
“No that fabric is fine. Alright now I’m ready for my measurements, I don’t mean to rush you but I have friends waiting outside and we’re very hungry.”
“Oh yes at once.”
Celia was puzzled with Karina’s casual attitude but she obeyed and began taking her measurements. Once she wrote them all down, Celia said,
“Now I will show you some beautiful styles for the headpiece.”
“There’s more?”
“Why yes…I will show you some samples and the most beautiful designs.”
“Very well but please hurry.”
Celia hurried to the back once more. Lynnette came in,
“What’s taking so long? I thought you were just getting measured?”
“I was trying to hurry but now she wants to show me headpieces.”
The door to the shop opened, it was the same female customer that was at the jewelers. Deidra Wood a long time customer of the shop.
“Hello Celia I’m here for my measurements.” Deidra stated.
“Hello Deidra I will be right with you.” Celia answered from the back room.
“Good afternoon ladies.”
“Good afternoon.” The girls answered.
Celia came out with several sheer veils and headpiece styles and placed them on the counter for Karina to look over. Celia picked up one of the headpieces.
“This one is simply gorgeous!”
“Yes it is! Wonderful choice! Well looks like we’re done. Thank you so much Celia, you have been a great help; I’ll be back in touch with you soon. Well I have to run along now so you ladies have a good afternoon.”
“But won’t you try it on first?”
“No I trust your taste more than I trust mine. It was a pleasure doing business with you Celia, thank you so much, see you soon!”
“Well thank you for stopping by dear....and yes please be sure and come back for a fitting two Fridays from now.”
Celia wrote down the appointment on a sheet of paper and gave it to her
“Oh, thank you Celia, I will see you soon, have a pleasant afternoon.”
Karina and Lynnette smiled and walked out the door.
“You will be the most beautiful bride in town.” She told her as the door closed. “That was the oddest young bride I have ever met.”
“Who is she?”
“She’s Lord Gunther Harmon’s bride-to-be.”
In shock, Deidra turned at once toward Karina outside.
“Are you serious? My goodness she’s certainly a young beauty.” Deidra walked over to the window for a better look. “She was also at the jewelers; she seemed to be trading in some jewelry. I overheard her say that she was going on a long voyage over seas….Hmm.” Deidra said sounding suspicious.
“Well, she was probably referring to the honeymoon.”
“Yes. That’s probably it.”
The two women went about their business but Deidra remained unconvinced. Karina, however, was happy that part of her plan was accomplished. Now she just needed to secure her passage on a ship and hire Peter as her guide.
“Well it’s nearly half past 5 o’clock Clifton is there a quiet, clean Inn were we might dine without riff raff drunk seamen?”
Karina gasped placing her fingers over her lip upon remembering that Peter was a seaman and apologized immediately.
“Forgive me Peter, I meant no offense.”
“None taken.”
“By the way Peter, I need to speak to you in private before you go back to the ship tonight.”
“Fine, I’m not due back on the Sea Maiden until 6:00 in the morning.”
“Excellent!” She turned toward Clifton. “Very well Clifton shall we?”
Clifton took them to the home of an elderly couple, who served simple but appetizing meals for the locals in their beautiful garden, no one else was there. It was perfect she thought.
“Lynnette I need your help. I need to speak to Peter but I don’t want Clifton to be aware of my plans.”
“You don’t have to worry about Clifton, Karina. He’s as good as gold; you can trust him I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely, he might even help.”
“Very well then, but let’s eat first I’m famished.”
The elderly attendants brought them tea, hot chicken soup, warm bread, baked fish, steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Then after they finished eating Karina turned to Clifton.
“Clifton I’m going to talk to Peter about something sensitive that I had not planned for you to hear; but Lynnette assures me I can trust you not to say anything especially to Lord Harmon. Do I have your word?”
“Yes of course Miss Karina.” He nodded.
“Very well.”
Karina turned to Peter waiting patiently sitting back with his arms crossed. He lit up with a warm
smile and raised his head eye brows.
“Peter perhaps Lynnette mentioned my dilemma…that I am here because I am to be engaged to Lord Harmon tomorrow evening.”
“Well she only mention you were in trouble and needed help…she didn’t say what…but I’m guessing you don’t want to marry the old pervert.”
Peter said it so casually even Clifton let out a chuckle, as did Lynnette. Karina herself couldn’t help smiling.
“Well it’s not how I would say it but yes you’re right about the rest, I don’t want to marry him.”
“So you want me to help you escape, is that it?”
Karina hesitated for a moment and nodded her head.
“Yes. I will compensate you well for your troubles of course. Will you help me?”
Peter sat back and scratched his head.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well originally I thought you could ask your Captain to allow me to be a passenger on board his ship but now that I learned that Lord Harmon is Captain Drake’s half-brother I think it would be a conflict of interest. So I wanted to ask if you could help me find another ship and captain traveling to New England or the American coast and help me reserve my passage….and be my personal guide and companion the entire journey.”
Peter raised his eyebrows in amazement, a beautiful woman wanted to pay him to be her companion, if only his friends back home were here. If he had not already fallen madly in love with Lynnette he would surely not pass this up, however he didn’t like the idea of transferring to another ship.
“Well the other ships are not going directly to New England they’re going to South America, West Indies, India, and France. Why do you want to travel to New England?”
“My brother lives there.”
“Does he know that you’re coming?”
“No. Actually I don’t even know if he’s alive. My father only disclosed him to me a few days ago. Father told me he lives in New England. He wanted me to know about him in case I might need his help. Perhaps he’s not totally comfortable with me marrying Lord Harmon and thought I should know about his existence.”
“I see. Well unfortunately, the Sea Maiden is also not traveling directly to New England; she is headed to the Yucatan Peninsula to pick up a load of cocoa and other spices. There was a ship that was traveling to the Chesapeake Bay but it already left anyway the Captain is a crook; most of them are to be honest with you. I signed on to the Sea Maiden, because I heard the Captain was a fair man, I have been sailing with him over a year and so far no complaints. I don’t know everything about the Captain but we get on well and he has been gradually assigning me more responsibilities. He’s building another ship and he told me he wanted trustworthy crew members like me to run it. I would like to own my own ship some day so I would like to stay where I am.”
“Then you will not help me?”
Peter leaned forward.
“Look I have an idea, the Captain dismissed that slime, Remus Wilkes yesterday, he’s going to need to replace him and soon because we sail out next Wednesday. I can get you some boots and some men’s clothes and-”
“Wait!” She interrupted, “You want me to pretend to be a man? Wouldn’t it be easier if I went as a passenger on another ship? Or perhaps the captain would understand my plight and be willing to take me as a passenger?”
“Frankly, I don’t think he would knowingly want to get involved hiding his brother’s runaway bride especially since they don’t get along. As for another ship and captain I would not recommend it. I can vouch for Captain Drake the rest of the Captains are a risky lot. Some are said to dabble in piracy. If you board as a man even if the Captain finds out later who you really are, we will be out to sea. He’s not going to turn back the ship; he has deadlines to meet. More than likely you will endure a tongue lashing, we both will but he will be more inclined to accept the situation and swear us to secrecy. You will continue to pretend to be a man until you reach New England. The Captain is an understanding kind of man so I’m not too worried. This way nobody finds out there is a woman on board, and the word will never get to old Lord Gunther, nor will Captain Drake be compromised in aiding your escape. As for me I will still have my job… I think? Anyway you will be free of Lord Harmon and free to look for your brother in New England. You will have to endure life as a man a few months but I think that’s the best option you have at the moment.”
“I think he’s right Karina, Clifton, what do you think?” Lynnette asked.
“No comment.”
“Splendid! I will do it then! Peter if you help me I will double your wages. Do we have an agreement?”
Karina stood and extended her hand.
“Agreed!”
Peter stood and shook her hand.
“Tomorrow is the engagement party you will need to come by sometime before the party ends, this way you can spend time with Lynnette, I will meet you in the back after the party. Do you have a horse?”
“I have access to one.”
“You can use my carriage, I will be visiting my sister in town on Saturday so I will leave it at the peer with the watchman, when you’re done simply return it to the peer and again leave it with the night watchman I will pick it up on Sunday.”
“Thank you Clifton, I appreciate that, since I will have some of my belongings to carry. We will leave around midnight or earlier most of the guest will have left by then. I will pretend to retire to my room. Then I will meet you in the back so leave the carriage by the roadside this way we will not get spotted when we leave. I will leave my things in the bushes ahead of time so we could leave quickly. Peter, please be sure to bring me boots and male clothing to change into.” Karina paused then asked, “Peter do you really think I can fool Captain Drake to think I’m a man?”
“No, but I think I know how to get around that. There is this 16 or 17-year-old lad I know, his father is a shoemaker, I recently purchased some new boots from him. He’s about your height and coloring. I will have him interviewed by the Captain tomorrow and tell him what to say. I will tell the Captain he’s a good friend who lost his parents and needs work. That’s how I first got hired on a ship.”
“You lost your parents?”
“No, I never knew my parents, I was an orphan. I grew up on the streets running errands for the rich.”
Lynnette and Karina suddenly felt terrible for him.
“I’m so sorry to hear that Peter.” Karina said, her heart going out to him.
“No matter, at least I made an honest living; many of the lads I grew up with went from pick-pockets to burglary to piracy. I grew up working for the wealthy and saw how they lived and I wanted it for myself. Some of my clients I ran errands for would say to me, ‘Peter you’re a good boy someday you will be a good man or honest boys get more work and higher pay.’ I guess that kind of stuck with me over the years. Tips were good working as a currier. Well I didn’t mean to get side tracked with my violin story.” He chuckled. “Now regarding my plan that’s the way I will get you hired on the ship. By the time the Captain notices, if he notices, we will be half way to Yucatan.” Peter smiled proudly.
Everyone agreed with the plan. After their meeting, Karina, Lynnette and Clifton returned to Harmon Hall. Karina was happy and excited that her plan was taking form. Lynnette was thoughtful; happy that Karina’s plan was working out and also for her new relationship with the tall and handsome Peter De Marco. He was caring, honest and had a good sense of humor. What saddened her was that both Peter and Karina would soon be gone. She would have to travel back to Pembroke Hall with Nate and the ailing Lord Pembroke who would probably press her for details regarding Karina running away. Perhaps she could go with Karina and Peter but how could she leave her mother and two brothers? Beside she had no money to travel with or jewelry to trade. Life at Pembroke would be very different. Then she remembered Storm and Thunder, she still had them, and she smiled to herself. Still she wondered when she would see Peter and Karina again. At least she looked forward to
being with Peter on Saturday; he said he would be early so they could spend the afternoon together until it was time for Karina and him to leave.
It was late evening when Karina, Lynnette and Clifton arrived at Harmon Hall there was horse and closed carriage outside, Lord Harmon had company. Her father Lord Pembroke was feeling better and was having tea with Lord Harmon and a middle-aged couple.
“Ah Karina you’re just in time to have some tea. I trust all went well at Celia’s did you find a fabric and suitable style for your bridle gown?”
“Yes” Karina answered then she froze as she approached and recognized the female guest.
“I would like you to meet Henry and Deidra Woods they are my neighbors, they live a short distance down the road.”
Deidra was the woman from both the jewelers and Celia’s shop. Had he sent her to spy on her? Karina speculated.
“Henry, Deidra this is my beautiful bride-to-be, Karina Pembroke, you of course already met her father, Lord Charles Pembroke.”
Karina smiled uneasily, remembering she was standing behind her at the jewelers while she explained to him, her need to trade in the jewelry to urgently depart overseas.
“How do you do?” Karina asked feeling self conscious.
“Very well thank you. Actually I saw you earlier at the shops. I recognized Clifton but not the other young man, a friend of yours I assume?”
“Yes.”
Karina caught on that this woman was there to bring up suspicions in Lord Harmon.
“Well I must say you’re as lovely as Lord Harmon said you were.”
Deidra was just short of hissing at Karina.
“Yes very lovely, indeed.” Henry added.
“Thank you.” Karina answered.
“So you’re traveling over seas in a few days…hmm?” Deidra asked, with an incriminating tone.
Karina was at a loss for words but Lord Harmon was having trouble listening to them due to Deidra’s .husband Henry’s, incessant chattering.
“Oh, you must mean Lynnette’s suitor. Yes. He’s traveling soon and had a dispute with the jeweler on a previous visit so he requested my help in trying to trade some jewelry.” Karina lied.
