by Marie Silk
Nellie looked at Abigail, who finally answered in her usual meek way. “I am honored that you would consider taking me with you, Nellie. I will go, if it is what you and Mary wish.”
“How wonderful,” Nellie responded with a smile, feeling a renewed sense of spirit in knowing the voyage would not be so lonesome. “I will make the necessary arrangements. My father has expressed a wish to meet you before the journey. I hope you don’t mind. Tomorrow, I will bring you to visit us in Lancaster. Oh, don’t worry—my father is not as cross as he looks. He will be glad to meet you. I am sure of it.”
The next day, Nellie brought Abigail into the grand drawing room of the Whitmore mansion where Nellie’s parents waited to receive her. Abigail had been to the mansion once before, but was again impressed by the costly accents and furnishings. It was a room fit for royalty.
“Mother, Father, this is my friend Abigail,” Nellie declared.
Mr. Whitmore looked Abigail up and down, but his skeptical stance relaxed slightly and he again rested his elbow on the fireplace mantle. “I thought you said her name was Clara Price,” he replied gruffly. Mrs. Whitmore, who was reclined on a chaise lounge nearby, looked toward Abigail with an apologetic smile.
“I forgot to tell you that Clara’s mother cannot spare her after all. Abigail has kindly agreed to accompany me instead,” Nellie explained.
Mr. Whitmore raised an eyebrow but continued to glance in approval toward Abigail. “At least you look like the sort of girl who will keep my Nellie out of trouble,” he muttered. “And your parents are agreeable to this voyage?”
Abigail cleared her throat before she answered. “My mother has passed on, Mr. Whitmore, and I have been away from my father’s house for several years now.”
“Very well,” Mr. Whitmore agreed. He suddenly changed his tone to one of optimism. “I am grateful to you, Abigail, and I will telephone Cunard about the change. I am now satisfied that Nellie has reconsidered the value of this voyage. She will have no reason to be in sore spirits about it now that she has you.”
Nellie took Abigail to her bedroom after the meeting with her parents. “My father seems to like you, and he doesn’t much like anyone,” Nellie commented. “He hardly likes me. Do you want to know a secret?”
Abigail nodded shyly in response.
“My mother is expecting,” Nellie continued. “Father said that if the baby is a boy, I will lose my inheritance altogether! He does not care if I am left destitute, so long as he has a son. That is the true reason I am being sent to Aunt Lucy in London.”
“I see,” Abigail replied. “I am sorry, Nellie. That must have been difficult news for you to hear.”
Nellie sighed thoughtfully. “I will be happy to have a brother or sister, but it does not make me comfortable to conceal such a fact when I am meeting suitors. They are likely only expressing interest because of my family’s money anyway. Mother and Father intend for me to marry before the suitor can find out that I may have none.”
“It does seem dishonest,” Abigail frowned.
“Do you think that I should tell the truth? I may become rather unpopular in London once word spreads.”
“But how much better would it be to begin your marriage with a lie?” Abigail asked gently. “What will happen with your inheritance if your mother’s baby is a girl?”
“I will inherit half the estate. Father said that I would also keep the house as the firstborn daughter, but it is still less than a suitor might expect of me. Father did say he will provide a dowry for when I go to Britain.”
“Yes, I suppose the English do insist on a dowry,” Abigail remarked, wrinkling her nose.
“You sound as if you don’t like the English,” Nellie laughed.
Abigail giggled. “I imagine there are many English who are just the same as everyone else. But they did give our blessed Ireland a terrible time. I try not to have bad feelings for them, but I was raised with unfavorable talk of the English all my life.”
Nellie giggled. “You will be seeing many English soon. Mary is only half-English, you know. Her mother is Irish.”
“Mrs. Davenport?” asked Abigail in surprise. “She seems to be very hard on everyone, no matter their origins. I would not have guessed that she came from the same place as my family.”
Nellie shrugged. “She has been difficult as long as I’ve known Mary. I don’t understand it either. Can you believe that Mary’s father had a child with the housekeeper?”
Abigail could feel her cheeks turning red. She did not feel comfortable talking about Mary or her family behind their backs. “It was a surprise—but Mary speaks of her father endearingly. I believe he must have been a good man.”
“Oh, of course he was. I did not mean to suggest that he wasn’t,” Nellie added. “You are entirely too kind, Abigail. I see now why Mary loves you so much.”
“Thank you,” Abigail replied. “It is kind of you to consider me for your voyage to London. I am nervous, but you seem a wonderful lady to travel with. I can see why Mary loves you, too.”
The next day, Nellie went to Davenport House to retrieve Abigail for the journey. When they arrived in New York, they checked into The Grand Hotel on Broadway, where they would meet the Caswells. They were the husband and wife who agreed to chaperon Nellie. As the bellhop showed Abigail to the suite, she whispered to Nellie, “I never thought that I would stay in a hotel as a guest. I used to be a hotel maid, although it was not in a hotel as grand as this one. I am grateful to you, Nellie.”
“It is my pleasure,” Nellie replied. “Let us change our clothes. We must meet my chaperons for dinner. They are terribly boring, but we need not see them much once we are on the ship.”
They went into the hotel dining room to find Mr. and Mrs. Caswell already seated at a table. There was also a young man, who appeared about the same age as Nellie, sitting with them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Caswell, allow me to introduce my traveling companion, Abigail,” Nellie announced formally.
Mrs. Caswell nodded in acknowledgment toward Abigail. “May I present my nephew, Henry Caswell. He will accompany us to Liverpool.” Mrs. Caswell seemed to say this disapprovingly. Henry looked down at his plate. Abigail and Nellie sensed that there must have been a dispute prior to their arrival.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Caswell,” Nellie said politely. Henry looked up at her. His dark eyes seemed tired and sad, but when he looked toward Nellie, she could see at once how handsome his features were. She was surprised that the Caswells could have had such an attractive relation, as they were not so much to look at themselves.
“And I am pleased to make yours,” he answered in a deep voice.
The dinner was eaten with the usual pleasantries exchanged, but it was clear that Henry was not in the good graces of the Caswells. They acted as if they only tolerated his presence.
Nellie and Abigail returned to the hotel suite after dinner. “Well, that was odd,” she commented. “I did not know the Caswells were bringing their nephew. What did you think of him?”
“He was quiet,” Abigail replied.
“Yes, he was. Abigail, what do you think of the stable boy at Davenport House?” Nellie asked, abruptly changing the subject.
Abigail unknowingly held her breath and felt her face burning. “I think he is kind,” she exhaled, thinking it was a safe enough answer. Abigail was aware that Nellie had fancied Ethan for years, but Abigail was beginning to fall in love with him, herself.
“Did you know that I once asked Father if I could marry him?” Nellie resumed with a giggle. “Father said no, of course. But I do believe that Ethan is terribly handsome. He will make a lady very fortunate one day.”
“Indeed he will,” Abigail agreed, hoping that it was the end of the questions about Ethan.
“Now tell me, what is happening between Mary and that Dr. Hamilton?” Nellie prodded.
Abigail hesitated. “I am sorry, but it is not my place to tell.”
“Then she is in lov
e with him,” Nellie sighed as if Abigail had answered her question. “Do you think that Mary could be happy as a doctor’s wife? I always thought that she would marry a gentleman. I do wish for Mary to be happy of course, but I will be disappointed when she is wed. It will mean that my friends will have no time to see me. That is what happens when girls get married, you know. They stop speaking to their friends who do not have husbands.”
“I did not know,” Abigail responded.
“It is true. But let us not worry about that now. Let us prepare to go to the theater. Our play will start soon and we have the best seats in the house! I am certain you will love A Midsummer Night’s Dream!”
Abigail enjoyed the play immensely and both girls later retired to their suite at the hotel, only to fall asleep quickly and dream of the adventure yet to come.
The next morning, Pier 54 in New York was teeming with excited travelers. The Caswells left the hotel before Nellie and Abigail, so the girls hired their own carriage to take them through the chaotic traffic. When they came into view of the ship, Abigail appeared as if she might be about to cry. Nellie did all that she could to make Abigail feel comfortable about boarding the imposing vessel.
The third class passengers formed a noisy crowd of people of all ages. Some of the foreign ones appeared to be suffering from illness. Nellie wondered if they were being sent back to Europe after being deemed unfit to stay in America. She heard that it happened with many immigrants. “This way for the first-class passengers, Abigail,” she said, gently taking her elbow and steering her toward the correct boarding area.
They had nearly reached the stairs to board the ship, when Abigail gasped suddenly. “Nellie! Ethan is here!” She pointed him out to Nellie.
Nellie looked over in surprise. It was true. There in the crowd, held back by the pier guards, stood the Davenport’s stable boy. “What on earth is Ethan doing here?” Nellie wondered aloud, and stepped out of the way so the other passengers could move past her. “I will hold our place here. Go see what he wants, quickly.” When Abigail was speaking with Ethan, Nellie looked on in bewilderment to see that Mary’s friend Dr. Hamilton was with him.
When Abigail returned to report to Nellie, she looked frightened. “Is that Mary’s Dr. Hamilton?” asked Nellie in surprise. “I cannot imagine what he can be doing here just now.”
Abigail tried to speak with Nellie discreetly. “They have come to stop us. Dr. Hamilton said that our ship is a target for the War and we are putting our lives at risk by boarding it today.”
“Oh, all of the rumors,” Nellie said casually. “Dear Abigail, they would not continue with this voyage if it was unsafe. Look at all of these people. Do you think that they would board the ship if they believed those rumors? We needn’t worry. The crew know what they are doing.”
“I really think we should listen to them,” Abigail persisted.
“Oh, I will go to talk to Dr. Hamilton myself. Hold our place in line so that we may board in a moment.” Nellie went over to Dr. Hamilton and Ethan who stood a distance away to wait for them. “You two are scaring poor Abigail,” she scolded. “Why have you come all this way today?”
Dr. Hamilton looked her in the face solemnly. “The German Embassy has warned Americans not to sail on this ship. Some suspect that there are weapons aboard being transported to Great Britain, which makes your ship a target. I beg of you not to go. Postpone your journey for another time when it is safe.”
“I cannot postpone. It has all been arranged. I am afraid you have wasted your trip here. We will not be in London very long,” she assured him with a smile. “You will see us again in no time.”
“Miss Whitmore,” said Ethan anxiously. “Abigail will do whatever you say, even if it means putting her life at risk. If you will not listen to us, you must make it clear that it is her choice whether to go with you.”
Nellie was touched by their concern, but she reasoned that the ship would not have boarded the passengers if what Dr. Hamilton and Ethan said was true. She returned to Abigail who stood waiting for her near the stairs. “I am going to board now, Abigail. You must decide whether to go with me or go back to Davenport House with the men. I know that the doctor is worried for us, but I think he is overly cautious. Still, you must do what your heart tells you and not worry whose feelings you may hurt,” Nellie spoke compassionately. Abigail nodded. The girls got back in line and showed their documents to the crew. Ethan and Dr. Hamilton looked on in sorrow.
But when Abigail took the first step onto the stairs she cried out. “Wait! Nellie, I can’t. I am sorry!”
Nellie tried to swallow her disappointment and responded kindly. “Do what you must, Dear. Do not worry about me.” She kissed Abigail on the cheek and watched her leave the boarding area. Then Nellie felt a tear roll down her face as she took the remaining steps and realized that she would be taking the voyage alone.
Chapter 2
Lucy Whitmore wore a long black dress and long expression, exactly as she had the last three years since she became widowed. She was in the drawing room of her London home, sitting at a secretary desk and sealing an envelope. She tried to calmly hand the letter to her maid who was standing nearby. “Please post this immediately, Julia,” Lucy ordered.
Julia glanced at the name on the letter and stared back at Lucy with wide eyes. “Are you certain, Madam?”
Lucy looked impatiently at Julia. “Come now, Julia. It has been three years. I should be able to invite whomever I please to my house. It is my niece’s soiree, after all.”
Julia nodded obediently and left the room with the letter. Lucy breathed a sigh of relief that she was alone in the room once more. She looked down at her hands that were still shaking from nerves. She even considered following Julia to retrieve the letter before it could be sent, but instead took several deep breaths, convincing herself to stay at her desk, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
Captain Frederick Perry was absorbed in a book in his study when the letter arrived. “Post for you, Captain,” announced his footman. Frederick grunted in response and the footman placed the letter on the desk as usual. After finishing the passage he was reading, Frederick glanced uninterested at the envelope on the desk. Then he did a double-take. The book that he held dropped loudly to the floor. He continued to stare at the letter with wide eyes and began to circle the desk only gazing at it, as if afraid to touch it. He finally reached for the letter and tore it open so quickly that it nearly ripped in two.
“Lucy,” he sputtered in disbelief. He called for the footman to order the car and was soon on his way to St. John’s Wood in London.
“Madam!” Julia cried in a whisper.
Lucy was still at the desk in her drawing room and startled from her daydream when Julia walked in. “What is it, Julia?”
“He is here!” the maid whispered frantically.
“Who?” Lucy asked bewildered.
“Captain Perry!”
Lucy’s eyes grew wide and her mouth hung open. “Here is here? Now?”
Julia nodded. “He waits in the front hall.”
Lucy felt her heart racing in her chest and she held onto the desk for support. “Tell him I’ll be right down, Julia,” she replied more confidently than she felt. She stood up and smoothed out her dress before walking carefully down the stairs to the hall. When Lucy saw the captain, she nearly stumbled, and was only grateful that her faltering knees were hidden by her dress. The man standing before her looked just as frazzled as she felt, yet he beamed a large smile.
“Lucy!” he greeted as she approached.
“Frederick! Um—I am terribly sorry, I meant to say—Captain Perry,” Lucy corrected herself quickly. “I was not expecting to see you so soon.”
Frederick laughed. “It has been twenty years. How can any time be too soon? When I saw that the letter was written in your hand, I came straight away. You surprised me, Lucy! An invitation from you after all these years!”
“Well yes—but—” she stammered. �
�The party is not for another week. It is for my niece.”
“Then consider my visit today as my promise to attend,” he said proudly. “I still cannot believe it.”
Lucy turned her face away. She could not look into his eyes a minute longer. “Thank you, Captain Perry. I will confirm your attendance to the staff.” From the corner of her vision she could see that he still stood there expectantly. Lucy wondered what he was waiting for. Part of her wished that he would leave already.
“Is that all?” Frederick asked. “Have you nothing more to say to me?”
Lucy looked up and met his gaze. “I only thought you might like to come to the party. My niece will be visiting from America.”
Frederick nodded with a sigh. “I see. When does your niece arrive?”
“She arrives Thursday, on the ocean liner called Lusitania.”
Frederick’s expression changed quickly to concern. “The Lusitania!”
Lucy raised her eyebrows in surprise. “What is wrong?”
Frederick looked solemn. “It is too early to say.”
Lucy lowered herself into the settee in the hall, worried over receiving such an answer from a knowledgeable sea captain. “I am suddenly panicked. I never thought it would be a problem. Her father sounded so confident over the telegram. Surely he would not have sent her—if he had thought—”
“I am sorry to have worried you,” Frederick said gently, regretting that his answer had worried Lucy. “Surely your niece will arrive on Saturday, as expected. Thank you for the invitation to the party. I am certain it will be a grand affair.”
Lucy nodded, but still looked frightened.
“I will leave now,” Frederick said. “You must have much to do to prepare for your niece’s arrival. Goodbye, Lucy.” He let himself out the door while Lucy remained in the settee, staring with worry.
“Please, God, let her be alright,” she whispered.
Nellie was shown to her suite aboard the ship. The room was small compared to what she was used to, but usual for a ship stateroom and adequate for the week. The room had a writing desk and chest of drawers. A bed made with luxurious linens was set against the wall with a picture window, while an identically made bed was positioned on the opposite side of the room. Nellie was sad to see the second bed, feeling Abigail’s absence more deeply now. She tipped the steward and walked over to the window of her room to look out. She could see the pier and wondered if Abigail was still there to watch the ship set sail. The people on the ground looked small like ants while they weaved through the lines to board the ship.
