Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty – Five

Ebony awoke the next morning with a fright. Her nightgown was damp and sticking to her body and her brow was slick with sweat. Her heart was pounding and her breathing was raspy. She was panicking. She didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to wake up at the time but something in her brain was making her. She fiddled with the ring on her finger – Henry’s ring – the one he’d placed there the night before. She spun it around and around her finger, using the little circle as an anchor point for her anxiety.

Looking down at the pretty sapphire, which she could see due to the rising sun spilling light into the room through a crack in the drapes, she smiled slightly. She was engaged. Had that really happened? Never in her wildest dreams could she have ever imagined that her life would turn out how it had. But just like Emilia, she would never regret it. If it hadn’t happened, she would still be living as the poor step-daughter of the drunkard barman, singing for change and watching Celeste scurry around and pinch from pockets. Vernon had done her a favour in a way. He’d brought her to Henry, and Henry would make her happy. He’d give her a family. A proper family. The kind that laughs, plays and loves each other.

Celeste was still sound asleep beside her. She was cuddling her pillow and breathing evenly.

Ebony climbed out of bed as quietly as possible and went to the window. She opened the drapes ever so slightly and then closed them behind her as not to wake Celeste. She knew it was happening. Perhaps it had already happened. Ebony just watched the sun. She watched it until it was truly day and the maids were knocking on the door for breakfast.

He was dead and it was over.

Ebony came out from behind the drapes and the young maid jumped.

“Begging your pardon, Miss,” she said apologetically with a northerner’s accent. She curtseyed and then continued laying out both Ebony and Celeste’s gowns for the day.

Ebony roused Celeste from her deep slumber and she lethargically stretched. “Morning,” Celeste mumbled. She yawned for a good five seconds. “Night.” She then hit her pillow again and feel back asleep instantly.

Ebony chuckled. “Leave her be,” she said to the maid. “She was up into the wee hours of the night dancing. She’s tired.” Her dress for the day was a plain ivory coloured gown. The skirt was pleated to add a little detail, but aside from that, it was simple. Ebony liked it.

The young maid nodded. She was a pretty, young girl. Her auburn hair was tucked underneath a white cap and her green, almond shaped eyes complimented a sweet, round face. She looked about Ebony’s age. “If I may, Miss, the downstairs folk wanted to congratulate you. Master Henry is a kind man.” She spoke of him fondly.

“Thank you,” Ebony said gratefully, looking down to her ring once more. “I know he is.” She looked back to the maid again. “Do you know if he’s awake?” she asked.

“Yes, Miss, he’s downstairs with Master James. Breakfast is being served. What time shall I wake Miss Celeste?” she asked, gesturing to the ungracefully sleeping Celeste. Her arms were outstretched across the bed as she slept on her front.

“Just leave her be,” she reiterated. “She’ll make her way downstairs eventually. There isn’t anything in particular planned for today, is there?” Ebony didn’t know if the maids were briefed on the social happenings. Perhaps.

“Well, his Lordship and Master James have a meeting with a few of his tenants. Her Ladyship is spending the day with Lady Kitty, consoling her while Admiral Aubrey packs, I believe. Lady Alice is working at the orphanage today and she’s taking the children with her. I’m unaware of Master Henry’s plans, but there is an engagement planned this evening, it being the summer season and all.”

Ebony was surprised at the full schedules that the family kept. Life went on, that was obvious. It waited for no-one. There was no point in staring out a window. She had a life to live. A life where she was engaged to be married. It would be a good life. A life filled with happiness.

Ebony dressed and left her wild hair as it was. Making her way downstairs, she spun her ring on her finger again. It was odd to feel it there. Surreal almost. She didn’t feel any different. Yet she was to be married before the year was out. But seeing Henry sitting with James at the dining room table, laughing over freshly cooked scones and cream made her feel something. An overwhelming sensation of pure, incomprehensible love. She loved Henry. It was effortless. Like breathing. He was hers and she was his. There was no other way around it.

He looked up at her and smiled. His brown eyes warmed instantly and his kind smile made his face crinkle ever so slightly in the most adorable way. His dark brown hair was slightly unkempt, as if he hadn’t brushed it. Much like her. He and James wore only their shirts without their cravats and coats. She liked it. It put a casual, homely feel in such a large, fine house.

“Good morning,” Henry said cheerily, both he and James rising from their chairs. Henry pulled the chair next to him out for her to sit in. Ebony took her seat, receiving a kiss on the cheek from Henry as he sat down beside her.

“Please,” James joked. “I’m eating!”

“Ignore him,” Henry told Ebony. “He’s just jealous.”

Ebony chuckled as she helped herself to a hard-boiled egg.

“Jealous?” James scoffed. “Have you not seen my wife?”

Ebony would grant him that, Alice was indeed very beautiful. She salted her egg and began to eat it.

Henry suddenly cleared his throat awkwardly. “It’s after nine,” he said quietly.

“I know,” Ebony replied nonchalantly.

“Were you two awake as well?” James asked. “I couldn’t sleep. I went into the children’s room and watched them sleep to distract me.”

“I was awake also.” Henry nodded. Both men looked to Ebony.

“It is over.” She sighed, looking up at both of them. “Let us not mention it again. This is a happy day. We are engaged.” She smiled at Henry warmly and took his hand underneath the table.

“That we are,” Henry confirmed, squeezing her hand.

Vernon’s name was never mentioned again. At least not for the following three days. Three days after the ball the Alcotts had all congregated at the docks to farewell William and his men as they set off on the HMS Scarlet for six months.

The vessel was enormous – Ebony had never seen it’s equal. Clean white sails were being strung and a British flag was flying high on the mast. At least fifty cannons were hidden behind little doors on the port side of the ship which meant another fifty were on the starboard. Ebony couldn’t imagine a sea battle and the need for such weapons but William had been there before.

Several wives were tearfully saying ‘goodbye’ to their husbands, but none were weeping as much as Kitty. She was practically strangling William with her arms so tightly holding his neck.

Their children stood around them, all teary, but not as distraught at their mother.

Emilia was holding onto the young twins, Josephine and Alexander, so that they did not wander too close to the edge of the dock. Ebony was beside Henry who looked quite sad to be seeing his brother-in-law, as did most of his family members. William had already farewelled everyone, Kitty was last.

“I love you,” he said to her, holding her in front of him so that he could look into her eyes.

“I love you more,” she sobbed, wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her royal blue gown.

William laughed lightly. “Simply impossible. You will never know how much I love you. I will be in Yorkshire by December fifteenth. I won’t be late, I promise you. We’ll have a proper Christmas together.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and then knelt down to see his children. He pulled the elder two, Will and Millie, into his arms and they hugged their father tightly.

“Papa, will you be at grandmamma’s house in time for my birthday?” Millie asked.

“I will do my absolute best to be there on your birthday, Millie,” he said sincerely. “But I’m going to bring you all home a special present when we dock in the Caribbean.” William pinched Millie’s cherub cheek lightly. “You’ll keep a close watch out on the horizon for me, won’t you?” he asked Will.

Will sniffed. “I will, papa.”

“Good boy,” he commended. “You two are the oldest. Look after mama. Make sure she doesn’t cry too much. I love you both so much.” He hugged them tightly and kissed the tops of their heads. “Josie, Alexander,” William called for the twins. Emilia released the four year olds and allowed them to go to their father. Will and Millie returned to Kitty’s side and held onto each of her hands. “I want you two to be on you best behaviour for mama,” he implored. “I don’t want to find out there’s been any naughtiness. Only mama is allowed to throw tantrums.” William threw a wink at Kitty which made her laugh through the tears. “I love you. Be good.” He hugged them tightly and kissed them just like the elder two. He stood up and kissed Kitty again.

It was time. Everyone knew it. It was time for him to go. Ebony couldn’t help but have a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was something wrong. But that was ridiculous. He was clearly an experienced naval man. He knew how to handle the helm of such a vessel.

The next six months were relatively normal. Not for Ebony of course, but for the life Henry lived.

The next six months were filled with dinners, balls, charity functions, trips the ballet, theatre and the occasional opera. She and Henry enjoyed their prolonged engagement. It allowed them to know each other properly. They learned everything about each other.

He learned that she had a particular hatred for facial hair.

She learned that his favourite book was Utopia by Thomas More. She also learned that he’d learnt Latin from reading it over and over.

He learned that Ebony could stand en pointe for exactly twelve seconds when she had her balance.

She learned that he’d always felt like the odd one out until he met her.

Exactly three months after the trial, a thick envelope arrived at Ethridge addressed to Ebony. She’d never received mail before … aside from the few notes she’d gotten from Henry while he was searching for Celeste.

It was a letter from the personal stationary of Judge Anderson.

Miss Seaver, it read.

This letter contains your share of Mr Shaw’s estate.

Though it cannot undo what wrongs were done to you, I hope you use it to make a new life for yourself.

I am a hard man usually. But in matters such as these I have the ability to understand. The personal matter in question is nothing of consequence, but I hope you were satisfied with my decision and verdict.

Sincerely yours,

Reginald Anderson.

The envelope contained bank notes adding up to one thousand pounds. Ebony had never seen so much money in her life! But as soon as she saw it, she knew if she used the money for herself, then it was tainted. She wasn’t a selfish person.

She’d spent a lot of time with Alice at the orphanage when she and Henry weren’t together and she could completely empathise with the children there. They, like her, were not being afforded a proper childhood. She removed enough to buy Celeste a Christmas present and gave the rest to the orphanage. She wanted those children to have what she never had. The grateful and touched looks on the faces of Alice and her colleagues made it all worth it.

But six months had passed and it was December. It had crept up on Ebony a little. She was so used to being engaged. The thought of being married suddenly made her quite anxious.

She was ready to be married though. She felt like an Alcott at heart. As did Celeste. They had been so very welcomed. The last stage that they had to go through was Christmas. The spouses of Henry’s sisters and brother had all been through the same thing. They’d come to Christmas as strangers and had left as family. She had an advantage though, she and Catherine were already friends.

It was December fifth. William would return in ten days and the wedding would be not long after that. Emilia’s altered wedding dress was in one of the trunks. Ebony had come across it when Emilia was fitting her for her custom wedding gown. When Emilia had seen Ebony so admiring it, she’d altered it immediately. Ebony was excited to wear a family heirloom. It was practically an antique. The turn of the century gown was a lovely classic and Ebony felt very privileged to be wearing it.

Henry and Ebony rode in a carriage with Celeste, Emilia and Sebastian. They happily discussed their traditions such as wassailing and carolling. Ebony was reminded that she would be expected to lead all the carolling.

“We finally have a singer in the family,” Emilia had said happily somewhere around the Yorkshire border.

Yorkshire was covered in a fresh layer of snow. It was so perfect and white. The houses looked like little clusters of snow mounds. It would be a majestic setting for her wedding. She couldn’t wait to see the little church.

“There it is,” Henry said, pointing out the window as the carriage came to a stop. Smoke was softly puffing out the chimney of the snow covered house. The windows were illuminated with candlelight and the faint smell of baked goods wafting through the air. “Nobody does Christmas like us, Ebony.” He offered her his hand and she took it, excited to begin the rest of her life.

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I'm getting excited for Christmas :) It's about 3 weeks until my family puts up our tree :) My mum hoards Christmas decorations (she's a little obsessed with snowmen) so it often looks like Santa Claus threw up in my house after we're done decorating :P

I learned something pretty incredible today. It's Rememberance Day and there was a story on the news this morning saying that in 1914 Australia's population was 5,000,000 and when the call came 400,000 young men enlisted in the Australian Army and 60,000 of them died. 400,000 from a 5,000,000 population. Incredible. Lest We Forget.

Today in my Human Structure and Function class, my best friend and I were doing revision and she had a blank and she's like "What are the four chemical elements that make up a person?" and we all know it's carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, so I decided to joke around and I said "Earth, wind, fire and air." And she started writing it down and I'm like "Uh, Tam, I just quoted Avatar to you." Hehehe. Yes, that show was amazing. I don't like Anime but that was one show I watched :) Then we were learning about the skeletal system and basically we have to memorise all 206 bones for the exam and I was like - "Did you ever see that episode of Hannah Montana?" and she goes "The Bone Dance?" So yeah, we're quietly singing "We're doing the bone dance, to study the answers, again and again till I get it right!" Yes, I watched Hannah Montana in my tween years :P

Aaaaaand then I got a nose bleed. It was gross. I looked weird. So that was my day!

One more chapter to go before the epilogue!!!

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