29
SEPTEMBER 1, 1727
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
I awoke on theOcean Cursewith dread. My heart was so sad, I could hardly lift my head off the pillow. I didn’t want today to come. I didn’t want to face whatever God had ordained for Marcus. I prayed, once again, that a miracle would happen. I admired Marcus for his honor and conviction—yet I wished there was another way.
His cot was empty, and he was not in the cabin. My heart beat so hard, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I pushed aside the covers, needing to see him. To be certain he was still with me.
It was dark outside, but a slice of light on the eastern horizon told me it was morning. I could see the dark outlines of other ships in the harbor, but I didn’t have a view of Boston.
A small, unfamiliar chest on the table caught my eye.
Gently, I lifted the curved lid and my breath stilled.
Inside was a beautiful burgundy gown, with all the trimmings. Stockings, undergarments, petticoats, panniers, shoes, and a hat.
I slowly lifted the skirt out of the chest, marveling at the beautiful silk creation. Where had it come from? I could only assume it was for me, but how had Marcus found it?
I didn’t waste any time discarding my old clothes and binding. The gown was exquisite and had a cream-colored stomacher with burgundy flowers and green leaves embroidered in silk thread. There was a matching lace tucker to be worn around the neck and chest, and the ruffled cuff of my shift peeked out from the ends of the elbow-length sleeves, adding a bit of elegance.
Even with the gift of this gown, the heaviness of today was like a bucket of water, dousing the flames of happiness. I tried not to cry as I styled my hair. There was no mirror to see my reflection, but it had to be a vast improvement from what it had been.
The sun had just crested the horizon when I stepped out of Marcus’s cabin. Timothy had told me that ever since Ned left, the whispers about a Jonah had died away. Even though the crew would realize I was a woman, there was little they could do about it now. My presence—or my real identity—would come as a shock, but none of it mattered since I would be leaving the ship, most likely forever.
The storm had passed in the night, and the salty sea air felt fresh and clean.
Every deckhand on the ship stopped their early morning chores to stare at me. Some even removed their hats when my gaze met theirs.
I walked down the steps from the poop deck to the quarterdeck and found Hawk standing guard outside the outer room.
His mouth slipped open at my arrival, and he smiled. “You look lovely, Miss Caroline.”
“Thank you, Hawk. Do you know where Marcus found this gown?”
“He sent Timothy on a mission into town overnight.” Hawk’s eyes glowed with happiness. “Said he woke up the proprietor, but paid her so nicely, she didn’t mind.”
“I’ll need to thank Timothy and Marcus.”
Hawk nodded toward the crew staring at me on the main deck. “I’ve got some explaining to do.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He laughed. “Are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring you breakfast.”
“I couldn’t eat a bite.” My stomach was in such turmoil, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be hungry again. “Where is Marcus?”
“He’s putting his things in order. The launch is getting ready to take us into Boston.”
“I know Marcus said that you’ll take me to Salem today.” I swallowed, hoping Hawk wasn’t upset about the request. “But I want to stay in Boston to speak to Governor Dummer on Marcus’s behalf.”
He tilted his head and said, “I don’t know about that. Marcus might not like it.”
“I know he won’t, but I cannot leave him.”
“You’ll have to speak to him about it.” He opened the door to the outer room, and I entered without him.
The door to the captain’s cabin opened at the same moment, and Marcus appeared in the doorway.
