FAIR WINDS: section 2

By Atonia Walpole

(Picture creations also by Atonia)

Part 1:

“You can’t be serious! It would destroy him.”

“You did say it was up to me, led me to the threshold and all that. Now you’re saying don’t cross over?”

“No, Henry, of course you must do as you wish.” Jack picked up the cup of coffee in front of him. “But have a care. He’s not strong, you know.”

“I believe Jean is strong and I think telling him the truth will make him stronger, not destroy him. It will allow him, hopefully, to let go of her and…and get on with it. I’m sure there was a time, Papa, when you had to make that decision, too.”

Jack moved to the windows and looked out. They were in his cabin on the Surprise. “It was painful, very painful, but, yes, I let her go.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring this up to you. The thing is, Papa, I feel sorry for Richard. He’s my age and I can’t imagine being in his shoes, tied to a place I didn’t want to be, to a life that I couldn’t see living out.”

“What about you? What will you do with it if he agrees?”

“I don’t know-nothing. He can still plant on the land but the house will remain as it is until it falls down for all I care. I’m sorry. I know how Nana felt about the place but I have no such connection. She wanted me to have it and so I will.”

“She wanted you to inherit all of Latrouix, too.”

“That I do not want. If what Richard says is true, it will be worthless in a few years as it stands. I’m not a land baron, Papa, nor do I want to be. I may never set foot on Grenada again. There is no attraction here for me.” Henry also picked up his coffee and drank deeply. “You read the letter, Papa, and did you not take away the same thing, that she meant for Greenlees to be mine, not when he passes away but now?”

“What your mother wanted to happen and what is reality are two different things. Jean has already given away Meadowfields to her and thus to you. He may not be so eager to give you Greenlees now or at anytime. He is very much connected to the soil here. Regardless of how Richard feels, it is Jean Latrouix who controls the land. From what you tell me, he wasn’t even going to deed the property to Richard but to land lease it to him. If, and I say if, he believes you at all, he may offer you the same arrangement.”

“I won’t accept it. Either he deeds me my mother’s house or I walk away and leave them to each other.”

“That’s rather harsh.”

“I can only try to help them both. By telling Jean the truth I hope he will see things differently and let me do this thing for Richard. Richard need never know. He can take the money from Jean.”

“For someone who despises deceit of any sort you are about to embark on the same thing. Do you not think when Jean dies that Richard will find out the truth? All of our lives have been entangled in this big lie and I, for one, would like to see it ended. You know the truth as do I.”

“Well…what do you advise?”

“Leave it…walk away from it all as it stands. I know what your mother wanted and I’ve introduced you to it. I suppose I bear some of the blame. Who could foresee you would take up Richard’s cause?”

“I, for one, didn’t , Sir. It’s not his fault, you know. He said he wasn’t even allowed to touch Judith Lewis. It’s very sad when you think what his life might have been with his real mother, Dru.”

“Henry, if he’d stayed with his  real mother he would be milking cows on the vicar’s farm and you, my fair haired son, would be sitting at Greenlees wishing you could catch the next boat off the island. He might have received love from Dru or not but you would not have been loved as you have been all your life.”

Henry dropped his head. His Papa was right about that. “May I have your permission to talk to Jean Latrouix?”

“My permission…? You do not need it, Henry. If you are asking for my blessing I cannot give it. You are on your own and you will have to man up and take whatever consequences may come your way.”

“Yes, Sir.” Henry quietly left his father’s cabin.

Up on deck he noticed supplies were being taken on. They could not linger here in port; he knew that.

“Captain Pullings, Sir, how soon before we sail?”

“All being well, we will sail with the tide in the morning.”

“That soon....” He rubbed his face. “I need to go ashore.”

“You are not under my command but listed as a passenger, due to  your special status with the Admiral.”

“Yes, thank you.” Henry made up his mind and went ashore.

He found a carriage to take him to Latrouix and the courage to do what he believed he must.

“Henry, I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“No, Sir, I reckon you didn’t. I wonder if I might have a word, if you would have time to….”

“Of course. Come inside out of the heat.” Jean led him through the shuttered house to the library. He ordered drinks from a servant and offered Henry a seat. “Now then, what brings you up here?”

Henry’s hand went to the letter in his pocket and he pulled it out and held it in his hand. “Sir, there is something I feel I must tell you.” He moistened his lips. “The night I was born a wet nurse was brought to Meadowfields. She had a child about a month old, if that. A boy it was. My mother rejected me outright upon looking at me. You see, she said the child must have blue eyes and mine were darker. I know now what she meant. It had nothing to do with the eye color. It was the color of my skin.”

“I’m sorry, Henry, I…I don’t follow you…Catty?”

“Bear with me, Sir. She refused to hold me, feed me or acknowledge me in anyway. Captain Aubrey arrived with Dr. Maturin a few days later. He examined me and pronounced me well and fit and whole. He also examined the other child, the one belonging to the wet nurse. The child…had a clubbed foot but his eyes were light blue.” He noticed Jean’s face had gone pale and slack.

“You arrived after Catherine and Jack Aubrey had gone to London. Jack was to pick up his orders, I believe. Catherine had no idea, nor did anyone in the household save Dru, the wet nurse, what Judith Lewis had told you or shown you to be your son. After you left it was discovered by Catherine’s maid that the wet nurse had sold her child to Judith Lewis for a fair amount of gold. Catherine became my mother and Jack Aubrey became my father.” He took a breath. “I should never have met you, Sir, if not for this letter from my mother given to me on my 21^st birthday. You may read it if you like. I also have sworn statements from everyone in the household at the time of my birth.”

“I…I can’t believe this! You…you come here claiming to be my son?” His voice rose a little higher.

“I don’t claim to be; I am your son but I do not call you father. I am only carrying out the wishes of my mother, Catherine Latrouix, who by law is your lawful wife.  She signed the letter as Mrs. Catherine Latrouix. I know Judith was calling herself Catherine so this letter in the hands of a judge.…”

“A judge…what in hell is it you want? This is…it’s quite a shock, Henry.”

“Would you like a drink, Sir?”

“The…bottle…brandy.”

Henry poured out a snifter of brandy and handed it to him. “I know it’s a shocker. It was to me, too. I never doubted that Catty and Jack were my natural parents. They have loved me and I love them as a son would. Richard had it right at dinner. I do look like you. I always thought it was my mother until I saw you for the first time.”

“Richard…oh God!”

“He need never know.”

“What do you mean?”

“You really should read this letter. It details out some things. My mother wished me to have Greenlees. She wanted me to realize my rightful inheritance from you. She also desired me to inherit Latrouix, but I do not want it, only Greenlees because that was hers. It was a hurt she carried with her all her life, that she had to leave her home. She loved it."

“I’m transferring Greenlees to Richard. It’s in the office of the solicitor now.”

“Yes, Sir, he told me. He also told me he’d rather have the money. I am prepared to pay him that money through you for Greenlees. He desires to travel.”

“You’re buying his inheritance?”

“Sort of, yes, I suppose I am. Greenlees should rightfully be mine. My mother wished it so and she wished it to be given to me now, not in your will.”

“You have a lot of gall,” Jean narrowed his eyes, “coming in here and telling me this fantastic story and making claims on my person and that of my son, Richard.”

“I reckon I do.” Henry placed the letter on the table between them and looked up directly into Jean’s eyes.

 

Jack was standing on the quarter deck, frowning. He looked up and then out at the tide. “Five minutes.” He said to Captain Pullings.

“Five minutes it is, Sir.” Pullings was also frowning.

Billy Bodkin climbed up to the crosstrees with the glass, scanning the waterfront. “HO! HO!” he called out with one minute to go.

Henry ran down the dock and jumped onto the barge, breathless.

“We were ‘bout to leave yer….”

“Yes, I should imagine so,” he said, his eyes alight.

“They signaled, didn’t they, one minute and we’s to start back.”

“Well, I made it so let’s be off!”

Once Henry was on deck and the barge drawn up, the Surprise began making her way out of the bay. Henry went down to his quarters and smarted up a little, not quite sure if he should wait until he was summoned or pay his father a visit. Finally he could wait no longer.

“Admiral, Sir.” He waited at the door.

Jack looked up, not at all happy, but secretly so. He didn’t want to leave Henry ashore…not really. “Enter.” He finished with his men and then gave an eye to Henry.

“Well…?”

“It’s done, Sir. Started off badly but after a bottle of brandy and a sobering breakfast this morning, he wrote a letter of which I have a copy, and I wrote a draft on my bank.”

“He’s given you Greenlees?”

“Yes, the deed will be forwarded to Meadowfields.” He let out a breath. “Cost me a pretty coin but it’s worth it. Richard can now leave the island and live as he pleases. I believe Jean will now rid himself of Judith’s ghost. He told me about it and even as I was making to leave he instructed his servants to clear her room. He’ll be fine soon, very soon, I’ll wager.”

Jack lifted his chin. “He accepted you as his son?”

“He had no choice. I had all the evidence and a plausible story. He actually pulled me to a mirror to compare. I have his nose and his mouth.”

“You have James Lewis’s eyes and brow.”

“Well, however I’m thrown together I am the natural son of Jean Latrouix. He knows it. I’m not sure what he’ll do about his own plantation. I told him I didn’t want it.”

“What about Richard?”

“Jean will give him the money in lieu of Greenlees. We thought it best not to tell Richard. It would have served no purpose to know he was the son of a wet nurse and unknown father and Jean does love him as a son.”

Jack stared into his face for a moment sternly and then his eyes lightened and a little smile formed. “Well done.  You will report to Captain Pullings. I’ve removed you from the passenger list to active duty.”

“Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.” Henry rose, nodded slightly, turned on his heel and left Jack’s cabin. Jack looked after him a moment, jerked his chin up a little and shook his head slightly, a look of pride across his countenance.

Later Stephen Maturin joined him for a coffee. “You’re looking unaccountably cheerful.”

Jack pushed aside a stack of papers. “Am I not always cheerful?” he smiled and took a cup from Killick.

Stephen raised a brow. “I saw Henry attending his duties. You’ve put him in service?”

“Yes, why waste a good hand, and he is a good one.”

“He is a good lad, most respectful."

“He’s confronted Jean Latrouix and come away with Greenlees.”

“Has he now? Well, I wonder what he’ll do with Richard sitting in residence?”

“Ah, but he won’t be for long. Henry smoked it. Richard wants to leave the island and Henry has made that possible by paying a good deal of money to him through his father.”

“That’s absurd! He’s bought his own inheritance?”

“I suppose one might consider it that way but what he has done is to make things right by Richard. You know the boy’s had a rough go and none of it his doing.”

“He has a tender heart.”

“He may have a tender heart but his backbone is made of steel. He’s young but not without some experience. You recall the Delia. It was his action there that bought his advancement. He’ll make Captain one day and a damn good one.”

“He reminds me of you, Jack, along the time I first made your acquaintance, though you were much older than his twenty one years, fearless in battle and duty bound. Does Henry play an instrument? Does he fiddle about or pluck strings?”

“He may fiddle when it pleases him to do so. He’d rather pick out a tune on a pianoforte.”

“Oh, yes…well, it’s been a long time since we’ve sailed with him. I don’t believe I’ve ever…”

“No, dear, you have not sailed with Henry and he was a midshipman when I had him under me. I would have advanced him then if not for rumors of favoritism. I think we shall meet up with our convoy tonight. I do hope Mowett got the Reacher  underway.”

 

Part 2:

Henry had been home for going on six months. He’d had another tour of duty under Captain Pullings  after returning from  the West Indies and was enjoying the time at Meadowfields. Jack had been up to see him, spending a few days and admiring Henry’s stable for he was acquiring some handsome racers. He was now at Ashgrove after extending an invitation to Henry to visit anytime.

Henry just came in from exercising one of his new horses. He was standing in the hallway, still in his riding clothes, going through the mail Peters had placed on a silver salver on the table. He looked up, hearing Peters moving to the front door.

“Someone here?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir, a carriage.” Peters straightened his waistcoat and frowned a little at Henry’s dress for he’d undone his stock and had his jacket off.

Henry ignored the frown. “Well, let’s have the door opened, Peters.”

“Yes, Sir.” Peters stepped out and then back inside. “A gentleman and, ahem, two ladies, Sir.”

Henry strode to the door and opened it again. “I don’t believe it! You can’t have found me!”

“Ha, ha! It took a bit of work.”

“Come in, Richard, come inside.” Henry stepped aside as Richard had a lady on each arm.

“I’ve come bearing gifts…oh, you haven’t married, have you?”

“No, no…this way. Peters, we’ll have, um…a bottle, I think.”

Peters rolled his eyes and stepped into his butler’s pantry.

Henry shook hands with Richard. “It’s good to see you.”

“And you, Henry, or should I say Lt. Aubrey?”

Henry smiled, “Henry’s all you’ll ever need.” His eyes strayed to Richard's two companions.

“Oh, I am remiss! This is Chloe and Sylvie, this one being Chloe…Ha, my good friends, and this, ladies, is Lt. Henry Latrouix Aubrey of His Majesty’s Navy.

“I am honored.” Henry bowed a little and smiled, receiving giggles from Chloe and a direct look from Sylvie…he noticed. “I should apologize for my appearance. I’ve been….”

“Riding and why should you apologize? We were unexpected.” Sylvie received his look and looked away.

“Oh, this looks promising!” Richard took a glass from the tray Peters was handing around.

“Just leave the bottle, Peters, thank you. Please find a seat. Where in the world have you come from, Richard?”

“Let’s see, where did we come from?” he giggled. “Ah, we’ve come by way of France, Paris actually, and before that we were in Italy. That’s where I met up with these delightful ladies. How are you, Henry? You look well if not a little marked up.” He noticed a few scars.

“I’m well enough. Are you enjoying yourself?” He took a sip of his drink.

“You know, I remember the day you left Grenada. I watched your ship until it was well out of sight. I was feeling pretty low at the time and who should appear at my door but father. He came up on the veranda with me and saw the last of your sails. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘I know in your heart of hearts you’d like to be on that ship,’ and of course I told him then, told him I’d be on a fishing boat if I thought it would get me away from the islands. I know it’s been nearly three years since you and I had that little talk on the swings but if you remember it…well, I was very surprised at father’s turnabout, very surprised indeed.” He caught Henry’s eye and held it.

Henry flicked a bit of straw from his boot. “A turnabout?”

Richard grinned, “Yes…complete. I took the money, Henry.”

“Good…and what have you been doing with yourself, just playing around?”

“Playing?  Yes, much play, but I’ve done a little work, too. Oh, yes, me. I ran into a fellow in Italy. He went about writing a travelogue for a paper in Paris, newsprint now I’m talking, and so I thought I’d give it a go.  Found a quarterly that thought my scratching worth printing.”

“He does more than scratch, Mr. Aubrey. He writes very interesting stories about his travels,” Chloe offered.

“I’m sure he does. A hidden talent, eh?”

“I had a look through the glass, as you might say, and thought I’d better do something. So…this is where our old Uncle Latrouix lived?”

“Ah, yes, in fact he’s buried in the churchyard. Did you come through the village?”

“No, we stayed on the road until the turnoff. We came up through Portsmouth. I knew I’d get a line on you there and why aren’t you afloat?”

“I don’t have a ship. However as soon as Captain Pullings gets one then I suppose I’ll be swimming again. How long are you here? You must stay! There’s gobs of room and only me and the servants.”

“We might be persuaded to stay a night or two. What do you say, ladies?”

“Thank you.” Sylvie looked at Henry and then down into her glass.

“Peters…” Henry leaned over the back of his chair, “have rooms readied for my guests, please.”

“Where’s the Admiral? Doesn’t he live here, too?” Richard asked.

“No, he doesn’t. He has his own estate. You would have passed near it on your way here. How is your father, Richard?”

“My father…I think he’s gotten his second wind. He’s still planting, of course, and taken up with some cousin of the Governor. She’s past her prime but then so is he. We keep in touch. I take it you don’t?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Keep in touch.”

“No, why should I?”

“Why, why, why…?” Richard gave him a little secretive smile.

Later the girls went upstairs to freshen up and Richard walked out with Henry to look at his racers.

“What did you mean back there about my not keeping in touch with Jean?”

“Ah, Henry, do you think I’m that blind. I worked it all out. You’re the bastard son.”

Henry looked aside for a moment. “I am a bastard, yes.”

“It all made sense to me after you left and father capitulated. I’ve a good eye. I saw the resemblance. I also know a little history of the family. Your mother took off for England and father gave her this estate right after he married my mother. And what do you know, we were born nearly the same time. He must have been a randy fellow in his youth.”

“Are you suggesting my mother was carrying his child when she left Grenada?”

“Ha, ha don’t play with me, Henry! You and I both know the truth.”

“It’s not possible! Too much time passed. You’ve got your dates all mixed up.”

“Does the Admiral know? Well, of course he does. He’d be blind not to see it.”

“Richard….”

“We aren’t cousins at all but half brothers. I think I like that better. Oh, this one’s a beauty!” He went over to a stall and began rubbing the horse’s nose.

Henry stood back, not knowing what to say.

“I’ve brought Sylvie for you. Chloe is mine for now.” He smiled over his shoulder.

“Well, thank you very much.” Henry was still a little shaken.

“They’re good girls, not what you might be thinking. They were living with Chloe’s old relative and he up and passed away. Too sad. I met them in Venice. Sylvie is a cousin or something. Anyway they were due some fun after looking after that old despot for so long. I know it’s highly unconventional but then I was never a conventional man and I think neither are you.”

“I’m a naval officer. I have to be conventional.”

“Ha, ha! You know I like you.”

Henry sucked in his lower lip. Why did he feel like he was in the eye of a hurricane?

 

“How did you come to run off with Richard?”

“I…I didn’t run off with Richard. What a way to say a thing!” Sylvie adjusted her skirt and glanced toward the hallway. Richard and Chloe had taken themselves out to the garden.

“Sorry.”

“No, that’s quite all right. I know what it looks like. Respectable girls don’t go about without a chaperone.”

“But you are a respectable girl, aren’t you?” Henry tilted his head, looking across the table, for they still sat in the dining room sipping an after dinner wine. “Don’t answer. That was unworthy of me. Richard says you are cousins, you and Chloe?”

“I’m sure you are very curious about us, Lt. Aubrey.”

“Henry, call me Henry.”

“All right, Henry. I’ve been with Chloe for about eighteen months. She is a distant relative and, to be truthful with you and somehow I think you will not settle for less, she took me in. Otherwise I don’t know what would have become of me. My father died and left a mountain of debt. Everything was sold to satisfy his creditors. I had nothing and so went about different family households looking for a place to live. Someone told me about Chloe. She was in similar circumstances, however she had an elderly uncle to care for and thus provided her home and sustenance.”

“I didn’t mean to….”

“Fortunately for her and for me, he had no issue so his estate was left to Chloe. She has generously shared some of that with me. We met Richard Latrouix at the opera in Venice. Unescorted ladies are often…well, it’s just not done, as I’m sure you know. He took us inside and became our protector and friend.”

“I’m sorry, Sylvie. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business but thank you.” Henry took a drink from his glass. “Where are you headed next?”

“I don’t know, perhaps London. Is it true he is your brother?”

“No, it isn’t. We are connected by circumstances but not by blood.”

“That’s too bad, sad really. I think he…well, he wants it to be so. He admires you very much.”

“Me? He’s too smart by half. He knows the truth but has made up his own story because it’s more to his liking.”

“But you didn’t say otherwise at dinner. Why?”

“I’m not sure. I like Richard. I know a good deal more about him than he knows of me. I think…think he needs something to hold onto. His life has not always been a pleasant one.”

“I like him, too. He’s great fun but underneath there’s something else. You see it in his eyes sometimes when he’s not looking at you.”

“Do you care for him?” Henry asked quietly.

“As a friend, yes.” Sylvie looked up into his steady gaze.

“I don’t know your last name.…”

“Williams.”

“Miss Williams,” he smiled, lifted his glass to her and noticed how the candlelight played in her auburn curls and reflected in her dark brown eyes. She was a beautiful woman and she had his full attention.

Sylvie smiled, showing a dimple at the corner of her mouth. “Now I’m Miss Williams…?”

“Yes…I think you’d better be.” He set his glass down carefully.  She had awakened something in him.

He was so incredibly handsome. She recalled his look when they had first arrived, the open shirt, curls escaping over his forehead. He wasn’t married, was master of this estate. She cleared her throat a little. “I’m surprised you aren’t married.”

“Why are you surprised?” His voice was low almost a purr.

“Men like you usually are.”

“You don’t know me well enough to know what kind of man I am.”

“That’s true but," she was becoming uncomfortable maybe even a little embarrassed, “well, you seem to have everything, this beautiful estate. Obviously you live very comfortably.”

“Miss Williams, I spend the better part of my life in quarters not as large as Peter’s pantry over there, a closet if you will. I eat what is available and sometimes toward the end of a voyage things I’d rather not mention to you. I’m either cold or hot but always wet to some degree. I have counted fifteen battle scars on my body and I am not yet twenty-five years of age.”

She blushed, “I am sorry. You must think me a fool.”

“I think nothing of the kind but do not judge me by what you see here. I like comfort and enjoy it when I can. I am on leave at present but should my captain get a ship tomorrow I shall have to leave this comfortable place and return to my damp closet.”

“I only meant…well, perhaps your profession keeps you away too much to consider marriage.”

“I will consider it when I have someone to consider it with. I know a number of young ladies but none I would bring home with me.”

Her face hot, she folded her napkin over and set it on the table.

“I’m sorry. Have I embarrassed you, spoken out of turn? I’m not often in the company of ladies. I forget my manners.”

“No, Henry…Mr. Aubrey, I have succeeded in embarrassing myself. Please excuse me.” She made to get up and he moved to hold her chair.

“Will you walk with me?”

“The night air….”

“You shall wear my cloak.”

“Chloe.…”

“Is with Richard.”

“A short walk then, only a short one.”

“Of course.”

He fastened his cloak around her shoulders.

“I don’t know what you expect of me, Mr. Aubrey, or what you may think of me coming here this way with Chloe, but I assure you.…”

“I expect nothing. I respect you and your circumstance with Miss Chloe.” His hand on her arm, he led her out into the side garden.

He wondered at their exchange. They’d gone from a casual conversation using each other’s given names to a very stilted formal way of addressing each other. He felt he had failed in his conversation. He’d never been one for useless small talk and hadn’t the knack of fast, amusing repartee.

“Your father is an Admiral?”

“Yes, he is.”

“I suppose you will be one someday, too.”

“I hope to, yes. As long as there’s a navy there will be admirals, but that’s a long way down the road. I only made lieutenant  four years ago.

“Do you believe in fate, Mr. Aubrey?”

 

Part 3:

Jack rode up to Meadowfields and found Henry in the stables currying his horse. “I might have taken you for a stable lad,” he greeted.

“Papa, how good it is to see you!” He put aside his brush and gave Jack a hug. “What brings you to Meadowfields?”

“I’ve been to London. Have you won any money on this one?”

“Ah, Jaunty, no, but he’s placed each race. I have hopes of recovering a little money on him.”

“You have guests?” Jack noticed the strange carriage.

“Guests, oh, dear me, yes! Richard Latrouix and two ladies.”

“Two…ladies?” Jack smiled a little. “I suppose it’s not unexpected that he should seek you out. How are things with him?”

“He seems well enough and he’s been here for nearly two weeks. He’s come up with a confounded theory about me. He’s decided I’m his half brother, his bastard brother. He thinks Catherine was carrying Jean’s child when she shipped off to England. I’ve pointed out the time frame but he doesn’t listen. I did admit to being a bastard. I’ve had to bite my tongue on many occasions when he talked about our mothers.”

“Why haven’t you set him straight? No doubt his real mother could be found if she’s still alive.”

“Oh, she’s still alive, all right. Married the blacksmith in the village. I don’t doubt she knows he’s here, servants being what they are. Cook no doubt carried the tale. He’s talked of leaving and going onto London, a move that would satisfy us all I think. I can’t tell him, Papa. He has enough problems without knowing he’s the son of a milkmaid.”

“You are too kind hearted by far and I fear it will get you in trouble one day.”

“I may already be in trouble. One of the ladies, Miss Sylvie Williams, um…well, Richard and Chloe are, um, and…I’ve not behaved as a gentleman.” He lifted his chin.

“You didn’t take her against her will?”

“No, Sir, but I have taken liberties. She hasn’t any family and is sort of a companion to Miss Chloe. I understand her to be from a good family in Sussex but, alas, they have mostly died out. She was sent to live in Venice with Miss Chloe, who was taking care of an elderly relation who has since died and left her his estate. Doesn’t amount to much but it does allow them to live in some comfort.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Jack tilted his head.

“Well, Sir, I may ask…I may ask her to marry me. I’m glad you’ve come. Perhaps you will meet her and give me your opinion.”

“You need my opinion? Have you not made one of your own?”

“I have but…well, there are doubts, of course. She is in an unhappy situation and I shouldn’t…really, it is beneath me.”

“Do you think she may be a fortune hunter? You are, my son, a catch for any young lady casting her net.”

“It’s not fortune, no. I don’t think its coin at all. I’m rather confused, as you see.” He laughed a little nervously. “She spoke of fate bringing us together, this at a time I was very much in need of female companionship, not just for a night or two, you understand, but someone to wait for me at home when I am at sea. I find her very easy to talk with and there is an underlying…well, I did speak of liberties taken.”

“I would very much like to meet this young lady.”

“You will stay the night, then?” Henry smiled.

“Yes.” Jack returned his smile. Perhaps it was time Henry was married. He still thought of him as a young man and, indeed, twenty-five was not a great age but he was mature beyond his years. And without a doubt this young lady had caught his attention.

It was at dinner that Jack had the strangest sensation. He was seated on Henry’s right and Sylvie was seated across from him on Henry’s left. He’d picked up his wine glass and looked across the table. Suddenly he was seeing Catty in Sylvie, her hair nearly the same color and dark eyes. It was a trick of the candle light, to be sure, the way the room seemed to glow only for a moment and Sylvie laughed lightly; the moment was gone.

“Are you quite all right? Is the wine not to your liking?” Henry asked.

“I’m…I’m fine,” Jack blushed slightly and set his glass down.

“You went deathly pale,” Richard added.

“Only a hiccup. I’m quite all right, as you see. The wine is very good, a good claret.” Jack passed it off but the vision lingered in his mind.

Later he tried to reason what it meant. Was Catty in her way giving Henry her blessing, her approval of Sylvie, for Jack found her delightful. She was perhaps a little forward, a little bold, but then she hadn’t a father or a mother to check her. He noticed the way she and Henry regarded each other. Obviously Henry had taken liberties with her but he would not ask how far he had gone.

Henry joined him in the library for a glass of port. “You gave me a fright at dinner.”

“It was nothing. Well, honestly, Henry, I had a vision of your mother in Sylvie, something about the way the candlelight played about her hair, her eyes when she looked up. I’ve been trying to smoke it and I think she has given her approval of Miss Sylvie.”

“Grand, that is grand because I have decided to ask her to be my wife. I know it’s rather sudden. We’ve only known each other less than a fortnight but it seems right. We’re comfortable together. She’s very pretty, don’t you think?”

“She’s lovely and more of a woman than a girl, I think.”

“Yes, she is. Do I have your approval, Sir?”

“Yes, certainly you do, not that you need it.”

Henry walked to the fireplace. “I find I do…” he turned, “I do need your approval. I defied you once and although I do not have regrets over my decision to go to sea, perhaps I could have handled it a little better. I deserved your anger and disapproval at the time and it brought me very low.”

“You are a man now and must make your own decisions. The choice of a wife is a very important one but it is one I cannot make for you, for only you know your own heart.

“I know my mother was a loving comfort to you and if she has given her approval of Sylvie then…I shall ask her to become my wife. I know, Papa, it has been many years but I still think of her here. This was her house and sometimes I feel her very near.”

Jack looked down into his glass for a moment and then emptied it in one swallow.

“There you are, having a secret drink.” Richard limped in and helped himself. “Should I leave? Is this private business between you two?”

“No, not at all, Richard. It is good to see you looking well.”

“I’m very well, Admiral Aubrey, and have been enjoying the country whilst here.”

“Have you a permanent residence now?” Jack asked, pouring another drink.

“I believe so in Venice. Of course the legalities are not as yet completed.”

“Do you mean Chloe’s estate?” Henry asked.

“It’s not really an estate. Nothing like this you understand, but a grand old house on a canal where one can be involved in all the literary and musical pursuits available. I fell in love with the city, I must admit.” He smiled and found a seat.

“What legalities are you talking about?” Henry sat across from him on the settee.

“Why marriage, of course! I’ve asked her today and she said yes, so we’re off to London to see the deed done.”

“Congratulations,” Jack said and glanced at Henry.

“That’s wonderful news, Richard. When are you leaving?”

“Hah, I suppose you will be glad to see the back of us. Really, you have been a most gracious host.”

“Miss Sylvie…?”

“Oh, yes, Sylvie.” Richard’s sly grin turned to Jack. “I rather thought you, um, son was taken up with her.”

“Careful there…”Henry flashed him a look, “I intend to ask her to marry me.”

“Excellent!” Richard clapped his hands. “We can make it a double wedding and save a few coins. Ha, ha! Well, well, Henry. You see, I knew she would be right for you. She comes with nothing really, but then you always were a champion for the underdog. Like me.”

“I’m sorry, Richard, I don’t follow you…”

“Well, look at you…tall, handsome, robust, virile, and look at me, short and malformed. Don’t think I don’t know what you did at Greenlees. Father was going to make the estate over to me for my twenty-first but somehow you convinced him I’d rather have the money so he did a complete about face. It surprised me, I’ll tell you. It doesn’t bother me, you know, that you now own Greenlees. After all your mother spent some time there by the grace of her father.  Of course someday I will own all of Latrouix but you know what I shall do with it. Yes, I’ll parcel it out, make what I can of it. And you, Henry, what will you do with Greenlees?”

“I hadn’t thought to do anything with it. My mother wished me to have it.”

“Ah hah ha, as though it was hers to give away!”

Henry bit his lip and glanced at Jack.

“Do you intend to keep the house at Latrouix and perhaps live there someday?” Jack asked.

“Oh, dear me, no! I shall never go back there. I’ll sell the land and, who knows, perhaps the house, too. I find the smell of nutmeg makes me ill now, won’t allow it in my food. No, I shall end my days in Venice. You must come and visit, Henry. We should keep up the family ties, don’t you think?”

“Yes, of course,” Henry replied.

Jack was out for a morning ride over Meadowfields the day Richard and Chloe left for London. Henry had already made his offer of marriage to Sylvie and she did not accompany them to London. Henry turned to her on the front steps as the carriage pulled away down the drive.

He held her eyes with his for a moment and then blinked and looked away. “We cannot remain in this house together without we are man and wife.”

“Should I have left with them?” she asked.

“No,” he turned back and smiled, “I am well acquainted with Reverend Brown in the village. I suggest we pay him a visit.” Jack had, in fact, told him if he valued his reputation and that of his future wife he’d better marry the girl before word got out they were living in the same house. “Papa should be back shortly. I’d like for him to be there to witness the ceremony.”

“I’d like for him to be there, too. I rather like your Papa.”

“I rather like him, too,” Henry smiled and took her arm, walking back into the house.

It was late the next morning when Jack kissed his daughter-in-law and mounted his horse. He was bound for Ashgrove. He left feeling satisfied Henry had made the right choice. She had been told about Henry’s birth and the tangled relationships and she’d asked if she might call him Papa. It made him feel proud and at the same time aged. Had it been that long ago…Catty had kissed him goodbye?

The End

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