Call of the Sea (4 page)

She giggled and dropped to her knees at his side, wisely setting the bucket out of his reach. “Good boy.” She set to work undoing the bandage, her little pink tongue jutting between her teeth.

Daniel watched her face twist and contort with rapt amusement.

She finished removing the bandage and poked along the thin line where the wound had been. When he didn’t react with his usual exaggerated whimper, she smiled wide. “You’re right as rain. I bet there won’t even be a scar.”

He flopped onto his stomach and sniffed in the direction of the bucket.
Give the pet his treat now.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right, breakfast time.” She reached back and grabbed the pail, setting it before him.

Daniel stuffed his face into the bucket and grabbed a mouthful of fresh fish. While he chewed the succulent feast, he studied Ellie. She didn’t look like she usually did when she visited. Gone was the simple frock, the bare feet. Instead, she appeared dressed for a party. Her flaming red locks were tucked neatly beneath a wide straw hat while the lilac dress and matching slippers she wore looked well-made and expensive.

Curiosity niggled at him. Where could she be going? What if something happened to her and she didn’t return to the beach? The captain would never forgive him for failing to watch over her.

Ellie got to her feet and brushed the sand from her clothes. “I’m afraid I can’t stay today. Mama’s taking me into town.” She grinned wide.

Unsure of a better way to keep her there, Daniel let out a small whimper and shuffled closer to her. He nudged her leg with his nose.

“Don’t be silly. Mama will be mad if I stay and play. Besides, I’ll get my dress all dirty. I promise I’ll come back later and check on you.”

Before Daniel could mount a protest, Ellie spun about and ran across the sand. When she reached the bottom of the winding path, she turned back and waved at him. “I’ll see you later.” She disappeared behind the dunes.

Daniel let out a long sigh. He’d never met anyone that moved as fast as Ellie, or as much. She never sat still. No wonder her father thought she needed a watchful eye. It was either that or strap an anchor to her bottom to hold her in place. He snorted as he imagined her dragging the giant iron behind her as she climbed the hill to her cottage and disappeared over the ledge.

Once he was sure Ellie wouldn’t come barreling back down the hill, Daniel wiggled himself behind the rocks. He gulped the air, closed his eyes and concentrated on his human form. He focused on what it felt like to walk on two legs, to speak.

After a few moments, the familiar warm tingle started at the tip of his tail. The heat worked its way higher, until his entire body hummed with energy. A hard cramp seized his side, drawing a grunt of pain.

Daniel pressed his front flippers into the cramp and squeezed his eyes tight, willing the change to progress faster. His whiskers retracted and the familiar sounds of cracking bones and popping joints filled his ears. His skin prickled as it loosened to make way for the growth of bone and muscle. Daniel fought the urge to scream when his body elongated and contorted.

He lay panting on the sand while the tingling heat in his body subsided. Daniel cracked open one eye. Soft pink flesh replaced thick brown sealskin. He pushed shaking hands into the sand and struggled to his knees. Not until his limbs stopped quivering did he dare try to stand. His gaze shifted to where Ellie had disappeared. He needed to dress quickly if he planned to follow them into town.

Daniel grabbed his discarded sealskin from the sand and, with a quick glance to ensure no one was about, darted around the rock outcropping. He stumbled on still weak legs.

Dropping to his knees on the other side of the rocks, Daniel pulled his clothing from a little cavern formed from the space between two boulders and got dressed. He stuffed his sealskin in the dark nook and pushed to his feet.

Taking a deep breath, Daniel squared his shoulders and headed after his charge.

***

A wide smile split Ellie’s face as she followed her mother down the sandy road leading to Newquay. She sipped at the salt-kissed air and raised her face to the warm sun, exhilarated. Aside from the appearance of her new pet, nothing exciting ever happened on the barren dunes where their house sat. But a trip to town held infinite possibilities.

“Are we going to the mercantile, Mama?” Ellie’s voice lit with hope. Mr. Jameson was always nice to her, giving her candy from his bottomless right front pocket every time he saw her. She often wondered if the storeowner kept them just for her, or if other children also benefited from his magical pocket.

“Yes, and to your father’s office. I need to collect some paperwork.”

Ellie’s pulse jumped.
The wharf!

She loved the Newquay docks. The wide wooden planks always teemed with activity and provided mooring to beautiful ships from all over the world. The last time Papa had taken her to his office, Ellie had seen a ship with four masts.

A shiver ran through her. She’d been unable to tear her eyes away from the mammoth vessel as it weighed anchor, or its billowing sails when the dark hull sliced through the waves heading for ports unknown.

Ellie skipped and danced alongside Mama, a wide smile affixed to her cheeks. She spun a quick pirouette.

Her mother reached for her, catching Ellie by the hand. “Settle yourself. Stay close to me and behave like a lady, please.” Mama gave her hand a light squeeze. “Like I know you can.”

Clamping down on her exuberance, Ellie slowed her steps. “Yes, Mama.” She swung her gaze to the path ahead. One more little rise before they would be able to see the wharf.

It was all Ellie could do to keep her feet from sprinting to the top of the hill. She focused on keeping her hand relaxed within her mother’s and her breathing even.

Just a bit further.

Upon reaching the crest of the last hill, the grass-covered dunes fell away to reveal the bustling harbor below. Men scrambled up and down the long piers packed with all shapes and sizes of vessels, from fishing boat to fully rigged brigantine. Sunlight shimmered off the waves beyond the docks like they were coated in gold.

Ellie shielded her eyes from the sun and scanned the assembled vessels for any sign of her father’s ship. She knew it wouldn’t be there, but couldn’t stop the twinge of disappointment when she didn’t see it.

Before her spirits had time to deflate, they arrived at Jameson’s Mercantile. Mama pushed open the shop door, a tinkling bell announcing their arrival.

The stout Mr. Jameson looked up from his post behind a long oak counter. A wide grin split his face. “Why, it’s the fearless privateer, Elysandra Winters, and her lovely mother.”

Ellie beamed at the grand title, shoulders and chin lifting.

He beckoned them with a fat-fingered hand. “Come in, ladies, come in.”

“Good day, Mr. Jameson.” Ellie shifted her weight to the balls of her feet, back to her heels. She clasped her hands behind her back, like she’d seen Papa do when he discussed important matters. “How’s business?”

A few rolling steps brought Mr. Jameson around the counter. He squatted before Ellie, emitting a grunt of effort as he came eye to eye with her. “Business is good.” He reached two fingers into his vest pocket and produced a foiled treat. “Just got these in from London.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Would you like one, Captain?” His gaze shifted up to Mama. “Assuming you have your mother’s permission?”

“She can have one,” Mama said.

Ellie snatched up the candy. “Thanks, Mr. Jameson.” With a twist of the wrapping, she freed the sweet treat and popped it into her mouth. The confection filled her cheek. She imagined she resembled a rather satisfied chipmunk.

Mr. Jameson winked at Ellie, stood, and addressed Mama. “What can I do for you today, Mrs. Winters?”

“Hopefully, quite a bit. Ellie needs some new clothing. Her wardrobe, while satisfactory for Newquay, is not suitable for Truro.”

Ellie froze mid-chew.
Truro?
Her gaze swept to her mother.
Why would I be going there?
She tried to swallow down a mouthful of sticky candy.

“She will need a new cloak, two day dresses, and one more for social calls.” Her mother tapped her chin, eyes skyward, as if reading the items from a list that hovered above her head. “Shoes and underclothes, as well.” Her gaze flicked to Ellie. “What do you have stored in your trunk at home?”

Ellie gulped down the candy rock lodged in her throat. An icy chill ran along her arms.
Why would I need my trunk?
“It’s…um…fine. Just a few blankets in it.” She forced the words past her lips. “Why, Mama?”

“I’ll explain later.” Mama turned back to Mr. Jameson. “That should be enough to start. How long do you think it will take to procure everything?”

It was all Ellie could do to take a full breath. She felt as if she were drowning all over again. A small squeak erupted from her.

The storeowner cast a concerned glance her way, cleared his throat, and smiled at Mama. “Two weeks, three at most. We can get the fittings done now, and I received a shipment of fabrics last month, so that won’t be a problem either.”

Mama clasped her hands together. “Perfect. I knew we could count on you, Mr. Jameson.”

“Always happy to be of service, ma’am.” He swung about and called toward the back of the store. “Mira, come out here, please.”

A petite girl no more than sixteen with long black braids and Mr. Jameson’s green eyes emerged from a doorway behind the counter, a measuring tape draped around her thin shoulders. “Yes, Da?”

“Get the child’s measurements while I show Mrs. Winters the fabrics we have to choose from.”

“Of course.” Mira turned to Ellie, offered a warm smile. “Come with me.” She draped a hand over Ellie’s shoulder and guided her toward a short pedestal surrounded on three sides by tall mirrors.

Numb, Ellie stepped onto the dais, her gaze settling on her own stricken reflection. Wide eyes looked back at her from a round ashen face.

What have I done wrong? Why does Mama want to send me away?

The rest of the afternoon swept past in a blur. Ellie managed to utter a few words when addressed, but her head spun with the devastating news. She barely remembered leaving Jameson’s shop or the short trip from there to her father’s office. Preoccupied with her racing thoughts, Ellie hadn’t even noticed her beloved ships when she walked past them. It wasn’t until she and her mother trekked up the hill away from the wharf that Ellie managed to pull herself to full awareness and find her voice. “Why am I going to Truro, Mama?”

Her mother stopped walking, let out a sigh and faced Ellie. “Your father managed to get you into their new boarding school, St. Brigid’s.” Her lips stretched into an impossibly wide grin, as if she were imparting the most wonderful news. “You’ll be taught to read and write, how to cook and sew. Everything a proper young lady needs to know.”

A cold hand wrapped around Ellie’s heart and squeezed. Her mind struggled to form a cohesive thought. She opened her mouth, closed it, and wiped damp palms on her dress. “Does Papa know about this?”

Her mother nodded. “We discussed it before he sailed.” She cleared her throat. “After you almost drowned.”

The hitch in her mother’s voice stabbed Ellie with guilt. “Do I have to go?”

“Yes, Ellie, you do.”

Ellie’s shoulders slumped with resignation. She knew that voice. There’d be no arguing. She huffed a sigh, lowered her head and gave the only response she could.

“Yes, Mama.”

Chapter Five

Ellie waited until the moon perched high outside her bedroom window and she could hear her mother’s soft snoring in the next room before she dared slip from her bed. The mattress bowed and creaked beneath her as she pushed to her feet. Not bothering with slippers, she tip-toed across the cool floor.

There’s no seashore in Truro.

She took a deep breath and pushed up the window sash.

Salt air rushed in to play with the curtains and welcome Ellie to the night. She inhaled as much as her lungs would hold.

It won’t stay in. Soon I’ll forget what the sea smells like.

Ellie puffed a sigh. She climbed out the window and dropped to her feet in the shimmering sand. After a short hesitation to ensure her mother hadn’t heard her escape, Ellie pushed away from the house and streaked across the moon-swept dunes.

Arms and legs pumped at a breakneck pace as Ellie raced down the steep, winding path to the beach.

Herbert Finkle was right. I’m never gonna be a privateer.

Her chest ached by the time Ellie came to a stop at the edge of the crashing surf. The wet sand sank beneath her feet while the cool frothy waves crept up to tickle her toes. She stood there, staring at the waves dancing in the bright moonlight, until her vision blurred with unshed tears.

In three short weeks, she’d leave and not be back till Christmas. Four long months.
Practically forever
. Ellie lifted her gaze to the stars.

They don’t want me anymore. I’m an embarrassment.

“It’s not true.”

Papa knew I was leaving and still didn’t bother to say goodbye.

Ellie dropped to her bottom in the wet sand with a huff. She drew her knees to her chest, wrapped goose-bumped arms about them, and rocked herself in a gentle rhythm.

***

He couldn’t just leave her like that. He remembered too well what it felt like to be where she sat, to be utterly alone.

Before he could change his mind, Daniel propelled himself a few feet from the protection of the rocks. Sure, he’d promised the captain he’d keep Ellie safe until it was time for her to start school, but he’d not anticipated this reaction. He wanted Captain Winters’ trust, needed the offered job, but not if it meant destroying the girl.

The wind carried her sorrow to his ears and formed a tight knot in his stomach. He cringed when her little shoulders shook with her quiet sobbing. His front flippers dug into the sand as he waddled another few feet toward her.