Page 3 of Discovering Grace

“Not in the least.” Mrs. Carlbury waved her hand before her as though she could brush the idea of sailing thieves away as one might a gnat. “Our navy has cleared the seas and, as you said, the war is over.”

Hope moved to the edge of her chair and leaned forward, as though she could not get close enough to the conversation. “Which of us do you wish to accompany you on your journey?”

Grace’s eyes darted to her sister’s, and she barely stifled a gasp at the naked longing in her sister’s eyes. Did Hope not understand what it would mean to go on such a journey? To be away for nearly a year, whatever the adventure might be, with the uncertainty of traveling over an entire ocean in a small boat—No. Even Hope could not be so reckless a spirit as that.

“I thought it best to let your family talk it over amongst yourselves,” Mrs. Carlbury said, turning to look from Mama to Papa. “You know your daughters best, and surely Irene ought not be pressed to decide between her two closest friends.”

“It would truly prove too difficult a task,” Irene insisted, lowering her eyes momentarily. “You have both been so kind to me since we came to the neighborhood. I love you equally, as I must, and I would be grateful to have either of you on this adventure. I wish I could bring you both.”

Her mother patted her daughter’s hand in a soothing manner. “We did discuss the possibility of such, but the expense and strain of travel is not to be taken on lightly. I could not possibly deprive you of both your daughters, either.”

“A wise thought.” Papa met Grace’s eyes and she saw his lips turn downward, then he looked to Hope, and the frown deepened. He saw the light of adventure in her sister’s eyes too, it would seem. Given he had recently lectured Hope on improper conduct, the prospect of letting her out of his sight could not be a happy one. “We shall discuss it as a family. When do you need a decision?”

“The sooner, the better. We leave in a fortnight, after packing and securing the house. Then we shall go to London to buy up what we need for the journey. As I have made the voyage there and back before, you can be certain I know exactly what is needed.” Mrs. Carlbury stood. “You must remember that I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the voyage. I assure you, whichever of the Miss Everlys makes the journey, I will look after her as if she is my very own.”

Papa and Mama had risen, as had Hope and Grace. With the alarming nature of the visit shared, their guests had nothing further to discuss. Sinking her hands into her skirts at her side, Grace clutched at the cloth as though it were an anchor keeping her firmly at home and away from the sea.

Why did either of them need to go? Perhaps once she reasoned with Papa, Mama, and Hope, they could reject the idea altogether. As much as she enjoyed Irene’s company, Grace had no desire to part with home and family for a foreign land.

“Thank you, Mrs. Carlbury. I do not doubt you on that account one whit.” Mama, ever the gracious lady, did not betray what she felt to their neighbor. In fact, she sounded grateful for the extension of the invitation.

Grace followed as they all walked to the front door again, no longer paying attention to Mrs. Carlbury’s words as she discussed plans for closing up her house. Instead she watched her sister, sensing the building happiness in her sister through the air between them. Her heart ached at the idea of parting from Hope for so long.

Neither of them would go. Surely Papa and Mama would make certain of that.

After their guests drove away, Papa closed the door. He turned toward Grace, Hope, and Mama, his intelligent eyes taking them in. Grace bit her bottom lip, waiting for him to pronounce the very idea of one of them going a ridiculous scheme. Instead, he sighed and offered them a chagrined expression.

“Do we even need to discuss who will go?”

Hope stood on her toes, her hands raising to cover her heart. “Oh, Papa, really? You will allow it?”

Mama stepped to his side, sliding her arm through his in an easy manner born from many years of practice. Grace’s heart sunk when she saw no evidence of hesitation upon her mother’s face. “We know our girls,” she said. “Hope has always wanted an adventure.”

Grace’s stomach dropped all the way to her toes, and she took a step back from her family. “No, Mama. You cannot mean it—”

Hope’s squeal of delight drowned out Grace’s whispered plea. She covered her mouth, as shocked at her outburst as she was by Hope’s clear delight in the decision. Had her sister not thought of what it would mean?

“Thank you,” Hope sang out, her voice echoing through the hallway. Grace winced, wondering if the whole county might hear her sister’s happiness “At last, something marvelous has finally happened.” She leaped forward and embraced first Mama, then Papa, laughing all the while. At last she turned to Grace, her pleasure undimmed when she took up her hands. “Grace, I am so happy. I wish you could come too.”

Was that to be her only regret expressed on the matter? Grace ought to point out all the dangers ahead, all the drawbacks of leaving a settled and civilized country for the wildness of an ocean voyage and a visit to untamed islands. Months aboard a ship, even longer in the tropical climate, with foreign people and no family nearby for support. What about privateers? What of hurricanes?

When she hesitated to answer, Hope’s excited grin started to fade. All the elder twin had ever wanted, ever dreamed of, was to experience wild and exciting exploits.

The Carlburys had been and come back again from the West Indies. They were experienced travelers. They had given Hope the very thing her heart most desired.

Grace affected a pleasant expression. “We both know I could not enjoy it half so much as you. Congratulations.” Those simple words, which Grace had to force from her tongue, were enough to brighten Hope’s mood again.

“Come, let us find our atlas. We must plot the voyage.” Hope took up Grace’s hand and tugged her along, as she had all through their childhood, determined to make Grace enjoy the very things that made her most uncomfortable.

Whatever would Grace do without her sister?

* * *

As always when he visited the Everly family, Jacob Barnes knocked smartly at the front door and preemptively removed his hat and gloves. The Barnes and Everly families had been on intimate terms since before Jacob’s birth, and the few formalities he adhered to when visiting were still bent from time to time.

Their butler, Mr. Garrett, answered with his usual stiff decorum. “Good afternoon, Mr. Barnes.” He stepped aside for Jacob to enter, accepted the articles handed to him, and then bowed. “The ladies are upstairs in the west parlor, sir.” Garrett’s eyebrow twitched to one side and the servant frowned.

“Should I wait to be accepted up?” Jacob asked, adjusting his cuffs.