PoetsandPromises Page 12

  The others laughed at Earlywine’s vehemence and the conversation veered into a discussion of the passengers’ most disappointing holidays as the carriage clattered down the main street of Lyme. Elisabeth had an impression of white buildings flanking a street that seemed certain to take them directly into the sea if it continued on its course. But before they reached the waters of the bay the carriage drew safely to a stop before an inn. The passengers alighted and Elisabeth looked around interestedly as they walked to the inn door, noting the view of the seawall and harbor below.

  The main room of the inn was small but well-appointed and a cozy fire burned to take off the chill. As they entered the room Shelley rose from one of the seats by the fire. Elisabeth was relieved to see that he was dressed conventionally in trousers and coat, as she wished Lady Parker to have as good an impression as possible of the poet.

  “You made good time, Sherbourne,” Shelley commented after he and Mary had greeted the party and been presented to Lady Parker. “I took the liberty of ordering dinner but I believe we shall have time to take a walk along the Cobb if you wish, after you have refreshed yourselves.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Shelley. I believe we would all enjoy a walk after so many hours seated in a carriage,” Lady Parker acquiesced. “Shall we agree to meet in three-quarters of an hour?”

  An hour later the party had gathered on the street before the inn, the women draped in shawls to protect them from the brisk sea breeze, bonnets tightly tied.

  “It is perhaps a quarter-hour walk west to the steps that lead onto the Cobb,” Shelley explained. He directed his attention to Lady Parker and Elisabeth as he gestured toward the bay. “See how the wall curves from near the shore outward, forming the harbor? The harbor is deepest at the middle where you see the buildings and a few small ships tied off the pier. Beyond the pier you can see where the other arm of the Cobb ends in the bay. We are fortunate the weather is fine today, on stormy days it can be unsafe to venture all to the end to the end of the Cobb.”

  Shelley and Mary took the lead, walking slowly down toward the curving gray seawall, Lady Parker following with Mr. Earlywine, Elisabeth and Lord Sherbourne last. Elisabeth looked about interestedly as they walked along, reveling in the salt breeze she could taste and smell as well as feel. Other odors mingled with the salt, most noticeably the fishy smell of sea life and a less salubrious odor, the origins of which Elisabeth was sure she would rather not know. Seagulls squawked and screamed, vehicles and vessels clanked and groaned from strain and underlying it all was the never-ending murmur of the sea. It was a new world and Elisabeth immediately responded to its appeal.

  As Elisabeth and Lord Sherbourne trailed along behind the others, Elisabeth noticed they had passed several small rock pools along their way and realized that Mr. Shelley had not stopped at a single one to sail paper boats, as was his wont wherever there was the least amount of water. She supposed that in the proximity of the sea and a real sloop he did not have the desire, and admitted to herself that she was relieved he was not demonstrating his more eccentric tendencies before Lady Parker.

  A few minutes more and they reached the steps leading up the Cobb. On the top of the Cobb the winds blew stronger and the screeching of the seagulls and the crash of the waves against the seawall filled her ears. Elisabeth noticed that Mary Shelley and Lady Parker drew their shawls closer about them but she, liking the feel of the cool sea breeze, turned her face into it. Something stirred deep inside her, and she felt profoundly drawn to the sea. Perhaps, she thought, all English had such a connection, inborn in a people who lived on an island.

  They strolled slowly along the top of the Cobb, talking little. Lord Sherbourne took Elisabeth’s arm to help her over the uneven paving and Elisabeth could feel the heat of his touch even through the layers of clothing. Amazingly, without a word regarding it having passed between them, their quarrel had been mended and the harmony and growing affection between them restored in this magical place by the sea. Overwhelming contentment enveloped Elisabeth as they walked along in quiet harmony and she realized she had come not only to accept the marriage her father had arranged with Lord Sherbourne but to long for it. Remembering her strong protestations to her father a scant five months previously, she marveled at how great a change had been wrought in her feelings. A laugh escaped between her lips.

  “Might I inquire what you find so amusing?” Lord Sherbourne asked in a light tone, his hand still upon her arm.

  “I was only thinking how worried I was when my parents first suggested my becoming betrothed to you. I was quite terrified at the thought of marrying someone I could barely remember,” Elisabeth confessed, daring to respond truthfully. “And yet now I feel so very comfortable in your presence.”

  Sherbourne’s hand pressed Elisabeth’s arm more tightly. “I am so very pleased to hear you say that,” he said. “I feel an equal ease in your presence. You may not credit it but I was quite as terrified as you profess you were in the beginning. I wondered if I had made the correct decision asking your father for your hand in marriage. You may appeal to Earlywine for confirmation.”

  “And now?” Elisabeth asked, greatly daring.

  “And now I know I could not have made a better choice,” Lord Sherbourne answered simply.

  Elisabeth’s heart swelled in happiness at Lord Sherbourne’s obvious sincerity and they walked on together in total contentment.

  As their party neared the pier, crowds of people bustled about as they came and went from the buildings and vessels tied at the pier. Dozens of fishing nets draped the Cobb’s walls here and the smell of fish intensified. Raucous, daring seagulls dropped down unexpectedly to pick up whatever scraps of fish and refuse their sharp eyes detected.

  Shelley stopped by a wrought iron railing along the pier and turned to address the others. “This is the best vantage point from which to look back at the town,” he informed them, gesturing northeastwardly across the little harbor. Elisabeth and Lady Parker approached the railing and looked over to where the town of Lyme rose steeply from the shoreline, its buildings jumbled close together along the narrow, winding streets. Seagoing vessels of various sizes bobbed at anchor in the harbor between the Cobb and shore.

  “The tide comes in and out twice a day,” Shelley explained to his listeners, “and it affects the ability of the boats to leave the harbor, which is relatively shallow. This time of year the tides are extreme, which can make it difficult for the ships to moor here. For that reason I have moored the Swallow over there to the right.”

  Elisabeth turned to see a bare-masted sailboat moored in what she assumed from the poet’s explanation was deeper water.

  “How shall we get to the boat?” Elisabeth asked.

  “It is not a boat but a sloop, Miss Ashwood,” Mary Shelley corrected with a laugh. “Do not fear, you need not swim. We shall hire one of the rowboats, and you may refer to them as boats.”

  “A boat is a small craft with no deck, Miss Ashwood,” Earlywine explained, taking pity on Elisabeth’s confusion. “Any vessel with a deck is a ship, or may be referred to by its type, such as sloop or schooner.”

  “You will learn, Miss Ashwood,” Mary assured her friend. “But come, walk across here and look out this other direction,” she added, taking Elisabeth’s arm and leading her across the Cobb to a place that gave a good vantage point to look seaward. “See those two sloops out upon the bay? That is where we shall be tomorrow.”

  Elisabeth spotted two smaller white-sailed vessels in the direction Mary indicated. The yachts moved smoothly over the water, sails like wings. “How beautiful!” Elisabeth breathed. “How graceful they are!”

  “Indeed they are,” Lady Parker agreed, coming to stand by Elisabeth. “I find I am quite looking forward to tomorrow’s outing, and I must confess I was at first rather hesitant. But how could a sail upon such a beautiful vessel be anything but a pleasure?”

  “Would you prefer to take the steps down to the lower part or continue on top of the Cobb to
the end?” Shelley asked as Elisabeth and the others gazed out across the bay. “One feels the wind less lower but the view is better from the top of the Cobb.”

  “Oh, let us walk all the way to the end!” Elisabeth exclaimed, looking down the far arm of the Cobb where it ended abruptly in the waters of the bay. She blushed. “If the rest of you agree, that is.”

  The others good-naturedly agreed and they resumed their stroll down the top of the seawall, pausing at various points as Shelley noted different points of interest across the bay. At the end they stood a while in silence, winds whipping the women’s skirts and pulling strands of hair out from under their bonnets. Elisabeth stood gazing out over the silvery-gray waves surmounted by overcast skies of the same hue until Shelley informed the party they must return for their dinner and even then she only reluctantly turned away.

  The next morning Elisabeth rose early and descended to the main room of the inn where Lady Parker sat at the table sipping tea. Lord Sherbourne stood at the sideboard filling his plate with rashers, eggs and kidneys.

  “Good morning, Lady Parker, Lord Sherbourne,” Elisabeth greeted them as she picked up the teapot.

  “Good morning, Miss Ashwood,” Lord Sherbourne returned. “You look very nautical this morning,” he added, his gaze flicking over the dark blue spencer and white skirt with evident approval.

  “Thank you, Lord Sherbourne. I was not certain what attire would be best. Are Mr. and Mrs. Shelley risen yet?” Elisabeth added as she carried her tea to the table and took a seat next to Lady Parker.

  “Mr. Shelley has already eaten and left upon errands. I have not yet seen Mrs. Shelley,” Lady Parker replied. She turned to her brother. “I noticed last night at dinner and also this morning that Mr. Shelley does not appear to eat meat or drink wine. Is that his usual habit or was it only because he has the responsibility of our safety for the excursion?”

  “Shelley neither eats flesh nor takes spirits,” Lord Sherbourne answered as he brought this filled plate to the table. “It is a new regimen he has adopted—for the moment at least—for Hunt informed me he was wont to consume both in the past.”

  “It is most likely very healthy,” Lady Parker commented mildly, pouring herself another cup of tea. “Although one might find it rather dreary after a time.”

  Elisabeth had begun to spread marmalade on a piece of toast when Mary Shelley appeared at the doorway, one hand resting on the doorframe for support, her normally pink-tinged cheeks pale and her steps uncertain.

  “I am very sorry,” Mary said after greeting the others, “but I am feeling quite unwell and fear I will not be able to accompany you on the sloop this morning. But you must go regardless, I shall be fine here at inn.”

  “Indeed I shall not go,” Lady Parker immediately countered. “It would not do to leave you to the tender mercies of inn servants. I shall stay with you.”

  “And I,” Elisabeth added bravely, although her heart sank at thought of missing out on her long-anticipated sailing excursion.

  “That will not be necessary, Miss Ashwood,” Lord Sherbourne stated firmly. “Mrs. Shelly will be in good care with my sister’s company. There is no need for you to miss the outing as well.”

  “Indeed she must miss it,” Lady Parker contradicted. “Miss Ashwood may not accompany three gentlemen without my chaperonage. She shall stay with Mrs. Shelley and myself and perhaps we will be able to sail tomorrow if Mrs. Shelley is feeling more herself.”

  Elisabeth felt near tears at the thought of losing her sailing excursion but knew better than to protest. As she fought to keep herself under control, Elisabeth intercepted a glance from Lord Sherbourne and the sympathy in his eyes told her he understood her disappointment.

  “Could not Miss Ashwood’s maid accompany us in your place, Charlotte?” Lord Sherbourne asked his sister.

  “I suppose that would be acceptable,” Lady Parker conceded reluctantly.

  “Of course it would be,” Mrs. Shelley stated. “Miss Ashwood must not miss her outing or I should feel quite downcast at being the cause of such a loss.”

  “Then it is decided,” Lord Sherbourne stated with finality.

  Elisabeth tried to disguise her relief. Lord Sherbourne had clearly understood how important the excursion was to her! Elisabeth realized that Lady Parker was not entirely comfortable allowing her to go with only the dubious chaperonage of Molly but Elisabeth felt the risk was minimal. They were very unlikely to meet someone they knew sailing upon the bay. She did feel rather selfish to desire to go when Mary was obviously unwell. Yet it was true that she could do little to add to Mary’s comfort should she remain behind so Elisabeth salved her conscience by helping Mary back to her chamber and settling her in bed with tea and toast.

  An hour later Shelley, Earlywine, Sherbourne, Elisabeth and Molly stood at the shore where several rowboats were pulled up on the beach. Elisabeth stood back with Earlywine while Shelley and Lord Sherbourne negotiated with the rowers.

  “Why, they are women,” Elisabeth commented aloud to Earlywine. “I would not think they would have the strength for such work.”

  “Young men were rare in any seaside town during the war, Miss Ashwood. The press, you know. Even now the press has been ended these three years past the women continue the work to which they are now accustomed.”

  The rowers began to push the boat into the water and Lord Sherbourne motioned Elisabeth and Earlywine to come forward.

  “I am afraid that you must wade to the boat or allow me to carry you, Miss Ashwood,” Sherbourne informed Elisabeth. “Which shall it be?” he asked with a challenging look.

  “I shall entrust myself to you.” Elisabeth boldly answeredhis challenging look with a flash of her eyes. Sherbourne easily lifted Elisabeth into his arms, waded to the boat and deposited her safely in the stern seat, leaving Elisabeth rather discomfited by the experience of being carried in Sherbourne’s arms. When they had danced together she had been aware of a oneness that was expressed through the effortlessness of their blended steps but as the viscount carried her in his arms she knew she had surrendered her all to him. The other gentlemen boarded after Elisabeth, Earlywine carrying Molly, and the rowers began pulling toward the sloop with powerful strokes of the oars. When they reached the yacht the women maneuvered expertly to the side and Shelley quickly climbed on board the sloop with the agility of long practice.

  “Come, Miss Ashwood,” the poet called to Elisabeth. “You must come on board next. Please allow Lord Sherbourne to assist you in keeping your balance in the rowboat and I shall help you from above.”

  Elisabeth carefully stood up in the bobbing rowboat and took Lord Sherbourne’s hand. Although she worried about falling into the bay or appearing incredibly clumsy as she made the transfer from one craft to the other, Elisabeth managed to get on board without any mishap and with her dignity tolerably intact. Lord Sherbourne and Earlywine climbed aboard while Elisabeth looked about admiringly. “What a beautiful sloop!” she exclaimed, careful to refer to it by its proper term. Even without the sails up Elisabeth could admire the graceful lines of the yacht and the excellence of its appointments. There was not a lot of room to move about but there were places to sit and she could see steps leading below to what she assumed was the cabin.

  “Yes, the Swallow is s fine sloop,” Shelley agreed as the others boarded. “Although at only thirty-five feet she is rather small. However she is large enough for us to have a pleasant sail.

  “Before we get under way there are a few matters I should address,” Shelley continued, including all four of his companions in his remarks, although he looked most often at Elisabeth. “First, you must understand that on this yacht I am captain and you must all do as I say with no argument and no delay. Sailing requires skill and a sailing vessel can be a dangerous place to those not accustomed to it. Sherbourne, Earlywine, you have both sailed before, have you enough knowledge to crew?”

  “I believe we do,” Lord Sherbourne answered with a glance at Earlywine, who no
dded his agreement.

  “Then, Miss Ashwood,” Shelley proclaimed in cheerful accents, “they shall be the crew and you and Miss Molly shall be our honored passengers.

  “Would you like me to explain a little about sailing to you before we get under way?” he asked.

  “Yes, Mr. Shelley, if you please,” Elisabeth answered, focusing her attention on the poet. “I should find it most instructive.”

  “The arrangement of the sails is critical in a sailing vessel, Miss Ashwood,” Shelley began. “This is a one-masted sloop that is rigged fore and aft. That means that when the sails are raised there will be one large sail, the mainsail, from the mast to the stern—that is the back of the boat—and a smaller sail going forward to the bow called the jib. We maneuver the sails by lines, which are called sheets.” Shelley continued, indicating the sheets slapping softly against the mast. He then stepped to the side of the sloop and pointed at the water.

  “You can see by the water that the tide is coming in, Miss Ashwood. Fortunately the wind and tide are not together, so the wind will take us out when we have the sails hoisted. We will begin by hoisting the jib—that is, the smaller forward sail. We will then slip our mooring and sheet in the jib—that means pull the lines tight—and sail out a way into the bay where we can let the jib fly, or let it fill fully with the wind. Lastly we will push the helm hard and hoist the mainsail.” Shelley paused and smiled at Elisabeth’s rapt attention. “That is enough explanation for the moment, I think, except to remind you that port is to the left and starboard is to the right when you are facing the bow.

  “One final warning Miss Ashwood,” Shelley said, “Sherbourne, Earlywine and I shall have to move about on the boat until we are on the bay. There can also be danger from the sails and boom, which can swing with a great deal of force. Therefore you and Miss Molly must either go stay below until you are summoned abovedeck or stay here seated where I tell you.”