Sea Mistress (29 page)

Why then, now that his moment had finally arrived wasn't he excited over the prospect?

Bess. It was because of Bess that he wasn't exhilarated by the knowledge that the ship was to belong entirely to him. Having a wife complicated matters, because although he wasn't ready to give up the sea, neither was he anxious to leave Bess's side. He'd come to love and need her that much.

And he'd promised her he wouldn't leave her, but how could he possibly keep his promise? Unless . . .

He could hire someone else to command the
Sea Mistress
on the voyages that took the vessel far from her new home in San Francisco. He himself could captain the ship for the short-distance runs.

Seth smiled. He'd found a solution to his problem. He wasn't ready to give up the sea, but then he also didn't need to be out on his vessel for months at a time. James Kelley would make an able captain. He'd hire James to make the long runs, while he would take the trips closer to home, like those to the Sandwich Islands. On those journeys, Bess could come with him if she wanted. Surely the mercantile would survive without her for a short time.

His grin widened. “Aye, I believe it will work!” His smile slipped a little. “As long as Bess's cousin has no objections.”

He thought of Bess's charm, the way she'd managed to wrap Edward about her little finger, and his good humor was restored.

Then he thought of the matter no more, for he had reached his destination. And the sign on the adobe building read,
THE BLANCHARD HOME FOR ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN.

Johnson Blanchard ran an orphanage? Seth was surprised. He heard the sound of children's voices and laughter, and he smiled as he raised his hand to knock. He shifted the box beneath his arm as he waited for someone to answer the summons.

An hour after Seth had left, Bess had bathed, dressed, and was waiting anxiously for her husband's return. She was agitated. The feeling that something terrible was going to happen wouldn't leave her, even when she reminded herself that it was the past playing with her mind. Seth had left her before, and although she knew for certain that he was coming back, she remembered the last time when he hadn't returned.

The hotel room was nice enough. James Kelley was downstairs, Seth had said, but Bess hadn't felt like visiting him, so she didn't know whether all the rooms were as nice as Seth's and hers. The lady who ran the place, Miss Willard, had been pleasant and accommodating, and Bess's bath had been scented, hot, and wonderfully relaxing.

But as she'd dressed, she'd become anxious again. How many times had she gone to the window to study the city? To look for Seth?

San Francisco was different than she'd expected, but she thought she would enjoy the challenge of setting up shop here. It seemed that people were everywhere she looked. There were shops and boarding houses and hotels, any type of establishment that one could think of with which to make money.

“Where are you, Seth?” she murmured, going to the window once again. Did he get to the man's house without incident?

He should be back by now, she thought.

Bess paced the room and worried about her husband's safe return.

 

 

“Yes?” The woman who opened the door was buxomly built with an attractive face. In her forties, Seth surmised.

“Is Mr. Blanchard in?” Seth asked.

“Mr. Blanchard?” she said with humor.

“I'm Seth Garret. I'm here to make a delivery to him.”

Something flickered in the woman's eyes. Her amusement vanished, and an unreadable look took its place. “Oh, oh yes, of course!” she said, gesturing for him to come inside. “Come right in, Captain. I'll tell him you're here.”

The sound of children was greater inside the house. Seth watched, smiling, as two boys barreled down the staircase from the second floor.

“I'll get you, Johnny!” one cried.

“No, no, you won't,” Johnny retorted, “cause I'm faster than you!”

The boys disappeared to other parts of the house, and a girl came out of the room to Seth's right. He watched her walk across the hall with a dignity that touched his heart. Orphans, he thought.

The girl stopped as she became aware of his presence. “Hello,” she said. Her chestnut-colored hair hung down past her shoulders. “Who are you?”

Seth gave her a smile. “My name is Garret. Captain Seth Garret.”

“Seth Garret,” she echoed with a blank look. Then she returned his smile. “That's a nice name.”

There was something missing in her smile, Seth thought. As if she had witnessed tragedy in her life and had never quite recovered from it.

“Maria.” The woman who had answered the door—who Seth assumed was Blanchard's wife— had returned from the back part of the house. “Go into the kitchen and have a pastry,” she told the girl. She gave Maria an affectionate hug before giving her a pat to send her on her way.

Mrs. Blanchard's gaze was apologetic. “I'm sorry, Captain. Maria is different from most other children. She was born . . . special . . . which is why, I suppose, her mother abandoned her when she was a baby.”

Seth felt overwhelming sympathy for the girl. “She seems happy,” he said, brightening with the knowledge that the girl was in the best hands. It was evident that Mrs. Blanchard loved Maria.

The two boys came out of a back room, one still chasing the other one. The woman grabbed the first child as he flew past her, before she reached for the second.

“Johnny and Zachary, stop your running,” she scolded, having successfully caught both boys. “What will Captain Garret think?”

Zachary regarded Seth through widened eyes. “You're a captain?”

Seth nodded.

“Of a ship?” Johnny asked. His brown hair was a little long on top and fell across his forehead, blocking his gaze. He made an effort to brush it back so that he could better see the captain.

“Yes, Johnny,” Seth said. “My ship is the
Sea Mistress.
She's a clipper ship.”

Both boys made murmurs of appreciation. “Can we see it?” Zachary asked.

“Now, boys,” Mrs. Blanchard said. “Captain Garret is a busy man. He doesn't have the time.”

Seth smiled, enjoying the youngsters' curiosity and enthusiasm. “Perhaps I can arrange it before I have to leave.” He looked at the woman and saw her frown. “As long as it's all right with Mrs. Blanchard.”

“Mrs. Blanchard!” Johnny exclaimed. “She's not—”

“Johnny!” the woman interrupted. “Run along and take Zach with you. Join Maria in the kitchen. I've just made pastries. You may each have one, and one only, for we still have supper.”

“Yes, mother!” they cried in unison, and scampered off again toward the back section of the house, their thoughts on the treat.

The woman watched them go with an affectionate smile before she turned back to Seth. “I apologize for those ruffians, Captain. They're good boys, really.”

“You don't have to apologize for those boys.” He hesitated and then asked. “How many children do you have here?”

“Fifteen,” she said. “We originally had sixteen, but our Thomas isn't here now. He's a man now, fully grown. He's gone back East to study. He's going to be a doctor some day.” She looked proud.

“Fine thing,” Seth commented, understanding her pride.

The woman smiled. “It wouldn't have been possible if not for my husband.” She grew flustered as if she'd spoken needlessly and said too much.

“Come into the study, Captain. My husband is waiting to see you.” She gestured toward the study door. “Go right in.”

Then she
was
married to Johnson Blanchard, Seth thought. He entered the study and froze.

“Hello, Seth.”

It was Joel Johnson who had waited to see him. Seth's former commander and friend. “Captain!” Seth exclaimed.

Joel grinned as he rose from behind his desk. “Come in, my boy, and sit down. And call me Joel, please. We've known each other a long time.”

Seth was feeling confused as he obeyed his former captain and took a seat in the chair before Joel's desk.

“Did. you have a good journey?” Joel asked, resuming his seat.

“Aye,” Seth said. “We did, but—”

“How is she? The
Sea Mistress
? Is she still as pretty as a picture? Are you staying on her while you're here?”

Seth shook his head. “I'm registered at the Willard Hotel,” he said slowly, racking his brain for why Joel was here. And where was this Johnson Blanchard?

“Do you have the box?” Joel asked

The younger man nodded. Johnson, Seth thought.

“I hired you, Seth,” his friend said. “I promised you a reward.”

“You? But why?”

“Aye, me. Because I wanted the box and I wanted you.” Joel eyed his former first officer thoroughly. “Because I want—need—to show you something. Someone.”

He grabbed his pipe, offered Seth a smoke, and when Seth declined, dismissed his own urge with a smile. “Do you recall those two weeks we spent with Edward Metcalfe in Wilmington?” Joel asked, watching him closely.

“Of course. You know that Bess and I—”

“Aye,” the man said. “You and Bess. She's the main reason you're here.”

Seth frowned in incomprehension. “Pardon?”

Joel opened a desk drawer and began to search, scowling when he couldn't immediately find what he was looking for. “Kate,” he bellowed as Seth had once heard him bellow on board ship.

The woman who had first let Seth in came into the room. “Joel, what is it? Why are you yelling so? You'll frighten the children!”

Seth was astonished to see the older sea captain back down. “Sorry, love,” the man said. “But Seth is here, and I can't find the key!”

She clucked her tongue as she went to the desk. “Did you try the bottom drawer? I'm sure you put it in the bottom desk drawer.”

Joel blushed. “No, I didn't check there.”

Kate pulled out the drawer and then handed Joel the key. “See, dear?” She rubbed his head with affection, running her fingers through his gray hair. “Honestly, love,” she scolded.

Joel grinned and then met Seth's surprised gaze. “Have you met my wife?”

“Well, of course we've met, Joel. I let Seth in.” “We have'nt been formally introduced,” Seth said, liking the woman and her effect on his old friend.
Why, Joel, you lucky devil. And you once a conformed bachelor!

It was Joel's turn to reprimand his wife gently, as he wanted to do the polite and proper thing. Seth learned that Kate Johnson was once Kate Blanchard, hence the name posted on the sign outside.

“Where's Matt?” Joel asked when the introductions were made and the proper comments expressed. The old sea captain's face had softened as he mentioned this name.

“I'll get him,” Kate said. Then she nodded to Seth and left to do it.

“Nice lady,” Seth said. “Joel, you lucky old sea dog!”

“Aye, Seth. Indeed, I am. Marriage agrees with me, I think.”

“Me, too.”

Joel jerked with surprise, his face paling. “You married?”

“Aye,” Seth said, wondering about his friend's odd reaction to the news. “To Elisabeth Mary Metcalfe.”

The older man blinked and then looked relieved. “Why, that's wonderful!” He started to chuckle. “How? When?”

“Coming over. In Brazil. You see, Bess came on board the
Sea Mistress
without my knowledge. I was angry at first.” He smiled at the memory. “Until I fell under her spell once again.”

“I received a letter from her, so I knew she'd come, but never,” Joel said, sputtering in his glee, “—never did I dream that you and she would come together!' ”

Joel saw Seth's confusion, and explained. “I wrote Bess and suggested she come out here. The opportunities for a merchant are limitless.” He inserted the key into the lock on the box. “She wrote back that she'd come. Edward was wise to give her the company. She's a smart woman. He would have been proud of her.”

“Edward?” Seth said. “Don't you mean George?”

“Who is George?”

Seth felt a burning sensation in his stomach. “Did you say that Bess was the head of the E. Metcalfe Co.?”

Joel frowned. “You mean you didn't know?”

The young captain shook his head.
She lied to you. She was the one at E. Metcalfe to hire you on.
But they were married now. Why hadn't she told him the truth?
What other deceptions is my wife guilty of?

“I shouldn't worry, boy,” Joel said. “She was probably saving it as a surprise for you. Or perhaps she wanted to see if you would marry her for herself and not for her wealth.”

But Seth wasn't satisfied. He was upset.

Kate Johnson returned to the study then with a little boy. The child had blonde hair and looked to be about four years old.

“Uncle Joeson,” the boy said as he crawled onto the old man's lap, “you wanted me?”

“Yes, Mattie. I want you to meet someone.”

Uncle Joeson.
Seth stared at the child, transfixed. Only one other person had called Joel Johnson by that name. The boy turned to regard Seth with curious blue eyes.

Bess. He looks like Bess.
Seth heard a roaring in his brain as his thoughts and suspicions spun in an emotional whirlwind. All he could see was that the boy before him looked like his wife. And had blue eyes like his own.

From a great distance, he heard Joel's voice. The word “father” broke through the haze clouding his mind, and he realized that the term had been spoken in connection with himself . . . and this child.

Seth forced the remaining cobwebs from his head. “He's mine.”

Joel gazed at him with eyes that were bright with tears. “Aye, my boy, he's a Garret all right.” He paused. “And a Metcalfe.”

A trembling seized hold of Seth as he studied his son. “Mattie?” he said. “Matthew?”

The boy grinned and climbed off Joel's lap, moving onto his father's. As he felt the weight of his son's body, Seth knew with certainty that the boy was his, for it felt right. It felt right to have the child within his arms.

A sudden commotion outside the room drew Joel's attention. “Darn those brats, Johnny and Zach!” But it was said with affection and no real anger toward either boy.

“Seth, I have to stop a fight before two of my young ones manage to kill each other.” He eyed the father and son, and was apparently relieved that the two seemed to be getting along. “I'll explain when I come back.” He touched Matt's head on his way toward the door. “Get to know your father, Matt. He's a real live sea captain.” He left to stop the argument, his one wooden leg clunking against the floor.

Mattie's blue eyes gleamed. “Truly? A real captain?” He looked to his father for confirmation and was pleased when he found it.

Seth's throat was tight, but he managed to give his son a smile. “Yes, son. I'm a captain of a great ship. We call her the
Sea Mistress.
”

The boy was beautiful, Seth mused. But what was he doing here?

And then he couldn't control his thoughts.
Because he didn't fit conveniently into Bess's life. She gave him away because she didn't care.