And inhaled the glorious fragrance of her scent. Once again, my knees turned to rubber and I wondered if I would be able to manage the steps called for in the dance.
“Oh, Mister Baldwin, how lovely. I should be enchanted to dance with you. It is surely one of my favorite pursuits. Let me just report my return to my mother and I shall meet you right here, by the door.” She smiled radiantly at me, slowly released my arm from hers, and moved with astonishing grace away from me.
After a few steps, she turned her head toward me, as if to ascertain I remained in place. Seeing me unmoving, she rewarded my immobility with another smile, and continued on her mission. What she could not have known was that I would have been unable to move had the building been on fire!
So intent on watching her progress as she made her way across the dance floor, avoiding swirling couples, smiling brilliantly at some and merely nodding at others, that I was quite unaware of a presence at my side.
“Mister Baldwin. How nice to finally catch up with you.” Even without turning in his direction, I knew at once that the voice could only belong to Mister Little, the elderly gentleman I had met earlier. “I do want to hear your tale of the Philadelphia affair. While I am quite aware of the broad strokes of the story, it would be an honor, sir, to hear a firsthand account of that extraordinary business.”
He extended his hand, which held one of those round glasses, filled nearly to the brim with a tea-colored liquid. A piece of an orange floated in it. It was the same glass I had earlier noticed the women enjoying. To be polite, I took the proffered glass, wondering what I would do with it.
“I have brought you a glass of punch to wet your whistle and ease the telling of your tale. Quite tasty it is, as you will see.” He smiled as I accepted his offering.
I took a tentative sip, determined to at least look as if I enjoyed it. To my delight, it was, as Mister Little had put it, “quite tasty” and seemed liberally laced with rum. I took another sample, just to be sure, and tried to figure a way to forestall my recounting of that dreadful memory.
I cannot do this now. She will be back in a moment and I have promised to dance with her, something I would surely rather do than spend the evening talking with this old bird.
I turned to Mister Little and, smiling in what I hoped was a disarming way, said, “I would be most pleased to describe that event, sir, but would you mind waiting just a bit? I am currently engaged with a young lady who has promised me a dance. She should be returning in only a moment.”
He must have noticed me glancing around the room, seeking her out of the throng and, hopefully, heading this way.
With a broad smile and a bow, he acceded to my request. “Of course, lad. I should never put myself in the way of one enjoying the company of the fairer among us. When you are free, then. Perhaps when we sup, or after?”
He stepped away, exchanged his now empty glass for a full one from a passing waiter, and melted into the guests watching the dancers as they twirled and laughed to the music.
His place was immediately taken by Josiah Tibbets, the bank clerk in the employ of his father. He touched my sleeve, causing me to turn and thus, acknowledge his presence.
“Hello again, Mister Tibbets.” I offered, hoping he would merely respond in kind and follow in Mister Littles footsteps. Which, of course, he did not.
“You departed quite suddenly, earlier, Oliver. I thought perhaps I might have offended you in some manner.” He held a glass of whiskey, which he raised to his lips as he waited for me to respond. I let him wait while I took a swallow from my own glass.
“Not at all, sir. I believe I mentioned I wanted to have a look around outside before it became full dark.” As I spoke, I again cast my gaze around the room, hoping for a glimpse of the fair Miss Perry.
“Well, I am glad for that. I seem to have a talent for unwittingly affronting people.” He waited until I turned to face him again, and smiled broadly before continuing.
“I assume you have read the report on Meriwether Lewis’ grand expedition of discovery to the far Pacific. I would be most interested in your assessment of their discoveries. I think everyone must have read that extraordinary account, even a Naval officer.” He paused, looking inquiringly at me for some sign that I had. And proved his earlier statement about affronting people unwittingly.
“Actually, I have little knowledge of it beyond what I have read in the newspapers. Is there a published paper describing their trek?” I hoped not to show my ignorance, but equally, did not want to encourage his continued attendance at my side.
“Oh my, yes. Indeed there is. Came out just this year, it did, and is quite brilliant. Gives a firsthand accounting of the whole of their three year odyssey, and describes in some detail the heathens they encountered as well as the vast stretches of land their band marched through. I found it to be riveting. You really should clap onto a copy of it; I think it would be most revealing to someone such as yourself.”
“Such as myself?” What does he mean by that? Presumably, in his opinion, I am a hide-bound Naval officer with no interest beyond the coastline. Indeed!
I nodded in agreement, wishing not to prolong our one-sided conversation and, raising my glass again to my lips, glanced hopefully around the room.
Where is she? It could not take this long simply to report her presence to her mother. Why does she not come back?
Then I saw her, making her way across the dance floor, again smiling and nodding to other guests as she passed. I could not help but smile.
Thinking I was smiling at something clever my unwanted companion had said, Josiah again launched into a further description of the “wonderful adventure” of Messers Clark and Meriwether Lewis, something about camping on the banks of some river through the winter while hordes of hostiles beleaguered them. I heard little of it and cared even less!
“Well,” he interrupted himself. “Here is Ann Perry. What a pleasant surprise. I did not know you were here, Ann. Are you seeking me, perchance for a twirl about the dance floor?”
Miss Perry had taken a position by my side, linking her arm through my own, a posture greatly pleasing to me. She looked at Tibbets, almost as though she had not before noticed him.
“Why no, Josiah. I am not. I have found what I am seeking, and intend to enjoy the dance Mister Baldwin earlier promised me.” She did not smile at him, nor give any indication that he held any significance to her whatever.
Then she turned her glorious face to me and smiled as radiantly as I had earlier witnessed. “Would you care to make good on that promise, now, Mister Baldwin? I believe they are playing that new dance, the waltz. Are you familiar with it?”
She had already begun to move toward the dance floor and, since she still had her arm linked to my own, I had little choice but to accompany her; doing otherwise would never have occurred to me in any event! Quickly, I thrust my now nearly empty glass into Josiah’s hand, hoping he would not drop it.
I had a fleeting glimpse of Tibbets standing where we had left him, holding both his and my glasses, and wearing an expression of stunned incredulity, a fact that augmented my already towering joy at being in the company of this lovely woman.
“I am not very experienced at this dance, I am afraid. There have been so few opportunities to practice it since it came to America, what with my being at sea so much. But we shall find our way, I am sure!” I smiled hopefully at her, already laying excuses for my natural ineptness.
Of course, just the thought of holding her in my arms for the duration of the dance made my legs turn to jelly and I hoped that my plea of inexperience would cover any clumsiness that I was quite sure would rear it’s ugly head. The fact was, that I had learned the dance while at the Academy, in Philadelphia, before winning my Warrant as a midshipman.
She reached a spot she deemed suitable for us to start and turned to me expectantly, her arms raised to a position that invited me to close with her. Which, of course, I did, unhesitatingly. We listened to the music for a mo
ment and began to dance.
Move your legs, Oliver. Hear the music and try not to embarrass yourself!
She was light in my arms; it seemed her feet barely touched the floor as she floated effortlessly through the intricate steps of Vienna’s wonderful contribution to dance. The rest of the couples disappeared; it was just Ann Perry and Midshipman Oliver Baldwin floating along to the music. Her fragrance filled my nostrils each time her hair brushed my face. Her hand on my arm barely touched me, but, though light as a feather, I could feel it burning it’s impression into my flesh right through my jacket and shirt. Her other hand, more tightly gripping my own, seemed to join us as one in our movements, and I realized she was helping me guide her through the turns and moves of the dance. And I was grateful.
All too soon, the music ended and, reluctantly, I stopped. I did not at once release her, a fact that prompted a smile and a brief—oh! How fleeting it was—hug from my partner. Then she stepped back and looked at me appraisingly.
“For one who has been at sea, Mister Baldwin, you managed that most elegantly! I thank you, and look forward to repeating it soon, very soon.”
“Oh my, Miss Perry. It is I who should be thanking you; you are truly a splendid dancer, perhaps the best I have ever known. I enjoyed that more than ever I could relate to you. Simply delightful, it was.”
Oliver, you imbecile. You are running out words like a loose sheet on a flogging sail! Grow up!
Her smile was all the thanks I needed, but the words that followed made my heart soar like a sea bird riding a gale.
“Mister Baldwin. It appears that the orchestra has stopped so we might partake of some supper. It would be an honor were you to join my family and me, should you not be otherwise engaged. And you could meet one of my brothers as well. My father was a navy man also.” She looked expectantly at me, the smile gracing her radiant face broadening.
I quickly agreed to her request—it was not as if I could have even uttered the word “no”—and followed her off the dance floor and to one of many tables which had appeared along the opposite wall, set out by the servants while the guests were dancing.
Already seated there were a handsome older couple who I took to be Mister Perry and his wife, Ann’s mother. In addition, a brace of young men—they looked to be about my age, so must be Ann’s brothers—stood nearby, engaged in conversation.
“Ah, here you are, dear Ann. We were wondering what had become of you. Please take your seat. They will be serving out the meal directly, I should think.” Mister Perry stood to welcome his daughter, all the while casting an appraising glance at me.
“Father, Mother, may I present to you Midshipman Oliver Baldwin. He is with Captain Decatur on … I mean, in, the frigate Chesapeake.” When she corrected herself, she smiled at me.
“Yes, dear. We heard the captain introduce him earlier.” Mister Perry spoke to his daughter, then turned to me.
“A pleasure to meet you, sir. It would appear your captain thinks most highly of your abilities.” He smiled at me, extended his hand, which I took, and went on. “I would presume that Ann has brought you here to join us for supper. We would be delighted if you would be so kind.”
“Thank you, sir. It would be a great pleasure to join you and your family.” I, too smiled, partly out of relief at not stumbling over my tongue, but mostly out of anticipation of remaining in Miss Perry’s company.
“This is Ann’s mother, Sarah Wallace Alexander Perry. You may take the seat next to her, if you please.” Mister Perry pointed at the empty chair next to the smiling woman with the four names.
How strange he should introduce his wife that way. I must remember to ask Miss Perry about that.
“A pleasure, Madam.” I said as I moved to the assigned seat, and stuck out my hand, bowing from the waist as I did so.
A soft, but warm and moist, hand took my own, and immediately released it. Missus Perry smiled at me and watched as I sat down.
“Have you been a midshipman long, Mister Baldwin?” She asked in a delightfully musical voice.
That’s where her voice comes from! Small wonder.
I remembered the gentle sound of Miss Perry’s laugh; the memory provoked a secret smile.
“I received my Warrant in eighteen three, Madam. Sailed immediately with Captain Decatur in Argus from Boston. September, it was; right about this time, I recall.” I looked at her with a smile, taking in her attractive features, stylish hair (to judge from what I had seen other ladies sporting), and lively eyes.
I think Miss Perry got more than her voice from her mother!
“My first born is also in the Navy, Mister Baldwin, as was his father.” She shot a glance at her husband before she continued.
“Oliver Hazard, my eldest, began his career in the spring of ninety and nine as a midshipman sailing in General Greene, under his father’s command. I would presume you will be passing for lieutenant soon?”
“Oh, Madam. I hope so. I have only to take the examination and wait for an opening. It is six years since my Warrant, so it should not be overly presumptuous of me to assume it likely.” I spoke earnestly, hopefully.
“Oh my! I should think so. Oliver received his promotion in …” She stopped, thought for a moment, then turned to her husband.
“Christopher, pardon me, Dear. When was it Oliver was granted his lieutenancy? Do you recall?”
“Of course I recall. It was in June of ought five, just after he returned from that business against the Bashaw.” He paused, and scowled. “And just before the Navy put him ashore for two years!”
I knew how long Henry Allen had waited for the opening, carried as he was as a ‘passed midshipman’ for some months after he had passed both the oral and written testing required for the promotion. I hoped I would not have to wait as long. And I certainly did not want to be “put ashore” after I won the promotion!
“Hello, sir. I am Matthew.” A fine looking young man, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years of age seated himself to my left. I recalled that he was one of the two I had earlier noticed chatting before supper; of the other lad, there was no sign, so my surmise that both had been Perry brothers was in error.
When I turned to him, he was extending his hand in greeting which, of course, I took.
“A pleasure to meet you, Matthew. I am Oliver Baldwin.”
“Have you been in the Navy long, Mister Baldwin? I hope to gain a Warrant my own self soon.”
“I was fourteen, Matthew, and Captain Decatur secured for me a Warrant. I should think your older brother, or perhaps your father, could be of help to you in that.”
“I will be fourteen on my next birthday, sir. Did you find it exciting? I mean, going to sea?”
Goodness, he appears some older than his years!
“It was quite overwhelming, at first. But there was little time to be overwhelmed; we sailed from Boston shortly after I reported into Argus for the Mediterranean. And then we were engaged with the corsairs of the Barbary Coast. I am sure you would find it exhilarating, and not a little scarifying, as did I.”
“I hope I can fight, too, sir. Not likely I’d be scared; I come from a long line of fighters! Ain’t that so, Mama?”
The matriarch of the Perry family laughed that same musical laugh and looked at me, then her youngest son, the sparkle never leaving her eyes.
“‘Isn’t that so’, Matthew, is what I am sure you meant to say.” Her expression changed not a whit, but Matthews did at being chastised in front of a stranger. The matter of her son’s grammar dealt with, she looked directly at me.
“What my son refers to, Mister Baldwin, is my descendancy from the thirteenth century Scot, William Wallace. Some thought him an outlaw, but we prefer to think of him as a revolutionary, not unlike our own countrymen here in America. He, too, fought the English for the sovereignty of his country. Unfortunately, he lost his quest and his life, but not until he had brought the English to heel, ruled his country for a time and established it’s independence. Sadly, he wa
s betrayed—it was in thirteen and five, I believe—and executed most cruelly by Edward the First. I was raised on the story, and have ensured that my children will pass it on through future generations.” Surprisingly, she smiled so sweetly I could scarcely believe the heroic and warlike tale she had just related to me.
So that’s why she carries all the names! William Wallace; haven’t heard that name since I left the Academy.
“He was drawn and quartered, Mister Baldwin. And his parts were displayed in four parts of the country! To be a lesson to those who might take up the cause. Can you believe it?” Matthew chimed in with youthful exuberance.
“Matthew! That will do! Mister Baldwin is not interested in the details of the story, and certainly not at the supper table!” Ann Perry, for the first time, had joined the conversation.
I looked at her and smiled to show her brother’s sense of drama had bothered me not a whit. What did bother me was to have her sitting several chairs away from me, where I was unable to speak to her without all hearing my words. But I was rewarded with her own brilliant smile, and my heart beat a bit faster.
The conversation at the table was light and generally insignificant. Servants brought successive dishes of food, each more elegant and delicious than it’s predecessor: cold meats, a cornucopia of vegetables, breads of every imaginable stripe, and each with a different wine. I followed the chatter, answered young Matthews endless questions about the Navy, my experiences in Tripoli, and his fathers questions concerning the incident with HMS Leopard. Between my discourse and eating a bit of the supper, I tried to catch Miss Perry’s eye when I could. Each time I succeeded, I was rewarded with a marvelous smile, sometimes a wink or a nod, and the promise, unspoken, of more. I barely tasted the meal, pushing my food around the plates as they appeared and were cleared, to be replaced with more.
From time to time, Captain or Missus Perry would query me on some detail of my past, from whence did I come, family connections, and my father’s business.
In Pursuit of Glory Page 23