The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (5 page)

“The governor…” Sumner paused. He looked over at her and shook his head. “What was in your head last night with your behavior?”

“My behavior?” Cathryn countered. “If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about mine. Sumner! Randa?”

Sumner stared at his sister with his red-streaked eyes. “So it was you I heard outside the Garden house. Cathryn, so help me!”

“Oh,
pooh!
Do
not
start
with
me,
Sumner,”
she
retorted with a smile. “You are fortunate it was me and not her father! And you ask me what I was
thinking!”

His
eyebrow
cocked
to
the
side.
“I
believe
I
can’t
argue that point. Except, my dearest sister, this discussion has nothing to do with me. It is you the governor is concerned with. You have to realize that the governor has his
reasons for wanting to send you across the ocean. You need to trust him and it is only for a year.”

“Would you want to go, Sumner? I know no other
life but here. I love my home and I don’t want to be paraded about, Sumner. I won’t fit in. William
said…”

“Look,
Jalyn.
It
would
be
different
for
you.
I
know
the talk against the crown. I have listened and if it wasn’t for the governor I might say I couldn’t disagree with some of their points of view. But Jalyn, you are a part of their
society
by
your
blood.
I
can
imagine
you
would
be
well
sought after with all you have.”

“Would they accept you?” Cathryn countered.

“Don’t
look
at
me
in
that
manner.
They
don’t
accept
me fully
here,
either,
Jalyn.
I
have
been
well
looked
after.
Don’t I oversee all the plantations? Am I not included in all events?
I
owe
all
to
the
governor.
I
have
no
issues.
It
is
you that I have come to talk about, not me. The governor has several
reasons
for
his
desire
for
you
to
visit
England
at
this time. There is turmoil within the Colonies. Have you ever thought he wants you
safe?”

“I
would
feel
safer
here
than
in
a
place
where
I
know
no one. Do you not think my family will not try to marry me off?”

“I
don’t
know
your
family,
but
I
do
know
you,
Cathryn. I have faith you will be able to handle what is before you. You’re looking at it all wrong. It is your life, your destiny. A path you need to follow. We all have a path to choose. Why are you so afraid to follow such? You are no coward.”

She stared on her mother’s grave. She wiped her eyes, forcing back tears. “I know no one across the ocean, Sumner. What if they don’t like me? You tell me I’m no coward,
but
I
am.
I’m
so
scared
about
leaving
all
of
you
behind…Father,
you,
Juriah…my
home.
I’m
afraid
everything will change upon my return. I know how quickly all can change!” Her voice trailed off into the
wind.

Sumner expelled a sigh. He took her by her
shoulders, forcing
her
to
look
straight
into
his
eyes.

“I
understand.
I
do. But
what
you
are
asking
for
is
a
fantasy.
The
only
thing
that stays constant is the fact that the sun will rise in the morning.
Everything
else
will
change.
It
is
life.
You
now
have
a choice. To live your life or hide from it.

“Live your life, Jalyn, and have faith it will lead you to
happiness.”

The
sun
rose
across
the
eastern
skyline
giving
way
to
a new day. The tide was going out and her father had given warning that was when the ship would sail. Cathryn stood alongside
Tacy
on
the
deck
of
the
Victoria.
Her
heart
ripped apart as she gripped tight to the
railing.

She pleased her father greatly with her resignation to accept his decision, having done what her brother had
suggested.
Her
father
reminded
her
it
was
only
a
year
over
and over again, but saying goodbye had been the hardest of things.

“I
have
made
clear
my
intentions
to
your
grandparents in the letters you are to give them. I have stated plainly I have
given
you
a
year.
You
will
find
them
good,
kindly
people.
George
Cavanaugh
is
a
highly
respected
man.
Remember, it was your mother’s wish. I want you to enjoy yourself,” he said and cleared his throat.

His eyes betrayed his own reluctance of her departure. He squeezed her hand tightly.

“Time will go by quickly. You will
see.”

She
nodded
for
she
couldn’t
find
her
words.
Then
without
reservation,
she
threw
herself
into
her
father’s
arms
and clung
to
him
closely.
She
wanted
to
plead
for
him
to
let
her stay.
There
would
be
no
need
for
her
to
leave,
but
after
one look into his eyes, she had no alternative but to depart. He felt this the best course of action. Sumner’s words echoed that she needed to trust her
father.

“Remember
you
are
my
beloved
daughter,”
the
governor
whispered
for
her
ears
only,
breaking
from
the
embrace.

“And you, my beloved father,” she echoed.

Cathryn watched him depart the ship. Tears welled in her eyes. She hadn’t left port and already she felt desolate!

Tacy
leaned
into
her
ear.
“Miss
Cathryn,
everyone
else has gone below. Do you think we need to also?”

Deep in thought, she hadn’t noticed that most had
disappeared from the deck. She shook her
head.

“You can go below if you wish, Tacy. I want to stay above.”

She turned back to the railing and watched the land fade
into
the
distance.
Above,
gulls
glided
in
the
cool
breeze with waves crashing against the ship. A smile emerged as she saw a small group of dolphins riding the wave of the ship’s bow. She savored the
sight.

She felt a touch to her arm. Glancing back, she saw Tacy standing by her side, grimacing. “Are you well, Tacy?”

“I
don’t
think
so…”
Tacy
answered,
pausing
for
a
moment. Her face changed colors to a multitude of
shades
of green.
The
next
moment
Tacy
clung
to
the
side
of
the
ship. “Oh,
Miss…I
had
hoped
it
wouldn’t
be
like
last
time,” Tacy uttered, her hand clutching her stomach. “We aren’t even out of the harbor.”

“It
may
not
seem
such,
but
it
may
be
best
if
she
stayed on
deck,”
a
voice
said
from
behind
Cathryn.

She
didn’t
turn for
she
knew
who
it
was.
She
had
caught
sight
of
him
while boarding. Her father had acknowledged him;
she
ignored him.

“Of course it will pass after a few days,
I’m
certain.” Cathryn
breathed
deep
before
she
turned
to
Lieutenant Pennington. “I can well look after my maid. Thank you.”

“I have no doubt, Miss Blankenship. I’m offering my services
if
you
need
them,”
he
answered,
seemingly
amused by her situation. “Do you want me to call for someone to help
you?”

“Why would I do that? Do you not think I’m capable? Am I a helpless female?”

“You helpless? No,” he answered. He tilted his head with a mocking smile. “I will see you tonight at dinner then.”

Cathryn
drew
in
a
breath
to
hold
her
temper.
Her
arms wrapped
around
Tacy.
He
annoyed
her
beyond
reason.
Tacy turned back to the railing. She wouldn’t leave her maid. Tacy had been a part of her family since she had come to Charles Town.

She came over from England as an indentured servant. Tacy had told her she was in search of a better life. Sumner had had a differing opinion. “Paying off a debt of some sort is what I suspect.”

Cathryn had paid Sumner no mind. She didn’t care about the past of her maid. Governor Blankenship had released Tacy of her indentured service long ago and Tacy had decided to stay in his service as Cathryn’s personal maid.

Tacy had an Irish face, round, with an upturned nose, and slanting blue eyes. At times, Cathryn found her to be belligerent
with
an
acquired
look
of
pride
close
to
haughtiness for a servant. Tacy never held back her opinion. She could get away with it, with the responsive warmth in her smile and a touch of humor in her expression.

At
the
moment,
Tacy
was
in
no
mood
for
humor.
Cathryn helped her walk around until she collected herself. When
they
descended
below,
she
caught
a
glimpse
of
Lieutenant
Pennington
again.
She
didn’t
know
why
he
bothered her
so.

Cathryn
had
traveled
by
sea
before
with
her
family
and well
knew
that
most
travel
by
sea
was
arduous,
uncomfortable, and uncertain. It was fortunate that her father was in the position he was, for she had her own cabin, larger than most, with two boxlike bunks and a sitting area below the portal. In the corner there was a single washstand with a lavatory and chamber
pot.

She
helped
Tacy
to
her
bunk.
After
a
while,
Tacy’s
discomfort
eased
and
she
fell
asleep.
Cathryn
sat
down
on
the hard-back chair.

Her
father
had
promised
the
trip
would
be
quick,
a
little more
than
a
month.
Then
why,
she
wondered,
did
it
already feel like an eternity!

* * * *

Cathryn
didn’t
look
at
Lieutenant
Pennington
when
she entered the stateroom alongside the Montgomerys, but he stood and pulled out a chair that was between him and Captain Sanborn. She had no option but to
comply.

“I hope your maid is feeling better this evening,
Miss Blankenship,”
Captain
Joel
Sanborn
said,
greeting
her
with a
large
smile.
Captain
Sanborn
had
been
the
embodiment
of a
gentleman
in
his
efforts
to
make
Cathryn
feel
exceedingly welcome on board his
ship.

She
returned
his
smile
and
grudgingly
took
her
seat.
Next to her sat
Lieutenant
Pennington,
who
seemed set in making her voyage perfectly miserable. Across
from her were her chaperones for the trip, who had boarded the day before. She found them to be quite a pleasant
couple.

Olivia Montgomery was a middle-aged woman, who stood a head higher than her dowdy little husband,
Samuel Montgomery. The other seats remained vacant, for the guests felt
unwell.

“Poor Louis, he hasn’t felt well since we came on board. I told Livy, our nanny, to make sure he was well cared for,” Olivia acknowledged. “I hope the voyage goes better
soon.
Peter
seemed
peaked,
also.
I
will
be
drained
by the time we land in
England.”

“Rest
assured,
Mrs.
Montgomery,
it
will
pass.
It
takes
a few days to get the ocean under you. As you can see, we have quite a few missing at the table,” Captain Sanborn said. “Miss Blankenship, you seem to have quickly gotten your sea
legs.”

“Fortunate, indeed, Captain,” Cathryn answered. She picked
around
on
her
plate.
Mrs.
Montgomery
had
informed her that formal meals on board the ship were rare. Mrs. Montgomery seemed exacerbated; Cathryn
relieved.

“I hope you brought along books or sewing,” Captain Sanborn said. “Time will pass faster if your mind is occupied.”