by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
“I won’t. Now come and see the captain’s quarters. Whoever he may be, the master of this ship will be quite comfortable.”
Deborah sighed as she viewed the neat cabin. Mrs. Hunter spun round on the carpeted floor, exclaiming over the polished wood of the built-in cupboards and drawers, the folding table, the curtained bunk, and the mullioned window in the stern of the ship.
“Oh, if we’d had a cabin like this on the Hermia, I’d have been the happiest bride on earth. As it was, we had a tiny room one-third this size, and your father insisted on keeping his trunk in the cabin. We could barely turn around and were always tripping over that chest.”
Edward laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mother, if I ever ask a woman to share a cabin with me.” He winked at Deborah, and she felt her blush shoot all the way to the tips of her ears.
“What shall I do if Father isn’t home before Edward arrives?” Deborah threw an anxious glance at Abigail in the mirror as her sister brushed out her thick, dark hair.
“We’ll just have a pleasant evening with two gentlemen callers, and Edward can speak to him tomorrow. Don’t fret so.”
Deborah smiled at Abby’s reflection. “I’m not fretting.”
“Yes, you are. You haven’t been still for ten seconds since you sat down.”
Deborah was surprised that her wayward tresses were obedient to Abby’s gentle coaxing and lay in gentle waves about her forehead.
“Do you like it?” Abigail asked.
“I’m not sure. It doesn’t look like me.”
“Well, it’s time you started paying more attention to your looks. You’re very pretty, you know. If you’d dress up a little and guard your complexion from the sun, the young men would hang about our doorstep in droves.”
“Not true.”
“Well, at least half true. You’d have to stop treating them like chums as well.”
“And how should I treat them?”
“Like fascinating men.”
“Most of them are boring.”
“You seem to find Edward interesting.”
Deborah whirled around in dismay. “Does it upset you that he asked to come calling on me so soon after … after your decision?”
Abigail smiled and shook her head, patting at a stubborn strand of hair over Deborah’s ear. “Why should that bother me? I have the man I want.”
“Oh, Abby, it wasn’t my intention to attract him.”
“I know.”
“Then why do I feel so awful?”
“No reason. You should feel pleased and honored. Edward is a fine man, as you’ve told me many times.”
Deborah puzzled over her sister’s serenity. “You seem so calm now, but a few weeks ago you were overwrought.”
“Because I knew I loved Jacob and couldn’t bear to hurt Edward. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was my duty to marry him, even though it would rip my heart to shreds. But now, seeing that he’s accepted the outcome, I feel much easier.”
“You don’t think it’s horrid of him to want to pay attention to me so soon?”
Abigail’s smile had a wise twist that Deborah had never seen before. “I expect that if I hadn’t become attached to Jacob before Edward came home we still would have found eventually that we were not perfectly suited to each other.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It might have taken us months to discover that, however. You see, God works things out.”
Deborah nodded. “I’m sorry I was cross with you.”
“You had a right to be. I didn’t behave very well at first. But I also think that you and Edward have an admiration for one another that transcends the years of his absence.”
“You do?”
Abby reached for a hairpin. “Mm-hmm. You know you’ve always adored him.”
“Yes, I have. But he only saw me as your bother of a little sister.”
“Perhaps, but he commented to me several times in the old days about how clever you were and what a beauty you would make some day.” The air Deborah gulped felt like a square lump. “I never, ever thought he’d think of me as … a woman.”
Abigail laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “You’re so droll, Debbie. It’s quite a relief to me that Edward’s not crushed. It would have been miserable to see him at church and social functions for the rest of my life, with him slouching about and staring at me with those huge, dark eyes.”
“Edward wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“Perhaps not, but he does have a melancholy tendency. You are just what he needs. I predict you’ll keep him in high spirits. I never should have accomplished that.”
Deborah started to protest, but Abigail picked up another hairpin. “Turn around and let me finish.
The image in the mirror stared back at Deborah with dark, anxious eyes. Her sister’s skillful ministrations had brought her hair into a soft, becoming style. Would Edward think she was pretty?
“Thank you, Abby. I confess I’m a bit nervous.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be. You’re much more suited to him in temperament than I ever was.” Abigail tugged at her sleeve. “Stand up now. I think the red shawl will set off that white gown splendidly.”
“Oh no, the red is too bright.” Deborah already felt misgivings at wearing the new white dress. The neck, while not daring, was lower than she was accustomed to, and she feared her blush would become perpetual.
“It is not,” Abigail insisted, holding up the shawl in question. “Red is all the fashion, and it goes very well with the delicate flower pattern of your gown.”
“No, I think I’d better wear my gray shawl.”
“Impossible. I’m wearing it.” Abigail seized Deborah’s usual dove gray wrap and threw it over her own shoulders. “It goes well with my green dress, don’t you think?”
“Well …”
“Come on.” Abigail took her hand and sidestepped toward the door. “I heard the knocker. Jacob’s probably cooling his heels and waiting for his dinner.”
Chapter 14
Edward arrived at the Bowman house amid a gray drizzle that brought an early dusk. The family was just leaving the dinner table. They had delayed the meal, hoping Dr. Bowman could join them, Deborah told him.
“Father was detained with a patient this evening,” she explained.
Edward’s disappointment at being unable to settle his business with the doctor was short-lived. The shy, hopeful smile she bestowed on him made all obstacles shrink.
“Ah. Then we shall pass a pleasant evening in spite of his absence, and perhaps I can have a word with him tomorrow.”
Mrs. Bowman carried into the parlor a tray bearing coffee and a bowl of sugared walnuts. The young people settled down, with Abigail and Jacob on the sofa and Deborah and Edward in chairs opposite them, while Mrs. Bowman sat in the cushioned rocker near the hearth.
“It’s chilly this evening,” she said. “This rain.”
“Would you like a fire, ma’am?” Edward asked. “I can kindle it for you.”
“A fire in the parlor in July?” Mrs. Bowman shook her head.
“Must we be so frugal, Mother?” Abigail asked. “It’s cold, and the fire’s already laid for just such a night.”
“All right, then.” Mrs. Bowman edged her chair back to give Edward room to work. He pulled the painted fire screen aside, and soon a comforting blaze threw its warmth to them all.
They spent two hours in enjoyable conversation, mostly concerning the new government and the upcoming wedding. Mrs. Bowman seemed hesitant to discuss the latter topic when Abigail first brought it up, casting worried looks in Edward’s direction.
He smiled, hoping to put her at ease. “My cousin has invited me to stand up with him for the ceremony. I’m looking forward to performing that duty.”
After that, Mrs. Bowman relaxed and brought out her sewing. Deborah began to knit, glancing up only now and then.
“And Deborah shall have a new gown as well,” Abigail said. “Lavender, I think. We’re going to
shop for material tomorrow.”
“The one she’s wearing now suits her admirably,” Edward said.
Abigail smiled. “Isn’t it lovely on her? But I want her to have something a little fancier. Mother, too.”
Deborah stared at her knitting, her lips firmly closed. He supposed that hearing her appearance discussed was not at all to her liking, though he was pleased he’d had a chance to let her know he approved. Her hair was different tonight. Softer somehow, and it suited her sweet features.
“Really, dear. People don’t make so much of a wedding,” Mrs. Bowman said.
“No, but it’s for the party afterward.” Abigail laughed. “All the best people will come, and the women, at least, will be lavishly turned out. Why, Father said we may even invite Governor and Mrs. King.”
“Oh dear,” Deborah muttered.
“And, Edward,” Abigail went on, turning a brilliant smile on him, “you must know your mother has offered her garden and parlors for the affair.”
“Very gracious of her,” said her mother. “We haven’t much space here, but Mrs. Hunter insisted we hold a reception there for the young people.”
“So she’s told me,” Edward said. “After all, Jacob is her favorite nephew.”
Jacob chuckled. “Aunt Mary is quite excited about it. She and Mother are having a grand time planning the menu.”
“She wanted to serve dinner for forty, but we told her that was too much for her,” Abigail said.
“Oh, I don’t know. She surprises me with her energy these days.” Edward shook his head. “I think she does more entertaining now than she did when Father was alive.”
“Her gardens are so beautiful that I could not refuse,” Mrs. Bowman told him. “Most kind of her. Abigail and I are going over tomorrow afternoon after we finish our shopping to make plans with her and Mrs. Price.”
Deborah’s ball of yarn dropped to the floor and rolled a few feet. Edward stooped to retrieve it and held it loosely in his lap, letting slack out as she tugged the yarn. She looked at him, and he smiled, raising his eyebrows. Her dark eyes flashed gladness, then were hidden once more by her lowered lashes. She went on with her knitting, saying nothing but with the faint smile lingering on her lips, and he was content to hold the yarn and watch her.
At last, Mrs. Bowman rose, remarking on the lateness of the hour, and Edward looked to his cousin. Jacob seemed to be making preparations to leave, so Edward rose and offered to carry the tray to the kitchen. His hostess thanked him and went with him to show him where to place it.
When he came back into the front hall, Deborah stood by the stairway alone, and he guessed she had left the parlor to allow Jacob a moment alone with his betrothed. As he approached her, Deborah took a breath and smiled at him a bit shakily.
“Thank you for coming,” she said, an unaccustomed crease marring her smooth brow.
“It was a pleasure, and I’ve thanked your mother for a stimulating evening.”
“Discussing wedding plans?” Her doubt colored her tone. “My mother isn’t used to entertaining on a large scale, and she’s in a dither about this. I’m sure that wasn’t the most fascinating conversation you’ve ever engaged in.”
“I don’t mind. I shall doubtless see some people there whom I haven’t seen in five years or more. Now, if we can only keep Uncle Felix sober that day.”
Her eyes widened in alarm, and he bent down to whisper, “Don’t worry. Jacob and I have discussed it. We’re hiring half a dozen of our strongest men to keep an eye on him the night before and make sure he stays clear of the taverns.”
“What about the day of the wedding?”
“Mother won’t allow a drop in the house, but even so, I’ll detail several men to guard the punch and watch him.”
“Thank you. It’s not that I don’t like him….”
“I know,” Edward said. “I like him, too, but I don’t entirely trust him in matters of this nature.” He reached for her hand, and Deborah turned her eyes upward and looked at him. “I will speak to your father tomorrow. Nothing shall prevent me.”
Her lower lip quivered. Then she nodded. “Thank you.”
A flood of longing came over him, and he considered for a fleeting moment pulling her into his arms.
No. Not yet.
He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips. “I spoke the truth when I said I enjoyed the evening.”
Her luminous smile rewarded him, but at that moment, Abigail and Jacob emerged from the parlor. Abigail’s face was flushed, and Edward was satisfied to note that her beauty no longer affected him. A spark of grateful gladness sprang up in his heart as he noted the happiness on his cousin’s face.
“Ready to go, Edward?” Jacob asked. “I believe it’s still raining, and I thought I’d hail a hack.”
“Yes, I’ll share with you.”
The two young men said good-bye to the ladies, and Edward found himself whistling softly as he and Jacob strolled toward the corner in the drizzle. “Feeling blithesome tonight, Ed?”
“A bit. And yourself?”
“Euphoric.”
“Ah.”
They spotted a horse and carriage a short distance down the cross street, and Jacob whistled and waved his hat. The driver pulled the horse around toward them.
“It does my heart good to see you and Abigail so happy,” Edward confided when they were in the carriage.
“Thank you. Sometimes I still wonder if you truly don’t mind.”
“I don’t.”
Jacob smiled at him in the dim interior of the vehicle. “I’m beginning to believe that. You know, Ed, I never meant to be an interloper.”
Edward smiled. “Of course not.”
“But I wasn’t about to give ground to you, not after … Well, my heart was hers already when you came back. Can’t undo something like that.”
“You can rest easy. I believe God has another future for me.”
“Ah, yes. And not an unpleasant one, I think.”
“You’ll be married in a month,” Edward said. “Where will you and Abigail be living afterward?”
“I’ve something in mind.”
“Not with your parents, I hope.”
“Oh no,” Jacob said quickly. “I couldn’t subject Abby to that, although Mother would love to have us there.”
“I should say not. Your father scares her.”
Jacob gritted his teeth and shrugged. “Not surprising. He scares me sometimes, too.”
“Well, I only ask, because …” Edward swung round to meet his eyes. “Jacob, Mr. Daniels dropped your salary when I came home.”
Jacob opened his mouth, then closed it and fidgeted with his watch fob. “Let’s not get into that. I’ve found a modest house to lease for the next year, and Abigail is agreeable.”
“But before I came back, she must have expected something much more lavish.”
Jacob shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does. When we left five years ago, you were first mate on a trading ship. You had the expectation of a nice salary with the firm when you came home and a profit from your private venture.”
“So I did.”
“But it was nowhere near what you were paid after my father named you his heir apparent.”
“Edward!”
“Hear me out. I’ve looked at the books. I know you were paid considerably more last year than you were before. If Father had left the company to you outright instead of to my mother, you’d own Hunter Shipping now. You’d be taking home what I am now. Instead, I came back and usurped your place.”
“I would hardly call it that.”
“Fine, but at least admit that on your salary before I disappeared you never could have hoped to support a wife of Abigail’s class.”
Jacob’s face colored. “It’s true I’d have thought her beyond my reach in the old days. But—”
“I don’t want you and Abby living in a hovel.” Suddenly he realized that Jacob must have expected to inherit the Hunt
er home, too. When Jacob had first proposed to Abigail, he’d probably planned to live with her in the roomy and comfortable house where Edward and his mother lived.
“Really, Ed!” Jacob said. “My salary this past month was cut back to what I earned two years ago, it’s true, but it’s enough. I’ll be able to maintain a respectable household.”
“Respectable. Small, plain, not to say stark.”
“Yes. And Abigail is not greedy. She understands that things will be a bit more spartan than we’d at first planned. She doesn’t care, Edward.”
“That’s remarkable.”
“Isn’t it? But it’s true. If she did care that much about money, she’d be marrying you instead of me.”
Edward took a long, slow breath and sank back. He stared out the window at the dark, wet street and realized they were almost to his aunt and uncle’s house.
He was glad Abigail had risen to the occasion and shown her willingness to accept a lower standard of living than she had anticipated. That fit in with the Abigail he remembered. He’d always found her amiable and supportive in the old days. Now she would fulfill that role at Jacob’s side.
The driver stopped the hack before the Prices’ small clapboard house.
“Look, Jacob, we’ll speak more about this later,” Edward said. “You’ve done admirable work for Hunter Shipping, and I expect you’ll continue to do so. I doubt I could get along without you now, with the increase in trade we’re seeing. With the Resolute, our profits will rise, and—well, when it comes right down to it, I’m willing to take less than Father was.”
“No, Edward, stop being noble.”
“I’m not. I had no idea how much Father drew for a salary. Mother tells me now that he invested much of it, and that kept them going during the war years, when shipping was at a standstill. But so long as Mother is comfortable now, I’d like to see the company pay you a salary that’s commensurate with the work you do.”
Jacob opened the door of the hack. “Thank you for saying that, but I won’t hold you to it. We’ll talk again, as you say.”
“Fine,” said Edward. “Now, quick, before you go, tell me what happened with Captain Stuart.”