by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
“Thank You, dear Father, for bringing me home. Use me in what is left of my life as You see fit.”
Finally he opened his eyes and turned toward his office.
Chapter 16
Deborah’s heart soared as she opened the front door to Edward.
I have the right to love him now. Thank You, Lord.
The answering light in Edward’s eyes sent anticipation surging through her. Modesty said she should avert her gaze, but she couldn’t look away. Instead, she smiled and reached for his hand, drawing him into the house.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Abby is dining with the Price family tonight, but Father and Mother are eager to see you.”
She led him to the dining room, where her parents greeted him.
“You see, I tore myself away from my patients this evening,” Dr. Bowman said.
“I’m delighted, sir.” Edward shook his hand and turned to his wife. “Thank you for your kind invitation, Mrs. Bowman.”
“We’re pleased you could come. Sit here, Edward, where Abigail usually sits. Jacob has carried her off to spend the evening with his family tonight.”
A thin, sober-faced woman served them under gentle instruction from Mrs. Bowman. When the maid carried the platter of lamb in and set it before the doctor, her hands shook so that the china hit the table with a loud clunk, and the woman jumped, flushing to the roots of her hair.
“There, now,” said Dr. Bowman. “A nice leg of lamb. Thank you, Mrs … What’s the name again?” He looked around vaguely toward his wife.
“It’s Mrs. Rafferty, Father,” Deborah said. “Ah, yes. And is there sauce?”
“Aye, sir.” The woman curtsied and dashed for the kitchen.
“Mrs. Rafferty is a friend of mine,” Deborah said to Edward, hoping he would understand that she meant one of her Thursday widows. “She told me that she hopes to earn a bit of money in service, so Mother agreed to train her.”
“If she works out well, I may recommend her to your mother, Edward.” Mrs. Bowman raised her eyebrows. “Has she found a replacement for Jenny Hapworth yet?”
“No, she hasn’t. I’m sure she’d be happy to consider anyone you vouch for.”
“She’s green, but she’s willing to learn.”
Deborah smiled at him. “We have Elizabeth in during the day, but because Mother has no one to help serve dinner, we’ve been letting Mrs. Rafferty practice on us this week. Usually one of us helps her, but I think she’s doing splendidly, don’t you?”
At that moment, the maid cautiously pushed the door open and entered, bearing a steaming dish and a pewter ladle on a tray. She inched toward Dr. Bowman’s end of the table and set the tray down with a sigh.
“Thank you,” he said, reaching for the gravy.
Mrs. Rafferty dipped her head, then looked toward Mrs. Bowman.
“Perhaps Mr. Hunter would like more potatoes?” the mistress suggested.
“Oh no, ma’am, I’m fine,” Edward assured her. “I don’t eat as much as I used to.”
“Short rations for a long spell will do that to you,” the doctor said.
“But it’s delicious,” Edward said quickly, and Deborah smiled at him. “The biscuits are very light, too. Much like my mother’s.”
Deborah said nothing but knew her face was beaming. Mrs. Hunter had watched her bake twenty batches of biscuits one rainy day until Deborah’s were identical to her own. The children of the fishermen’s shacks had reaped the bounty of her cooking lesson, with their fill of biscuits delivered and distributed by Mrs. Hunter’s gardener.
But her mother was not about to ignore a chance to brag about her talented daughter.
“Deborah made the biscuits, and aren’t they flavorful? She baked the pie you’ll be enjoying later as well.”
Edward sent a look across the table that topped approval. Deborah could only interpret it as thorough admiration, and she whipped her napkin up to hide the silly grin that stretched across her face.
Her father began once more to ask Edward about his travels, and Edward obliged by recounting tales of the sea and the ports he had visited. Deborah listened, enthralled. What would it be like to travel to such strange places? She was sure her imagination was inadequate to show her the wonders Edward described.
“Are you happier on dry land?” Mrs. Bowman asked.
“In some ways.” Edward reached for his water glass and shot Deborah a smile.
“Jacob says he’ll stay ashore now,” Dr. Bowman asserted. “I’m afraid Abby’s making a landlubber out of him.”
“There, now, that’s all right,” said his wife. “Jacob says one shipwreck was enough for him, and he doesn’t mind not sailing anymore.”
“We’ve plenty to keep him busy at the office,” Edward said. “I doubt I would undertake any long Pacific voyages again, but I might take one of our company schooners to the West Indies.”
“That’s a profitable destination for you, is it not?” The doctor carved a second helping of lamb for himself.
“It’s the backbone of our trade. The goods are perhaps not as exotic or expensive, but we can make more trips there and back.”
“Volume,” Dr. Bowman agreed.
When the meal was over, Mrs. Rafferty brought the coffee tray to the parlor, where Mrs. Bowman poured and the doctor continued the discussion with Edward about trading and the outlook of Hunter Shipping. Deborah felt sure he was pumping her caller about his financial prospects, and perhaps Jacob’s as well, but Edward didn’t seem to mind.
At last, Mrs. Bowman rose. “I must see Mrs. Rafferty before she leaves for the night. And, my dear, you said you would get a hack to drive her home.”
Dr. Bowman took his cue and stood as well. “Yes, she can’t walk all that way alone after dark. There, Edward, I’ve kept you rambling on about business all evening. I expect you young folks have other subjects to discuss.”
Edward had jumped up when his hostess stood, and once more he shook hands with the doctor.
“Thank you for having me in, sir.”
Her father laughed. “I expect I shall be seeing a lot more of you. Come around my little surgery anytime you wish to talk, Edward.”
“Thank you. I will.”
“And don’t keep Deborah up too late.”
“No, sir.”
Edward watched the parents leave the room, then looked down at Deborah and took a deep breath.
“It seems I am to be trusted now without a chaperone.”
She nodded. “You do seem to be well favored.”
“Would it be too forward of me to sit beside you?”
She felt her throat tingle and swallowed hard, then managed to say, “Not at all.”
He came around to the sofa and sat on the cushion next to her, suddenly very close, and Deborah’s stomach fluttered.
“You haven’t said much this evening.”
She smiled at that. “Well, you know Father. When he gets onto a topic, he won’t let go.”
Edward nodded. “I saw him this morning.”
She stared at the fire screen that covered the empty fireplace. “I thought you must have.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and she wondered if she ought to ask the outcome of that encounter.
“He … seemed a little sad at the thought of an empty house,” Edward said.
“A what?” She stared at him, at his rich brown eyes and the dear, disorderly lock of hair that fell over his forehead.
“Well, if both his daughters left home, I mean.”
She turned away, but it was too late. The telltale blush had returned, though she’d determined not to let it.
He grasped her hand lightly, and joy shot through her.
“I don’t expect they’ll go so far away that they can’t visit,” she whispered.
“I seem to recall you saying you’d like to sail one day.”
She nodded. “So I should.”
“I know you’d love it. But I wouldn’t entrust you to just any ship or any cap
tain.”
Feeling very daring, she said, “And to whom would you entrust me?”
“I believe the Resolute will make trade voyages to the Indies soon.”
“How soon?”
“Well, Mr. Price, the second officer of Hunter Shipping, tells me she’ll sail within the month under Captain Redding. But this winter, that is, after the hurricane season …”
Deborah found enough courage to look up into his face once more.
Edward smiled and lifted a hand to her cheek. His voice cracked as he continued. “Mr. Price tells me that she’ll sail again then under a different master.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“As you say, I shouldn’t want to go with just anyone.”
“By then the company thinks it can spare its owner for a few months, and the ship will sail under … Captain Hunter.”
Deborah took two deep breaths, trying to calm her raging pulse before answering. “I hear he comes from one of the oldest Maine families and a long line of sea captains and ship owners.”
“I’ve heard that, too. Farmers of the oldest stock turned sailors.”
She felt his arm warm around her shoulders, and he eased toward her. A flash of panic struck her but then was gone. She had nothing to fear with Edward. She surrendered and leaned her head against his chest, where his broadcloth jacket parted to show his snowy linen shirt. With a deep sigh, he folded her in his embrace and laid his cheek on top of her head. She heard his heart beating as fast as hers.
“Deborah?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“And I’ve always loved you.”
He tilted her chin up and searched her eyes for a moment, and her heart tripped as their gazes met. He bent to kiss her, and she luxuriated in the moment, resting in his arms.
“Can you forget the past?” he whispered.
“I doubt it. Not altogether. But we learn from the past.”
“Yes.”
He was silent, holding her close to his heart and stroking her hair. “I shall always love you,” he said.
“And I you.”
He pushed away and fumbled in his coat pocket. When he brought his hand out, a round, brown-speckled shell rested in his palm.
“What is it?” she asked. “I’ve never seen one like it.”
“It’s all I have from the island. The few other things we had I gave to the men’s families for remembrances. But I’d like to give you this.”
She took it and ran a finger over its hard, satiny curve. “Thank you.”
“And I hope we’ll sail together one day and find other mementos.”
He went to one knee beside her and clasped her hands, with the shell hidden between her palm and his.
“I’d like to bring you another keepsake soon. A ring, dearest. Will you be my wife?”
Deborah caught her breath. Would her father object and say it was too soon?
A certainty overcame her misgivings. This was what she had waited for these many years. This was why she had reserved her heart from loving any others.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I shall be honored.”
He drew her toward him and kissed her once more, and Deborah knew her own solitude had ended, too.
Epilogue
A cool October breeze blew in off Casco Bay and ruffled the limbs of the trees around them. A tall maple waved its branches, and red and yellow leaves fluttered down into the Hunters’ garden. Edward seized Deborah’s hand, and she smiled at him, then looked down and waved at the people below.
They were mad to get married on the tiny rooftop platform, but this was Deborah’s choice. Indian summer had hit the Maine coast, and she had reveled in the warm, clear autumn days the last two weeks had brought. Edward had agreed to her suggestion for the wedding venue as he agreed to nearly everything she asked, eager to please her in the tiniest detail. Still, it was a bit cooler today, and harsh weather was not far away.
The two of them, Pastor Jordan, their witnesses and parents were all the widow’s walk could hold. The other guests filled the garden and spilled over onto the walk. A few of Deborah’s Thursday ladies and their children even stood outside the neat white fence, gazing up at them with awe.
Jacob and Abigail joined them at the railing. Edward’s mother and Dr. and Mrs. Bowman left the shelter of the stairway and came to stand beside them. Mrs. Hunter was swathed in a fur cape and a woolen hood, but still, Edward hoped the ceremony would be short.
“Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea,” Abigail said to her sister.
“I’m sorry. Are you cold?” Deborah asked.
“A bit.”
Jacob seemed to feel this was license to slip his arm around his wife of two months and hold her close to his side, and Edward winked at him.
“Let us begin,” said the pastor. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in this unusual place….”
They all chuckled, and the pastor went on with the timeless words.
Edward pulled Deborah’s hand through the crook of his arm and held it firmly as they recited their vows.
As the ritual ended, they bowed their heads, and the pastor invoked God’s blessing.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Edward leaned down to kiss Deborah tenderly. He felt the change in wind as it rippled his hair and sent his necktie fluttering to the side. When they separated, he opened his eyes and automatically sought the observatory tower.
“A ship!”
“Hush, Edward,” said Abigail. “This is your wedding day. Stop looking up there.”
“You mustn’t be thinking of business,” Jacob agreed.
“But a ship is heading for our wharf, and it can’t be one of ours.”
Jacob squinted toward the fluttering signal.
“Spanish.”
“You sure?” Edward frowned, wishing he had the spyglass.
“Don’t worry,” Jacob said. “My father’s in the warehouse. He insisted on working today on the odds something like this would happen. He and the harbormaster will see to it.”
Their parents stepped forward to embrace them.
“Come in out of the wind,” Mrs. Hunter said, leading the way to the door. “I’ll have Hannah open the front door for our guests. We’re serving in the double parlor, not the yard.”
“I’m sorry it turned too chilly to eat outside,” Deborah said, making her way cautiously down the steep attic stairs behind her mother-in-law.
“Don’t fret,” Mrs. Hunter replied. “I’ve planned on it all along. Can’t trust the weather in these parts. But I’m glad you didn’t plan dancing on the wharf, Deborah.”
“Dancing on the wharf?” Abigail asked as they reached the hallway below. “What a novel idea.”
Edward smiled and squeezed Deborah’s hand. He’d have gone along with it if Deborah had wanted it, but she’d confided that her mother would find it too raucous, and it was just as well. It would have been chaos with a foreign ship landing during the reception for the newlyweds.
The parlor was already filled with distinguished guests. Governor and Mrs. King and the state’s congressmen rubbed elbows with ship owners, merchants, and Dr. Bowman’s patients. Edward’s sister, Anne, greeted the couple with a radiant smile, and her husband brought their two little ones over to kiss their new aunt. Deborah’s widowed friends hung back in the yard, too timid to enter at first, but Edward took his bride out to stand on the front porch and urge them inside, along with most of the men employed by Hunter Shipping, where he had declared a half holiday.
“We shall cut the cake in a moment.” Deborah’s eyes glowed as she hugged Mrs. Crowe. “Hannah Rafferty helped Mrs. Hunter bake it, and you must have a piece. All the children, too.”
The ladies came inside at last, with downcast eyes, peeking up now and then at their opulent surroundings. Abigail went around with a basket of little bags of sweets, handing one to each child. The rooms were crowded, but Edward stationed himself at Deborah’s side, know
ing she was determined to speak to each guest. She greeted each poor widow as graciously as she did the congressmen’s wives.
At last the guests began to slip away, and only the newlyweds’ families were left.
Felix Price entered, filling the doorway with his bulk.
“Any cake left?” he roared.
“Yes, Father,” Jacob told him. “We fed near a hundred people, but even so, I think we’ll be eating cake for a week.”
Aunt Ruth hurried to fix a plate for him, and Felix sought Edward out.
“Well, now, there ye be with your beautiful bride.”
Deborah smiled up at him. “Thank you, Mr. Price. It was kind of you to tend to business while Edward and Jacob were otherwise occupied.”
“You’re welcome, lass. But you must call me Uncle.” He glanced at Edward. “May I kiss the bride?”
Before he could respond, Deborah turned her cheek to Felix, and he planted a loud smack on it, then turned to Edward with a grin.
“It’s a fine Spanish brigantine at your wharf this minute.”
“What’s in her hold?” Edward asked.
“Olives and their oil, sugar, grain, wheat, and oranges.”
“Oranges?”
“Aye. They look to be all right. A few spoiled, but I think they picked them green.”
Jacob shook his head. “We’ll have to have market day tomorrow. I’ll send word around to all the buyers.”
“Half of them were here today,” Edward said. “If we’d known half an hour ago, we could have told them all at once. But you’re right; unload as soon as possible. Most of it will keep well, but the fruit has to be sold quickly.”
“There’s cork, too,” Felix added. “Big bundles of it.”
“Good, we can sell that for certain.” Jacob extended his hand to Edward. “Sounds like I should get down to the wharf. Abby can go home with her parents. Don’t worry, Edward, we’ll turn a good profit on this cargo.”
“Should I come down in the morning?” Edward asked, glancing at Deborah. She closed her lips tight but made no objection.
“Of course not!” Jacob glared at him as though he had uttered heresy. “You have two weeks’ honeymoon before you and Deborah sail in the Resolute. And you are not to show your face at the office during that time.”