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Prologue and Chapter 1
Prologue
Elizabeth stood patiently with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner at the post station where they awaited the carriage that would take her from London to her home in Hertfordshire. Her journey would take about a full day, including having to transfer to another carriage that would convey her to Meryton, where Elizabeth’s family’s coach would be waiting.
It was the end of summer, an exceptionally warm day, and she had just finished spending a month with her aunt. Her uncle’s trade had taken him to Bath for an extended time, so Elizabeth joined her aunt to help her care for their four young children. It had been a little more difficult than anticipated, as she had the misfortune to sprain her ankle just before leaving for London and was still favouring it because of the pain.
As the time for the departure drew near, Elizabeth kissed her aunt and uncle goodbye and slowly limped to the carriage. She took care to step on her sprained foot gingerly.
It appeared that there was only one other person leaving London at this particular time. Elizabeth had earlier deemed this gentleman, whom she had noticed while tarrying at the station, as fine and tall with dark, handsome features. By his dress, she concluded that he was a man of wealth, so his taking this carriage for hire seemed curious, indeed.
As she turned back to wave one last time to her dearest relatives, she felt a bump and was almost knocked to the ground by the gentleman who had likewise been waiting.
He had charged abruptly for the carriage and seemingly did not see her, colliding with her and sending her off balance.
Elizabeth let out a cry and made a mental note to add to her quick judgment of him–preoccupied and interested only in himself.
He quickly reached out and retrieved her, pulling her back up and steadying her. But her foot was now painfully sore and she most assuredly let him know with a frowning glance up at him.
She reached down for her foot and her aunt and uncle came running over.
“Dearest Elizabeth, are you all right?” Her aunt took her arm and looked into her face, noting her wince.
“I shall be fine, Aunt.” She looked directly at the gentleman and stated, “I shall just have to be more careful to watch where I am going!”
The gentleman narrowed his eyes at her and shrugged off a quick and seemingly insincere, “I am sorry, miss.” He took a deep breath and briskly ran his fingers through his hair. With what seemed to come from a source of guilt rather than civility, he offered, “Allow me to lend you a hand, please.”
Elizabeth, keeping her eyes directed on him, replied curtly, “My uncle will assist me, thank you.”
The gentleman turned abruptly and extended his arm toward the carriage to allow her to enter before him. Mr. Gardiner took her arm, as she now limped to an even greater degree, and he helped her in.
“Are you sure that your foot is all right, Lizzy? You are limping a vast deal.”
“I am well, Uncle. But thank you for your concern.”
The driver loaded her luggage and the gentleman’s in the back as Elizabeth pulled herself in, and she slid over as far as she could to the other side of the carriage. The gentleman followed her in. Immediately he turned his face away and stared out the window on his side. She was quite convinced that he was most unhappy with his travelling arrangements, as well as his companion. Upon making a sly glance back at him, she resolved further that he had uninviting manners, most likely due, she was sure, to his inclination to associate only with those of his own superior society.
Her overactive imagination, stimulated by his fashionable dress and stiff manner, credited him with an intolerance toward anything and anyone not his equal in consequence. He most likely was one who felt that his wealth and status in society secured him anything he wanted and he would definitely not give the time of day to someone he deemed beneath him or of little advantage to him.
There! She had him figured out. That was most easy. An easy subject, he was. As she finished up her scrutiny of him, he turned back and met her startled glance with a discerning perusal of his own. She was not expecting this and felt a sense of uneasiness as she realized he had caught her staring. She quickly turned to look out her window.
The carriage finally began to pull away from the post station and Elizabeth gave one last wave to her aunt and uncle. When she could no longer see them, she turned back and saw that the gentleman continued to gaze upon her. He seemed to be about to say something, so Elizabeth waited. When no words came forth from him, she turned her attention to the book she had brought along.
After a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke. “I am truly sorry, Miss, for my inattention back there.” The words did not seem to flow out easily. “I was not watching where I was going as I was only intent on getting on this carriage. I needed to depart London early today and my own carriage was unfortunately in need of repair. It has been most inconvenient for me to have to take a post carriage. It is not something I normally have to do.”
So that explained why he was travelling in this carriage. She simply smiled and arched one eyebrow as she considered his overwhelming plight. “I imagine not. It must be most disagreeably inconvenient for you.”
Most disagreeably inconvenient! He shifted in his seat, as he realized how she had taken this. He turned to the window again, tapping the fingers of his left hand against the window well. He turned to her again, making an attempt at civility and asked, “What happened to your foot? How did you hurt it?”
“I sprained it. It only hurts when I step on it wrong… or take a spill.” The look she gave him emphatically reminded him he was the cause of the pain she was again experiencing. The smile that then appeared on her face revealed to him she did not harbour resentment toward him.
With a long ride ahead of them, he continued attempts to be civil. “How did you sprain it?”
The question caused Elizabeth to sigh heavily and she averted her eyes from him. She wondered whether she should own the truth to him. He would laugh; of that she was certain. Or he would scoff at her for her impertinence and unladylike behaviour. But she never allowed anyone to intimidate her before and would not this time. She boldly looked at him and declared, “I was climbing a tree, Sir, and I fell!”
Elizabeth had a difficult time keeping the smile off her face as she saw his reaction. He arched one eyebrow and shook his head in the most infinitesimal manner; all the while he pursed his lips in a vain attempt to hide a smirk. Elizabeth, however, noticed the disapproving furrowing of his brow. It took him a moment to respond, and Elizabeth thought for a moment that he had been rendered speechless.
He finally said with a sly smile, “Certainly if you fell from the tree as a young girl, I doubt that you sprained your foot if you are still limping on it. You must have unknowingly broken it.” He stared at her, waiting for her to respond.
Elizabeth took in a deep breath. His statement indicated an assumption on his part that a lady would not have climbed a tree, certainly not someone her age; therefore she must have done it years ago. He was mocking her, but she refused to give him the upper hand. “I beg your pardon, Sir, but I did not do it when I was a young girl. I did it just a little over a month ago.”
This time he openly smirked and nodded his head, as if confirming to himself that indeed, this lady had engaged in a very unladylike manner.
“Delightful diversion for a young lady such as yourself.”
She felt indignation rise up within her as she felt his mocking censure. Elizabeth suddenly blushed and ignored his comment. Delightful diversion! She echoed his words to herself as she turned back to look out the window on her side. She had prodded herself to try to astonish him with the truth; now why did she suddenly regret that she had?
The gentleman made a concerted effort to reconcile the image of this young lady sharing the carriage with him. He estimated that she was close to twenty and apparently was an accomplished tree climber. She seemed refined enough, well mannered, and nicely–but moderately–dressed. She was commonly attractive, her figure light and pleasing, but not altogether striking. Her hair was attractively styled, but not overstated.
He continued. “Do you often climb trees, then?”
Elizabeth blushed and dropped her eyes to her lap, but resolved to not back down. She cast her eyes toward him. “Only when they afford me a better view or…” She paused and then added, “Or they give me a better chance to hide than the ground does!”
“And what, pray tell, was the occasion this time? Was it a better view or a better hiding place that prompted you to climb this tree?”
Elizabeth winced. She seriously wished that she could bring this conversation to an end, but again, she was not one to become easily embarrassed. She finally decided to tell all, knowing it would most likely shock him further. She reasoned that it really did not matter, as she would never see him again. Besides, she had already assessed his character; she was quite certain he had already done the same in respect to her.
“This particular time, I climbed the tree to hide from someone who was coming up the road.” She said this without taking her eyes off him, with a forced sort of audacity. She would not look away. She would not let him think she was discomfited.
“From whom were you hiding?” Elizabeth noted the apparent amusement he was receiving from this line of conversation.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and continued. “From an unsolicited suitor, Sir, whose attentions I was in no mood to receive! I could not endure one more meeting with him, so when I saw him coming–and I knew he was looking for me–I scurried up the tree!”
The gentleman smiled, as if conjuring up this image in his mind. “And did it do the trick? I mean, were you able to stay out of his sight?”
Elizabeth laughed unexpectedly. “Most definitely! The tree spared me at least one unwelcomed walk with that man.” Thinking back to the incident made her laugh even more and he eyed her more acutely as the smile brought a sparkle to her eyes and illuminated her face. The gentleman was caught off guard by the magnetizing effect this had on him. He had to make a conscious effort to pull his eyes away. She seemed oblivious to his plight and continued to laugh.
He looked back at her again, this time more cautiously. “What is it that is so humorous? I cannot imagine your fall causing you so much mirth.”
“It is merely that… he knew I had been ahead of him and he looked all around for me, calling out my name. He had no idea I was above him watching. I had to keep my hand over my mouth to keep myself from laughing aloud so he would not hear me. I cannot imagine what he would have done if he had looked up and seen me.”
“Perhaps if he had seen you up that tree, it would have discouraged him from pursuing you any further.” He paused. “Or perhaps he would have climbed up to join you.” A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his eyes crinkled, causing Elizabeth much consternation within. For a moment, his severe countenance eased and was almost inviting. His next words sent her reeling even more. “I think perhaps I might have been tempted to climb up there with you.”
Elizabeth blushed as she imagined this gentleman discovering her up a tree and wondered whether he truly would climb up to join her. “No, never!” she struggled to continue. “He would never have done that!” she replied, completely ignoring the statement that this gentleman seated across from her might have.
“And then how did you fall?”
Elizabeth shook herself out of her reverie to answer his question. “After he had passed by a considerable distance, I started down the tree. My foot stepped on a small branch which broke and I fell to the ground.”
“How did you get back home?”
“I hobbled back on my own.”
“I see. It was not far, then, that you had to walk on your sprained ankle?”
“On the contrary. It was close to a mile.”
“What were you doing walking that far from home? No, wait. Do not tell me. You were trying to put as much distance between you and this gentleman.”
“Why a mile is not far at all. I actually enjoy walking. I do it all the time. I prefer it exceedingly to riding when I have the chance.”
He tilted his head at her comment, wondering at the dichotomy of this young lady. She was pretty, indeed, but obviously of a country breeding and most likely had little to offer a man in terms of wealth or connections. He did give her the benefit of the doubt and in his estimation proclaimed her to be a gentleman’s daughter. For some incomprehensible reason, however, he was strangely drawn to her. “You prefer walking to riding then.” He repeated it as if he was making a mental note of it. “Would that be on horse or in a carriage?”
“Both, actually. I definitely prefer it to riding horses, but I also prefer it to riding in a carriage when it is an easy distance to walk.”
She was now uncertain whether the conversation on his part had been patronizing, critical, or simply courteous. They rode in silence for a while, but Elizabeth noticed him occasionally glance up at her.
She set her attention back to the book she was reading when she noticed the gentleman straining to see its title.
“It is ‘Richard III’ in case you were wondering.”
“Now is the winter of our discontent; made glorious summer by this sun of York,” he quoted. “I have read it. It is very good. You enjoy reading, then?”
“When I am not climbing trees, I do.”
He could not stifle his smile. “Have you read other works by Shakespeare?”
“Several of his sonnets. A few of his plays. My father loves reading as well and he has a small library. He is fond of Shakespeare and this is one of his own that he allowed me to take with me on my visit to London.”
The two of them began a discourse on literature. His knowledge far exceeded hers in the extent of what he had read, but her discussion on what she had read equalled his. He enjoyed the fact that she was willing to question his views, even disagree with his opinion. They settled into an easy parlay of words and before they knew it, the carriage was slowing down and pulling into a livery station.
She watched as the gentleman began to gather his things. She smiled inwardly, convincing herself that he was probably used to fashionable women from polished society who would never walk across a street on their own accord, let alone climb a tree. His heart was not likely to be touched by a poor country girl such as herself. He was most likely eager to get off this carriage for hire that he had just shared with a decidedly inferior woman who had the impertinence to challenge his every thought.
The gentleman looked out the window and then back to her. “This is where I get off. I see the carriage from my country home is already here.” The door was opened and he looked out and then back at Elizabeth. “I enjoyed travelling with you. I confess I was not looking forward to this ride when I first boarded the carriage. But you have, somehow, made it pass most pleasantly and I thank you.” He stepped down and looked back at Elizabeth as if he was about to say something else, then turned away as if he had changed his mind.
Elizabeth blushed at his words of praise and smiled. “It was my pleasure,” she said softly to herself.
As the carriage pulled away, the gentleman thought to himself how odd it was for him to be drawn to a woman like her. Perhaps it was because she was so unlike most of the women he had met over the years. He turned to watch as the carriage continued down the road, then walked slowly toward his own. He realized he had not even asked her name.
“Good day, Barstow. It is good to see you.”
“Good day, Mr. Darcy. Sorry to hear about the other carriage. Hope it was not too much of an inconvenience taking the one for hire. I shall get you home in no time.”
Elizabeth sat still in the carriage, her heart beating wildly as she furtively turned back to watch him easily step up into his own carriage. Why was she feeling this way? She had to admit he was one of the most handsome men she could remember meeting. Something inside of her ached at the thought of never seeing him again. She was not sure why, when he was obviously a man who would never lower himself to the likes of someone such as her. Why someone of his wealth and station even bothered to talk with her she was not sure. For one short carriage ride, she enjoyed his presence and he acknowledged her, yet she did not even know his name.
Chapter 1
Two years later
Elizabeth Bennet walked into the parlour at her Aunt Madlyn and Uncle Edward Gardiner’s empty home in London. She and her father had spent the day travelling from their home in Hertfordshire and were now spending the night at the Gardiners’ home in Cheapside, where they would both depart early the next morning for the harbour on the River Thames. Elizabeth would board a sailing ship, which would take her from her England homeland to America. Her aunt and uncle were already in America, where they had been these past three months, so this evening they had the house to themselves.
Mr. Gardiner’s business had taken on additional work that spanned the two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Elizabeth understood only that it involved some importing and exporting details that needed to be worked out on the American side. The Gardiners had expected to remain there between six to nine months. Elizabeth planned to visit them for the remainder of their stay. The Gardiners and their four children had all made the crossing together, taking advantage of this opportunity to see some of the sights in the new world.
With her uncle’s work taking him to New York, Elizabeth understood that she and her aunt would have sufficient time to tour the area together. When her uncle’s work was completed, they would all travel back together to England.
Elizabeth’s only regret was that her sister, Jane, was not able to join her. She had also been invited, but due to Jane’s tendency for severe motion sickness, she declined. She knew from past experience that she would have a very difficult crossing. From her experience on a boat for a short time in the English Channel and suffering greatly from it, she knew that four to five weeks on a ship out on the ocean would be exceedingly difficult for her. Consequently, Elizabeth was setting off by herself, much to her father’s consternation.
When the letter from her aunt had arrived, the discussion between herself, her mother, and father had been very typical of the conversations that took place in the Bennet home. Elizabeth tried to remain calm as she gave her reasons for desiring to go. Her father was adamant against it and her mother wavered back and forth, giving her nerves full reign as one moment she saw no reason why her daughter could not go, and the next, change her mind.
It was Elizabeth’s steady, calm, and rational argument that finally persuaded her mother. She knew it would take more to convince her father to allow her to travel unaccompanied, but she knew she could appeal to his love of history, geography, and books, as well as her own love of those things. To pass up an opportunity such as this to see America would be something she would always regret if she did not do it now. She appealed to his trust in her character, her wisdom, and maturity, and in due course, he gave in.
Elizabeth sat down on one of the chairs that occupied the Gardiners’ sitting room. Her thoughts went nostalgically back to all of the times she had come here to visit her aunt and uncle over the years. She was extremely fond of them and practically considered them a second mother and father. She closely identified with her aunt, and as a young girl would scrutinize her closely and try to imitate her ways. She had never understood her own mother’s ways and knew at a very young age that she did not wish to grow up to be like her.
The Gardiners’ home in London, although neither exceptionally fashionable nor elegant, was very warm. Elizabeth always found it to be a respite away from her own home. The Bennet home in the village Longbourn, was by society’s standards, neither modest nor extravagant. Situated in the country on a good parcel of land, it did give Elizabeth a chance to enjoy her favourite pastime, which was to walk. Their own home was a good distance from their nearest neighbour, while her aunt and uncle’s home was located on a busy street in Cheapside. Yet she felt the Gardiners’ home was more tranquil because of their easy nature and that of their children. It was far too often that the Bennet household resonated with the nervous ranting of her mother and the uncontrolled outbursts from her youngest sisters. She enjoyed every visit she ever made here. Now, she was looking forward to seeing them again, this time in America.
She pulled out the letter that her aunt had written to her and her sister. From the moment she read the letter, she knew she had to go. She looked down at the letter and began to reread it.
My dearest Jane and Elizabeth,
How we miss you all! It is such a different world here, but we are enjoying it immensely! So often we will see something and say, ‘Oh how Elizabeth would love doing that’ or ‘Jane would love seeing that!’ You are often in our thoughts and conversation.
Edward’s work is proceeding along well, although slowly. We knew it would be very challenging, as he must acquaint himself with the diverse import and export laws in America. Some are very unlike ours in England, but he enjoys it.
One reason for my letter, dearest nieces, is to extend an invitation to you both to come over if your parents agree to it. We anticipate being here quite a few more months, possibly another three or four. How we would love to have you both make the crossing over and visit us. While Edward is occupied with work, how I would treasure your companionship. When his work is complete, we will then all sail back to England together.
I know that this might seem like an unreasonable request, but we would be most delighted if you could endeavour to come. Our children would love to see you, and we, of course, would hold dear your company. If this is acceptable to both your parents, please check into getting tickets as soon as possible. We will, of course, be willing to help out with the cost of passage. The trip for us took about four weeks. It was not always easy, but we made it without too much difficulty.
Please write back as soon as you have made some sort of decision. We look forward to hearing from you.
All our love,
Your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner
Elizabeth folded up the letter just as her father came in. “Well, my Lizzy, are you still determined to do this?”
“Yes, Papa. I am so looking forward to it.” She stood up and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers. “Do not worry. All shall be well with me.”
*~*~*
The next morning, Elizabeth pulled her wrap tightly around her as the carriage carrying her and her father drew them closer to the harbour in London. She shivered, not so much because of the cool, foggy mist enveloping them, but because of her realization that the day had finally come. She could admit to herself, but not to her father, that she was indeed nervous about all that was in store for her.
The only way Mr. Bennet had agreed to allow Elizabeth to travel alone was for him to take her onto the ship himself and put her under the protection of the ship’s captain until she reached the foreign shore. But even then, he felt very troubled. The journey would take anywhere from four to five weeks, depending on the weather, the winds, and a multitude of conditions. He had heard too many tales of ships that never made it across, sickness spreading throughout the passengers and crew, and other adversities that could befall them. But he also feared for his daughter arriving in this new world and the type of people who made up this melting pot country. He absently shook his head.
“What is it, Papa?” asked Elizabeth.
He turned to her with a sad look in his eyes. “You know what it is, my dearest Lizzy. I would give anything to talk you out of this right now and turn this carriage back around to the safety and security of Longbourn.”
“But Papa, this is an opportunity that I may never get again! Think of it! All of those places I have only read about. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner certainly would not have asked for us to come if they did not think it was safe. Do not worry about me. I shall be well.” Elizabeth smiled to reassure him. The only betrayal to her words and her smiling face was her rapidly beating heart. It continued to remind her how nervous she actually felt.
They soon saw the tall masts of the ships that were docked along the harbour on the River Thames. One of these very ships would transport the crew and passengers out to the eastern coast of England and down around the English Channel. From there they would sail out into the open seas of the Atlantic Ocean, farther from any source of land than either dared comprehend.
“Elizabeth, if anything were to happen to you…”
Elizabeth quickly put her hand over her father’s. “Nothing will happen to me, Papa. Please try not to worry.”
The smile he returned to her was weak. Elizabeth noticed, but did not comment on, the tears that welled up in his eyes. He quickly turned his head to look out the window of the carriage. She knew this was difficult for him and she wanted to do all she could to set his mind at rest. She could think of nothing else to say. She knew he would not rest easy until she was back here in his sight, in a few months.
A very soft, sad voice suddenly said, “We are almost to the port.” He brought his hand up and apprehensively pointed toward the harbour and then turned to her. “Are you sure, Lizzy, that I cannot talk you out of this?”
“This is something I have to do.” Elizabeth strained her head to look out the window. She saw the masts of the ships, some with sails completely unfurled and already sailing, and others with the sails still furled tightly about their masts. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat as she suddenly felt a wave of excitement pour through her. Yes, this would be a life changing adventure. I will not be the same when I come back!
*~*~*
As the carriage pulled up as close as they could to the dock, Elizabeth and her father kept their eyes on the ships they passed for the one on which they had booked her passage. It was one of the first of the packet ships that were being used to travel at regular intervals between London and New York. Her father had done much investigating into the ships that were offering passage to America and was most pleased with this particular one. Even though they could not afford a private room for Elizabeth, they understood that the steerage accommodations in this ship were one of the best.
Despite Elizabeth having to sleep with many other women and children far below the deck for the next month, he was sure she would be in good hands. But that was only the least of his worries concerning her. His only consolation was in believing that his second eldest daughter was not one to shrink from discomfort, draw back in fear, or yield to adversity. She would face anything head on, speak her mind if she felt any injustice, and would stand up to anyone who provoked her. Of all of his five daughters, he had to admit that Elizabeth was the only one he felt confident enough to make this kind of trip without some kind of mischance occurring. She was also his favourite, however, and knew that if anything happened to her, he would never be able to forgive himself.
James, the driver of the Bennets’ carriage, slowly pulled along the dock, keeping his eyes vigilantly searching for berth number 44, until he finally spotted it and the ship which would take his favourite of the Bennet ladies away. James had been their carriage driver for many years and had enjoyed many lively conversations with Elizabeth during his employ. She always took an interest in how he was doing, how his family was, and treated him as much an equal as anyone. She was sensible, intelligent, and very much a lady, but not afraid of getting her hands dirty or doing a little work. He often told her how much he regretted that she preferred to walk instead of ride, as she would walk to Meryton rather than require his services in the carriage.
His eyes took in the tall ship. There was a flurry of activity as the crew climbed up the masts and readied it for an imminent voyage. In an area just off the gangway, he saw carriages pulling up and unloading passengers and freight. He pulled up behind the last carriage and brought it to a halt.
Elizabeth had brought along one large trunk, which would be stowed down below in the ship. She had packed enough other items in a large, heavy duffel which she would keep with her in her accommodations.
When they stepped down from the carriage, her ticket was checked and her trunk taken. She was given her bed number and instructions on how to get down to the steerage deck.
Mr. Bennet tightly gripped Elizabeth’s arm and escorted her toward the ship as James went ahead of them with her duffel. It appeared that there were many people making this trip and that was comforting to Elizabeth. Surely they felt everything would be all right.
As they approached the ship, Mr. Bennet inquired of one of the crew where the ship’s captain might be.
“He is inside greeting everyone. Just step right on in and you will not miss him.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Bennet looked down at Elizabeth. “Seems like a nice, young man.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth laughed. She knew her father must have been scrutinizing everything and everyone on this ship. She felt that the captain would get the fiercest scrutiny. She only hoped he would live up to her father’s expectations, or she was certain he would haul her off this ship without one further thought.
When they stepped inside, there were several crewmen helping the passengers find their quarters. In the centre was an older gentleman, obviously the ship’s captain because of the uniform he was wearing. Elizabeth thought to herself, Older is preferable; that means much experience and maturity.
A crewman, standing by the captain, asked Mr. Bennet if he required assistance. Mr. Bennet politely declined, stating that he preferred speaking with the captain. He and Elizabeth waited until the captain was free and they stepped up to him.
“Good day, Sir. I am Captain Wendell. How may I be of assistance to you?”
Mr. Bennet introduced himself and Elizabeth. “My daughter is making this journey without anyone to accompany her, as much as I dislike the idea. I had been informed that, under these conditions, I might put her under your protection for the trip. Would you be willing, Sir, to accept that responsibility?”
“I have done it many times before, Mr. Bennet, and you can be confident I will do it again, especially for this young lady. I would be most happy to. We frequently have ladies who have to make the trip alone for one reason or another.”
Mr. Bennet looked somewhat relieved, but a lingering touch of nervousness spurred him to vigorously rub his hands together.
The captain turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, I will do everything in my power to assure a safe trip for you.” He glanced at her ticket. “You may proceed down to the steerage compartment for the ladies and children and get settled in there. Mr. Bennet, you need not worry. Once we are safely out at sea, I will be going down to give all of the ladies some common sense guidelines.”
Elizabeth and her father walked down the steps that took them first to the deck that accommodated people in private cabins. They followed the signs and proceeded down another two sets of stairs that took them to steerage. The steerage section had been divided; one side was for men and the other for women and children. They walked in and glanced around. It appeared clean enough, but very dark, with no natural light coming in save for the hatchway, which was now opened. Elizabeth was sharp enough to realize that in bad weather it would be tightly closed. The room was filled with bunk style beds, many of which already had a person or parcels upon them. They walked down the rows, looking for bed number twenty. That would be Elizabeth’s bed for the next month.
They found her bed and she was grateful it was a lower bunk. There was a small wooden chest next to each bed, where Elizabeth determined she would stow most of her possessions. Her large duffel would be stowed under the bed. They greeted a few people and Elizabeth was amazed at how many children were sailing. As they left to return up to the main deck, Elizabeth made a mental note of where the bath chambers were.
She knew, as she walked up the steps with her father, that each step was taking them closer to their inevitable moment of parting. Her arm was wrapped tightly around his as they came up and once again stepped into the sunlight. Word was being sent out among the passengers that all non-passengers would be required to disembark shortly.
Mr. Bennet turned to Elizabeth and cupped her face in his hands. “I will be praying for you each and every day, Lizzy. You can count on it.”
“Thank you, Papa. I appreciate that.”
“And it would not hurt for you to say a prayer each day, too. When you see the sun rise, thank God for taking you through the night. And every night, when you see the sun set…” He stopped, choking on his words. “When you see the sun set, thank God that he took you through another day.”
“Yes, Papa, I promise.” Elizabeth hugged her father and kissed his cheek. It seemed an eternity before he let go. Finally as they were giving the last call for visitors to leave, he turned slowly and walked away. She noticed his shoulders raise and lower in huge sigh. With one last look back at her, he exited the ship.
As the ship slowly pulled away from the dock, tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to wave at her father. She looked at the name of the ship on a hanging sign that was carved out in wood. It gave her hope that this crossing would be most exceptional. The name of the ship was Pemberley’s Promise.
Next!
