Davenport House 4: Heiress Interrupted

by Marie Silk

  “Henry!” Nellie greeted in surprise. “Good evening.”

  “Good evening,” he replied, but a look of concern was evident in his face. “Are you well?”

  “Not at all,” Nellie answered. “I don’t think I can leave my room while the waves are this high. Thank goodness that today is our last day at sea!”

  “That is what I have come to tell you, Nellie. The captain has announced that we will not arrive in Liverpool tomorrow, but instead be delayed for another day.”

  “Is it because of this terrible weather?” asked Nellie.

  “He did not explain. Some think that the reason for the delay is because the captain is avoiding u-boats in the area.”

  “Oh, I see. I wonder if we should be worried,” said Nellie.

  Henry smiled. “We are not the first voyage to be delayed for a day. It will be fine, surely.”

  “I hope the news reaches my Aunt Lucy in time, or she will wonder why I am not at the train station tomorrow. She does worry often.”

  “Do you get along with your aunt better than I get along with mine?” asked Henry.

  “Oh, indeed. Aunt Lucy is marvelous. But she is lonely, for she never had children of her own and is now a widow. She is always glad when I come to visit her.”

  “I am happy that your aunt is amiable. As you can imagine, I will not have such a warm welcome when I return home. In fact, I was grateful when I heard that this voyage would be delayed for another day. The captain could delay it a week, and that would be agreeable to me.”

  Nellie laughed. “But it would not be agreeable to the rest of the passengers.”

  Henry laughed too. “No, I expect it wouldn’t be.” Henry looked into the hallway just then and observed a steward heading toward Nellie’s room with a wheeled cart. “Ah, I do believe your dinner is here. I will leave now.”

  “Thank you for telling me of the Captain’s announcement,” Nellie told him as he turned to leave.

  “Of course. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Nellie.” Henry went down the hallway and realized that he did not know where to go next. The lounge was mostly empty because passengers had either gone to dinner or stayed in their rooms. Henry sat down near the green fireplace. He was suddenly aware of how alone it felt to be there without his new friend. He watched the flames and let his thoughts wander. He thought about how strangely Nellie had reacted when he asked what the fortune teller told her. She had seemed to be open to him about everything until then, and Henry wondered what it was it was that she did not want him to hear.

  Henry pondered this by the fire and soon rose from his seat. He left the lounge and descended the staircase to the lower floors. He was soon walking into the expansive common room in the third class section of the ship, receiving odd stares from the passengers there. One man approached him and questioned him gruffly. “You lost?”

  Henry laughed. “I heard there was a fortune teller aboard and I wish to hear mine told.”

  The man looked Henry up and down. “That’s usually for the womenfolk.”

  “Could you be so good as to point me in the right direction?” asked Henry.

  The man shrugged. “Suit yourself. In that corner in the back,” he said with a jerk of his head.

  Henry thanked the man and headed toward the back corner. The crowd dispersed to make a path, watching Henry curiously as he approached the Gypsy woman.

  “Might I have my fortune told?” he asked kindly.

  The woman’s son who stood beside her spoke up. “I’m sorry, Sir. My mother speaks no English.”

  “Can she see the future?” asked Henry.

  The man nodded. “But she refuses to tell more fortunes until we arrive on land.”

  Henry looked skeptically at the woman’s son. He was aware that fortune tellers might put on an act to obtain more payment from their customers. Henry retrieved ten silver coins from his pocket and held out his hand. “Would this be enough for one fortune?”

  The man’s eyes were wide as he stared at the coins. He then began speaking intensely to his mother in Rumanian. They appeared to be arguing about whether to take the money. Henry was beginning to believe that the woman truly did not wish to speak to him.

  Finally the man spoke to Henry. “I have persuaded her to tell your fortune. Give her your hand and I will translate her words.”

  The woman seemed reluctant but took Henry’s hand when he held it out to her. She then closed her eyes and a hush fell over the crowd that stood behind Henry. The woman was quiet for so long that Henry began to lose faith that she would say anything at all. Just as he was about to pull his hand away, the woman suddenly grabbed his forearm and held on tightly. Her eyelids fluttered open and when they did, the woman’s milky gray eyes were staring straight into Henry’s. He felt chills run over his body and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His heart raced in his chest as the woman tightened her grip on his arm. She continued to look fixedly into Henry’s frightened eyes, and when her lips parted, the words were spoken in perfect English: “Save me, Doctor!”

  Chapter 5

  The next day, a murmur of disappointment was heard among the passengers of the Lusitania. Once again, the captain assured everyone that the delay was nothing to be worried about, and that the ship was only taking precautions. One consolation was that the sea had calmed that day and was no longer tossing the ship about as it had the previous days. At the veranda cafe, Nellie met up with Priscilla, who was feeling better that afternoon.

  “I am glad that we may at least be together another day,” Nellie stated to her friend.

  “You are kind to me, Nellie. I was dreading this voyage with all of my heart, but your being here has made all the difference.”

  Nellie smiled. They had not spoken another word about the Gypsy woman and intentionally kept their conversations light. “Priscilla, tell me…do you know of a Henry Caswell?”

  Priscilla sat thoughtfully for a moment. “I know of a Lord Henry Caswell, if you mean the son of the Marquess. I believe the family lives in Surrey in an ages old castle. Although I have heard that it is in dire need of modernization. There are rumors that it does not even have electric lights installed. Can you imagine? In 1915! And they, the most prominent family in the area. I have also heard it said that the family has lived a grander life than they can afford.”

  “How curious,” Nellie replied. “I wonder if it is true. Have you met Henry before?”

  Priscilla raised her eyebrow at Nellie. “ ‘Henry’?” she laughed. “You must be acquainted with him far better than I.”

  Nellie blushed. “I met him in New York before we boarded the ship. His aunt and uncle are my chaperons.”

  “Is he a passenger, then?” asked Priscilla. Nellie nodded in response. “So that is why you disappear so often. I have only met him the one time, but I could not forget such a handsome face.”

  “He is clever as much as he is handsome. We have exchanged some wonderful conversations,” Nellie explained.

  “I believe this is the first time I have seen you smitten,” giggled Priscilla. “But Nellie, I don’t think there will be any money left by the time he inherits. Has he expressed his intentions toward you?”

  “He has not. I suppose I am getting ahead of myself by even mentioning him,” Nellie admitted.

  “If you married him, you would be a Countess, at least,” Priscilla continued. “Your family’s money would make up for any shortage on the Caswell’s part.”

  Nellie cringed. “That may be a problem. You see, my mother is expecting a child, which means that my inheritance will be divided. And if the baby is a boy, my father has said that I will have nothing. It is why I am going to London. My aunt is expected to find an advantageous marriage for me.”

  “I am sorry, Nellie. I had no idea. I hope that whoever your aunt chooses will meet with your approval.”

  Nellie looked up at her seriously. “What were your thinking when you decided to leave with your butler? Surely your father would have disinhe
rited you for it. What were your plans for a living?”

  Priscilla gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. “Edward has a farmhouse near Harrisburg. His family resides there now, and I thought that we could move in until other arrangements could be made.”

  “You? In a farmhouse?” Nellie laughed incredulously. “I can hardly believe my ears. You must love him very much.”

  “Of course I do, Nellie.”

  “What does it feel like to be in love?”

  “When I was home with Edward, our love was a more wonderful feeling than I ever dreamed possible. But now it has turned into the most sorrowful pain. I feel as if a part of me is missing, and I feel the ache in my heart and my stomach each day that we cannot be together.” Tears had formed in Priscilla’s eyes and began to stream down her soft cheeks. “I do not know what to do now that I will be on the other side of the world, and forced to give up our child. Is there any escape from this misery that my parents have forced upon me?”

  “I don’t know,” Nellie answered helplessly. “If there is anything I may do to help…”

  “I know you will, Nellie,” Priscilla replied. But she quietly wondered how anyone could help her at all.

  After Priscilla retired to her room, Nellie hoped to see Henry around the boat deck. It was nearing time for dinner and Nellie could not find him in the lounge or other rooms. She returned to her stateroom and carefully packed her traveling cases. The passengers were instructed to have their luggage placed outside their staterooms before dinner on the last night. Nellie carefully chose the clothes she would wear and left for the dining room. She was pleased to see Henry sitting there, although something about him seemed different tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell were also seated.

  “Thank you for seeing me safely to London,” Nellie thanked them politely.

  “It has been our pleasure, Nellie,” replied Mrs. Caswell for the both of them. “I am sorry there has not been more to do here, and that the weather was so terrible those days. We cannot wait to be back in Exeter.”

  “Exeter?” Nellie asked quizzically.

  “Yes, Mr. Caswell and I reside in Exeter. Be sure to meet with us during debarkation tomorrow so we may arrive at the Liverpool train station together,” Mrs. Caswell instructed.

  Nellie looked at Henry. He appeared serious and anxious, much like he did the night they first met. “Will you be taking the train with us?” she asked him.

  Henry opened his mouth to answer, but his aunt spoke before he could. “Henry will travel separately to his home in Surrey. This dinner is the last time we expect to see him.”

  Henry was looking directly into Nellie’s eyes in a way that made her heart race. He looked like he wanted to say something, but remained silent. Nellie wanted to say something too, but all she could do was look back into his eyes. Mrs. Caswell looked them over curiously, sensing the tension that was present at the table. To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Caswell spoke up. “Please give my sincerest regards to your father, Henry. It has been ages since I saw him last, but I intend to make a visit to the castle soon after we arrive in Exeter. It has been too long since your father and I were fishing on the estate.”

  Mrs. Caswell cast a glare at her husband after his remark, but he appeared unaffected. Henry seemed to perk up at his uncle’s statement. “Thank you, Uncle. My father will be glad to hear it. We look forward to your visit.”

  “My aunt is arranging a party for me next week,” Nellie said. “I hope I may send invitations to all of you.”

  “Of course we will attend,” Mrs. Caswell replied, suddenly turning cheerful. “And if I know your Aunt Lucinda, I suspect that she has already arranged the perfect match for you.”

  Nellie giggled. “Yes, that does sound like Aunt Lucy.” She then looked at Henry who was still staring at her intently. He forced a smile before looking down at his plate.

  “I’m afraid I did not pack my things before dinner as I should have,” Henry said abruptly. “Please, excuse me. I wish you all safe travels. Goodbye, Uncle. Goodbye, Nellie. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Goodbye,” Nellie responded slowly, disappointed that Henry was leaving so soon. She hoped that they might speak at the dinner table after Mr. and Mrs. Caswell had retired to bed. The Caswells left soon after Henry, and Nellie returned to her room, settling in for her last night aboard the ship.

  Excitement was felt in the air the following day. The passengers were eager to set their feet on dry land again, and many looked forward to the loved ones they would soon be untied with. Nellie was glad to be able to meet with Priscilla for an early lunch in the Palm Lounge. Priscilla became so tired afterward that she returned to her room. Nellie scanned the first class rooms, looking for Henry again. It was soon announced by the captain that the coast of Ireland was visible from the port side. The passengers raced to the decks in anticipation, hungry for the sight of land after the week at sea. Nellie rushed to Priscilla’s room to tell her the news. Priscilla was already lying in bed.

  “The fog has cleared and we can see Ireland from the ship now. Come with me to see it,” Nellie coaxed.

  Priscilla sighed sleepily. “I am so very tired, Nellie. You go on without me.”

  “Are you certain?” she asked.

  “I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for another second…” Priscilla drifted off and was soon sleeping peacefully.

  Nellie smiled at her friend and kissed her forehead. “Have a good rest, Dear Priscilla.” Nellie slipped out of the room and went up to the deck to see the coast. She removed her hat and allowed the fresh sea air to breeze through her hair.

  A woman stood there on the deck, holding her crying baby. “Look, we are almost home, Darling,” she was cooing to the infant. The baby continued to cry while his mother bounced him gently on her hip. Nellie could not help but smile.

  “I can take him for a moment, if you wish,” she said to the woman.

  The woman breathed in relief. “Thank you. My arms are very tired. He has gotten so big!”

  Nellie giggled in delight when the woman handed the baby into her arms. “What a handsome lad he is already,” she remarked. The baby stopped crying and looked curiously at Nellie as she bounced him lightly and walked along the deck. Then Nellie heard a familiar deep voice behind her.

  “I see you have made a new friend.”

  Nellie turned around to see Henry. “Good afternoon!” she greeted cheerfully. “I was not sure that I would see you again.”

  “Thank goodness that was not the case,” replied Henry with a twinkle in his eye.

  The baby’s mother soon stepped in and thanked Nellie for calming him down. She then took her baby and walked down the deck, admiring the view of the coast. Nellie sighed as she watched the woman walk away. “The little one was such a dear,” Nellie remarked. “I would have held him for longer if his mother had let me.”

  “Indeed, he seemed a bundle of joy,” Henry replied.

  Nellie removed a paper from the pocket of her dress and gave it to Henry. “I have written my aunt’s address and the time of the party next week. You will come, won’t you? I was not sure you would receive a proper invitation in time.”

  Henry put the paper away in his jacket pocket but seemed to hesitate. Then he said, “If you wish me to attend, then of course I will come.”

  Nellie beamed. “I would like to hug you right now, but my mother made me promise not to make a spectacle of myself. She told me that the English do not appreciate embracing as Americans do.”

  Henry laughed. “I suppose it is not generally done, but there are exceptions to every rule.”

  Nellie smiled and stepped closer to him. She could feel her heart racing, looking into his eyes that were smiling back at her. Suddenly, the ship was thrust violently to the starboard side, casting Nellie, Henry, and the other passengers against the large glass windows of the ship.

  “What was that!” cried Nellie. People all around were panicking, trying to understand what had happened. It was worse than th
e ship had ever rocked in the past days, but the sea appeared calm. Something was wrong. Soon they began to hear the words “u-boat” and “torpedo” and watched as the lifeboats began to be deployed. There was confusion as the passengers boarded the lifeboats despite the captain’s assurance that the ship would be fine. Henry did not seem so sure.

  “Nellie, I think we should get into a lifeboat,” he said solemnly.

  “But I cannot swim!” she cried back.

  “I will find lifebelts for us. Wait here for me!” Henry rushed into the ship’s doors and quickly returned with lifebelts. They slipped them on and stood behind the other passengers on their way into one of the lifeboats. An explosion was heard just then which shook the ship hard and caused people to scream. Some shouted that it was another torpedo. Henry and Nellie were now in the lifeboat, holding on tightly as it was lowered into the water. They watched in horror as other lifeboats around them flipped or fell into the sea as they were being lowered. The shrieks of those still running on the decks, searching for a lifeboat to board were heard loud in clear in the ears of those who were already seated in one. Nellie looked on helplessly, feeling her back pressed tightly against Henry, who sat behind her. Nellie’s legs were pinned in place by the people to the front and sides of her. Nellie could not scream or cry or think—all she could do was stare at the scene of calamity aboard the Lusitania, which began sinking into the water. People could be seen jumping off the side and pushing others off.

  “There are enough lifeboats for everyone,” Henry said in Nellie’s ear, in an attempt to assure her that it was not as bad as it looked. He reached for Nellie’s hand which lay limp at her side. Henry was worried that she had fallen unconscious and he twisted his body forward until he could see her face. Then Henry could see that she was still conscious, and was staring at something in utter fright. The woman with the baby still stood on the deck of the ship, and was extending her arms that held the baby over the rail, looking as if she would drop him into the sea.