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Nicholas and Althia have recovered from their first major disagreement and are discovering how to be on their best behavior with one another.
Nicholas awoke with a start. He sat up confused and disoriented, but the dull pain coming from his midsection reminded him where he was. Nicholas didn't know if he should feel overjoyed or disappointed. The days would be fewer now that he was recovering so well. He tried not to think about it as he dressed for the new day. Waking every morning and seeing her face had become a sweet blessing to him. He doubted he could ever go back to Catherine. Just thinking about his wife filled him with disgust and repulsion. If he couldn't have Althia, he would rather be...well, he had already attempted death and failed, so miserable and alone would have to suffice. He finished dressing and made his slow walk to the breakfast nook, hoping to enter before Althia so she wouldn't have to see him so feeble. He found that walking felt a bit easier for him today and theorized that he could probably get around fairly well if he had a cane or something to lean on. He entered the breakfast nook and waited for his angel to appear.
Like magic, Althia soon appeared in the doorway wearing a simple blue linen dress. Nicholas was reminded of that night at the Chandler dance and could feel all breath escaping him. Her hair was fashioned simply on her head in a bun with a few ringlets framing her face, but to Nicholas she looked beautiful enough to be a queen. Get a hold of yourself man! his mind commanded, but his heart failed to hear.
"Lady Shevington," Nicholas began the ascent to stand, "I have never had such a lovely breakfast guest. Good morning."
Althia tried not to blush or think anything special concerning his comments. "Thank you, Captain Metcalf. How very kind of you," she remarked while walking to her chair. Nicholas moved over and pull out the chair across from him and helped her become seated.
"I must say Captain Metcalf, you are making remarkable progress," Althia commented as she placed her napkin on her lap.
Nicholas winked and smiled. "It must be something in the air that has brought about my good health," he teased.
As usual, Jane entered with their meal. "Oh, Jane?" Althia asked as Jane prepared to return to the kitchen.
"Yes, miss?"
"Would you please tell Humphrey to gather my things together? I feel like going down to the water today."
"Yes, miss," Jane responded as she exited the breakfast nook.
Althia began stirring honey into her porridge. "I began to ponder about your family this morning, Captain Metcalf, and how worried they must be after not hearing from you."
Nicholas tried not to visibly wince.
"We should send word to them that you are recovering and will be home soon. There is stationary and writing implements in the drawing room at the desk. Humphrey can show you. As soon as you have it written, he will be available to take it to town for you."
"That is a novel idea, Lady Shevington, thank you. May I inquire as to what you will do at the water today?" Nicholas attempted to divert the subject.
Althia hesitated telling him her true intentions. "I intend to spend the day there."
"Doing what, pray tell?" His eyes and voice held a hint of teasing and Althia tried desperately to arrive at some excuse.
"I wish to just...um...just make some observations."
"Then it will not be of trouble if I accompany you?"
"Do you feel up to it? I would hate for you to do more harm."
"If you are willing to walk slowly, I think that I shall be able to keep up. I would not be intruding, would I?"
"No, no, not at all. That would be lovely." No one had ever accompanied her on her excursions to the ocean except for Randolph. What am I thinking? she thought to herself. She tried to keep the rest of the meal's conversation light and unimportant to keep from thinking about it. They soon finished and separated to their rooms to prepare for their seashore visit. This is ludicrous Althia kept repeating to herself as she changed her shoes and picked out a green pair of gloves and a straw bonnet with a green ribbon and small white flowers on top. She took a deep breath and made her way back downstairs.
Captain Metcalf and Randolph were waiting for her in the entryway. Nicholas wore one of John's jackets and hat. He looked almost comical with the clothes hanging so loosely on his frame, but at least Nicholas could wear his own boots. Her things were leaning against the wall and she went to grab them.
"Please, Lady Shevington, allow me." Nicholas attempted to carry her items.
"Captain Metcalf, I appreciate your concern, but you are still recovering and are in no condition to go around carrying such things down to the ocean. I have done perfectly well on my own for many years now and I shall continue to do so with or without you carrying my things."
"I certainly did not mean to be disrespectful, Lady Shevington. It is obvious that you have done extremely well given the size of this house and the land. I only wished to do something to return a bit of the hospitality that has been so graciously shown to me."
Althia looked up at him. There was no pity or mockery in his eyes. He seemed quite genuine and that struck Althia as, again, being quite different from all the other men she had ever met. "Very well, then," she announced, "You may carry the blanket." She picked up the rest of the items and then handed him the blanket.
"It would be an honor, Lady Shevington." He held the blanket in one arm and used a crutch that Humphrey must have found for him in the other. Althia recognized the crutch as one of a pair she had used two summers ago when she was thrown from her horse and twisted her ankle. Off the threesome went in the direction of the ocean.
Randolph led the pair down the shoreline until they came to the general location where Althia liked to stop. He quickly found his obligatory piece of driftwood and waited patiently until both Nicholas and Althia reached the spot to attempt to coax someone to volley with him.
"Here, boy," Nicholas called as Randolph happily brought the stick to him. Nicholas threw it down the shoreline with Randolph in pursuit.
"You have now made a friend for life, Captain Metcalf," Althia stated as she set up her chair and placed the blanket over her lap. The sand was littered with the remnants of sea life and when Althia looked out into the ocean, it appeared as bright and inviting as it had been in her daydream.
"I trust you mean Randolph?"
"Yes, of course," she replied as the dog made his way back to Nicholas and he threw the stick once again.
"He is most enjoyable company. We shared a great deal last night after dinner."
Althia looked at him quizzically. "Is that so? Whatever did you talk about?"
"I am not at liberty to repeat it, but he does think quite highly of a certain sheepdog in the next county."
Althia could barely stop herself from laughing out loud. "Really? Odd that he never mentioned such feelings to me."
"Some things cannot be shared in mixed company, Lady Shevington. Certainly you realize that?" Randolph reappeared and Nicholas complied once again. "However, he was unable to tell me one thing."
"Go on."
"He was unsure as to how I should go about being a lifelong friend to you, Lady Shevington. Perhaps you could shed some light on the subject?" He looked down at her and she avoided his gaze by looking out into the ocean.
"I am afraid that I am no more a master of the subject than Randolph." She then bent over and retrieved her sketchpad and pencils and started to look for a clean page. He dropped the subject and turned his attention to entertaining Randolph. Althia began to relax and started to sketch the churning waters before her.
She had become lost in her drawing. She didn't realize Nicholas had been watching her until he said, "Most impressive, Lady Shevington. May I?" Reflexively, she jumped slightly.
"I'm sorry, Lady Shevington, I did not mean to startle you."
"No, it is all right, really. I was just lost in thought." Althia reluctantly handed him her sketchpad.
She watched Nicholas linger over each page and, after what seemed like hours, he returned the sketchpad to her.
"You have your grandfather's gift for vision and creativity, Lady Shevington. At times I felt that you somehow stowed away aboard my ship and fashioned an image of the very ocean that I saw. You are a most impressive artist."
"Thank you for your kind words, Captain Metcalf." Althia looked down at her sketchpad, hopeful that Nicholas would not see her blushing.
"It is almost impossible to believe that I have been off of a ship for nearly two months now," he stated as he too looked out at the expanse. "Soon, it will be nearly impossible for me to recover my sea legs," Nicholas smiled as he continued to toss the stick for Randolph.
"Have you been ill that long?" Althia felt certain that she would get no more sketching done today, and yet, she did not feel upset by that fact.
"Unfortunately, yes. We were coming back from Portugal after having been to port there since the Battle of Trafalgar. Being so late in the year when the battle was fought, it was thought best that some of the ships winter in Portugal and then attempt to come home in the spring. While March is not typically the best month to sail, the calm winds and good forecast encouraged us to head back. Not to mention that everyone was very eager to get home to England and their families." Slowly, Nicholas brought himself down to sit upon the sand.
Althia sat patiently waiting for him to continue his story.
Randolph came and lay down next to Nicholas and placed his head on Nicholas' lap. Nicholas began again as he patted Randolph's head. "While in Portugal, we picked up a number of sailors and supplies including a number of barrels of rum. It is well known, Lady Shevington, that sailors enjoy their spirits and our ship was no exception. Some of the men decided to smuggle some additional barrels on board in hopes of selling or enjoying their bounty at a later date.
"The barrels were not marked and were kept in a storage hull just beneath the deck. The one caution with rum is that one must be careful to keep it cool. If it is over heated, it tends to be quite volatile. Unfortunately, those who should have been careful with their cargo were not and one particularly warm afternoon the barrels began to explode. It is a miracle that more men were not hurt or killed. I did not think myself too seriously injured as only a piece of the deck landed in my midsection. I was treated as well as possible aboard ship until we could get back to shore and the Naval Hospital nearby in Stonehouse.
"Unfortunately, the injury became infected. The doctors at Stonehouse tried everything to relieve the infection and fever, but to no avail. I thought that I might go mad and had no desire to die in a hospital. I chose instead to die in the ocean that I love so much. So one evening I left my bed and somehow carried myself to the pier. I prayed forgiveness from God and then yelled as I leapt off. The splash and ensuing pain from the saltwater quickly caused me to lose consciousness. The next thing I was aware of was being in your home." He looked into her eyes and felt nearly swept away by them.
Althia tried to regain her senses. The wind began to pick up and seemed to slap her back into reality. "You are a very fortunate man. We must let your family know that you are safe and will be returning to them shortly."
"I remember Humphrey mentioning something about a room full of ships in the house. Is that true or was I just hallucinating?" Nicholas again attempted to avoid the subject of family.
"No, no, you are correct. We call it the Blue Room. A number of my grandfather's models and plans are kept there." Althia looked up at the ominous clouds forming in the sky above them. "I do not think the weather will let us continue much longer here. Perhaps now would be a good time to go and show it to you." She stood and gathered her things. Randolph stood and waited for Nicholas.
Nicholas looked up at the sky. "I think you are correct, Lady Shevington." He planted the crutch into the sand as best he could attempted to pull himself up with one hand and push himself up with the other, but the awkwardness and pain prohibited him. "I was not fully aware as to how difficult it would be to stand again. May I beg for a hand of help?" He stuck his hand out to her.
"Yes, of course," she said as she grabbed his hand in hers and pulled him upright. They stood standing in front of one another, so close it took everything within Nicholas to resist the urge to take her in his arms. Randolph quickly came and forced himself between their legs, bringing them back to reality.
"It is only right that such a remarkable dog should have such a remarkable mistress. Again I am indebted." He nodded while placing his arm across his chest.
"I am sure that you have done much to protect this country and myself. This is merely a way to extend our gratitude." Althia began to move in the direction of the house.
"I have never enjoyed performing my duty in such agreeable company," he replied and slowly followed her back to Hindrake.
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