Chapter 1
Oswego, New York
Late June 1872
Elise Wright watched her sister, Caroline, as she greeted the wedding guests. Caroline was five years her junior, and Elise wanted to be happy for her but found it difficult. Caroline hadn’t sought their father’s advice, or even Elise’s, about her marriage. Of course, her sister was so distanced from the family that when Mama died the year before, Caroline hardly even seemed upset. Elise had tried not to hate her for her callous attitude, but it required a great deal of prayer. Now Caroline wanted Elise and their father to be happy about her marrying into New York society to a man none of them really knew.
Still, Caroline seemed happy as she moved effortlessly in her ivory wedding gown of satin ruching and lace upon lace. The long train didn’t seem to slow her in the least, nor did the trailing tulle veil. She was radiant and full of energy. Maybe she truly had married for love rather than money and position.
“She is beautiful, isn’t she?” their father whispered against Elise’s ear.
“She is. And she seems so happy. Nelson must be the right man for her.” They’d met Nelson Worthington only a few days ago.
Her father nodded. “I had my doubts, but your uncle James assured me he was from a good family. They’re in church every Sunday. Your mama would be happy to know that.”
“I don’t know that it would be enough. Mama used to say that Satan himself is in church every Sunday. The purpose in being there is what really matters.”
Her father smiled. “You’re so like her. How I miss her.” His joy seemed to fade.
“I do too, Papa.” She let him hug her close despite her very tight corset and uncomfortable clothes. She knew her father was just as miserable in the fancy suit that Uncle James let him borrow. As if reading her thoughts, Papa loosened his tie.
“It’s been a little more than a year, and yet it seems like she was here just yesterday,” her father whispered. “Other days it feels like she’s been gone forever.”
“I know, Papa. It’s that way for me too.”
He gazed out across the garden reception. “She would love seeing your sister get what she wanted for her wedding.”
“It would have been nice if Caroline had given more consideration to what you and Mama wanted.” Elise struggled with the anger she felt toward her sister. Caroline had hurt their parents so much with her choices. She never seemed to think of anyone but herself.
“We used to talk about you girls getting married. We worried about having enough money to give you a nice wedding. I regret that your uncle is paying for this. I offered him money—what Icould—but he said it was their delight to give this wedding to Caroline. What could I say?”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about giving me this kind of wedding. I can scarcely breathe, much less enjoy myself, in restrictive gowns like this.” She looked down at the lavender creation she wore. “I feel completely out of sorts. Especially with this bustle. Goodness, whoever created such a thing?” She glanced over her shoulder and then gave her father a smile. “Besides, I don’t intend to marry. I’m married to theMary Elise,” she said, referencing their ship.
Her father roared with laughter, causing many of Oswego’s social elite to look their way. It would no doubt be a terrible embarrassment to Caroline, who hated that she was from a ship captain’s family and spoke very little of it. Elise had heard from her cousins that Caroline told people their father was quite wealthy and chose to captain a ship for pure pleasure. Elise herself had heard her sister say their father took to sailing because it was his favorite thing to do, and he was very eccentric.
The truth was, however, that Elise and her sister had both grown up on ships, and money was often scarce. When Uncle James got into the shipping business six years ago, he had helped Papa buy theMary Elise—a three-masted schooner named after Elise and Caroline’s mother and grandmother. Elise loved life on the lakes and had helped their mother in the galley, but Caroline had enjoyed when they stayed with Uncle James and his family. She had taken to the life of a wealthy socialite and never wanted to return to their shipboard life. More than once, Caroline had made their mother cry, and Elise hated that Caroline had been so heartless. Her sister was only a child at the time, so Mama had encouraged everyone to be patient with her, but as theyears passed, the tantrums only increased. Caroline would cry for hours. She would take to her bed and swear that ship life was killing her. By the time she was fifteen, Mama and Papa had given up. They allowed her to live with Mama’s wealthy brother and his family.
Uncle James had been Mama’s support throughout the years. Even when she ran away to elope with Papa, he had been the one to make it possible. When he’d offered to let the girls come live with him and his family, it wasn’t a surprise. He had told his sister that the girls would never get good husbands if they weren’t trained properly. Mama and Papa left it up to Elise as to whether she wanted to join her sister. She didn’t.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” her cousin Louis asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“It’s everything I expected it would be.” Elise gave him a smile. “What about you?”
“I’d rather be anywhere else in the world,” he answered, returning the smile.
“You mean you don’t like dressing up in tight-fitting suits?” Papa asked.
“As much as any fellow ever has at these occasions. Being here just reminds every would-be bride that I’m eligible to marry.” Even though he was three years younger than Elise, at twenty-two, Louis seemed to have a very stable outlook on life.
Elise giggled. She had watched a bevy of frilly young ladies flock around her male cousins all day.
“Go ahead and laugh, but it’s torment for me. At least Caroline and her young man seem happy. A father could hardly ask for more.” Louis looked at Elise. “She did, however, step out of line and marry before her older sister.”
“Oh, I am not finding her position enviable,” Elise replied, hugging her father’s arm. “Besides, being married hasn’t seemed harmful to your brother Randolph. He looks quite content.” She nodded toward the tall, handsome man who stood smiling into the face of his wife.
“They’re absolutely gone over each other. It’s so embarrassing, but our mother’s greatest triumph. Well, at least until now, with Caroline. Mother just loves pairing us all up.” Louis grinned. “If Elise sticks around, Mother is convinced she can get her married off as well. She loves having people to fuss over. I suppose they’re like china dolls to dress up and arrange.”
“Well, I’d just as soon Elise stay with me awhile longer,” her father declared. “After all, if she were gone, who would cook for the men on theMary Elise?” He winked at her.
