by Jack Dey
John loved the poetry of her words and pulled Sissy into a kiss.
A voice at the door interrupted them. It was Sissy’s mum. “You can’t see the bride before the ceremony, Mister Jennings. It will be morning in ten minutes. To bed, the pair of you!”
John’s entry into his log book just before going to bed simply said, ‘Can’t wait!’
*~*~*~*
Robert Jennings sat at his desk, going over some figures. The lantern cast shadows across his face, accentuating the worry lines. The door to his study opened quietly behind him and Elaine peered in.
“Robert, it’s after one o’clock,” she said quietly. “Please come to bed.”
“I will be there shortly, Elaine. I have some business to catch up on.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed the back of his head. ”Can’t it wait?”
He put down his quill and closed the books. “Yes, my love, it will wait.”
*~*~*~*
Lewis wore no shirt and had a clean, white bandage fitted over his shoulder. The bullet from Davis’ gun had only grazed the flesh, but Lewis was mad. The solidly built dark man brooded at the gambling table. A fellow gambler made the mistake of asking him about his injury, receiving an open fisted backhander for his troubles, that sent him sprawling backwards out of his chair.
“No one takes to Lewis and lives to tell the tale!” he spat vengefully.
Russel eyed Lewis and spoke. ”You know Davis is in partnership in this venture.”
“Yeah, so what?”
“I bet he doesn’t know that half of Davis’ catch goes to another storehouse,” Russel regaled.
Lewis’ eyes thinned into slits. “Maybe we need to look after them both!” He stuck the point of his knife into the table to accentuate his statement.
*~*~*~*
The sun rose on a perfect winter day. The night had been just a little chilly and the absence of the humidity had prompted the need for a blanket to be put upon each bed, the usual sheet not giving the required warmth.
The maids had already been up since before the sun. The kitchen staff worked feverishly, preparing the breakfast and then turning their attention to the evening festivities.
Merinda had stayed the night in Elizabeth’s room. The two women chatted until early morning before finally falling asleep.
Elaine woke the men and sent them downstairs so the women could get the bride prepared. She forbade them from the second floor. Their wedding clothes were already hanging on makeshift racks inside the tents, outside the stone wall perimeter. The men would take their meals in one tent and dress in the other.
*~*~*~*
Davis pondered the face staring back from his shaving mirror. “You, sir, are a genius.” He picked up the invitation to the wedding and turned it over in his hands. “First his property, then his women,” he smirked.
*~*~*~*
The second storey of the Jennings’ house was filled with laughter and the occasional bout of butterflies. Mother Long looked at her third daughter and her eyes began to fill with tears.
Sissy put her arms around her mother and comforted, ”Mum, you’re not losing me. You’re gaining a son.”
Through the sniffles, she nodded her head, saying, “Yes, and he’s a good man, too.”
The tents were also alive with laughter and frivolity as the men recounted stories of their lives aboard ship, trying to outdo each other with their near misses and escapades. John would often venture outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of his bride, but he couldn’t see anything through the lavish white and pink covering over the courtyard.
Sissy was told off on numerous occasions for peering out the windows facing out towards the men’s tents, but all she could see was the white satin of the courtyard.
Warrammarra stuck his head inside the tent and talked with John. He had arrived in a carriage with Nirrimi and Aunty Rosa that Sissy had specially hired.
“If the preacher is here, what time is it?” one of the men asked.
“Time we were getting ready. It’s two o’clock. The wedding is in an hour,” someone replied.
Nirrimi walked in with Aunty Rosa on her arm. Both ladies looked regal in their identical, full length, blue evening dresses with matching white cameo necklace. Nirrimi wore her hair pulled to the back and covered with a royal blue bonnet.
“Child, this is beautiful, “Aunty said, taking in the surrounds.
Nirrimi stood open mouthed, staring around and agreeing with Aunty. She led Aunty to a chair, in the front row of the circle of chairs facing the archway and they sat down.
John felt the butterflies bouncing off his stomach walls. There was only fifteen minutes to go before the ceremony began. The guests were arriving, the house staff directing them to their seats. Warrammarra called to John for the men to take their places at the archway. The musicians softly played background music.
John led the way to the archway, closely flanked by his two groomsmen. All stood facing to where the bride would make her entry into the ceremony from the house. John wore narrow, black dress trousers. The Victorian suit was made to be as narrow as possible and straight; the lapels were trimmed with satin and the half coat finished in silk. The vest was cut down to show as much of the shirt as possible. The shirt was white silk, to match the bride’s dress, with high, white collar and black bow tie. The two groomsmen were identical to John except the silk shirts were burgundy, to match the bridesmaids.
A few guests were still coming in as Warrammarra gave the nod to the musicians. The guests quickly made their way to the remaining seats and sat down. The stringed quartet began playing Pachelbel’s Canon. The hauntingly beautiful melody in D major was played exquisitely by the strings.
A reverent hush fell over the audience.
A gentle ‘aww!’ rippled through the gathering as Merinda appeared on the walkway and began walking slowly towards the archway. The full length, burgundy coloured silk gown blended like fine china on a silk tablecloth, against her velvety dark skin and finely sculptured features. A matching silk overskirt was pulled up on a drawstring from the hem, to below the waist and tied off with a white bow. The hem of the overskirt was bordered with white Valenciennes lace, decorated with roses and rose leaves. The low, modest neckline was covered with a white cameo necklace. The neckline was ornamented with roses and rose leaves, as was the hem of the gown. A short train was attached to the gown by a bustle at the back. The train swept along behind Merinda gracefully as she took tiny, measured steps. She wore her dark, waist length hair pulled back and plaited with white roses and she also carried white roses in a bouquet.
When Merinda reached the halfway point down to the archway, another gentle ‘aww’ rippled through the gathering as Elizabeth made her entry. Her gown was identical to Merinda’s and her deep green eyes shone like two emeralds glistening in the sun. Her rich, waist length, velvety auburn hair was pulled up at the back like Merinda’s and also plaited with white roses. She stepped gracefully, carrying a bouquet of white roses, drawing adoring stares from all parts of the male audience.
Just as Elizabeth reached the halfway mark to the archway, Sissy stepped out accompanied by her father. A loud ‘aww’ engulfed the crowd and an appreciative patter of hands welcomed her onto the walk. John’s heart melted and he swallowed hard as he watched an angel step elegantly toward him. If you were going to count his teeth, now was the time to do it.
Sissy’s white silk gown was worn off the shoulder and trimmed with rich Valenciennes lace. Epaulet roses decorated the shoulders. A white, silk overskirt ornamented at the hem with Valenciennes lace, was pulled up by a drawstring and tied off with a white bow at the hip. The front of the gown was decorated with roses and rose leaves, puffs and embroidered muslin. A long silk train was attached to the bustle and gracefully swept along behind her as she moved. A large white bow was tied at her back. The English point lace veil gracefully and abundantly flowed over her head, covering the front and back of the gown. Her lo
ng, blonde hair was pulled back and plaited with red roses, matching the huge bouquet she carried.
John’s heart was pounding as Sissy approached. He nodded at her father and smiled a big smile at the beautiful princess standing next to him.
*~*~*~*
CHAPTER 40 - THURSDAY ISLAND 1882
Davis watched every step Elizabeth took. She was stunning. He didn’t care much for weddings. They made a man soft. It was a woman’s way of trapping a man into a lifetime of dull, housebound treachery. Still, if a man had to be trapped, Elizabeth Jennings was definitely a trap worthy of his tastes. She would not be an easy prize, but that made the game even more the sport. Davis licked his lips and began to plan.
*~*~*~*
Sissy’s arm interlocked with John’s, her hand resting on top of his arm as she stood beside him. The bridesmaids stood beside the groomsmen, all of them ready to add their support to the commitment John and Sissy were about to make. Warrammarra spoke at length of the commitment to each other and to God. How marriage was a sacred and holy covenant, not a contract, and how respect for God and each other was the cornerstone. He quoted from 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4 to 8, the love chapter.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Then Warrammarra led them into their vows.
Robert Jennings’ mind drifted back to his childhood as Warrammarra read about love from the Bible. He remembered kneeling by his bed as a five year old, asking Jesus into his heart. Then, as the years went by, the blows from a drunken, cruel father began to increase, sickened by the sight of Robert’s red, curly locks. His mother had tried to intervene, but had only been beaten into a bloody pulp for her troubles. When his father was sober again, he would quote sections of scripture at him as if it were a weapon and Robert was the devil himself. He had left home early, when his father, in a drunken rage, beat him within an inch of his life. Even after all this, Robert still felt nothing towards his father. Good or bad. God, to him, was just an angry father, berating him then quoting scripture at him.
Robert was shaken from his memories by a loud cheer and John kissing his new wife.
*~*~*~*
The evening went on with laughter and light heartedness. The meal was wonderful and the celebrations continued till late. The dancing started about 10.30pm, led by John and Sissy and then the bridal party. The parents showed the young ones how they used to do it and then it was open to everybody.
Elizabeth was sitting alone at the bridal table while the others were dancing. She looked up in horror as she was confronted by Davis.
“Would you do me the honour of the next dance, Miss Elizabeth?” Davis enquired.
Elizabeth flushed red and stammered, “I..I beg your pardon, sir, but I am not dancing tonight.”
Davis bowed curtly and wandered off.
Merinda, seeing the encounter from a distance, untangled herself from Jundah and stayed close to Elizabeth for the rest of the night.
Except for Elizabeth’s fright with Davis, the evening was an enjoyable success. The guests started to leave for their accommodation. Aunty, Merinda, Jundah, Nirrimi and Warrammarra all climbed into the carriage that Sissy had hired for them and rode back to the village.
John called out to the parents a hearty good night and carried his new bride upstairs and closed the door. Elaine and Robert sat and stared out into the night, through the drawing room window. It had been a wonderful evening. Robert placed his arm around Elaine’s shoulders and pulled her close. Elizabeth quietly entered and sat down next to her parents.
“Mr Davis asked me to dance,” Elizabeth said tiredly.
Robert looked concerned. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him I wasn’t dancing and he left. Merinda came to my rescue after that and stayed with me the rest of the night,” Elizabeth recalled.
“Maybe this young man who stood up to our Mister Davis has more character than we gave him credit for,” Robert mused.
Elizabeth smiled and her parents both noticed. “I think he might, Father. I think he might.”
*~*~*~*
Patch had taken over Aunty’s usual seat on the porch, staring up at the multitude of stars. The cloudless night sky was dark, the moon only a slither, down on the horizon. It was after midnight and it was quiet. Patch had been pensive all night, thinking of Elizabeth and who she may have danced with. He chided himself for being childish. After all, Elizabeth was a free woman, with no responsibilities toward him. She had smiled at him just a couple of days ago and he was finding it difficult to keep her out of his mind.
His thoughts were interrupted by the clip clop sound of horses' hooves and the rattle of wooden wheels on dirt roads. The carriage stopped just beside him. He jumped to his feet and helped Aunty down.
“You still up, child?” Aunty asked.
“How was it?” Patch asked, a little too gloomy.
Merinda, seeing Patch’s forlorn look, leaned out of the carriage door and recounted, “Mr Davis asked Elizabeth to dance.”
She saw his jaw muscles tense.
“She refused him. In fact, she didn’t dance with anybody.”
Patch seemed to brighten at the news. Merinda smiled a knowing smile, leaning back in her seat as the coach turned around to take them to their huts.
*~*~*~*
Davis sat in his room and pondered his communication with Elizabeth tonight. Her refusal to dance with him just made the game more interesting. It would make the conquest too easy, if she gave in straight away. This was good. He would have to work to win her over. Another challenge. While she was still unavailable to him, she was attractive. He imagined Elizabeth’s arm around his and the fire of the challenge went out.
*~*~*~*
Lewis had been like a bear with a sore head all weekend. He had imagined doing all sorts of vile things to Davis just to get back at him. He and Russel had plotted, until they came up with a plan and now Lewis was satisfied. He slapped Russel on the back, the cheeriest thing he had done for days.
*~*~*~*
The rest of the weekend passed all too quickly for John and Sissy. John had to tear himself away from his bride, to go for a torturous week without her. She stood at the drawing room window, watching him walk with his father down to the schooners and away from her. How would she bear it? She felt a little tightness in her stomach, took a couple of deep breaths and ran for the bathroom.
*~*~*~*
CHAPTER 41 - PRESENT DAY
The green progress box illuminated across the screen, showing almost 100 percent, then it blinked and disappeared. Data downloaded successfully, the little laptop boasted. An icon appeared at the bottom of the screen. ’ElElJe-images’ click to view converted data. Elisha blew out her breath. She hadn’t realised she had been holding it, waiting in suspense for the little laptop to finish the data conversion into a viewable format.
She pulled back the curtain on the cabin window and searched the sky above the vessel. The plane had buzzed the boat quite close, obviously looking for something and then disappeared. She guessed it was her. The emblem of the cow on the aircraft door was a dead giveaway. She pulled the curtain closed again, figuring her time was getting shorter.
Elishia clicked the icon on the computer. A dynamic animation of a large ocean swell appeared, full sized on the screen. Below that was an empty data box with a flashing cursor. Next to it, the words, type in required fields. Elishia typed in, Thursday Island to Bathurst Bay, then clicked enter. She watched as the screen displayed the image where she had started recording data. At the top left hand corner, a text box appeared with the latitude and longitude displayed in degrees, minutes and seconds. On th
e right hand side bottom, another text box appeared. The text box had five clickable titles, one under the other. MRI focus was the top title; under that was, Forward; then under that, Back; then, Left; and finally, Right. She clicked down the file icon, opened the alarm folder and pressed set. Her cursor then rested over the forward command text box, a nervous tension developing in her stomach.
Elishia told herself, “Well, girl, this is it. Five years of work!”
She clicked the forward text box and the image began to move. The numbers within the longitude and latitude text box displayed at a blurring speed, the human eye not able to keep up with the changing numbers. The sea floor came into sharp view and was moving at the speed of the boat. The magnetic sensor had recorded the images, which were as clear as looking out the window of a moving car. She froze the image on a pile of rock situated on the sea floor and clicked on MRI focus. The MRI focus digitally stripped away the layers of rubbish surrounding the mound, exposing the bare rock buried below.
She smiled to herself.
Her painstaking work had paid off.
*~*~*~*
It was after visiting hours and Charlie lay asleep in her room, the ECG beeping a strong and steady signal. Gwennie and Debbie had sought Lithgow’s permission to remain with Charlie and keep a vigil by her bedside during the night. Gwennie rang her Salvation Army intercessors and explained the incredible story. The account swept through the ranks like a wildfire and the intercessors agreed to maintain a prayer vigil into the night for Charlie.
Jesus wasn’t finished with her yet.
Debbie yawned and checked her watch. It was after midnight. She peered through the window toward the nurses’ station. The station was empty and she figured they had gone to attend to a situation in the ward.