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Alacrityhadn’t sunk off the Cape of Good Hope—but a different ship had. Two months after Elijah’s return, another article appeared inThe Times,solving the mystery of how the erroneous news had reached London. Until then, they hadn’t known whether it had occurred because of misunderstanding or malice.
It was true that a British vessel had rescued a sailor, found near death in a teak lifeboat emblazoned with anA, just asAlacritycarried. But the rescuers had misheard the ship’s name—Alchemy.
On one hand, Helen had been grateful it wasn’t purposeful cruelty that caused her to have mourned falsely. Then came the guilt at being glad it was another ship and crew lost—a vessel full of brothers or husbands belonging to others. Standing in the Crystal Palace, she sent a silent prayer upward of solace for those who had perished and those left behind.
Helen circled the model, there to represent the ingenuity and competitiveness of American shipbuilders.
Examining her wistful expression, Nicholas slipped an arm around her. “Elijah will return to London and see this for himself.”
“I know,” she replied softly.
“What is it?”
She sighed, her eyes soft as she took in the clipper’s name and port of origin painted on the stern. Thinking of Boston brought memories of lonely and painful times. The reminder was like a buoy, a marker between the old and new parts of her life.
“From the first time I saw the naval architect’s draft of her design, I knew she would be special. That I would acquire nothing but the best timbers for her. That her stem would be solid and provide safety for all crew and cargo aboard. That she would be a great ship.”
“So she is. Much of that is thanks to you.”
“Yes. But when I discovered who was behind her commissioning, and the how and why, I…I thought she would only bring me pain and take me to dark places. I hated her for a time.”
His lips grazed her temple. “That’s understandable, my love. It wasn’t only Elijah who made history, Helen.Youdid.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat and placed a hand over the green silk covering her belly. His hand slid over hers. “Oh, Nicholas, if only I’d known what beauty awaited me at the end! I’m so grateful forAlacritynow! She brought me here. To you.”
* * *
