Forever Young Birth Of A Nation (6 page)

“None. They seem to get enough daylight and
exercise thanks to the way you modified the ship.” She turned to
him then saying “I only nourish myself every 2
^nd
day,
and that seems to be working well. By me doing all of the care and
feeding, they have come to know me well.” In fact, she took each of
the five on deck for an hour every day that the weather allowed and
walked about the deck with them. She was always prompt to clean up
after their mess so that none of the crew had to be bothered with
it. It worked well enough being as there was not a lot to do to
fill the hours anyway, and it ensured that the animals would remain
healthy for the duration of the voyage. Angus was amused to note
that already the goats would follow her about like puppies when on
deck. She never bothered with lead or halter any more, and even had
learned to operate the boom-mounted cargo windlass to lift them
from and return them to the hold.

A young man came up the steps to the aft
deck and walked toward the two, smiling broadly. He had a shock of
dark wavy hair and piercing blue eyes that twinkled when he
laughed. Cosette thought
at twenty he looks nearly like Ian and
is nearly as tall too.

Angus said “Well Stuart, do you think you
are up to finding your brother when we arrive? New York is a big
place and there will be a lot of distractions.”

“How many banks can there be Uncle Angus? It
isn’t as if he has dropped out of sight or anything. He is
socializing with the elite of New York even now and how many of
them can there be? Cosette and I will find him, never fear. If we
do not find him the first day I will be surprised.”

Laughing at his enthusiasm Angus said “We
have to find New York first lad. I want you to be sure to stay with
Armando when he takes readings later today. You are to learn
everything there is to know about navigation in the coming weeks of
this voyage.”

“I will want to be in on that myself” said
Cosette with a smile.

“Ian never taught you?”

“No. We only sailed together across the
North Sea once and across the Channel once. I have wanted to learn
for some time now.”

Angus said “I have no doubt that you will
learn quickly then.”

Stuart said “Aye Cosette. You vampires are
quick learners.”

Tossing her head slightly Cosette laughed
and said “If not for all of the humans aboard this ship, I should
like to learn how to work in the rigging with the sails and such.
You have all taught me every knot that a sailor uses.”

The two men laughed heartily at that. Angus
said “Oh my yes! I can just see that. I wonder what my crew would
think to see you climb that rigging five times faster than any man
could!”

“Aye Uncle Angus, or better yet just leap to
the top of one of the masts from the deck!”

The three laughed heartily then at that
thought as
Elsie’s Cloud
plowed through the endless sea.

Ian read the invitation aloud to James at
the breakfast table at Bessie’s Boarding House
.

“Well Ian, it seems we are becoming fixtures
at events hosted by higher society in New York. Another gala at
Government House no less and it is to be tonight.”

“Hmmm. It is touted as a celebration of the
victory of the Crown over the rebels at Lexington and Concord in
April. They never did seize the arsenal they went to get, but they
succeeded in starting a war.”

“Yes. Don’t you think it is premature for
the British to celebrate this early?”

“Yes. The colonists took Fort Ticonderoga as
we heard from a fur trader just last night. I wonder if the high
command is trying to do this to negate the effect of the colonists
taking Ticonderoga.”

“Maybe it is designed to distract the public
from that and be a morale booster to the rich Tories in New York.
Are we still attending church today then?”

“Oh yes James. It would never do for two
bankers expecting to start up a bank to ignore attending church. We
will go again to the Anglican Church of New York this morning. It
may be that you will see Laura there” he said with a wink.

“Hah! If we do not see Rebecca mooning at
you today I will be surprised indeed.”

Ian chuckled and said “If she comes at all,
she will be with Colonel Grundy. I want no trouble with a senior
staff member of His Majesty’s forces in America over some lady.
That is no way to start up a bank my friend.”

“Well from where I sit, someone had better
tell her that” said James as he laughed heartily at his own joke.
Mrs. McKinley came in with her usual heaping platter of breakfast
goodies saying “This is only the second meal I have served to the
two of you since you came here. Wherever do you eat?”

Ian thought
wouldn’t you like to know!
And if we told you then what
? He looked at James and they both
laughed heartily, each knowing exactly what the other was
thinking.

At the church Ian and James both sat with
the Millhouses, James sitting next to Laura herself. After the
conclusion of the services, they all queued up at the door to shake
hands with the Bishop as they left. As they spoke with him outside
on the steps, Ian heard his name called. Turning he saw Rebecca
Davis coming toward him with another young lady. She was smiling
radiantly.

“Hello James. Hello Ian. I am so glad you
came today.” She came to Laura and hugged her and her mother and
aunt. Turning to Ian she smiled dazzlingly, saying “Are you going
to the Gala tonight?”

“Why yes. James and I both received
invitations only yesterday.”

“Oh, marvelous! Ian I am in a quandary. I
thought that perhaps Colonel Grundy was going to escort me, but he
has been sent to New Jersey by General Gage and no one knows when
he will return. I do so want to go and Papa is away. Would you be
so kind as to take me?” The two older ladies and the bishop all
looked at each other in astonishment at her audacity.

Even as he smiled Ian thought
Good night!
I cannot refuse in front of these people after saying I would
attend. And Grundy is sure to hear of this!
“Why Lady Rebecca,
it would be my pleasure indeed. When shall I come for you
then?”

“Oh please come at six o’clock, Ian.”

He thought
that is an hour before it
starts, but that can’t make it any worse for me.
He smiled even
more brilliantly as he said “Six o’clock it is then, Lady Rebecca.
I do look forward to it.” He then took her hand and raised it to
his lips, merely brushing the back of it. An electrical thrill
passed through Rebecca at that moment and her eyes sparkled.

“Then I shall see you at six, at our
house.”

“You shall indeed” he said with a bow and
then he turned to James and said “I am going to the bank to check
on the progress the workers made yesterday. I will be there with
the contractor for some time if you need me. Otherwise I will see
you back at Bessies’ later this afternoon.” Turning back to the
ladies he gave a slight bow and said “Until tonight ladies.”
Donning his black tri-corner hat he briskly walked away.

Rebecca was a bit disappointed, hoping to
have him over to eat lunch at their house, but she was excited at
the prospect of the evening ahead. Laura took her aside and they
walked some fifty feet away from the church entrance. She turned to
her and said “Are you as happy as you look right now?”

“Oh my Laura, yes I am! I am tingling even
now. I did so want to have him over for lunch too though. I did not
know how to stop him from leaving. I do hope I wasn’t too
obvious!”

Laura laughed at her friend then, saying “Oh
never. You were as subtle as any mare in heat” as she began to
laugh.

“Oh Laura! Shame on you! And in front of the
church no less. You talk like a hussy and here it is Sunday
morning!”

By now Laura was laughing uncontrollably as
she replied “I talk like a hussy? Indeed?” She then lowered her
voice to simulate her friend, tossed her hair back a bit and said
mockingly “Oh marvelous! I am in such a quandary! Oh Ian please do
take me. Please take me to the ball!” Rebecca’s mouth dropped open
and seeing that, Laura pointed at her as she shrieked in laughter.
Then Rebecca joined in laughing loud and raucously with her friend
as the others looked on in disbelief.

The modifications had been done nearly
exactly as Ian had specified. Minor corrections that were needed
were pointed out by Ian and noted by the contractor. Ian thanked
him for meeting him on a Sunday and the contractor departed.
Walking about the structure, Ian was well pleased with the results
to date. He departed to meet James at the boarding house then.

The two split up, Ian going to the Davis
house to pick up Rebecca. He easily found the place, a spacious two
story brick home in a really nice neighborhood, but not nearly as
big or opulent as the Millhouse mansion. The knock at the door was
immediately answered by Rebecca herself. She was beautifully
attired and Ian complimented her as he formally bowed slightly and
kissed her hand. She flushed slightly and drew him into the foyer.
A middle aged man in the uniform of a British officer came into the
foyer and Rebecca introduced Ian to her father. Ian thought
so
much for your father being away this evening, Rebecca.

Colonel Davis was of medium height and
weight with sandy colored hair and keen hazel colored eyes. He
invited Ian into the parlor to chat while Rebecca served both of
them tea.

They conversed a while then, Colonel Davis
asking about how Ian was progressing toward establishing the bank,
and somewhat about the fight he had with the pirates some years
ago. Ian asked him about his career as an officer in His Majesty’s
Army, and where they had lived before coming here.

Rebecca served tea and mentioned that Ian
had sailed to China and had been in Africa as well. A pleasant half
hour passed quickly. Ian found him to be a likeable sort, and
trustworthy. He sensed that the man possessed integrity and he
doted on his daughter, even while providing her the needed guidance
due a young lady of twenty years. He idly wondered why she was not
now married at that age. There was likely to be no shortage of
suitors for such a lovely young lady.

They departed together for Government House
in a hired carriage, passing by the new location for the bank.
Colonel Davis wanted to go in and look about for a bit so Ian
showed them around the place and indicated where his office and
James’ office were going to be. Shortly after that they arrived at
Government House and soon were mingling with all of the guests.

General Gage spotted them and gave all three
a warm greeting. When it came time to be seated for the banquet,
Gage had made arrangements for the three to be seated near him at
the head of the table. The Anglican Bishop of New York gave the
blessing and following that Gage led everyone in the traditional
toast with everyone saying ‘God save the King’. The banquet was
officially begun. Gage bid everyone to be seated and then he said
“This gala is to celebrate our past victory at Lexington-Concord
and also at Breed’s Hill in Boston. A toast then, to the loyal
soldiers of His Majesty’s armed forces of the Colonies who fight so
bravely against those who would rebel against their lawful king.”
The guests raised their goblets and several said “hear-hear!” as
they drank. Gage sat down and the servers brought the food and soon
enough all were eating.

Ian thought about the gala then, celebrating
a victory which had happened in the springtime and another one that
had happened maybe two months ago.
Gage must be worried in spite
of the two victories. Likely he knows that the colonists will take
all of the artillery from Ticonderoga and use them against them
somewhere. He is more concerned about this war than he lets on and
rightfully so, with the rebels scattered everywhere and controlling
nearly all of the land mass of the colonies.

He spotted James with Laura and noted how
happy the two were about the time they saw him and smiled, nodding
at both him and Rebecca. “Ian, I have never seen Laura this happy.
She really seems taken with James.”

“He is a fine man, and he seems to feel the
same way about her as best I can tell.”
And I wonder where that
will go, he being a vampire and her being human
he thought. The
meal passed pleasantly enough with Gage asking Ian about things he
had seen while in China. After a little over an hour, the guests
were encouraged to go to the dance hall where the music of Bach
could already be heard.

Ian immediately asked Rebecca to dance,
hoping to dodge yet another request from some guest for a
re-telling of his battle against the pirates or of weathering the
storm that followed. He genuinely liked her and appreciated her
finer qualities, sensing an innate fairness and compassion. She was
no empty-headed debutante and that weighed heavily in her favor in
his eyes. But other than a charming companion to a social event, he
had no designs concerning her. In fact he still hoped that Colonel
Grundy would not become too incensed at him taking her to the
gala.

As they made their way to the dance floor,
Rebecca apologized for lying to him concerning her father not being
able to accompany her. Ian, I so wanted to be with you this evening
that I lied to you about Papa not being able to bring me. Thank you
for not telling him what I did. Will you please forgive me?”

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or
offended, Rebecca” he said with a warm smile even as he wondered
again if this evening might not be a mistake.

They had completed four dances uninterrupted
and Rebecca was thrilled. She felt that she could dance all night
with this man and they talked easily. Ian was coming to really like
her and to appreciate her even more as the evening progressed. A
break came and the two made their way to where General Gage and
several ranking naval and army officers were gathered. There were
four bankers there and several wealthy merchants too. Some were
alone and some had their wives present. Gage beckoned to the two
and as they approached the group he took her hand and kissed the
back of it while he laughingly said “Rebecca, I thought that you
might keep Ian out there on the dance floor all evening long.”