The voyage

10–captain & Mrs Rogers

James feet had arrived at Peggy's home, being greeted by the butler as he walked in and passed him his coat and hat, the woman who had held his heart now hurrying down the staircase in excitement to see him.

"You're back!" She beamed as she embraced him.

He did, tightly, but then let go. "Peg...is there somewhere we can talk where your parents and brother aren't going to be pressed against the door to hear us?" He asked.

She nodded and led him into the parlour, closing the door behind them. "Are you alright? You seem a little out of sorts?"

James knew she was going to be upset, and so he needed to get this over with as soon as possible. "I'm sorry, after today we can't see each other anymore".

"What?" She looked shocked, "James? What's happened? I thought..."

He swallowed. "The truth is that I messed up, and now I have to do the honourable thing". Now looking at her regretfully. "I know I told you that when I came back, I'd be asking your father a question, and that was whether he'd allow me to marry you - but because of what I've done? I can't...I'm sorry Peggy..."

"I...I don't understand? You mean to tell me that you've met someone else?" She was now trying to make sense of it all. The news being a shock to her as he had expected it to be.

"Not by choice. I was dishonourable to another, and now because of what could possibly come of it? I have to marry her instead..."

Tears filled Peggy's eyes. "Please...please James, don't...I don't care what you've done, you said yourself that you messed up. People make mistakes..." She now took his hands. "Please, don't marry her..."

He kissed her knuckles. "I'm sorry, but even you know I need to do the right thing - You can scream at me, hate me, but I never intended to hurt you".

"So don't, this...girl? Surely you could send her somewhere? Especially if she were to be carrying your child".

"Peg, I can't..."

She looked at him, the hurt and pain on her beautiful features. "Go...leave..." she warned. "Before I say something I regret".

He turned and made for the door, pausing by it and looking back at her. "You'll find a man better than me, who actually deserves you. I know it".

"I thought you were that man...now it seems that I was wrong". She swallowed and tried to remain composed, however once he was gone, she sank to the floor, tears now falling.

James pace quickened as he left, not wanting to hear her sorrow, when he was trying hard to contain his.

It was done, but now he'd need to head to the courthouse and acquire a license so as he and Kate could marry as soon as possible.

**

The room that Kate now stepped into was empty, fingers trailing across the piano that stood in the centre, before setting herself down on the stool and gently pressing down on the keys. The sound filling the room.

Slowly, she began to play. It was a song that her mother had made her spend hours learning for some dinner, right up until her fingers felt like they could bleed. The melody forever burned into her mind.

Of course, Kate had triumphed but received no praise for her skill or performance form her parents, not even the woman who had made her sit for hours learning the damn thing.

"That's beautiful". Her fingers slammed down on the wrong key in shock as Sarah now stood in the doorway listening. "You're very skilled".

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..." She stammered and quickly got up.

Sarah smiled and waved it off. "It's funny, no one in this house plays and yet we have a piano...perhaps now it will be put more to use".

Kate looked at the instrument and then back to Sarah, but said nothing.

The older woman noted how hesitant and awkward she seemed and now gestured for her to follow her. They went through to the drawing room and sat down, Sarah calling for coffee to be brought through for them both.

"I know this is a strange situation, and not one that neither you or my son wanted to be in".

"I had already told him that I could stay with a friend I met aboard The Liberty. He didn't have to do what he has, or indeed what he will". Kate explained.

"But you do realise that you both need to. You are practically ruined and in a new city with not a penny to your name, no connections..." Sarah pointed out.

Kate looked at her shoes. "I wouldn't have cared. Anywhere was better than home..."

"And here is better than potentially being with child and out on the street". Sarah pointed out. "James has always been driven by duty and doing the right thing - just like my husband was".

"He told me about you, but not his father - somehow I think he found it difficult to speak of him for obvious reasons". Kate said, thanking the maid as she now came back with a tray and poured both women some coffee.

Sarah delicately took a sip and then placed the cup and saucer down on the table in front of them. "My husband was a Captain, when James was a child there was a collision with his ship and another...both went down, and so did he. He was just one of many who lost their lives. He'd already drummed the sailing life into our son, and James was all the more determined to make Joseph proud. He worked so hard to get to where he is now".

"I'm sorry about your husband".

"It's alright, I did my crying long ago, I had James to think of, but you never get over something like that".

"Is he like him?"

Sarah nodded. "In many ways. But when it comes to morals, he is very much so".

They heard the door open and shut, both women looking to the hallway, footsteps coming down them until James appeared in the doorway. "Mother, Kate". He nodded to them, eyes then falling on the latter. "I have the license. We'll marry at the courthouse in two days' time".

Kate nodded but said nothing. It was clear that he simply wanted this over and done with and quite frankly, so did she. Not because she wanted the security, but to hopefully have things straighten out.

"Did you want to join us?" Sarah asked, knowing that the visit with Peggy had been an upsetting one.

"I'll see you at supper". Was all he said and then disappeared upstairs to his room.

Sarah looked to Kate who was staring into her lap. "It will all be ok, you'll see". She smiled.

Just two days later, Kate found herself saying her vows, Sarah having brought new clothes for her, including a dress suitable for a courthouse wedding with no fuss. She sat behind them along with Jimmy, Edward and Anna, watching as the pair said, 'I do' and were declared husband and wife.

The mood was a sombre one and remained that way even when they'd returned to the house straight after.

"You guys could at least try to look happy". Edward said, coming over to his friend once they were gathered in the drawing room and having 'celebratory' drinks. "It could be worse".

James nodded and sipped his brandy, now looking over to where Kate was speaking to Anna. "You ever gonna ask Anna or you gonna just chicken out?" He asked, not wanting the subject to solely be on their wedding.

Edward smirked. "All in good time pal".

"You'd better be quick, she's not gonna be available forever, don't miss your chance".

Edward nodded at this. "Well, all I can say is - you've not missed yours. You have a kind woman who will make you a good wife. Even if she wasn't who you had in mind. Be thankful".

James wasn't sure neither of them felt it currently, but his friend was right. Kate was suitable, and if this could make for an amicable marriage then he'd take what he could get.