Plymouth's Rock -- Part 11
by Kathy Neise

Althia has learned about Nicholas' condition; now it's Nicholas' turn to learn more about Althia and her family.

Althia put her things down in the hallway and then led Nicholas to what the family affectionately called the Blue Room. Along the tops of the walls at the ceiling hung a wallpaper border of waves and the walls were painted blue with white trim. At both the north and south walls stood a book case eight feet tall and five feet wide filled with nautical, design books, and atlases, some as old as the fifteenth century and many of them in other languages. Surrounding the bookcases were pictures of various boats, commendations presented to her grandfather, and maps of various points of the world. The west wall faced out to the ocean and two large glass paned doors were there with gold handles to provide entrance to the outside. There were a number of tables set up in the room displaying various models of ships in glass jars, boxes and set in the open. Nicholas did his best to contain his enthusiasm, but his eyes danced as if on fire. Althia watched as he gingerly made his way to one of the tables and began to study the ships there.

"The Blenheim," he remarked as he gazed at one of the models. "It's been cut down since this model was made. It was used in the battle of Fort Dunkirk in 1804. And over here," he beckoned as he quickly moved to another table, "Is the Kent. In July of 1774, the HMS Kent was ordered on a six-week cruise. Just as it was working up the sound, the Admiral's flag ship passed. The Kent hoisted it's flags in salute and just as it did, a 400 pound keg of gunpowder exploded killing eleven men and injuring forty-five."

"Oh my," Althia replied compassionately, remembering how similarly Nicholas had been hurt.

"Yes, but the most unusual fact is that a marine drummer who was sitting on top of the chest when it exploded was tossed out to sea and was rescued unharmed!" He smiled and winked at her. "Here we have the Ardent, the Venus, the Yarmouth, and here..." he stopped in front of another table and bowed as well as he could, "The HMS Victory. Lord Nelson's ship."

"I believe that it was the Victory that brought Lord Nelson back to England to be buried, is that correct?"

"Indeed. I had the honor of serving with Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar and I had the pleasure of meeting him on various occasions. A most affable and knowledgeable man, England lost a most honorable son when she lost Lord Nelson."

He bowed again and Althia admired the respect that he showed for Nelson and for the ships of this room. "How long have you been a sailor, Captain Metcalf?"

"I've been in service since I was fourteen so that would be..." he counted mentally, "Nearly fifteen years," he mused as he leafed through some of the plans and maps on the table in front of him. "My brother joined the navy when he was fifteen and I was two years younger. He came home after a year in service and relayed many a story of the adventure of the high seas and I was smitten. I left with him and never regretted it. It is often said that a sailor may have a wife, but the sea will always be his mistress. I have found that to be true in my own life as well."

He paused and then began turning himself around to try and soak in all that was in the room with his eyes. "Oh, Lady Shevington, the stories that the ships in this room hold! I could spend hours telling you about my adventures on the Bellona or the stories from the sailors on the Achilles. But this ship," he remarked as he reached for a glass bottle on the shelf of one of the bookcases, "This ship I do not recognize. Are you aware of its history?"

"That ship, Captain Metcalf, is the Lady Althia. My grandfather began designing it on the day I was born. I vaguely remember him working on it and telling me of the adventures we would have aboard it. He died when I was six years old. The only true memories I have of him are the stories that my father would tell me about him and the adventures he had aboard his boats."

Nicholas studied Althia for a moment and then the boat inside the bottle. "I have never seen its equal. She is a most glorious ship indeed; perhaps one of your grandfather's best." He gingerly put the ship back on the shelf. "It is obvious the love and attention that were given it. It is a most worthy namesake." He turned to her and started to say something when Humphrey interrupted him.

"Begging your pardon, miss, but Lady Cordelia Vaughan has arrived most unexpectedly."

"Cordelia? Unannounced? That is most strange. Show her to the study. I will be in shortly."

"Very well, miss." Humphrey turned and walked back out of the room.

"May I be of service, Lady Shevington?" Nicholas stood in front of her.

"I do not believe that will be necessary as of yet. Thank you for your generosity, however. If you wish, you may continue to browse through the collection here while I am gone."

"Thank you, but I have a few things that I need to attend to."

"By all means," she replied, secretly wondering what "things" Nicholas would have to attend to. He walked behind her as they both exited the room. "I shall meet you for dinner then."

"It would be my pleasure. Good day, Lady Shevington, and thank you again for sharing your collection with me." He bowed his head and eyes as she curtsied slightly before they set off in opposite directions.

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