The Sea Maiden

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by Mary Speer


  On the last day I saw him I offered to help him financially, but he didn’t want money from me, so he politely declined, but he did say this, ‘If Karina ever needs anything would you please let her know she can count on me.’ I simply nodded. Foolishly, I still felt compelled to keep things as they were. I am ashamed and I don’t want to leave this world without giving you the message he left for you.

  I hope that after reading this letter you don’t think too unkindly of me, but I cannot blame you if you do. I know that Jonathan is someone you can turn to in my absence if you ever need to. Please forgive me for keeping him a secret from you.

  Your loving father,

  Lord Charles Pembroke”

  Karina wept silently when she finished reading the letter, she could not understand her father’s logic in this regard. Charles explained that if his former in-laws would have found out about his infidelity to Melissa they would have cut him off. Melissa died many years before but her family had continued to be business associates of his and had provided him with crucial business clients as well as financial assistance when he was in need. The old man was ashamed of himself and his eyes grew moist and he quickly avoided her eyes. He didn’t want her to think any less of him. He thought, that if he could travel to New England he would proudly embrace Jonathan publicly but what honor was there in such a late admission. Charles wrongfully believed that Jonathan would interpret this as act as self-redeeming only to satisfy himself now that he no longer had anything to risk or lose by proclaiming his blood ties to him. I can only hope that he forgives me.

  “Father, please don’t be so hard on yourself, I know you’re not perfect but you didn’t turn your back on him. If Jonathan is a good man like you say he is, then I’m sure he has forgiven you, just as I have forgiven you.” Then she turned to him, “Father we must go to him and you must tell him what you just told me. We can travel to New England, he can help us! I can learn the business too, and you said yourself he’s a good businessman.”

  Charles knew he could not travel to New England.

  “Don’t be a ridiculous child! Girls do not run shipping businesses!”

  “So if I’m a girl and a child, incapable of running a business then why is it alright for you to marry me off to a man three times my age?”

  Charles turned away he was getting agitated and knew he needed to leave before it got more unpleasant.

  “Don’t you pretend not to know why Karina! You know very well that a male must inherit the estate so that you won’t be penniless and I have chosen someone with experience in running a shipping business and that someone is Lord Gunther Harmon and you will be his wife! I will not discuss this any further with you so go and prepare for our trip tomorrow!”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks, Charles turned away from her trying to avoid the tears. He began walking away with the aid of his walking stick then before he left the study he stopped and said to her,

  “Karina this is not easy for me as well I wish you would understand that…I blame myself for many things and waiting too long thinking I had more time but now there is nothing else we can do, it’s simply too late.”

  ‘Not for me.’ Karina rebelliously whispered to herself pressing her hands to her face sobbing. From that moment she decided she had to plan her escape, now that she knew she had a brother in America she felt new hope. She could still hear her father calling for Nate from the hallway.

  “Nate, there you are, please escort me up those dreaded stairs to my room I must rest now, please have Bessie come up to help me pack for the trip tomorrow.”

  Karina had never disobeyed her father before but this time it was different, too much was at stake and her father had lost all hope and perhaps even his wits, he loved her of course but because she was a female regarded as an object or painting that needed a new owner she was being handed over to a stranger. Unfortunately most of the world viewed women in this manner but she could prove them wrong if she only had a chance, however, she did need help in reaching her half-brother half a world away, she needed a guide. She went to her room thinking she could not just escape and never come back, everyone’s future was at stake not just hers, she needed to devise a solution to her dilemma without totally disobeying her father after all his biggest concern was her future. Karina sat on the edge of her bed, thinking, and then heard a knock.

  “Karina, are you there?” Lynnette asked.

  Yes come in.”

  Lynnette came in she had not been able to hear this time and was hoping to get some clarity.

  “Is everything alright?”

  After a brief moment Karina slowly summarized her father’s revelation,

  “My father has an illegitimate son living in New England. His name is Jonathan Williams he’s approximately 51 and he was born after my father had an affair with a serving girl while traveling to America during his engagement to his first wife, Melissa, before my mother. He feared she and her family would reject him once they found out about his infidelity so he kept Jonathan a secret.”

  Lynnette’s mouth dropped at Karina’s revelation.

  “Oh my…I thought you were an only child!”

  “Yes so did I.”

  “So you can go live with him instead of marrying Lord Harmon…right?”

  “Well I’m afraid it’s not so simple first father is too proud and will not ask him for help and there is the fact that he’s 51 years old and there has been no communication between them for 10 years. He could be dead. Second, I would need to travel to New England without father’s permission to even know if he’s alive, also there is the possibility he may not want to help me because of his resentment toward father for never acknowledging him as his son. However, he told father, that he wanted me to know that if I ever needed help I could count on him. Therefore my feeling is he will not turn me away.”

  “What if you urged your father to allow you to travel to New England it would be easier if you did this with his consent.”

  “I already suggested traveling to New England to ask Jonathan to help us with the business and guide me how to run a business but my father is too stubborn and will have nothing to do with that he thought it was ridiculous for me to learn anything about the shipping business because I’m a female. He walked out on me when I challenged him for calling me a girl and a child and yet marrying me off to a much older man. He felt he owed it to Jonathan to, at least give me his message but I also believe that my father wanted me to know about Jonathan in case I needed to have someone other than Lord Harmon to turn to in his absence. Do you think he has doubts about Lord Harmon?”

  “Yes I think your father believes Lord Harmon is going to die soon too!”

  Lynnette totally missed Karina’s point.

  “No! I think deep down he does not trust Lord Harmon and he’s just too proud to ask Jonathan for help, unfortunately he will never admit this.”

  “So what do you intend to do?”

  “Well I don’t want to become the wife of a man three times my age, and even more repugnantly, I don’t want to bear any of his children. Also I don’t want any of us to end up on the street begging so there is only one thing I can do and that is to go find Jonathan”

  “What! Across the sea are you mad? Your father will never allow it!”

  “No he won’t and I have never disobeyed him but this time I’m not going to seek his permission. I know he distrust Lord Harmon, and I know he wanted to clear his conscious, so now that I know Jonathan exists I feel compelled to find him.”

  “Karina I don’t think you realize what you’re saying. You have never even gone to the village market with Gracie and I and now you’re talking about traveling to New England…by ship….across the sea…alone! You need a guide, and you don’t know anyone outside Pembroke Hall.”

  “I do now, and by the way he behaved around you yesterday he would move a mountain for you so if you’re a true friend you must come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow and help me find him!”

  Lynnette w
as dumbfounded when she realized Karina was referring to her new suitor, Peter.

  “You mean Peter? Karina I barely know Peter! Yes he seems very sweet to me but I don’t think he can help, and I would certainly never request anything of him.”

  “Oh Lynnette, he’s totally taken with you, you have more power over him then you realize. So just keep him interested and smile pretty. Gentlemen will do almost anything for a ladies approval and trust in the beginning, it’s the perfect time.”

  “Oh really and just how do you know all this?”

  Lynnette mocked, knowing Karina had never had a suitor.

  “Well Bessie told me; also I read several books on the subject.” Lynnette smiled as she was reminded of her romantic encounter with Peter the night before until Karina said, “Just don’t get too physically familiar with him.”

  “Physically familiar? Karina I have only met with Peter three times, he’s still very much a stranger to me how could you think I will be getting physically familiar with him?” Lynnette said sounding offended.

  “Lynnette that breathless kiss you shared with him is definitely getting familiar.”

  “Excuse me but that was totally unexpected on my part! I never encouraged it!”

  “No but you enjoyed it and that will start breaking down your resistance so stop sounding offended Lynnette, I need you to be in control that’s all, or you’ll be like a small mouse in front of a hungry cat. It will work in your favor trust me. Right now you have a certain amount of power over him, and I want you to use it. Wait! When did you see him a third time?”

  Karina turned and looked at Lynnette and Lynnette realized she said too much.

  “Well he came by again yesterday evening around sunset. I meant to tell you but you were so upset. We did get a little romantic but I kept things under control…and NO, I did not get physically familiar with him!”

  “Lynnette, be careful! He’s a ship bound seaman…they don’t spend much time on land he could be very aggressive with you. So be sweet but keep him at arms-length.”

  “Well…that shouldn’t be too hard, he left.”

  “Yes…but you will see him again soon…that is if you come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow. You want to see him again don’t you?” Karina tempted. “So can I count on you to come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow and help me get to New England?”

  “It sounds crazy Karina. What if you get caught and we both end up in a lot of trouble?”

  “Lynnette relax don’t think like that. I have a plan and all you have to do is not think like you always do. Think about Peter he is so handsome and he is so smitten with you.” Karina tempted.

  Lynnette sighed thinking of their last encounter. “So you think he’s really smitten with me not just toying with me?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Lynnette smiled and nodded, “Of course what kind of a friend would I be otherwise?”

  Karina embraced her, nearly knocking her off balance.

  “Thank you Lynnette I will never forget this.”

  It worked, Karina congratulated herself. Now she could concentrate on planning other things. She only had a narrow window of opportunity for her plan to work. Like pieces to a puzzle they were all needed. Going to Harmon Hall was the next important one.

  “So what do you have in mind?”

  “Tonight we prepare for the trip to Harmon Hall. We will be leaving very early tomorrow and you must not tell your mother anything other than you’re accompanying me and father for a few days. We will talk about this tomorrow. For now we must prepare for the trip, now go!”

  Both girls parted, Karina full of anticipation, Lynnette petrified, she wanted to see Peter again but she definitely had to be resistant to his seductive charm.

  CHAPTER 8

  Journey to Harmon Hall

  Early Wednesday morning a buzz of activity at Pembroke Hall broke out as Lord Pembroke, Karina, Lynnette and Nate prepared for the two-day journey to Lord Harmon’s harbor-side home. Overcast and cloudy the day promised to be chilly; which prompted Karina to dress warm. She emerged in a burgundy hooded cape and matching buttoned down dress, with tiny white pearl buttons traveling down the center to the waist. The pearly buttons also adorned the cuffs on the sleeves, giving the dress a touch of elegance. A perfect ensemble for a cold climate with a high top collar made of lace and a small v opening at the neck.

  Lynnette wore her black hooded cape over a simpler pearl gray dress with a square laced collar. Being slightly more endowed at the bust, Karina had given it to her. The dress gathered at the waist, providing a simple yet sophisticated and graceful appearance. Karina’s hair fell to her waist in long blond waves with two twisted strands secured in the back and little blond ringlets softly adorned her beautiful oval face and bright blue eyes. In contrast Lynnette’s silky dark hair fell in thick layers to her mid back, and long bangs parted along side of her pretty freckled face and green eyes. Blessed with naturally deep rose lips both girls would surely be the envy of many of the lady guests at Harmon Hall.

  Lynnette’s mother Elaine, 10-year-old twin brothers, Tommy and Danny as well as the rest of the household staff escorted them and wished them a good trip. Nate assisted Lord Pembroke who appeared tired and ill. He had unsuccessfully tried his best to convince him not to go even suggesting that Jim accompany the girls in his stead but Lord Pembroke wouldn’t heed his advice. Charles challenged himself to the difficult trip ahead. He managed to put on a smile for his daughter and staff as he waved. Once all three boarded the carriage Nate himself climbed up and took the reins, gave them a tug and they were off.

  Karina’s enthusiasm baffled Charles. He had expected tears and a certain amount of opposition from her but instead she seemed cheerful and cooperative. He assumed Lynnette’s company made the difference. A low roar of thunder sounded across the sky and rain began to fall soon thereafter. Karina felt badly for Nate outside having to drive in the rain but he did prepare well for a bit of wind and rain. Charles did suggest to Nate to wait till after the rain, but Nate assured him he wanted to proceed.

  Charles let the girls take the seats facing forward and he closed his eyes, he needed to sleep his evening had been difficult. The roll of the carriage worked better than any sleep aids. Karina and Lynnette chatted a while then Lynnette, tired after staying up to pack, fell asleep also. Karina on the other hand felt wide-awake her mind was too busy with her plans to travel to New England. She reviewed her plans now that Lynnette and her father were sleeping. A low rumble in the sky caused Karina to gaze out the carriage window. She listened to the combination of sounds, the pounding of horse hooves, the roll of the carriage, the clatter of the rain, and the far off thunder, even her father’s light snoring seemed relaxing. She found the gray covered sky oddly attractive; a natural beauty she thought. Even the color of the grass and trees along the road seemed to intensify as the rain fell across the countryside; like a painting with movement. She wanted to wake Lynnette but she seemed so peaceful and she didn’t want to wake her father. Karina liked it when he slept he seemed not to suffer. It stressed her when she could not make him more comfortable. She simply sat back looking out the carriage window, admiring the beauty outside and blocked out all the unpleasant thoughts.

 

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