The Delirium Passage Read online

  I send my congratulations to you and your wife (at a proper time, I hope).

  I am confident of your success in whatever you are assigned, and pray I shall see you both soon,

  Wm. Mulholland

  “That’s … forty days,” Joseph said. “Wonderful, isn’t it?”

  “It’s not what I’d like, but it should give us enough time for telling our stories and planning,” Marion said.

  “Planning?” Neville asked. Ellen snorted.

  “There just won’t be as much planning if we must go.”

  “We?”

  “After what’s happened, you don’t think I will let my new husband out of my sight, do you? I understand captains can take their wives. Is it not true?”

  “I’m counting on it,” Ellen said, grinning.

  The End of an Era

  Epilogue

  Marion and Ellen spent considerable time searching in Marion’s closets for an old dress – or multiple old dresses – that might be fashioned into a new gown for her wedding scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 1807. Their search and planning continued until a strange thing happened.

  A small merchant ship arrived in the harbor flying both the French colors and a white flag. The guard boat for Jamaica Station quickly launched to inspect but returned to the beach in short time, while the French ship sailed away. Two hours later, Mr. Fries opened the door to find the guardsmen on horse, preceding a small wagon carrying two sea trunks. “This is for Miss Stillwater and Mrs. Dagleishe,” said the coxswain. He handed an envelope down to Mr. Fries. “I need not wait. Where shall I put the trunks?”

  Mr. Fries placed the letter on the side table in the little room that opened to the veranda where the women enjoyed taking their tea in the afternoon. When they came down the stairs later, Mrs. Potter called to them, “You have a letter outside.”

  “Curious,” Marion said. “Let’s sit with our tea and take a look. Do you recognize the hand?”

  “No, but it’s French. It is not ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs.’, but ‘Mlle.’ and ‘Mme’.”

  “Quite correct. Let’s get to the bottom of this.” Marion opened the envelope and extracted the letter.

  Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe

  14 June, 1807

  Dear Miss Stillwater and Mrs. Dagleishe,

  I pray you will accept the return of your trunks as my sincere apology for holding you against your wills and, if such be the case, delaying a wedding.

  I admit it took me some time to recover from your rude departure, but no one was truly injured. I must also congratulate you on marrying two very brave men. It always inspires me to see what lengths such men will go to for love.

  Madam Dufour is also saddened by your departure. She would dearly love for you to return someday as true visitors.

  You have my wishes for wonderful marriages.

  Cpt.-Gen Guadeloupe,

  Auguste Ernouf

  P.S. If you have any power to return my guards, I would appreciate such gesture.

  “What does he mean, trunks?”

  Mr. Fries appeared, carrying a tray of biscuits.

  “What is this, Mr. Fries? This letter mentions trunks. Are there trunks come with it?”

  “Yes, Miss, in the entry. They are quite battered. What should I do with them?”

  Marion an Ellen looked at each other a second; both jumped up and ran for the entry. Ellen began jumping up and down like a child, yelling, “It’s true! Our trunks. Your wedding dress! Everything!” Marion jumped once but was immediately reminded of her injury. The reminder did not diminish her excitement. “What a sweet man, after all,” she said. “Ellen, will you be good enough to fish out my dress. I so hope it’s not got mold or the moths.”

  “Everything’s in here, Marion. Travel toiletries, hats and scarves… and the dress.” She raised it, turned it back and forth, and proclaimed, “Like new, you lucky girl.”

  “Yes. I am a lucky girl.”

  The wedding was held on the lawn of Independence Hall overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea. It would have been unbearably hot had it not been for a cooling breeze that rustled the trees and the ladies’ dresses.

  Joseph stood as Best Man for Neville and Ellen stood as Marion’s Matron of Honor. Lt. Mason and another of Joseph’s officers flanked him. Two of Marion’s school girl friends added to a most glamorous procession.

  The time finally came: “I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  What’s a Good Captain’s Wife to do?

  Thanks

  The author wishes to recognize the efforts of, and thank people who were extremely helpful in, accomplishing the publication of this book:

  My wife, Carolyn, for her continuous patience and ideas,

  Joshua Courtright for cover design and proofreading

  Ms. Gayle Vaughan for again being my primary “Beta Reader”

  All those authors of this genre who have gone before, providing the inspiration and a basic understanding of life on a British warship in the Napoleonic era, and

  The internet and its contributors, without which/whom the original research necessary to complete such a tale would have been enough to stall my effort.

  Information from or about the following books was used:

  “A General History Of The Pyrates” by Captain Charles Johnson, 1724 book published in Britain containing biographies of contemporary pirates.

  “The Republic of Pirates”, by Colin Woodard (Harcourt, Inc. 2008)