by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
It was all precisely the way he had remembered it. Except …
He turned to face Jacob. “I don’t recall that painting over there.”
Jacob looked where he nodded. “Oh yes. The winter landscape. It came on a ship from France, and I liked it. I thought it would look nice in here.”
Edward took a few paces closer to examine it. He didn’t recognize the artist’s name, but the composition attracted him with its subdued purple and blue shadows in the snow. He kept silent, wondering if the painting belonged to Jacob or to Hunter Shipping, and at what cost. That led to the question of what Jacob was receiving as salary. Could the company afford to pay them both?
Jacob closed the door softly and stepped toward him.
“Edward, I want to assure you that if I’d known you had survived I never would have made myself at home in this room.”
Edward turned and eyed him once more, searching his face for deceit or malice but finding none.
“You were within your rights. It’s my understanding that my father asked you to take on a major role in the firm, as a replacement for me.”
Jacob coughed and turned to the window. “It was something of the sort, yes.” He shoved his hands into his pockets.
Edward stared at his back. Jacob’s broadcloth coat hung perfectly from his shoulders, and his posture was straight. His blond hair curled against his collar, a fashionable length for the merchant class. He looked the part of a shipping magnate. But Jacob’s head began to droop, and his shoulders slumped.
Edward walked over to stand beside him and placed his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “I’ve been told the business is running smoothly.”
Jacob’s gaze flitted to his face. “Yes, everything’s fine. Of course, the company was hit hard when the Egret sank with her cargo four years ago, but your father was canny and made some good investments on the next few voyages with the other two ships. And I’ve been thinking for some time now of purchasing another vessel.”
“Funds are available for that?”
“Well, yes. Daniels tells me they are. I’ve pretty much left the accounts to him, but we seem to be doing all right, Ed. Some of our enterprises are more profitable than others.”
“Naturally.”
Jacob’s eyes picked up the glitter of the sunlight streaming through the window. “It was my thought to buy a ship before fall if profits continued this summer as they’ve been for the last year or so. Another schooner, perhaps. We purchased a small sloop before your father died that we use in coastal trade, but I think we’re ready for another vessel with the tonnage of the Egret or larger.”
Edward nodded. “I know nothing of the company’s state at the moment. I’d appreciate it if you’d tutor me a little.”
“Of course. Edward, I hope—” Jacob studied Edward’s face with anxious blue eyes. “I hope you’ll keep me on.”
“I have no intention of turning you out, Jacob. I regret that my return is displacing you to some extent, but I see no reason why we can’t work together.”
“Are you certain?” Jacob’s brow wrinkled, and his mouth held an anxious crook.
He’s thinking of Abigail, Edward realized. Would the fact that they both loved the same woman come between them?
He walked to the bookshelves and gently touched the binding on his father’s copy of Bowditch’s The American Practical Navigator.
“We’ve always gotten on well, Jacob.”
“So we have. And I’m delighted that you’ve returned.”
Edward felt a tightness in his throat and gave a gentle cough. “I’m sure we’ll work something out so that we can both earn our living here. As I said, you’ve proven your worth in the company. I have my mother’s word on that, and I expect I’ll have Mr. Daniels’s confirmation soon.”
“He’ll show you the books, Edward. Anything you want to see. It took awhile for business to pick up after the peace was signed with England in ‘14, you know. Sometimes money was scarce, but we’ve pretty well recovered. Your father was pleased with the way our trade was going last year. If his heart had been stronger, he’d be here now to tell you this.”
Edward raised one hand to curtail his cousin’s words. “I’m sorry, but I’m feeling a bit emotional today, seeing my father’s office and all for the first time since …” Edward swallowed hard then brushed his grief aside, determined to get down to business. “You know, I think I’d benefit by a short tour of the wharf.”
“Of course.” Jacob hurried toward the door. “We’ve expanded the store on the wharf, you know.”
“Oh? I came in on Richardson’s Wharf yesterday, and I didn’t get a good look at ours.”
“Well, our chandlery is twice as large as it was when you left, and I’ve leased space on the wharf for several other small shops. I hope you don’t mind. Most are one-year leases, and it’s good for business. Draws more people to our store.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, so long as we’re doing well in the ships’ supplies.”
“Last year was our best year ever. And I’ve worked out a deal with Stephens’s Ropewalk. They make us eight sizes of cordage, and we sell all we can get, both here in our store and in the West Indies trade.”
“Rope.” Edward nodded. “It’s a good, sound product.” His mind was racing. It seemed the company was doing better than ever under Jacob’s supervision. He knew it was partly due to the general economic climate of the day, but it sowed a riot of thoughts and feelings. How could he take over when Jacob was doing so well? But this was still the shipping company his father and grandfather had built. Could he do as well as Jacob was doing? What would it mean to Jacob, financially and socially, if Edward demoted him? And would it make a difference to Abby? Should he base his business decisions on what she and, yes, even her father would think?
“Of course, lumber is still our mainstay,” Jacob said. “But we’ve been shipping a larger variety of goods in the past two years. I’m telling you, Ed, having England off our backs has opened up a lot of new markets.”
Edward smiled at his cousin’s enthusiasm. “Well, if you have time this morning, why don’t you walk over to the wharf with me and point out the improvements? Afterward, perhaps I can sit down with Mr. Daniels and get an overview of the financial end of things.”
“I’d be pleased to do that.” Jacob reached for the doorknob. “And, Edward, whatever you decide you want me to do for this firm, I’ll accept your decision.”
“You’ve worked hard, Jacob. I’m not sure what our course should be yet, but I won’t forget that.”
Jacob nodded, but his troubled frown told Edward his cousin was not so settled as his words implied. Edward followed him out into the bright June sunlight. The thought was unspoken, but he inferred that, while Jacob might feel obligated to relinquish the management of Hunter Shipping, he would not so willingly give up his claim to Abigail.
“I don’t want to see him.”
Abigail sat before her dressing table, her back turned to Deborah, stiff and unyielding, while Deborah sat on her sister’s bed, attempting to count the stitches in her knitting.
“Let’s not go through this again.” Deborah turned her knitting at the end of the row. She couldn’t knit anything required to fit someone—no stockings or gloves. Her stitches were much too tight, throwing the gauge off. But she could knit mufflers and rectangular coverlets for babies, and she was working on one for Frances Reading, whose husband had been killed in an accident at the distillery on Titcomb’s Wharf a month ago. Deborah had bought the softest wool yarn she could find and dyed it a pale yellow with goldenrod. The blanket was turning out surprisingly well.
“You were less than courteous to Edward last night,” she reminded Abigail. “Go down and be civil.”
“Must I?”
“Oh, Abby, is this simply embarrassment over your behavior last night?” Deborah watched her sister’s downcast eyes in the mirror. Getting no answer, she laid her yarn and needles aside and walked over to touch Abigail’s shoulder
. “It’s not like you to be unkind.”
Abigail’s mouth clenched for an instant. “All right, I’ll talk to him, but only if you promise to stay with me. Don’t leave me alone with him.”
“Why ever not?”
“I don’t know. He seemed a bit … savage, I thought.”
Deborah shook her head. “You’re imagining things.”
“But he was out there alone for years with nothing but seabirds and wolves.”
“Wolves? Who said anything about wolves on his island?”
“Cannibals, then.”
“Nonsense. I’ve always liked Edward and thought you were marrying the finest man on earth. I doubt he lost his good sense during his ordeal, though he was forced to give up many refinements.”
Abigail wrinkled her nose at her reflection in the looking glass. “Oh, Debbie, I liked him, too.”
“You told me then that you loved him.”
“So I did.” Abigail sighed. “I was thrilled that he’d noticed me and that he chose me from among all the other girls. But he’s been gone so long, and he’s changed.”
“Give him a chance, dear. Have you made up your mind to marry Jacob? I don’t want to see you discard Edward lightly. He’s a wonderful man, and he’s been through more than we know, though I’m quite sure we can discount wolves and cannibals.”
“I know it, and I don’t want to crush his spirit. I’m just not sure I can ever recapture the feelings I had for him five years ago.”
“Well, he’s been waiting fifteen minutes already. I do think you ought to go down without further delay.”
“Come with me.”
Deborah frowned. “I hate this chaperone business. It’s not in my nature.”
“Oh yes, I know. You’re the free spirit of the family. But I don’t wish to be alone with him.”
“All right. But you must make a promise in return.”
“What?”
“Treat him decently, as you would any nice gentleman caller.”
“I’ll pretend he’s one of Father’s friends.”
It wasn’t quite what Deborah had hoped for, and she laid a hand on her sister’s sleeve.
“Well, keep in mind that whichever man you marry, Edward owns the business concern that will support your family.”
Abigail’s eyes widened. “I’m always civil, I hope.”
Deborah scooped her knitting off the coverlet and shoved it into her workbag. She was longing to hear more of Edward’s tale and decided to make the most of this encounter. The idea of his fighting for life against nature in a beautiful but terrible setting intrigued her. She hoped that this afternoon he would reveal more of his adventures.
They walked down the oak stairs together, their full skirts swishing. Abigail looked lovely in the pale blue gown that matched her bright eyes. Deborah was certain Edward would appreciate her beauty. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her golden hair shimmered. If only she wouldn’t leave the room precipitately again.
At last Edward heard the sisters coming down the stairs. He jumped up and met them as they entered the parlor. Abigail smiled at him and let him take her hand for a moment. That was an improvement over their meeting last night.
In fact, she seemed much calmer, and she even murmured, “Edward, so kind of you to come this afternoon.”
“It’s a pleasure. I hope we can come to an understanding about … things.”
He couldn’t help staring at her. She was more beautiful than his most accurate mental images of her. While on the island, he had wondered if his mind exaggerated her charms and if he would be disappointed on his return to find that she was quite plain. But that was foolish. He’d known from the first time he set eyes on her that she was among the fairest of the city.
The blue of her gown enhanced her creamy complexion, and her hair, pulled back in honey-colored waves, enticed him to brush it with his fingertips to see if it were truly as soft as it appeared.
“Hello, Edward.”
Deborah stepped forward and held her hand out to him, and he released Abigail’s and focused on the younger sister. He noted anew that Deborah had become a well-favored woman, and he smiled at the gawky girl turned graceful beauty. No doubt most men would find it hard to choose between the two if asked which sister was lovelier.
“What are you grinning at, if I may be so bold?” she asked with a playful smile.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t get over the change in you, Debbie—or Miss Deborah, I suppose I ought to call you now.”
She waved that comment aside and sat down on the sofa next to Abigail.
“Nonsense. I grew up calling you Edward, and you always called me Debbie. We needn’t commence using formalities now.”
He laughed. “Thank you. That’s a relief.”
He settled into his chair greatly eased. Deborah, at least, was willing to see this interview run smoothly, and Abigail seemed to be in a better humor as well. The shock of his survival and return to Maine had dissipated. He hoped she was ready to discuss their future.
When he smiled at Abigail, she tendered a somewhat timid smile in return and clasped her hands in her lap. Her lips parted as though she would speak but then closed again, and she looked away.
“Well, ladies,” Edward said, glancing at Deborah and back to Abigail, “I do apologize for any abruptness, but I think we all know it’s important for me to understand your intentions, Abigail.”
Abigail’s eyes widened, and she turned toward her sister in dismay.
“Dear Edward,” Deborah said, patting Abigail’s hand, “you are rather forthcoming today. I was hoping, and I’m sure Abby was, too, that you’d tell us a bit more about your travels.”
He swallowed hard. So, they were not going to make this simple.
“Deborah, Abigail, please forgive me for being so frank, but surely you can understand my anxiety. I spent some time with my cousin at the wharf this morning, and I must know….” He left his chair and went to his knees at Abigail’s side, reaching for her hands. “Dearest Abby, I simply have to know whether or not you still intend to marry me.”
Chapter 5
Abigail pulled back and jerked her hands away, looking frantically to Deborah. Edward saw at once that he’d been too aggressive. He stood and walked to the empty fire place, leaning on the mantelpiece and mentally flogging himself for being such a dolt. “Edward,” came Deborah’s tentative voice, “perhaps we could come at this topic more subtly.”
He blinked at her. Deborah was stroking her sister’s hand and gazing at him with such an open, accepting smile that he suddenly wanted to do whatever he must to please her.
That wasn’t quite right. He ought to strive to please Abigail, no matter what Deborah thought.
He brushed his hair off his brow. His mother had offered to cut it. Perhaps he should take her up on that this evening. It was shorter now than he’d worn it in solitude but was still long enough to annoy him when it fell into his eyes.
“Please sit down,” Deborah continued. “I’m sure Abby is willing to discuss the agreement she made last evening with Mr. Price.”
Abigail caught her breath and looked down at her hands once more, her face flushing a rich pink. Once again Edward found his gaze flickering from Abigail to Deborah and back. Abigail, the older sister, so self-assured and cordial to him in the past, seemed terrified of him. Deborah, the lively, teasing younger sister, had assumed the role of the placid peacemaker.
He hesitated, then went to his chair and sat facing them, his nerves at the breaking point. Sweat broke out on his forehead and his back. He wasn’t used to being confined in layers of clothing, and the tense situation combined with the warm weather had him perspiring profusely.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “If you please, Abigail, we shall proceed with the topic at the speed you wish.”
“You said….” Abigail’s voice quivered, and she began again. “You said you spent the day with Jacob.”
“Part of it. I had a tour of the company’s
wharf with him this morning, looking over the expansion of the store there and some repairs done to the mooring slips. Then Captain Moody hoisted a flag indicating that a ship was entering the harbor.”
“We heard the commotion about noon,” Deborah said. “Was it one of your ships?”
“No, it was a schooner from Liverpool, docking at Long Wharf. Jacob decided to go down there and see if she’d brought anything we’d want to purchase for our store. I went back to the office and had a session with Mr. Daniels, our chief accountant. Jacob had told him this morning that I was back, and he had the books all laid out for me to examine.”
“And were things in order?” Abigail asked.
“Well, I’ve only had time to give the ledgers a cursory look at this point, but yes, I’d say Hunter Shipping has been under good management these last few years.” He wondered suddenly if Abigail thought he might doubt Jacob’s capability, and he knew that, whether she chose to marry him or not, he must put that question to rest. “Of course, my father ran things right up until his death last year, but since then, all indications are that Jacob and Mr. Daniels have done a fine job.”
She nodded and lowered her eyes. He decided to leave it at that, though one small item he’d noticed during his quick glance at the books had prompted him to make a decision. He would go through all the financial records thoroughly, especially those of the last year, as soon as he had the opportunity.
“It must have been an emotional day for you,” Deborah said.
Edward nodded. “Yes. Seeing all of the fellows I used to work beside, and of course noticing that some I used to work with are missing.”
“Will you go to sea again?”
He paused, wondering just how to answer that question. Abigail also seemed to take an avid interest.
“I might. I’m not angry at the sea. God determines if a man will be safe or not, whether he’s walking a cobbled street or an oaken deck. But if I were a married man, I doubt I would make another long voyage. Perhaps I would sail as far as the Caribbean if the business required it, but I wouldn’t want to … be away from my family longer than that.”