Breakwater Beach

by Carole Ann Moleti

  June 1875

  Surrey and Liverpool, England

  Elisabeth paced in front of her window. If Edmond didn’t arrive soon, she’d have to get her own transport to the train. She fingered the most precious things she had—the tickets and her marriage license—tucked safely inside a satchel. Her heart threatened to come out of her throat, and she took out the tattered letter Edward had sent with the instructions. Today was June 4, and it was 10 o’clock. Where was Edmond? Davis could get her a carriage, but how would she get her things—and her maids—out of there?

  “My lady?” Katherine, dressed for travel, scurried into the room.

  “I’ll go alone if need be. The two of you would have to meet me at the station, but we’ll have to leave just about everything behind.” Elisabeth didn’t want to abandon Katherine and her sister Sara, but there might be no choice.

  “Very well.” Katherine backed out of the room.

  Elisabeth returned to the window. Her heart quickened at the sight of two draft horses pulling a shabby wagon onto the grounds.

  “Katherine, Sara! Now!” Elisabeth hurried down the stairs into the foyer. Sara and Katherine huddled near the doorway, holding hands, clutching traveling cloaks around them as if for protection.

  “Lady Elisabeth?” The footman looked up toward the earl’s pounding footsteps and then back at her.

  “Davis, please take our things outside.”

  He hesitated, then picked up as much of it as he could carry but didn’t get far.

  “Stop right there, Davis. Elisabeth, where do you think you’re going?” Papa’s booming voice descended faster than his legs could carry him.

  She tossed a cloak over her shoulders and adjusted her hat. “To join my husband.” After all this time, the relief of disclosure cleansed her conscience like a warm bath.

  “What? Who?” he sputtered. “No, you didn’t marry that sailor!” Papa’s face flamed scarlet and purple veins bulged in his neck.

  “I most certainly did. Two years ago. He has sent for me, and I’m going. Now.” Elisabeth feared he’d drop dead from apoplexy and she’d have patricide on her conscience.

  She drew herself up to her full height and put herself in front of the maids. Her father would never strike Davis, but the women were likely to take the brunt of his wrath. “Katherine, Sara, get into the wagon and stay there. Davis, I am truly sorry to have involved you in this.”

  The footman, still holding two armfuls of luggage moved toward the door while Papa’s back was turned and his attention focused on Elisabeth. Neck muscles taut, eyes as wide as saucers, the dedicated servant looked like he wanted to drop everything and run, but didn’t dare look Elisabeth in the eye.

  Davis pried the door open with a foot and slipped outside. The maids scattered and ran as Baxter grabbed Elisabeth by the arm and twisted it, drawing her toward him. He lowered his face to hers. She turned away from the stench of his breath and braced for the slap.

  Given his fury, she expected a mighty effort, but he hesitated, as if not knowing what to do. “We’ll have it annulled.”

  “You will not. Our vows have been consummated. Many times.” The determination amassed over the previous two years exploded from her fingertips. Elisabeth shook his hand off. “My husband paid my passage. He is waiting for me in America.”

  “Elisabeth, when, how? Whatever could you have been thinking?” Mama scurried down the steps as quickly as her corset and bustle would allow.

  Papa brandished his fist in Elisabeth’s face. “You sneaked off like a courtesan for liaisons God only knows where? He’ll leave you stranded while he carries on with whores in every port in the world. You refused any decent suitor and then married a heathen pirate? I’ll see to it he’s arrested for his crimes, both on the seas and for what he’s stolen from me.”

  Emboldened, Elisabeth stared at her father, daring him to strike her. “That will be the last time you raise your hand to me, Father. Edward has stolen nothing, he’s liberated me.”

  Mama pushed him aside, fell onto Elisabeth, and sobbed, as usual unable to exert influence over anything except the dinner menu and the lilies in the conservatory. But for the first time, Elisabeth saw concern in her eyes and felt anguish flow through her mother’s hands.

  “Elisabeth, stay here. What if he doesn’t come for you? I fear we shall never see you again.”

  “That would be your choice not mine, Mama.” Elisabeth gently pushed her away, as well as the guilt and niggling doubt about her husband. “You are free to visit Captain and Mrs. Edward Barrett in Brewster, Massachusetts. Anytime.”

  Mama responded with hysterical whimpering.

  “You must know the details of what I’ve found out about your husband. Piracy, smuggling human cargo, murder,” Lord Baxter gloated.

  “You’re lying. Edward is a good man.” Elisabeth knew the life of a sailor wasn’t a clean one, but Edward could not have committed any of those terrible crimes. Her father was desperate and would wield his power in any way he could.

  She hurried down the front steps toward the shabby wagonette.

  “Good day, Elisabeth.” Edmond heaved luggage while the footman and butler watched, not daring to offer him any assistance.

  Sara and Katherine cowered under the crooked, faded hood perched on top of the farm vehicle. Edmond hoisted the last of their belongings inside, which took over an entire side of the passenger compartment. Her father strode toward them.

  “Oh, dear God.” Elisabeth’s knees trembled.

  “Is that all?” Edmond did not take his eyes off the earl.

  “Yes.” The words barely squeaked out.

  “Get inside.”

  “But . . .”

  “Now,” Edmond commanded.

  She lifted her skirts and climbed onto the makeshift step fashioned from a wooden box.

  Her father caught her arm and pulled her back down. “I should be happy to rid myself of you but will drag you back if need be.”

  “I’m already damaged goods and of no further use. Let me go, Papa. It will be best for all of us.” She jerked her arm free, and gathered her cloak and skirts once again.

  Her mother held his hands to keep him from grabbing Elisabeth again. “My lord, threats won’t convince her to stay. Elisabeth, please. Think about what you’re doing.”

  “I’ve had ample time to consider this, Mama. Edward has offered me an opportunity to have the life I want.” Seeing the pain etched into her mother’s face ignited a spark of regret, which her father stamped out in the next instant.

  “You’ll get just what you deserve, you ungrateful witch! Don’t dare come back begging for help. And if he ever sets foot in England again, your husband will be in jail for the rest of his life. If he’s not hanged.”

  She climbed in and crammed herself onto the hard bench seat next to the maids. Straw littered the floor, and a faint smell of manure permeated the interior compartment.

  Edmond put himself between Lord Baxter and the women. He resembled his brother, both in appearance and demeanour. Hopefully, her father’s fury was too great to allow him to make the connection.

  “I’ll have your horses and wagon if you take them anywhere!” The Earl pressed a finger into Edmond’s chest.

  Like his brother, Edmond stood steadfast and righteous. The resemblance, and his strength reminded Elisabeth of how Edward had rescued her, and that released the clutch her father’s accusations had on her heart. Working men had character. Her husband had character.

  “Captain Barrett paid me to retrieve his wife, Your Lordship. I’m breaking no laws.”

  “Bloody coward, the criminal is! Sending someone else to do his dirty work.” Edmond pushed his way past, got into the seat, and flapped the reins. The horses lurched into motion.

  Elisabeth watched her
mother and father retreat like two puppets staggering toward the house. The door slammed shut. She turned to the dour Sara and whimpering Katherine. “You didn’t have to come along.”

  Sara glared at her. “We can’t stay here. His Lordship knows we helped plan this. We’d never get another position anywhere in London.”

  Elisabeth chose not to belabour the fact Sara could have pleaded ignorance to Katherine’s complicity. She would never have let her younger sibling, and only surviving family member, leave her behind.

  “I think it should be a rather big adventure,” Katherine piped in.

  Elisabeth called out the window, “We’ve got to get to Euston Station by four or we’ll miss the train.”

  “Not to worry. They might be big, but these old boys are fast and strong. I’m most concerned about being delayed by your father, or a constable.” Edmond used the whip, and the horses picked up their pace.

  The old cart's wheels shuddered and jerked as the wagonette accelerated. Luggage slid onto their knees. Katherine yelped in pain. Elisabeth and Sara pushed the trunks back into place.

  She looked behind and advised Edmond, “I don’t see anyone. But under no circumstance should you identify yourself as Edward’s brother.”

  “He’ll not know, Elisabeth. As long as you have your marriage certificate, you’ll be safe. And the other ladies aren’t the old dog’s property. They’re free to go where they want.” He turned his attention back to the winding road ahead of them.

  The familiar landscape passed by, but Elisabeth had no occasion to savor her last look. She twisted in her seat, watching behind for someone who might be on the way to intercept and possibly delay them enough that they’d miss the last train. Each time a carriage or horse and rider appeared Elisabeth held her breath.

  Edmond kept his eyes on the road ahead, tipping his hand to his cap each time someone passed by. A gentle slap of the reins was all the horses needed to keep moving. The trip normally took an hour, and they’d left plenty of time.

  Elisabeth’s heart pounded, and she clutched a satchel to her chest. Being alone in her bed for the last two years, missing the pleasure and comfort of her husband, had intensified her resolve. When her parents were out, she’d rifled through her father’s pockets and wardrobe for any spare notes or coins. She offered a silent prayer that it was enough to pay all the expenses until the ship sailed the following day.

  Edward had sent a courier to personally ensure delivery of the tickets and instructions, and arranged for his brother to come fetch her. He’d have been shocked to know she had never handled money, just signed her name and charged everything to her father.

  Would Papa take inventory and note anything missing to accuse her, or even Sara and Katherine, of theft? He would be able to surmise where she was going; there were few steamship lines crossing the Atlantic, and only one bound for Boston. How fortunate that the bag that Edward had been forced to take with him had been filled with jewellry and other valuables that dear Papa would never even know about. To keep her mind from imagining all the terrible possibilities that lay ahead, Elisabeth opened the satchel and rifled through the papers. She read the tickets and baggage tags.

  Lady Elisabeth Baxter Barrett

  Liverpool to Boston

  Cunard SS Batavia-First Class

  25 June 1875

  After affixing them to the luggage, she re-read Edward’s letter for at least the hundredth time, reviewing his instructions to be sure she hadn’t missed anything. Sara gripped her sister’s hand while Katherine sobbed quietly, her initial exuberance gone.

  “There, Katherine, it will be all right.” Elisabeth patted the poor girl’s knee where a purple bruise had blossomed. “It’s a big ship, and Captain Barrett promises the accommodations will be quite nice. Look, he says right here the house has plenty of room for the two of you.”

  Katherine read the letter but continued to snivel, raising her skirts to rub her leg. Tears welled in her eyes as well.

  Sara stared at Elisabeth, her jaw set. “I hope we’ve not jumped from the pot into the fire.”

  “Once we’re under sail, I think we’ll all feel better,” Elisabeth said. The maids didn’t need to know about the money worries.

  They arrived with time to spare. Elisabeth purchased tickets and fretted on the platform while Edmond saw to their trunks being loaded onto the train.

  “Katherine, Sara, why don’t you get aboard and find our seats while I see Edmond off.” If someone did show up to get her, it would be better to be amongst a crowd then trapped in their compartment.

  Edmond returned in time to help them onto the stairs. He extended his hand to Elisabeth. “I promised my brother I’d see you to your seat.”

  Harried passengers jostled by, pushing them aside. She pressed some notes into his hands, hoping she wouldn’t need that money at some point.

  He tried to give it back. “That’s not necessary, Elisabeth.”

  “Please, Edmond. In case my father creates any difficulties for you. Go quickly so you won’t be followed. If anyone arrives, they’ll only be interested in me.”

  He wrung his hands. “I swore to my brother I wouldn’t leave until the train had departed.”

  “You’ve fulfilled your promise, Edmond. All will be fine.” She wished he could stay, but didn’t want the responsibility for ruining Edmond’s life on her conscience.

  “Very well, Elisabeth.” He hesitated, then stuffed the money into his pocket. “Safe journey, and may you and Edward find much happiness.”

  She didn’t have time to embrace or thank him properly. He darted into the crowd, turned to wave his hand, and drove off. Her spirits faded with the wagonette into the distance. Without Edmond’s burly, comforting presence she was terribly alone and vulnerable.

  The confusion on the platform increased as departure time neared. Passengers milled about, bumping into each other, dragging trunks and baggage. Railroad workers escorted travellers to the correct cars and placed small stools for easier boarding.

  The whistle blew a startling gust of noise, steam poured out from under the train. Constables circulated along the platform to keep order. Elisabeth turned her back and hid her face. She plowed through the crowd, back toward the first class cars.

  “All aboard.” The conductor stopped slamming doors to help her ascend the steps.

  She joined the maids already seated in their compartment. Visions of her father waiting to drag her off danced in her mind. The marriage certificate would do her no good if the last train of the day to Liverpool left without her.

  “Please, God, let us get moving.” It was already ten past. What was the delay? Her heart flopped in her chest when the conductor rapped on the window.

  The constable at his side slid open the doors. “Pardon me, Lady Baxter. His Lordship, Earl Baxter of Camberley, has asked that you be seen home to safety.”

  Elisabeth forced herself to breathe deeply and remain calm. “Constable, I have assured His Lordship he has nothing to be concerned about. I’m Mrs. Edward Barrett on my way to Liverpool. Tomorrow, I’m bound for Boston, Massachusetts, first class, aboard the Steamship Batavia to meet my husband.” Elisabeth held her head high and flashed her most charming and haughty smile.

  The constable glanced at the conductor and stuttered. “My lady, he . . .”

  “See here.” Elisabeth gave him the packet of documents, and he rifled through the pages.

  “Lady Elisabeth Baxter Barrett and the Misses Storch, Sara and Katherine.” He peered down at her, lips pursed.

  Sara and Katherine, gripping each other’s arms, nodded furiously to acknowledge their names.

  “I am Mrs. Edward Barrett, Constable. As I said, I will be quite well looked after.” Elisabeth repeated her words with emphasis and pointed out the marriage certificate.

 
The constable regained his composure and returned the papers. “Thank you, ladies. I will assure His Lordship that you were most confident in your husband’s arrangements. Have a pleasant journey.” He touched a hand to the brim of his cap and departed.

  Elisabeth watched out the window as he walked along the now-deserted platform toward the station.

  The conductor punched the tickets and closed the compartment door.

  “I thought we’d be arrested.” Katherine’s voice quavered.

  “We’ve done nothing wrong.” Sara embraced her sister.

  “No, none of us have. His Lordship is the one in error and must face that fact.” Elisabeth removed her hat and rested her head against the seat back, staring at the ornate tin ceiling.

  The conductor left them in peace for the four-hour trip. It took most of that time for her heart to stop beating like a bird trying to escape from its cage.

  Elisabeth hired another cab in Liverpool and tipped the driver handsomely for hauling the baggage.

  Now more kindly disposed to his passengers, the chap was eager for more. “Where ta, milady?”

  “A clean, inexpensive hotel. We’re to sail on the Batavia.”

  “Very good. The Claremont should do. Could walk ta the ship if ye didn’t have so much ta carry.” He chuckled as he guided the horse through the seedy, dirty portside streets to a far from luxurious hotel near the dock. The hulk of the steamship obscured what light the sputtering gas lamps provided.

  Just as well, she would be harder to find. “Sara, Katherine, wait here while I see if there is space.” Elisabeth entered a dingy lobby and approached the man at the desk.

  “Mrs. Edward Barrett, sir. I need a room large enough for two maids and myself. We will be sailing tomorrow.” Despite the worries, public acknowledgment of who she was and to where she was bound was comforting.