by Diann Hunt
“Me, too.”
The distant lighthouse flashed its searching beam across the waters, threatening to shadow Adelaide’s joy with thoughts of Josiah at sea and her left behind. She refused to linger there.
When they arrived at the social, Adelaide took in the scene before her. Though held in a rough barn, the place was clean and warm. Enormous trays of food lined up on a large table provided plenty to eat. Local fiddlers played for the adults while children huddled in circles for stories and games.
Adelaide and Josiah passed the evening with friends and laughter. All too soon the social drew to an end.
“Adelaide, could we go outside for a moment?” Josiah asked as he handed her some hot tea.
“Certainly.” Suddenly her hopes fled and concern filled her. Was he going to say good-bye now? So soon?
They stepped into the brisk night air. Adelaide pulled her cloak closer to her neck and took a sip of tea.
Moonlight now bathed the sea in a romantic glow. The scent of homemade pies and cakes followed them from the barn, filling the air with fresh sweetness. Josiah edged her away from the barn, stepping around the front of the house facing the sea. The moon provided enough light to make their steps secure.
He turned to her. “I have something on my mind. I’m not sure how to say it.”
She felt her heart turn to liquid. The next few minutes could seal her fate forever. Would her dreams come true, or would a part of her die?
“I received word my cook has decided not to sail with the Courage.”
Confusion filled her.
“I know you love the sea, and I thought, I mean, I was wondering, uh …”
Her mind tangled with his words. What was he trying to say?
He must have seen the concern on her face. He lifted his free hand. “Just hear me out before you say anything.”
She nodded, trying desperately to keep her wild thoughts in check.
He looked down and nervously marked the sand with his boot. After what seemed an eternity to Adelaide, he looked out to sea as if the words he needed could be found there. “Having a good cook on my ship is one of the most important aspects of my job, the very reason I’m successful as a captain. Most ships employ a crewman, whoever they can get. I refuse to do that. The men need good food. They need their strength and health. It’s a hard life out there.”
He finally lifted his face to her. “What I’m trying to say is you want a life on the sea. I need a good cook for the crew. There’s no time to search for one. You are a great cook.”
Her heart soared! She wanted to run the beach, to shout from the rooftops, but his next words stopped her cold.
“I thought perhaps if you married me, you could have what you want, and I could as well.”
Her thoughts swirled in a flurry of confusion. He wanted her to marry him? She gulped. Before she could utter a word, he continued.
“Please understand. I acknowledge it’s a marriage of convenience. We would marry in name only. I would respect and honor you. You would cook for the crew. In return, you would experience life on the sea.” He searched her eyes, as if trying to read her answer. “It’s the only proper way for you to sail.”
Mixed emotions closed in, making it difficult for her to breathe. How long had she dreamed for this day? Yet marriage? She hadn’t thought of that. Marriage was saved for love, wasn’t it? Still, why hadn’t she seen this coming? He and Mrs. Markle were right. Adelaide couldn’t possibly sail the seas as a single woman. What foolishness that she had allowed her dreams to carry her onto a ship without thought of propriety.
Well, Josiah was her friend, after all, not a total stranger. His love had died with his first wife, so there would be no romantic illusions on Adelaide’s part. A business deal. How odd that she should feel a tug of sadness.
“I know this is all so sudden, but—”
“I’ll go.” Her dreams would come true—or did she seal a fate of loneliness and endless days without knowing love? “It is the only way I can get to the sea,” she explained.
If he noticed indecision in her eyes, he said nothing. “You will? Adelaide, that’s wonderful!” The thrill of the moment seemed to get the better of him. He pulled her into an enormous embrace, causing her to spill the remainder of her tea.
Oh, how she wanted to free herself from the fear of the unknown, to embrace her rescuer fully in return, to let her heart soar. Instead, she bristled a little. This was not about them. This was a business arrangement. True, she would get to sail, but was this the way she wanted it?
He must have sensed her awkwardness. “Forgive me. It is such a relief to know you will go.” Upon seeing her face, he cleared his throat. “Of course, we must behave as though we are happy about the whole affair in front of others, or surely they would try to stop us.” His eyes searched her face.
Understanding dawned on her. That was the reason for the endless evenings together. Josiah had been working up to this point. He wanted the town to think they were courting. It all made sense to her now. “I understand, Josiah.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. What is wrong with me? This is exactly what I’ve wanted all my life. Yet she couldn’t stop the disappointment swelling inside. She would never have a family, never know love.
“Shall we go tell the others?”
“I’d rather you let me tell Ma alone before we make it public.”
“I understand.” He escorted her back toward the barn. “I was thinking we could get married at your house in, say, five or six days?”
She turned a surprised look toward him.
“I’m sorry, Adelaide, but there isn’t much time.”
She nodded. The magical feel of the evening disappeared with the ebbing tide. Her life would be forever changed from this night forward. The worst fear of all grabbed her. She had not even thought to pray about the matter.…
“Oh Adelaide, that is so romantic!” Esther said dramatically when Adelaide revealed her wedding plans.
Adelaide shifted on her bed. “Shh, I haven’t told Ma yet.” She could hear Ma in the kitchen. The smell of simmering vegetable soup filled their cottage.
“Oh dear. She will not be happy about this,” Esther whispered then nervously rubbed her hands together.
“I know.” Adelaide fell back against the bed. If Ma knew the truth, she would positively forbid it.
Esther’s face brightened. “She will change her mind when she sees how happy you two are, Adelaide. She worries about us.”
The room fell quiet. The only sounds came from the kitchen, where Ma clanged pots and dishes. Adelaide needed to go help. She straightened herself back up and threw a weak smile toward her sister.
“You’re sure about this, Adelaide?” Esther’s expression showed uncertainty.
Suddenly Adelaide knew she would have to do a better job of pretending than this. She mustered the courage and put on a happy face. “Positive.”
Esther’s anxious expression broke into the most pleasurable of smiles. “Don’t worry, then. Everything will be fine. Now, let’s go tell Ma.”
Esther extended her hand to help Adelaide from the bed, and together they walked into the kitchen.
“Well, I’d wondered what you were up to. Adelaide, would you place these bowls on the table, please? Esther, get the water.”
The sisters shared a glance then commenced to set the table. Once seated, Ma prayed over the meal then spooned the thick soup into heavy bowls.
Esther nodded encouragement.
Adelaide took a deep breath. “Ma, I have something to tell you.”
With reluctance, Ma placed the soup ladle back in the bowl and wiped her hands. As if waiting for this moment and knowing the dreaded time had arrived, Ma looked at Adelaide. “Go on.”
“Josiah has asked me to marry him, and I have agreed.”
“I see.” Ma lifted the ladle once again and continued serving the soup.
Adelaide and Esther exchanged a glance of disbelief.
“Did you hear me
, Ma?”
“I heard you, Adelaide.” Ma concerned herself with the meal before them. Without looking at Adelaide, she asked, “When are you leaving?” Her face remained expressionless.
“We set sail November 25. We would like to get married here, if you don’t mind. Just our family with Pastor and Mrs. Daugherty and the Markles, of course.”
“So your mind is made up, Adelaide?”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s nothing I can do to stop you.” Tears glistened in her eyes as Ma turned toward Adelaide and reached for her hand. “I love you, Adelaide. I want what’s best for you. I trust your judgment. If this makes you happy and you feel this is God’s will for your life, I will not stop you.”
Adelaide was caught off guard by her ma’s response. If only Ma had scolded her, it would have made things easier. But her blessing? Her trust?
“Thank you” was all Adelaide could manage.
Plans for the wedding, which they decided would take place in two days, consumed the rest of the mealtime.
Once alone with her thoughts that evening in bed, Adelaide felt relief that the task of telling her ma was over. The days ahead would fly by, and she mentally made a list of things she wanted to accomplish.
She knew this should be the happiest time in her life, but deceit weighed on her heart. What kind of life would she have at sea? With Josiah?
“Father, what have I done?” Silent tears washed her face.
Adelaide listened as a ruffle of wind tapped against the windowpane, lightly at first, and then growing stronger. Misty rain blurred the glass. Soft thunder pealed from the heavens.
Adelaide pulled the thick blankets closer to her neck, suddenly feeling an icy chill. She closed her eyes to sleep, but the storm pulled her thoughts into a torturous theatrical play. A play in which she portrayed the lonely wife of a sea captain …
Chapter 4
Though the wind brought fragmented conversations from nearby warehouses and other various establishments bordering the waterfront, Adelaide felt glad she had insisted the wedding take place near the Courage.
Just beyond their gathering, four wharves reached out more than a hundred yards into the harbor. Tethered to the wharves, eighteen to twenty whaleboats, along with dozens of smaller vessels, creaked and groaned with the churning waters that sloshed against their hulls.
The wind whipped through Adelaide’s dress, causing it to snap at her feet. The noontime sun did little to warm her from the nippy breeze, but she assured herself the ceremony would be over soon and she would spend the afternoon packing before setting sail.
Josiah and his crew had spent several days loading the ship with casks of water, firewood, food, equipment, clothing, charts, medicine, nautical instruments, and the like. Adelaide could hardly believe they were almost ready to sail.
Adelaide Sanborn—rather, Buchanan—would sail on a whaling ship.
The pastor’s words mingled with the murmur of the sea, and Adelaide’s thoughts drifted to the evening ahead of her. Josiah had told her she would need to spend the night at his land home or people would wonder. He had assured her she could sleep in a guest room. Not that she minded. She certainly didn’t want it any other way. Still, she couldn’t deny it was hardly the wedding night of which a young woman dreamed.
Where were all these silly romantic notions coming from? She sounded as bad as Esther. Adelaide glanced at her sister. Esther’s face beamed with pure pleasure. Adelaide couldn’t help but let out a slight smile.
She straightened her shoulders and turned her attention back to the pastor’s words. The soft cadence of the seashore echoed against the solemn vows Adelaide and Josiah repeated in front of the few witnesses.
When they came to the ceremony’s end, horror filled Adelaide as she realized Josiah would have to kiss her. Her breath felt as shallow as the shoreline. Her mind raced with the tide. She had to remain calm. Act natural. After all, this was their wedding day.
“You may kiss the bride,” the pastor said with a smile.
Josiah looked uncomfortable as he reached for her, unnerving her all the more. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. Keep up the act or the people will suspect, she told herself. She closed her eyes, not daring to look as his face drew closer, closer. She felt his breath upon her cheeks. Still, she waited. Her heart pounded hard against her chest. It seemed an eternity. His breath grew stronger upon her skin. What was taking so long? Reluctantly, she peeked through one eye. Amusement stared back at her.
Why, he mocked her! Both of her eyes popped open. Before she could give herself over to a full fit of temper, he kissed her. Pure and simple. Just like that, taking both her temper and breath away at the same time.
It suddenly dawned on Adelaide that she had never been kissed before—unless she counted Johnny Black under the apple tree in first grade.
The tiny crowd chuckled and clapped as the couple turned to face them. Hearty congratulations filled the air, and Adelaide felt the tension fall away.
It was done.
She was now the wife of Josiah Buchanan, the grand sea captain, and Adelaide would soon sail the seas.…
After the wedding and celebration meal, Josiah and Adelaide decided to check on the progress of the Courage’s preparation for sea.
Stepping carefully along the wharves, they dodged barrels, boxes, cord-wood, heaps of heavy chains, and various other whalecraft. Harpoons, lances, cutting spades, and oil ladles littered their path.
Adelaide watched as ship carpenters and caulkers worked to make the Courage sound below the waterline. She and Josiah stepped past shipwrights who busied themselves with repairing damage to the hull from previous voyages.
Once they arrived on the top deck, Josiah stopped to talk to a couple of crewmen. Adelaide looked around. She stared in disbelief at the magnitude of the square-rigged ship. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took in the sounds of the busy crew around her: the swish of the paintbrushes, the thump of hammers, men calling out to one another.
The ship stirred as heavy waves slapped against the hull. Seagulls cried overhead. Adelaide looked up to watch them swarm against the backdrop of a pure blue sky. Her eyes glanced toward the massive web of giant rope overhead. She turned portside and noticed three whaleboats slung from wooden davits and two more hung on the starboard side. Josiah had told her they would use three boats; the other two would serve as spares.
“Good afternoon, Captain,” a seaman called out as he worked with others to hoist the topmast into place.
Josiah smiled and gave a quick nod.
“Is that what they call the tryworks?” Adelaide asked, nodding toward the men who worked on a brick structure forward of the fore hatch.
Josiah turned a surprised look her way. “Yes, it is. The whale blubber is cooked into oil in those large iron try-pots,” he said, pointing toward the big kettles. “And the copper tank is for cooling the hot oil.”
Adelaide thought it all very fascinating.
“Here’s where you will spend much of your time.” Josiah took her into the cookhouse.
The cookhouse. Her new job. The reason Josiah had married her. Reality seared through her romantic ideas of the sea. Adelaide glanced at the stove and goose pen where vegetables were stored. She scolded herself. After all, she couldn’t sail in such a fine vessel without working like the rest of the crew. Her chin lifted. Yes, indeed, she’d pull her weight just like everyone else and be glad for the opportunity to do so. They stepped back onto the deck.
Workers nodded their greetings as she and Josiah continued on their way toward the stern of the ship. Josiah pointed out the skylight that would provide some lighting to the lower deck.
They came upon two small deckhouses connected just over the ship’s helm. Adelaide caught Josiah’s questioning look.
“Hurricane house, right?”
“Right again.”
She noticed he seemed pleased with her knowledge of the ship. They slipped into the hurricane house, and Jos
iah helped Adelaide down the steps that led to the lower deck.
Painters worked hard washing the cabin and officers’ quarters with a fresh coat of white paint.
Josiah stepped through the cabin and turned to grab her hand. He escorted her inside.
A couple of painters offered their greetings then went back to work.
“This will be our room.” His voice cracked.
Adelaide looked at him with a start. For a moment, his expression held a little-boy-like quality. He seemed as uncomfortable as she felt. Suddenly, the very idea made her want to giggle, but she dared not. Josiah was a proud man; she’d best not make him think she was poking fun at him.
Josiah cleared his throat.
Adelaide quickly turned and glanced around the room. The cabin held a sofa, desk, chair, and table. The adjoining room held a small washbasin and privy and a small bed hanging from gimbals. Josiah must have seen the concern on her face.
“We’ll talk about that later,” he whispered into her ear. His breath brushed against her face with the softness of a goose feather.
Josiah once again took her hand and led her through the lower deck, showing her the officers’ cabins; the steerage rooms for the skilled workers, such as harpooners and boatsteerers; the livestock pens; and finally, in the bow of the ship, the forecastle where the foremast hands, or ordinary crewmen, slept. She looked on the room with disappointment. Thin mattresses filled sparingly with corn husks lined the bunks that would be their beds for the duration of their journey.
Josiah, seeing the concern on her face, shrugged with apology. “It’s the best I can do with what the owners give me.”
“I understand,” she answered lightly, though concerned by the injustice of poverty and wealth.
“I guess we’d better head back so you can pack your things and move.”
A smile lit her face before she could stop herself. She had to admit she could hardly wait for the new adventure awaiting her. But what did the future hold for her and Josiah? She cast a sideways glance at him and found him staring at her. He swallowed hard and turned away at once. His pace quickened, and Adelaide struggled to keep up.
