Secrets of the Realm

by Bev Stout

Seeming frailer than when Annie and Mr. Montgomery first arrived, Mrs. Doyle got up from the table. "Thank you, Annie, for being a part of Christopher's life. I wish to be alone now."

  Mrs. Doyle managed a tiny smile. "Mr. Montgomery, thank you for your visit and please tell your captain I appreciate everything he had done for my Christopher."

  * * *

  Annie untied her horse from the privet bush. Not wishing to ask Mr. Montgomery for assistance, she attempted to pull herself into the saddle. She dangled for a second before giving up. Dust circled her feet where she landed.

  She then decided that charging from several paces away would be her only hope of scaling the mare. Annie dashed toward the old horse. She leaped for the saddle, but fell short, succeeding only in spooking the animal.

  Watching her unsuccessful attempt, Mr. Montgomery quickly grabbed the reins as the horse reared up. "Whoa!"

  Once he calmed the horse down, he called to Annie. "Get over here, Andrés, Annie, or whatever your name might be."

  "I prefer Andrés, sir."

  Mr. Montgomery used his hands as a mounting block for her. She placed one foot in his palms as he lifted Annie high enough to pull herself onto the saddle.

  Mr. Montgomery stared at Annie, no words spoken. He shook his head before mounting his horse and galloped off.

  Annie was left in a swirling cloud of dust and confusion. Unable to catch up, Annie could only hope he would be waiting for her at the stable.

  * * *

  Returning to the livery stable, Annie found Mr. Montgomery leaning against a stall. Her relief was short-lived.

  He smacked a riding crop against his leg before tossing it in the hay. "I fulfilled the captain's orders. We took care of Christopher's mother and you are back safely."

  Mr. Montgomery turned his back to Annie and marched out of the stable.

  After dropping from the saddle, Annie handed the reins to the stable boy. She ran off to join Mr. Montgomery.

  "Why are you so angry?" she called after him.

  He reeled around. "Are you serious? I am such a fool. I dispelled rumors about you being a girl. Yet, Captain Hawke, Doc, and Christopher all knew you were a girl. I am beginning to think I am the only one on the Realm who didn't know the truth."

  "If it helps, Mr. Montgomery, those are the only people who knew."

  "How long has Captain Hawke and Doc known?"

  "Doc learned the first day I came aboard. Captain Hawke? I don't know for certain. It might have been the night Christopher died. Whenever it was, he never let on that he knew."

  Mr. Montgomery raised his eyebrows at her. "Did you really kiss Christopher?"

  Annie blushed. "Aye, not a romantic kiss, but I think it made him happy."

  "I am sure it did. So, what do I call you Andrés or Annie?"

  Annie kicked a rock in her path. "Andrés. I am a Jack-tar. Nothing will change that." She headed back to the Realm.

  "Wait." Mr. Montgomery said. "Come with me…Andrés. We need to talk."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  They hadn't walked far when Mr. Montgomery pulled Annie out of the way of the foot traffic. "I have so many questions. I don't know where to begin."

  "Like you told me that first night in port," Annie said. "Everyone on the Realm is running away from someone or something. I am no exception."

  "True, but I can assure you, this is a first," he said as he pointed his opened hands at her.

  Without further prompting, Annie said, "My aunt blamed me for my uncle's death. She said I was cursed. I had no other choice but to run away."

  Mr. Montgomery slipped his finger under Annie's chin, slightly tilting her head back. "She did more than simply calling you cursed. Am I right?"

  Annie pushed his hand away. "She whipped me, Mr. Montgomery, and it wasn't the first time. I feared for my life."

  "I gather you had no other family or friends to turn to."

  "No one," Annie said.

  "But why on earth would you pretend to be a boy."

  "It was both my cousin's and my idea. He said it was too dangerous for a girl to be alone in London, that I should dress up like a boy. And I always loved the sea—so what better way to hide than on a ship. The Realm has become my home, Mr. Montgomery."

  "But I am not certain it can remain your home. Now that I know, I won't be able to think of you as Andrés ever again."

  "If Doc and, apparently, the captain could keep it a secret, surely you can, Mr. Montgomery."

  He shook his head from side to side and sighed. "I just don't know…Andrés. I just don't know."

  Suddenly, a smile replaced the frown on his face. "My, my," he said, "It has been a long time since I have seen anything quite so exquisite."

  Annie's shoulders relaxed at the sound of Mr. Montgomery's buoyant voice. She tried to see what had distracted him. "What are you looking at, sir?"

  He pointed across the street.

  Annie craned her neck. "I still don't know what you are looking at."

  "How can you not see her?" Mr. Montgomery said.

  "Oh, so it is a woman I should be looking for."

  Annie looked between the horse-drawn drays and wagons traveling on the cobblestone street. She eventually saw, not one, but three young women. "Hmm, ladies of their social standing should not be here amongst beggars, drunkards and the worst rabble of all—sailors," Annie said.

  Mr. Montgomery laughed. "Perhaps I should do something about that."

  "Perhaps, you should."

  Annie continued observing the young women. "The two shorter women look like they expect to be robbed at any moment, which is a distinct possibility. We all know London is full of thieves. But I wager it is the tall one who has caught your fancy, Mr. Montgomery. Am I correct?"

  "Aye, she is the one. Wish she would turn around so I could see her face."

  Wisps of strawberry blond hair caught the sunlight. Wearing a yellow dress, she towered over her friends.

  "Do you wish to meet her, sir?"

  "I certainly do." Mr. Montgomery straightened his jacket. "She is a beauty."

  "And how can you possibly know that, sir? We can't even see her face."

  "Look how she carries herself. No woman that tall would stand with such confidence unless she was beautiful."

  "You have always been a keen observer, Mr. Montgomery."

  He took a step back, stared at Annie while stroking his clean-shaven chin. "Hmm."

  Annie fidgeted with her button. "Mr. Montgomery, is something wrong?"

  "Straighten your collar. Tuck in that shirt." He grinned. "You know, you are rather nice looking, in a street urchin sort of way."

  "What are you thinking, Mr. Montgomery?"

  "What I'm thinking is that I bet those young women cannot resist a charming little fellow like you. I know the captain couldn't. Now pull your cap back a bit and let some of your hair fall into your face."

  Mr. Montgomery took a handkerchief from his pocket and spit on it. "Always worked for my mother. Stand still," he said while he rubbed some of the dirt from Annie's face. "That will have to do. Now go over there, be your charming self and tell that lovely lady I wish to meet her. Perhaps something can be salvaged from this dreadful day."

  Annie thought Mr. Montgomery was quite out of his mind, but followed his orders nonetheless. She wound her way between the conveyances and approached the young women.

  Doffing her cap, Annie announced, "Ladies, that handsome gentleman across the street wishes to make your acquaintance." She emphasized the word handsome while pointing toward Mr. Montgomery.

  The taller of the three didn't even glance at Annie while she strained her neck to see the man Annie spoke of. Mr. Montgomery tipped his tricorn hat at her when he caught her eye.

  The statuesque beauty glanced at Annie, but only for an instant. Annie gulped hard when she saw a hint of a smile form on the young woman's lips as she looked back at Mr. Montgomery.

  "I gather you mean the gentleman with the silly grin on his face. W
hy should we make his acquaintance?" She inquired.

  Impossible to stay focused on Mr. Montgomery, Annie stared up into Abigail Spencer's face, the young woman Annie had been maid and companion to for eight years. Annie stammered. "B-because he—he is a fine gentleman and you are, in his words: exquisite."

  The lady continued gazing at the first mate. "Does he not think my friends are exquisite as well?"

  Annie looked at the two shorter women. She recognized them, too, Hannah and Catherine Cudney. She remembered how the sisters' annoying laughter bounced off the walls during their infrequent visits to Spencer Manor.

  While the Cudney sisters gawked at Mr. Montgomery, they showed little interest in the ragamuffin delivering the message. Annie hoped no one noticed the red creeping up her neck.

  She addressed Abigail, "He-he believes your friends are both lovely, milady. But 'tis you, he is quite t-taken with."

  Their eyes met. Abigail studied Annie's dirt-smudged face, chafed hands and broken fingernails. She brushed Annie's hair away from her flushed cheek. This time it was her turn to stutter. "Wh-what is your name?"

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Abigail didn't have to say another word for Annie to know that her two worlds had collided. She pulled her cap on so low her eyelashes skimmed the edge when she blinked. She wished she could have pulled the cap down to her knees.

  Annie drew in a deep breath and stared down at her boots. "M-my name is Andrés de la Cruz, m-milady."

  "Hmm, why does that name sound familiar? Oh, now I remember. A girl, who once worked for me, talked about a grandfather by that name. Well, Andrés de la Cruz, tell me more about the gentleman."

  "The gentleman?"

  "Yes, you heard me. Tell me more about the gentleman."

  Abigail leaned down, saying loud enough for only Annie to hear, "I see you wish to play dress-up. And while I do not understand why you are doing this, I will play along with you for the moment. The gentleman, tell me about him."

  "Uh, Mr. Montgomery is a delightful bloke, a little too chatty at times, but he is well-bred," Annie said.

  "Like one of my father's hounds?"

  "No, more like one of your brothers. I mean if you had brothers. Mr. Montgomery is an Oxford gentleman and like I said before, he is quite handsome."

  She glanced across the street at Mr. Montgomery. "I must admit, your gentleman friend is not bad on the eyes. Fetch him for me."

  Annie hurried back across the street. She caught her breath. "Mr. Montgomery, she wants to meet you."

  * * *

  "Ladies, let me introduce myself. I am Mr. Matthew Montgomery, first mate of the merchant ship, the Realm."

  Abigail glared at him. "Should I be impressed?"

  Annie expected his smile to disappear. Instead, it looked pasted on his face. To help him out, she quickly added, "Mr. Montgomery is second in command on the Realm. If anything should happen to our captain, he would be in charge."

  The Cudney sisters gushed. "Oh, my."

  "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Montgomery," Abigail finally said. "I am Abigail Spencer, daughter of Lord and Lady Spencer of Surrey County. Perhaps, you have met my father. He ships some of his goods to the American colonies."

  "I don't believe I have had the pleasure," he said. "Perhaps, you have met my father, Roger Montgomery, Earl of Leeds."

  Annie detected the subtle widening of Abigail's eyes and parting of her full lips.

  "May I offer you and your friends some advice?" Mr. Montgomery said. "If you wish to be in this part of London, you should be escorted."

  Abigail gestured to a man standing in a doorway not far from where they stood. He looked quite dapper in his green braided coat, breeches and white silk stockings. "We are indeed escorted, Mr. Montgomery. That is my footman, Robert. Do not let his casual manner deceive you. It would be unwise to make any improper advances toward me," she warned.

  "Abigail," Hannah said. "The gentleman is right. Escorted or not, we should never be at this dreadful place,"

  "Dreadful," Catherine agreed. "Someone emptied a chamber pot from their second floor window. It just missed us."

  Hannah dusted off her dress. "And the soot from the factories and tenements—disgusting."

  "Disgusting," Catherine concurred.

  "Why do you ladies come here if it displeases you so?" Mr. Montgomery asked.

  Catherine wrinkled her nose. "Abigail's maid ran off months ago and she has made us come down here five, maybe six times to look for her. The girl's cousin told Abigail she had gone to London. He specifically said the docks, something about the girl having fond memories of the sea." She stuck her nose up in the air. "You just can't find good help these days."

  Hannah laughed. "But I must admit 'tis great fun fooling our parents. They think we are spending another day at Spencer Manor while Lord and Lady Spencer believe Abigail is with us at our estate."

  "All this because a maid ran away," Mr. Montgomery said.

  Looking him straight in the eye, Abigail stood toe to toe with the first mate. "Don't look so skeptical, Mr. Montgomery. She was never simply my maid. She was my companion, my best friend."

  "Do you know why she left?" he asked.

  Abigail scowled down at Annie. "Would you care to venture a guess?"

  Annie avoided her gaze. "I am but a lowly Jack-tar, milady. It would not be my place to say."

  Abigail rolled her eyes. "Oh, please!"

  "Well, at least the lad knows his place," Hannah said.

  Her sister nodded in agreement. "Abigail's maid never knew her place."

  Annie believed it was time Abigail heard the truth. "Perhaps your maid did know her place. Perhaps, that is why she never asked you for your help. Perhaps…"

  Abigail took Annie's hand. "Perhaps, she was wrong."

  For an instant, Annie was a child again, running and laughing in the Spencer's rose garden with her best friend. She slowly pulled away.

  Mr. Montgomery looked from Abigail to Annie and back to Abigail again. "Why do I get the feeling you two know each other?"

  With her eyes trained on Annie, Abigail answered, "Why don't you ask Andrés? Or should I say, Annie?"

  "Did you say 'Annie'?" Mr. Montgomery asked.

  "Yes, she did. I am the maid that Abigail spoke of," Annie replied.

  The Cudney sisters gasped. Together, they took a step back as if Annie were carrying the plague.

  "Abigail?" Mr. Montgomery said. "I knew that name sounded familiar. She spoke of you in Charles Town."

  Abigail clutched her hands to her heart and looked at Annie. "You did? What did you say about me?"

  Annie looked down at her boots and murmured, "I can't recall what I said."

  "Mr. Montgomery, can you remember what she said about me? I will cherish those words forever."

  "She said you were tall," he said.

  Abigail put her hands on her hips. "Tall? That's it?"

  Annie looked up. "I can explain."

  "Don't bother," Abigail said. She turned to Mr. Montgomery. "I am surprised you do not appear all that shocked that Andrés is really Annie."

  "Yesterday, I knew Annie only as Andrés. Today, it has been one surprise after another. I think I am still in shock. I doubt any new revelation about Captain Hawke's cabin boy will surprise me ever again."

  Hannah and Catherine's mouths dropped open. "Cabin boy?" they said.

  Annie had enough. "I need to return to the ship," she said. "I think my head is about to explode."

  "You need to come back with me to Spencer Manor," Abigail said.

  "If you were truly my friend, you never would ask me to return to Aunt Mary."

  "Annie, I am not asking you to return to your aunt. Please, let me explain." Abigail reached out to her.

  Keeping her from grabbing Annie, Mr. Montgomery seized Abigail's arm.

  As Annie hurried off, she turned in time to see Abigail's footman leap into action. Mr. Montgomery can take care of himself, she thought, as she continued
her way back to the ship.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  After rushing up the gangway, Annie sprinted across the deck to the hatch and bounded down the ladder. Breathless, she burst into Captain Hawke's cabin.

  "How long have you known?"

  He pushed back from the gate-leg table. "Did you forget to knock?"

  Sitting across from the captain was Doc. Annie locked eyes with him. He continued pouring a cup of tea until his cup overflowed. He jerked his hand away.

  "You told him!"

  Doc wiped the hot liquid from his hand. "What on earth are you talking about?"

  Annie gestured toward Captain Hawke. "He knows everything, that I'm a girl, that I kissed Christopher. You must have told him."

  Captain Hawke didn't wait for Doc to reply. "He told me you were a girl shortly after we left for the colonies."

  Annie screamed at Doc. "You promised me you would never tell him!"

  "I promised you no such thing," Doc said. "I believe my words were something like, 'I have a plan.'"

  "I was not aware your plan involved telling the captain."

  Captain Hawke broke in again. "Doc kept your secret for as long as he could. When I told him you had to move into the men's quarters, he had no choice but to tell me the truth."

  Annie thought a moment. "You were so angry the morning you found me in the fo'c'sle with Barrette. He thought it had nothing to do with me not bringing you your breakfast and being late to report to Mr. Allan. He was right, wasn't he? It all makes sense now—the hammock, everything. I'm right, aren't I?"

  "Aye. Doc told me during our chess game the night before I found you in the fo'c'sle. But how did you find out I knew?"

  Annie's fury diminished when she thought about the words in the letter to Mrs. Doyle. "Christopher's mother figured out you were describing me in the letter."

  He frowned. "I wanted to rewrite that letter, but with my eyesight going bad…"

  Mr. Montgomery stood in the doorway. He waved his hands in the air before slamming the door shut behind him.

  "Has everyone forgotten it is proper to knock?" Captain Hawke said.

  "Is it proper that you neglected to tell me that Andrés is a girl and that your eyesight has gone bad? What else have you kept from me?"