The Mayflower Bride

by Kimberley Woodhouse

  Father shifted on his blanket. “Mary Elizabeth?”

  “I’m here, Papa.”

  He swiped a hand down his face and sat up. “Was someone talking? Any news?”

  “Mr. Smith came to give us some news—”

  “Mary Elizabeth, how is our sweet boy doing?” Dorothy slipped in beside her.

  The sound of her best friend’s voice soothed her worry. “The surgeon just told me that we have to keep his fever down. We’re headed back to England, and we will need to get him help there.”

  “I just heard Master Reynolds telling the people on deck. People are worried about the delay, but no one wants to be on a sinking ship. Especially after last time. I think we’re all still drying out.” She smiled and brushed some hair back from David’s forehead. “And we can get help for David.”

  Father got up, his face grim. “I’m going to check on the details of the leak and ask the elders to pray.”

  Mary Elizabeth nodded and reached up for his hand. But he didn’t look at her.

  “I’m sure he’s just tired.” Dorothy took the outstretched hand.

  “I wish it were only that. After Mother passed, he went to a very dark place—you know that. Ever since David has gotten sick, I’ve seen the same look in his eyes, and it scares me.”

  “Don’t let your thoughts go there, Mary Elizabeth. God will get us back to England, and then we can get help for your brother.”

  Mary Elizabeth nodded. If they could keep him alive until then.

  CHAPTER 5

  Friday, 1 September 1620

  A warm hand touched her own as she peered up into startling blue eyes. “Good day to you, miss.”

  Mary Elizabeth woke with a start. It wasn’t the first time she’d dreamed of that day. The day she’d met William Lytton and his friend. The thought of seeing him again made her insides do a little flip. His eyes held such depth—unlike anyone else she’d ever met. Were there secrets hidden behind them? Would she have a chance to speak with him again? At the moment, she’d like nothing more.

  David moaned next to her.

  She shook her head at her foolish and selfish thoughts. How could she think of her own desires when David struggled with each breath? Good thing Father couldn’t know her thoughts. He’d certainly scold her for such behavior.

  Unsure of the time of day down on the dim and dreary gun deck where all the passengers resided, Mary Elizabeth wiped the sleep from her eyes. It must be the middle of the day because she’d stayed up all night with David. She’d torn strips from one of her petticoats and soaked them in cool sea water. All night she’d bathed David’s forehead and chest, hoping to keep his fever down.

  His breathing was quieter now, but what did that mean?

  Sitting up, she pulled her knees to her chest. Mother would know what to do. But she wasn’t here.

  That made Mary Elizabeth long for Leyden and the cemetery. That wasn’t a possibility, so she longed to pour all her thoughts into the journal from Dorothy. But now wasn’t the time.

  Only one thing remained certain—life wasn’t easy. And probability ran high that it never would be again.

  Every prayer she’d sent heavenward of late asked for courage. Yet here she sat next to her sick brother in the depths of a ship. The future unknown. Everything in tumult.

  The least thing she felt was courage.

  Lord, please help me. I’m weak and little of faith. But I know You are almighty God.

  With a deep breath, Mary Elizabeth ran her fingers through her hair and tidied it as best she could. Replacing her cap, she sent another prayer heavenward for David’s healing.

  “How is he?” Father opened the curtain a slit and peered down at his son.

  “He feels a bit cooler now.” Hoping her words came across as confident, Mary Elizabeth swallowed her fears.

  Father nodded. Dark bags under his eyes portrayed his worry and lack of sleep the past few days. His hunched form appeared weary. “We are almost to port in Plymouth. The surgeon will escort us into town. The ship master knows of another good surgeon there.”

  Mary Elizabeth stood as best she could, but the ceilings were several inches short for her stature. Wasn’t it bad enough there were no windows? They had to walk around all bent and crouched.

  “Mary Elizabeth, there’s something else you should know. The decision has been made to leave the Speedwell behind. No one wants to risk a leaky ship, and Mr. Reynolds has done nothing but complain. The crew will stay behind, as well as some of the passengers. The rest of us will all have to move to the Mayflower for the remainder of the voyage.”

  While a change of scenery would be nice, Mary Elizabeth had gotten used to this particular ship. It also meant that everything needed to be packed. “I’ll get our personal belongings put away right now.”

  Father nodded and knelt beside David. “I’ll get the curtain down and help roll up the mats.” He touched his son’s head. “He does feel cooler. Let’s pray the Good Lord sees fit to heal him before we need to depart.”

  That thought hadn’t even crossed Mary Elizabeth’s mind until Father put it into words. What would they do if David wasn’t strong enough to make the voyage? They’d sold everything to get this far and only had meager possessions on the ship. Everything else was invested in the voyage and venture in Virginia. Besides that, they were Separatists. And without the support of their congregation, how would they deal with the persecution?

  “Don’t worry, Mary Elizabeth. I can see it on your face.” Father’s hand rested on her shoulder. “The Lord knows our plight. He will see us through.” A thin smile stretched across his weary features. “I have no doubt we will be on the Mayflower when she sails.”

  As he pulled down their small dividing curtain, Mary Elizabeth packed the trunk they’d brought aboard for their necessities. Everything else was below them in the cargo hold. Making quick work of the few items, she felt the ship lurch.

  “We must be in the harbor.” Father tucked the blanket around David and lifted the small boy into his arms. “I’ll meet you on deck with the surgeon.”

  Urgency filled Mary Elizabeth’s heart. Looking around their tiny space that had been their home for all these weeks, she checked to make sure everything was ready.

  “Mary Elizabeth. I just saw your father.” Dorothy was at her side and hugged her. “I’ll make sure it all gets transferred over, and I’ll set up your curtains again.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Think nothing of it. I’ll be waiting for word on my little King David.” Dorothy sniffed and wiped at her cheek.

  Mary Elizabeth’s friend had called him that since he was born. And David loved her for it. As he grew from baby to gangly boy, he often said he wanted to be a man after God’s own heart just like the real King David from the scriptures.

  “Now go. I’ll take care of everything here.”

  Mary Elizabeth hugged her friend one more time. She took her cloak and raced to the main deck.

  Fresh air and bright sunlight greeted her for the first time in several days. Spotting her father, she made her way toward him just as the sailors lowered the gangway.

  The walk was steep, but she followed her father’s confident steps.

  “Look. The Mayflower is a good deal larger than the Speedwell. The journey should be a good one.” He nodded to the ship tying in next to them.

  All at once, the reality of the situation hit her. They’d be joining everyone on the Mayflower. For the entire journey across the ocean. The Speedwell had been full of their congregation and the crew. But now they would join a new ship’s crew and many Strangers.

  She allowed a smile to ease onto her face as her insides fluttered. David would get better and maybe just maybe…she’d have that chance to speak with Mr. Lytton again after all.

  Monday, 4 September 1620

  William watched Miss Chapman’s friend walk up the gangway. Obviously resolute in her objective, she took determined steps and placed her hands on her hips when she rea
ched the main deck. Her brow furrowed.

  “Looks like Miss Raynsford needs assistance.” John patted William’s shoulder and headed toward the young woman.

  “How did you guess?” William stifled a laugh and followed his friend.

  After crossing the deck, John bowed. “Miss Raynsford, how can we be of help?”

  “Mr. Alden, Mr. Lytton.” She curtseyed, then put a hand over her heart with a sigh. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. I need to make accommodations for the Chapman family.”

  William moved closer to her. Was Mary Elizabeth all right? “I know they’ve been transferring everything to the cargo hold, but I didn’t think they were moving passengers until tomorrow.”

  “They’re not.” She clasped her hands under her chin. “That’s why I need your help. You see, little David—Mary Elizabeth’s brother—took ill, and they are in town at a surgeon’s. I need to help move my own family tomorrow, but I promised I would take care of Mary Elizabeth’s belongings. She’s my dearest friend in the whole world, and I need to make sure they have a good space. Especially for David to recover.” She finally took a breath. The pleading in her eyes couldn’t be mistaken.

  “Mary Elizabeth’s not ill, is she?” William couldn’t help but question.

  A soft smile split Miss Raynsford’s face. “No. She’s not. But thank you for asking.”

  John offered the young lady his arm. “We’d be glad to assist. But let’s do it quietly so we don’t trouble anyone else.”

  “Do you know where we should set up their things?” Miss Raynsford looked hopeful.

  “I’m not certain …” John shot William a questioning glance.

  Several thoughts passed through William’s mind. His spot was one of the choicest, at the stern in a corner. There was less movement of the ship at the stern and less water seepage. There was also a bit more privacy since it was up against the walls of the ship. “They can have my spot.” The words were out before he knew it. “It seems we will have to make room for a lot of people, anyway. Let me give my area to the Chapman family.”

  Miss Chapman’s friend covered her heart again. “Mr. Lytton, that is so very generous of you.”

  “It will be my privilege, Miss Raynsford.” William eyed John and noticed his raised eyebrows. “There could be enough space for your family to be next to them as well.”

  “But where will you go?” Miss Raynsford appeared doubtful.

  “I’ll just have to find a space near John.” He gripped his friend’s shoulder.

  “We will probably need to share the tiny area I already have.” John nodded. “With as many passengers as we need to house, we will have to economize space.”

  Within minutes, the trio had collected all the Chapmans’ belongings and were headed back to the Mayflower. When they reached the top of the gangway, William noticed the crew struggling with a large burden on deck.

  As soon as he got a better look, he realized what it was. “Look, John. It’s a house jack.” How exciting that they were bringing this with them to Virginia. From a carpenter’s perspective, it was amazing. They’d be able to get houses up a lot faster.

  “I’ve actually never seen one.” John stopped and studied the wood- and-iron contraption that resembled a giant screw.

  “Gentlemen, I know it’s fascinating, but my arms are getting sore.” Miss Raynsford shifted her burden.

  “Oh, of course. My apologies.” William moved ahead. “Follow me.”

  When he’d first boarded the Mayflower, William had been proud of grabbing his accommodations. Never would he have thought that he would so readily give them up for someone else. Of course, he never thought that the passengers and belongings from two ships would be making the journey on one. But at this point, he didn’t mind. They hadn’t even gotten one hundred leagues past Land’s End when the Speedwell’s master had turned her about again.

  Master Jones wanted to get back under way as soon as they could replenish a few supplies and get loaded. This would make the third trip out from England. First from Southampton, then from Dartmouth, and now from Plymouth. William could only hope they’d make it all the way across the ocean this time.

  Ducking into the short space of the gun deck, William steered Miss Raynsford and John to the back corner. “Let me just store all of my belongings and get them out of the way.”

  “I’ll hang their privacy curtains.” Dorothy laid her burden down and went to work.

  John shuffled over to William. “Hand me whatever is ready to go, and I’ll haul it to my quarters.”

  William made swift work of his packing and had everything out by the time Dorothy had the curtains hung. He moved the Chapmans’ things into the tiny space while John carried items across the ship to his area. A sense of pride filled William as he realized he’d been able to help the beautiful Miss Chapman and her family.

  Dorothy touched his arm. “Thank you.”

  “I was honored to do it, miss.” Bent over, it was hard to acknowledge her in the proper way, but he sent her a smile.

  “Not every man has as much honor as you, Mr. Lytton. You gave up a very agreeable space—for a long journey no less—to perfect strangers.”

  In his mind, Miss Chapman wasn’t a stranger. He’d thought of her and their meeting often. But to the rest of the world, Dorothy made a valid point.

  He didn’t know the Chapman family.

  Something he’d like very much to change.

  CHAPTER 6

  Wednesday, 6 September 1620

  Plymouth, England

  The good alee wind they’d enjoyed leaving Dartmouth seemed to follow them as the Mayflower once again left England’s shores. William prayed it would be true and not just his fancy as the sails billowed above his head. At this rate, he wasn’t sure when they would reach Virginia. As he’d studied all the writings he could find on ships crossing the Atlantic to the New World, everything pointed to a September departure as too late. Disastrous even.

  Stephen Hopkins had been telling them of the storms that happened this late in the year, and then of the trouble the colonists at Jamestown had had with the Indians. While the stories were fascinating, William didn’t need more doubt entering his mind.

  No. He couldn’t allow the negative thoughts to reign. He’d overheard enough conversations to know that the entire ship full of people were tired of the trip already. And now they were packed into every inch of space. With over 130 souls aboard, the 180-ton ship was full to brimming.

  He thought that in such confined quarters the chance to see Mary Elizabeth Chapman again would be high. But ever since her father carried young David aboard, the pretty Miss Chapman had stayed within their curtained-off area.

  Maybe once the boy was doing better, he’d have a chance to speak with her again. His hopes would just have to hang on that thought.

  Why was it that for the first time in his life, he was fascinated with a female? Possibly because he’d been so concentrated on learning all he could from Paul in years prior. He tried to be logical about it. Perhaps a lady capable of capturing his attention never before crossed his path. And if he were honest, he knew it was because he found Mary Elizabeth enchanting.

  Being an orphan had a profound effect on William. Even the family who took him in as a baby treated him as less than their own child. He was more of a slave. And then to be kicked out at such a young age—forced to live on the streets and beg for food? It was the worst possible scenario in William’s mind. No child should have to suffer in such a way. To always be scorned by people. To have things thrown at him. To always be covered in dirt and grime but hoping that someone would see past that and cherish him for who he was.

  But no. People had been cruel. He’d slaved for every penny he’d earned. Each twopence, each sixpence—and once he’d worked for weeks and weeks to earn a whole shilling. He thought it would be his lot in life for the rest of his days.

  Until Paul Brookshire saw him on the street one day haggling with a merchant over
a loaf of bread. By that time, William was hardened to the world. It didn’t matter that it was common for families who took in orphans to put them out again at age nine. It didn’t matter that once in a great while a stranger would come along and give him a sack of discarded clothing. What mattered? Four years, he’d fought to keep food in his belly. Thirteen years, he’d been treated as less than everyone else.

  Paul changed all that. But it took years for William to trust the man.

  The years passed. When his mentor tried to convince him to spend time with people his own age, William always refused. Why would anyone see him as anything other than a despised and rejected orphan?

  The tangy scent of the sea made him take a deep breath and shake his head. No sense in digging up the anger and hurt of the past. Things were different now. No one knew what he’d been—or where he came from. Now he was a respected and well-trained carpenter. His master had seen to that. William Lytton’s name had become known for quality workmanship. And this opportunity to start something brand new, in a setting around the world and away from everything and everyone he’d ever known was exactly what he wanted.

  Would Mary Elizabeth be able to see him as someone special?

  Shaking his head, William knew the thoughts were fruitless. She was a Separatist. And he’d learned in the past couple of days that those who called themselves Saints also thought of everyone else as Strangers.

  John had brought up the subject yesterday. He didn’t want to be known as a Stranger to the Leyden congregation—his beliefs lined up with the people. But since they’d faced such persecution for so many years, having lost everything on multiple occasions because of betrayers, the lack of trust was understandable.

  Something William understood all too well. While he wasn’t ready to discuss his background with John quite yet, he found himself respecting the man more each day. But the discussions on God and the Bible—two of John’s favorite topics—made William more uncomfortable. For years, he’d hardened his heart, basing his thoughts of God on how the world around him had treated him. But for the first time ever, he was seeing a different side in people.