Celestial Springs

Chapter 1 1846 The ocean seemed to have a temper. It wasn’t calm and serene as it had been just the day before. Rather, the waves were rolling in against the rocks so furiously the whitecaps seemed to bubble as they broke and attempted to reform with the next in succession. It would not be a good day for her husband to return, not with the sea so angry. It would be better if he waited until tomorrow when perhaps the ire had died down a bit, and the water would welcome him back to solid ground, at last, with the gentleness he so deserved after such a long and tumultuous journey. She could only assume it had been tumultuous or else he would have returned by now. He was long past due, having reached the apex of the appointed amount of time many months past. But she knew he would be there any day now, any moment. And that is why she sat sentinel by the window, rarely leaving her post, watching and praying for him to return. The view was a bit obstructed, and it seemed that many of the clippers that came in looked similar now that time had passed. There were occasions when she was certain she spied the Mary Ann nearing port, but after waiting hours for her husband to disembark and make his way home, she would be forced to accept that the ship she had been watching must not have been his. So, she continued to watch for hours, craning her head when necessary to get a better view, sometimes late into the night when it was much more difficult to see and exhaustion blurred her eyes. Eventually, she would give up and find her way across the room to her bed, steadfast in her belief that tomorrow would be the day her husband would arrive home. It would be horribly boring, maddening even, if it weren’t for her baby to keep her company. Even now, as she watched the waves toss about and spray the seagulls with salty brine, she glanced down at her sweet angel’s face where he lay sleeping in the bassinet beside her. She reached down to stroke his cheek softly, afraid she might wake him. His blond curls poked out of his snow-white bonnet, and he cooed a bit in his sleep. He was such a happy baby, such a peaceful little soul, and she couldn’t wait for her husband to return so that he might hold his son at long last. “Madam?” a voice was calling nearby. She startled, not aware that anyone else had entered her room, and turned to address the woman. “Oh, please be quiet,” she whispered sharply. “You mustn’t wake the baby.” The woman drew up her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Madam, are you done with your dinner plate, or shall I leave this bit for later?” the woman asked through clenched teeth. She looked at the plate curiously. Had she eaten dinner already? Was it that late in the day? It seemed like it should still be morning. There wasn’t much left on the plate, only some bread crust and some other unrecognizable scraps. She wasn’t even sure what she may have eaten for dinner, assuming she must have been the one to eat whatever had previously occupied the plate. She looked up into the impatient eyes of the woman who had the mysterious plate thrust at her in a clasped fist and finally managed, “I’m finished, thank you. That should be all.” The woman nodded at her sharply, and then offered a small cup to her. “Your medication, madam,” she said, her lips drawn into a straight line. She looked at the medicine for a moment. She really didn’t like taking it; it made her feel—odd. “Must I?” she asked with a sigh. “Come now, Mrs. Edwards,” the woman insisted, forcing it into her hand. “You know how he gets when you don’t take it. And please don’t cause another uproar. I can’t handle any more of that today.” She dropped her eyes, and took the medicine, absently wishing the help would stop calling her that name. She didn’t bother to voice her annoyance again, not after that reminder. Sometimes it was better to just remain silent and endure. Once her husband returned, she wouldn’t have so many hardships to bear. She took the medicine, swallowed it down, and took a sip of water. “Very good, madam,” the woman nodded. “I shall be back in a few hours to check on you before bedtime. Is there anything else you require?” “No, that will be all. Thank you, Scarlet,” she replied. The hard look was back about her face again as she turned to go, shaking her head and mumbling, “My name is not Scarlet.”