MANIFEST DESTINY Chapter 4.1

CHAPTER 4

         Over the next several days, little things upset her.  Ainsley had very little appetite, or she found herself misty-eyed over the silliest things.  Gareth had a smile on his face at the oddest moments.  He often broke into a lighthearted whistle, his step lighter, and his discipline less harsh.

         Gareth stepped into the cabin.  “I just gave the crew their instructions for the day.  Are you ready to go to Madam Harrington’s?”

         Ainsley looked up from where she sat on the window seat, tears in her eyes.  “I do not know what is wrong with me.  I cannot seem to even get my needlework right.”  She showed him the destroyed piece of cloth she had plucked the threads out of many times.

         He wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her as he took the iridescent shawl from the wardrobe and led her to a carriage.  “It is going to be all right.”

         “When?”

         “Soon, you will see.”

         “That is very well for you.  You are not the one who is clumsy, unable to eat, or in tears all the time for inconsequential things.”

         He handed her into the carriage and directed the driver to Madam Harrington’s shop.  “I promise you everything will be all right in due time.”

         As they entered the dress shop, Madam Harrington showed concern for Ainsley, who tried to stem a flood of tears.  “Is everything all right?”

         “Yes, everything is all right.  Before we leave, we will be selecting a complete winter wardrobe.  My wife will also be requiring a new wardrobe before too long.”

         “I will?”  She looked up at him in surprise.  “But I have more than I need now.”

         He gave her a tender look.  “This is a special wardrobe.  You are going to need clothes for your changing body over the next several months.”

         Her eyes went wide at the revelation unaware of the change in her body.  How could she have missed it?  “A baby?”  She looked up at him, and saw the answer in his eyes.

         “Why that is marvelous.”  Madam Harrington gushed all over them.  “Congratulations, Captain.  I have some designs for your consideration, and I recently got new material for a full winter wardrobe.”  She directed him to a wall of fabric.  “I felt sure you would be requesting one when you arrived today.  I have all the material ready for your inspection on this wall.”

         “Splendid.”  He watched as Madam Harrington ushered Ainsley away.

         Madam Harrington helped Ainsley with her new wardrobe.  As Ainsley tried on each creation, Madam Harrington made certain the clothes did not have any flaws.  She went over each as she checked the fit across her bosom and made sure they hung right.

         Everything was good, except for one dress.  “Madam Harrington, I cannot breathe!”

         “Oh my!”  Madam Harrington hurried to get it off her.  “I will have this repaired as soon as possible.”

         Ainsley let out a sigh of relief, put on her original gown, and went to see Gareth.  Madam Harrington followed with the gowns, which were ready, along with the accessories for each.

         Gareth had selected a large array of materials, which he had placed on a table.  Ainsley noted the rich fabric, amazed he would spend so much on her.

         Madam Harrington also noted the fabrics he selected.  “I have here the new designs for winter and your wife’s present condition.  If you will look through these, I will be pleased to make up your new wardrobe.”

         Memories fresh, Ainsley looked through the magazines, and selected what she knew would look pleasant on her.  She was only concerned she had chosen too many, but Gareth had not said anything as she had lingered long enough to make a decision over the designs.  As she did so, she noted approval on both Madam Harrington’s and her husband’s faces.  She closed the magazine a firm look on her face as she looked at Madam Harrington.  “What I am going to need more than these beautiful clothes, are baby clothes.”

         “Ah yes.  I have just what you need.”  Madam Harrington presented another magazine for her perusal.

         Ainsley did not hesitate and selected many designs for their baby, along with bonnets, and tiny booties, to keep its feet warm.  Gareth looked on with interest as he approved each selection then allowed her to have the say in the selection of the fabric for their baby.

         He saw the look of anticipation on her face as they prepared to leave.  “Make up several colors of each design.”

         “I will work on them myself.”

         “Thank you,” he said.

         Ainsley looked up at him as he led her to the waiting carriage, and helped her aboard.  “Will we be in London long?”

         “Another month, no more, I almost have the cargo together.  As soon as I have it loaded, we will set sail for home.”

         “Gareth.”  She hesitated; shyness enveloped her as she looked into her lap, and then at his amused expression.  “All those clothes.”

         “You will need all of them, I promise you.”

         “Not mine, but the baby’s.  Is it not too early to get its wardrobe together?  We could wait until we get to your home.”

         “There are no shops where I live.  This is best.”

         “But what if something should happen and I cannot carry this child?  We will have all those clothes.”

         “Nothing is going to happen.  I will see to that.”

         “And what about me, women die all the time in childbirth.”

         “I will take special care of you.”

         “Even you do not have the right to play God.”

         He gave the driver their destination.  “Then we will pray every day and night for your welfare and that of our child.”

         “But.”

         “You worry too much.  Let me take care of you and the baby, and I will rely on God to get you both through.”

         “I wish Mama were still alive.”  She rested her head on his shoulder, as she thought how excited her mother would be to know she would be a grandmother.

         The day before they were to sail, they again went to Madam Harrington’s and picked up her new wardrobe and the baby’s.  Each design was exquisite, along with bonnets, booties, bibs, blankets, and nappies.  Everything a baby could possibly need.  Madam Harrington also added a few rattles, for the infant to play with, as he got older.  “You must bring your little one with you when you return.”

         “We will be coming back?”  Ainsley looked at Gareth and saw the ascent in his face.

         He led her out of the shop, “Yes, we will be back.”

         “You will bring me back on your ship?”

         He chuckled as he looked at her amazed face.  “I do not see any other way to get you here.”

         “Yes, but with our baby?”

         “I will not leave him or her behind.  Our children will always come with us on the voyage.”

         “You would have children on board your ship?  They will not be in the way?”

         He helped her into the carriage.  “No sweet.  They will not be in the way.”

         “I am glad.  I really like being on the ship, and I know father does too.”

         “It is common for captains to take their wives with them on voyages.”

         Her face took on a distant quality as she contemplated her children on board ship as they sailed the world.  “Will we be on board ship a lot then?”

         “It is part of my life.  I have a home in Delaware Colony, but I spend my time between the office where I design ships, and out at sea.”

         “So then, the only way I am going to see you is to go with you.”

         “Yes, and I intend to see a lot of you.”

         She blushed as she thought about their marriage.  “I suppose there will be a lot of children.”

         His eyes glowed as he looked down at her.  “That generally happens between a husband and wife.”

         They arrived at the dock and he saw the packages taken aboard while he got the ship ready to take out.