The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (7 page)

“You
will
find
I
have
a
confession.
I’m
not
well
versed with my father’s family. I have heard the name, I
believe, but you would know better than I,” Cathryn heard herself explain.

She didn’t add that her father never talked of his family, good or bad. He hadn’t even expressed his insistence for her to meet with them.

“Ah,
family
matters.
I
suppose
it
is
hard
to
keep
up
with such
across
the
ocean,
but
I
can
well
imagine
they
have
kept up with you.”

“And
why
would
you
say
that?
To
be
honest,
I’m
tired of everyone saying that I will be sought after. Why? William
said
they
treated
him
as
a
commoner.
The
lowest
of
the low. His family is the most respected in the county. If
they treated William such, who am
I?”

He
laughed,
a
loud
hearty
laugh
that
resounded
over
the deck.
Mrs.
Montgomery
looked
over
her
shoulder.
A
sudden
hush fell around Cathryn. Her annoyance once again rose with humiliation. The wind blew her hair, freeing strands that encircled her face. She brushed them out of her eyes. She started to walk by
him.

He
reached
out,
stopping
her
progression.
“You’re
serious. Don’t go. Please, I meant no harm. Stay at least until you aren’t mad
anymore.”

His hand rested upon hers. He disturbed her. Everything about him disturbed her, but at the moment she was tired
and
so
dreadfully
homesick.
“I
don’t
believe
we
could wait that long.”

She
withdrew
her
hand
from
his
and
walked
back
to
her cabin without even a word toward the
Montgomerys.

By midday, Tacy began to show signs of improving…that was until the rains descended. Then the winds howled and waves crashed against the bow. Not long after, the captain sent word that everyone should remain in their cabins.

With the ship rocking back and forth, the roll and pitch of the ship affected Cathryn. Her eyes hurt from the dimness of the light through the portal; her stomach queasy. Never had she endured such miserable conditions.

Still dressed in her gown from the day before, Cathryn rose with red, swollen eyes. Last night, she had cried herself to sleep. She had been gone no more than a day, and was despondent beyond belief.

How she missed Elm Bluff! She wanted someone to explain how marrying William could have been worse than this!

Though, Cathryn had begun to suspect her father’s insistence she depart for England had more to do with the threat of violence within the Colonies than his desire for her to have a Season. She hadn’t paid attention to the talk of the turmoil, but over dinner last evening, the men’s conversation was consumed on the subject.

Mr. Montgomery explained the frustration of the people being taxed without representation, having to house the soldiers, and how there were those who were calling for independence up in Virginia and Boston. Rumors had already broken out in Boston.

Lieutenant Pennington held to the Crown’s view which was the first time Cathryn found herself in agreement with the lieutenant. With her father’s position high within the ranks of the British government, her stance could be no other than to stand behind the Crown.

“How long do you think this cursed storm will last?” Tacy lifted her head.

Cathryn ignored her question, but she doubted Tacy expected an answer. “The Captain sent his cabin boy down with some broth and bread. He said it would help with your stomach.”

Tacy shifted uncomfortably. “I am better. I think.” Then she fell back down on her cot. “Oh, I don’t know!”

“The whole of the ship is probably sick after this storm,” Cathryn said, wiping Tacy’s brow. The poor thing looked so white and pale against the sheets. Taking a piece of the bread, Cathryn broke it into a smaller piece. “Eat a bit. You need to try to keep something down.”

Cathryn fanned herself while Tacy sat up and ate. How warm and stale the cabin was! Thankfully it wasn’t July. She could well imagine it would be as an oven. Leaning against the wall, she stretched her aching back.

“Tacy, you are supposed to know this British society I’m to step into. Do you not? I mean Father said you served with an aristocratic family.”

Tacy nodded slowly. “Yes, Miss Cathryn. The Albemarles. A fine family.”

Cathryn hesitated. There were lines that servants and mistresses weren’t supposed to cross, but the Tacy she knew was bluntly honest and would tell her the information she sought. Her father always told her that the servants knew more about their lives than they did themselves.

“Why then does everyone tell me that I will be accepted into London society so readily? I can’t imagine for the life of me why. Won’t they look down upon me as a simpleton from the Colonies as they did William? But I suppose my father having been a governor for the Crown…”

“Give me but a moment.” Tacy winced as if she once more felt a wave of nausea. She squeezed Cathryn’s hand and waited for the feeling to subside.

“Miss, that’s an easy question. It’s nothin’ that anyone kept from you. It’s just the Peytons are high society in Charles Town and when they cross the pond, they’re not. You are. Your grandfather was an earl and your mother has her line connected with the King himself.”

“So it’s my birth…that’s all.” Cathryn wiped Tacy’s bow again.

Tacy took in a deep breath. “Not all. As with most things in life, what men cling to the most. You’re an heiress, Miss Cathryn. You must realize that. You being Governor Blankenship’s only daughter.”

“I’m sure my father has taken care of me, Tacy, but I wouldn’t go so far as being considered such…”

Tacy shook her head and swung her feet off her bed. “I’m going to get up if it’s the last thing I do,” she said, determined. Gripping tightly to the side of the cot, she attempted to rise. She paused for a moment and glanced over at Cathryn. “You’re a sweet thing most times, as long as you don’t lose that temper of yours, but so naïve.

“You must know that your dowry is considerable. Why, I’ve heard that not only you inherited a substantial sum from your mother, but it is common knowledge that your father has significant assets from his dealings in Antigua…and,” Tacy leaned over and whispered. “It is whispered that the good governor inherited the bulk of his father’s wealth, which is unheard for a second son. You are quite an heiress. That’s why I don’t know why your father didn’t tell you all of this before you left. There are fortune hunters out there.”

“Because I’m not marrying anyone in England,” Cathryn stated. “I promised Father a year. Then I’m going home.”

“Yes, ma’am, if you say so,” Tacy said. “I don’t think your father cared as long as you left.”

“So you think that he believes a war is coming?”

“Something is in the air, Miss Cathryn. That I know,” she said and tried to stand. Her hands pressed against the wall as the ship swayed. “This I do know also, Miss Cathryn. As much as I appreciate you looking after me and all, this will never do in England.”

“So you want me to leave you?” Cathryn smiled. The news hadn’t been bad. Her worries about being shunned when she stepped onto her parents’ home country began to fade.

“Of course, quarters are close in a ship,” Tacy said, straightening herself out to full height. “But when we get to England, I’ll help you with what’s proper. I promise you.”

“I believe I will need you to assist me, Tacy,” Cathryn acknowledged. “I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

Tacy chuckled, “Mind you, Miss. There’s only so much I can do.”

* * * *

In time, Tacy recovered sufficiently, but the Montgomerys weren’t as fortunate. Word came the whole of the family had succumbed to rough waters. Oh, the weather has to break soon!

A knock disturbed the quiet. Cathryn opened the door to discover Captain Sanborn’s cabin boy.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Miss Blankenship. The captain was wondering if your maid was feeling better.”

Cathryn glanced back over her shoulder. Tacy nodded. “Yes, I believe she is. Does he have need of her?”

“There is a matter he wishes to speak of with her, if you don’t mind.”

“But of course,” Cathryn replied. “We will follow you.”

From the look of the boy, she realized that Captain Sanborn wanted only Tacy, but she couldn’t stand another minute in the cabin. She needed to escape the four confining walls if only for a moment.

Cathryn stepped out of the cabin to be bombarded by the sounds of the ship. Moans and groans resonated around her. A scream of pure pain sent a shiver down her spine.

Tacy caught hold of Cathryn’s arm before entering the Captain’s quarters. Drenched, Captain Sanborn sat behind his desk. Without question he had only removed himself from the deck. He glanced up when the boy knocked upon his open door.

“Ah, Miss Blankenship,” Captain Sanborn stood. “I’m glad to see the weather hasn’t bothered you and to see your maid regain her health. I have a favor to ask. I have to apologize, for this matter has never occurred, and I’m at a loss as to the right course of action.”

“I have found that the truth is always a good approach,” Cathryn said. “But I’m confused to why you have need of my maid.”

Captain Sanborn stared at her intently for a moment. “Of course, you are correct. I want you to understand that my options are limited,” He went on, looking toward Tacy. “Have you, ma’am, helped in a delivery of a child before?”

Tacy’s eyes widened. Cathryn could have laughed out loud. Tacy fainted at the sight of blood. She sobered quickly from the serious expression on the captain’s face.

“Tacy is a wonderful maid, but…a nurse, let us just say, sickness bothers her.”

“It is an urgent matter. I wouldn’t ask otherwise. Could you at least attempt to help?” Captain Sanborn asked Tacy directly. “One of my passengers, a young girl that came aboard with her aunt is in labor. It is not her time. Too early I’m told, but she obstinately refuses help from my medical officer. She seems to have a fear of men. Can you not see what you can do?”

Tacy’s face turned pale once more, but her eyes fell upon Cathryn. “I’m no good at those things, but now the Misses here…she has a way about her.”

“Miss Blankenship?” Captain Sanborn questioned Tacy, as if it was an impossibility. “I can see if there is another woman in the passenger’s quarters that could help.”

Cathryn’s mind raced. She had been with Juriah when she was needed with a birth of one of her father’s slaves, but she had never done so herself.

Of course, there had been the horses. She wasn’t supposed to be there, but she had discovered she loved the moment when a new life emerged. But to help deliver a baby alone?

“We’ll go together to see what help we can offer. I’m not certain what we can do, Captain, but we will do what we can,” Cathryn finally said with the greatest reluctance.

Following the captain out of the cabin, she eyed her maid harshly. Leaning into Tacy, she whispered, “She has a way about her?”

“Well, what did you want me to say, Miss? It’s what Miss Juriah has always said about you.”

“Not about delivering babies, Tacy!”

“Well, ma’am, it was either you or me, and it certainly ain’t gonna be me,” Tacy shot back.

The captain glanced back over his shoulder. His eyes conveyed his uncertainty about his decision to let the two women help.

Tacy smiled broadly. “We’ll be just fine, Captain, sir.”

A piercing screech halted Cathryn at the entrance of the cabin. Her legs felt like they were about to buckle. She prayed she wouldn’t crumbled on the floor.

From behind her, Tacy grabbed hold of Cathryn’s hand tightly. Cathryn jerked it back. She squared her shoulders. Composing herself, she entered.

Nothing prepared her, though for the sight— large brown…frightened eyes stared at her. The young, tiny girl was sweating profusely, twisting back and forth relentlessly from one side to another. She moaned.

Cathryn shoved Tacy forward, for her maid had frozen in her spot. Toward the corner, an older plump woman sat clenching her copious bosom to still her fluttering heart. Cathryn recognized her. Fanny Peterson.

Charles Town wasn’t a large community. Most knew each other within their social circle. Cathryn wondered, though, who lay in the bed.

“Mrs. Peterson?” Cathryn asked, surprised, but didn’t have time to continue with her train of thought.

The girl screamed and clutched her stomach. The young one seemed oblivious to everything except the medical officer who stood helplessly by the edge of the bed.

Another scream pierced the thick air, playing upon Cathryn’s already frayed nerves. Turning to the officer, Cathryn demanded, “Pray, sir, unless you feel you are helping at this moment, leave!”

Unsure whether to do as she commanded, the medical officer hesitated. The captain nodded and the officer withdrew.

Cathryn turned to Captain Sanborn and said, “I’m afraid you will have to leave also, at least until I can calm the situation.”

Tacy smiled at the captain with a nod that seemed to say told you so. Cathryn paid her maid no mind. Instead, she began giving instructions.

“See to it that we have all we need. Hot water and towels and whatever else that medical officer thinks will be useful.”

Tacy did as she was told and left quietly. Cathryn knelt beside the bed. She asked Mrs. Peterson, softly, “What is her name?”

“Mary, Mary Montross. Oh, Miss Blankenship. I didn’t know he would impose upon you. She’s so afraid of that officer. I couldn’t calm her. Oh, this is bad. So bad. The poor little thing,” Mrs. Peterson rambled. She rose and moved over beside Cathryn, crowding her. “Mary, it will be okay. My dear, tell her.”

Losing patience, Cathryn snapped, “Mrs. Peterson, why don’t you step outside with the others?”

She waited until Mrs. Peterson shut the door behind her. Then, she took the small thing’s hand and rubbed it gently.

“Mary, they are all gone,” Cathryn said in a soothing voice. “I’m going to help you through this. You need to believe that. Do you understand?”

The dark-eyed girl nodded. She didn’t seem to be able to speak as tears ran freely down her cheeks. Cathryn wiped them back.

The girl could be no more than thirteen, fourteen at the most. She was small in stature with a sweet timid face. The tiny thing looked as though she would get lost upon the bed. She lay with her dark hair dripping wet and sweat pouring down her face.

“Help me,” Mary whispered. “I’m going to die.”

“No, no. I won’t let you,” Cathryn said stubbornly. Her mind raced to when she had helped Juriah. Bits and pieces came back to her.
Give comfort, maintain calm, and time
…Babies always seemed to take such a long time.

The young girl clutched Cathryn’s hand and Cathryn let her. Tacy rushed back into the room and set a bowl of water on the table beside the table. Cathryn took a wet cloth and wiped the girl’s brow as she had done with Tacy. She couldn’t do more at the moment than wait.