My Dear Sophy (10 page)

It was very good to be home.

The trio made their way slowly back to the rectory. Connie was flattered at the outpouring of love and welcome they met. Every few feet they were stopped by someone else offering blessings and joy to the reunited family. Mrs. Croft was like a peacock, proud of her handsome son who had done so well for himself and who she could now show off to her friends.

As each person stopped to say hello, Connie carefully placed names and faces. All the years he'd been gone, he had still exchanged long and detailed letters with his mother. He had made them as frequent as being on the other side of the world would allow. His parents knew of his trials and triumphs and he knew much of the Milverton gossip.

In the last letter he'd learned that Doctor Wentworth had delivered his eighth baby of the month, which everyone considered a new Milverton record – and had kept both doctor and rector in an endless round of deliveries and baptisms. And his mother had said a new curate had recently moved to Preston-Bowyer. His mother had said that the young curate had made quite an impression on Reverend Croft, and apparently on all the girls in the village. His mother had also reported that this was expected to be a good harvest season. That meant that many of the families would have an easy winter, hopefully without too much sickness.

On those long voyages across the oceans to the other side of the world, those little tidbits of gossip helped him immensely. They were signs that he still had a way to reach his beloved family. On those cold nights and hot days when the wind wasn't behaving and the men were even worse, during those times he could be very lonely. Especially now that he was a captain, separated from his men by the invisible but very real barrier of authority, no longer truly comfortable being below decks with them, and afraid to distinguish anyone too much by repeatedly having them at his own dining table. At those lonely times he read and reread the letters from his mother, remembering exactly how his mother and father would speak, imagining their faces as they related all the news from home. That had kept him sane on more than one long, dark night.

And so, even though he longed to have his mother and father to himself, to soak up as much of their love as he could before venturing back to the sea, Connie forgave the townspeople their enthusiasm because he knew that it stemmed from their genuine love and affection for his parents.

Soon enough, the nuclear group had made it back to the rectory where they found a fine and simple luncheon set out for them. Connie enjoyed a few bites of the blessedly fresh food – even being the one in charge of a naval ship didn't excuse him from the monotony of shipboard fare, not to mention the preserved nature of it – before the questions began in earnest.

“
Your return is such a surprise, Connie! However did you manage it?” His mother asked.

“
Yes,” the Reverend chimed in, “you haven't abandoned the sea life, have you son?”

Chuckling, Connie responded, “Of course not, father. Besides, I believe His Majesty's Navy would find me, no matter where in the world I tried to go. Did you know that in Jamaica we picked up a man from Scotland who'd already been pressed once and thought he'd made his escape?” Connie shook his head, commiserating with the unfortunate fellow. “His Majesty is loath to let any man leave his clutches.”

“
Poor man,” Mrs. Croft sighed.

“
Nonsense, my dear. He must do his duty and fight the enemies of the crown,” Reverend Croft had quite decided opinions on doing one's duty, especially to God and the government.

“
I am afraid the problem will only worsen as the war continues,” Connie sighed. “There are never enough sailors to fully man all our ships. We lose so many to disease, nevermind our battle engagements with the French.” All three fell into silent meditation on this point. He could train the men for battle, help them stay alive in the midst of gunfire, but it was disheartening to know that he could do virtually nothing to stop the ravaging of disease.

“
Oh my dear,” Mrs. Croft began, “what a sad topic. So many mothers...” She trailed off. Connie knew that his tenderhearted mother was thinking of all the mothers who had lost their sons and feeling grateful that she was not yet among that number. “I am an extremely lucky woman.” She smiled at her son. “And one who
still
has not been offered an answer. What brings you back home so unexpectedly, my dear son?”

“
Ah, yes --” Reverend Croft began.

“
No! No!” His wife cried out, waving her hand in her husband's face. “You are not to speak, my love, until Connie has offered us his tale. You will only drive him once again from the point and my mother's heart will be unequal to the task of waiting.”

Reverend Croft made an exaggerated show of pinching his lips together and motioning for his son to speak. Connie could see the mischief in both his parents' eyes. They were happy scolding each other. It was something they had done for all of Connie's life, and it was how he could tell if they ever spoke in true anger.
Mrs. Croft adored playing the put-upon wife, patiently bearing with her husband's silly whims. And Reverend Croft had perfected the look of a hen-pecked husband. He wore it now as his son began to tell what had brought him back to Milverton after a fourteen year absence.

“
When I last wrote you, mother, had I mentioned that we were headed to the West Indies?” His parents both nodded their heads.

“
Well, I thought we would join the fleet out there for awhile, have a nice cruise on the
Pleasant
. As my first real command aboard the ship, I thought we'd be assigned some small duties around the islands. But when we arrived, the admiral turned us right around and sent us as a convoy ship back to England! I must say that the men were sorely disappointed. As was I.”

“
Why were you disappointed? Did you all not want to see Mother England again?” Mrs. Croft asked, only half joking. She had always stayed close to home and could not quite understand her son's desire to be so far away.

“
Frankly, no,” Connie laughed. “Aside from the rampant disease in the islands, the men much prefer Jamaica to Plymouth. Much more opportunity for actual work. Not to mention prize money. We rarely meet French or Spanish ships in the middle of the ocean or in an English port. And on convoy, we could not pursue those ships even if we spotted them. That opportunity for prize money from the ships we take is what motivates most of the men to stay with me. Take that away and the voyage becomes very much more difficult in all respects.” Connie became reflective. “I guess I never quite understood the burden of command Captain Howell suffered when we were on the
Baron
. Trying to keep a crew together and, if not quite happy, at least not unhappy enough to mutiny.”

They all three shuddered at that word. “Don't mention mutiny, son,” the Reverend begged. “Your mother and I live in fear that something will happen to you and that is one of the worst things, especially now that you have command of your own ship.”

Though it was a real fear, especially as the Navy became more desperate for sailors and less able to pay them, Connie tried to reassure his parents. “No need to worry, father. I try to run a strict but fair ship. My sailors have redress for their complaints and I have not yet had to issue public punishment. I count myself quite a lucky man, all in all.”

“
As you should,” his father agreed.

“
I cannot condone the war,” his mother added, “but it has brought you much success, so I must be thankful to it for something.”

“
To the Navy.” Connie raised his glass in a toast.

“
The Navy.” His parents echoed. When they had taken a drink, his mother piped up again.

“
And yet we still have not established what exactly has brought you home!”

“
Patience was never your strong suit, mother,” Connie said, laughing heartily.

“
No, it is not. So please have mercy and do not delay your explanation any longer!” She pleaded.

“
Well, all right, mother,” Connie conceded, winking at his father. “The trade convoy brought us into Watchet, where we received orders to Portsmouth. The journey will only take us a few days' sailing – depending on the winds – so I decided to remain at Watchet with the express purpose of surprising you and father. I left O'Brian in charge and here I am.” Connie made a flourish to present his person.

“
And here you are,” his father beamed at him. “For a few blessed days. We shall endeavor to make the most of them.”

“
Here! Here!” Connie toasted. Again they raised their glasses together as laughter filled the room.

* * *

Down the road at the Wentworth house, the mood was much less exuberant and the family was less than thrilled with their own reunion. In contrast to the warm welcome the townspeople had offered Connie, stopping to shake his hand and pat him on the back, the same people had largely avoided the cluster of Wentworths. No one dared disturb them.

Though they were left alone by the townspeople, Doctor Wentworth refrained from speaking about Freddy's disappearance until the family – who had all missed their breakfast and were now quite hungry, as well as being tired and angry – had partaken of their luncheon. Sophy was grateful for this, not only because the effort of searching and worrying had quite famished her, but also because she hoped a meal would give everyone a chance to reflect and calm themselves.

Her parent certainly seemed to be reflecting on something. He left them all in an uncomfortable silence during the meal. A few times Edward tried to begin a conversation about that naval gentleman who had come to town. But each time he was met with unenthusiastic responses from his siblings and quickly dropped the subject. Sophy felt sorry for him, but she was also occupied in reflecting on the whirlwind morning that had passed. A brother lost and found again and a new gentleman – a handsome and charming one, at that – come to town. Not only that, Captain Croft had been responsible for the return of her brother. She must let her father know this detail as soon as she could. He at least owed the gentleman a word of thanks.

Soon enough their simple luncheon was over. The tension in the room built even further as all four parties anticipated a heated confrontation. Her father sighed loudly and leaned back in his chair. He had clearly decided it was time to speak.

“
Sophy, Edward, will you excuse your brother and I? We have something to discuss.”

“
Papa,” said Freddy before his siblings could rise out of their chairs, “please let them stay for a moment. I have something I would like to say to everyone.”

Sophy was curious to hear what Freddy had to say and looked at her father for permission to remain in her chair. Freddy had never used that tone before. He seemed to be concentrating on his next words.

Her father nodded to indicate that Edward and Sophy could stay. He appeared to be as curious as Sophy about what it was that Freddy wanted to say. He was, even if he yelled at them, a fair man and Sophy trusted that he would listen with an open mind.

It took Freddy a moment to gather his thoughts and start speaking. He finally took a deep breath and said, “I am sorry. Papa, Sophy, Edward.” Freddy looked at the each in turn, true repentance in his eyes. “I am truly sorry for the trouble I have caused today, yesterday, all the days lately. All week I have been bristling under your watchful eyes. Papa, you know we've argued time and again about me acting more like a man than a boy. Instead of listening to you, I assumed you were wrong. I thought I was already acting like a man. I
felt
myself to be a man and I couldn't see why you were always so angry with me.

“
As I walked out of town this morning, limping because – as you said, Papa – my leg had not fully healed, I realized that I had done about the most childish thing it was possible to do. I had thought to run away and prove I was a man. But I met Captain Croft on the road and he talked to me like a man, he looked at me and saw me for who I
want
to be, not the child I have been. And I finally saw what you have been telling me.” Freddy paused for a moment and the room remained silent. Anxious in the face of the silence, Freddy rushed on.

“
And so I can only say that I am sorry for the trouble. It was the action of a
boy
who wanted to be a man so badly that he did the most childish thing he could think of. And who did not think of anyone but himself. I am sorry.”

Edward, who was sitting nearest to Freddy at the table, leaned over and punched his brother in the arm. The brothers smiled at each other. “Apology accepted. But that was still a silly thing to do. And you can be sure I will roast you about it for a long, long time.” Freddy accepted this punishment with good humor, though he was afraid to smile until his Papa had spoken.

“
Thank you, Edward,” Papa spoke with a tone that said he was not amused. The atmosphere grew depressed again. “Now please excuse your brother and I. We have a long-overdue discussion to have with one another.”

Sophy rose from her chair and followed Edward from the room. She had been pleased to hear Freddy's sincere apology. She hoped her father would be appeased. He could hardly fail to see Freddy's sincerity.