MANIFEST DESTINY Chapter 15.1

Chapter 15

         Destiny’s Promise weighed anchor in Rhode Island Colony one week later.  They had made stops at the other Colonies along the way, where they brought out the goods for the shopkeepers they would need to replenish their own supplies, and added some little extras that would attract a beautiful eye.

         The ship Liberty docked the next day and Ainsley was happy to see David again.

         “I have a surprise for you.”  They were all together on board David’s ship.  “You asked whether my family approved this plan you outlined for me.  My family is here with me.  That is the other ship in the harbor.  Mother and father should be joining us momentarily and my sisters Esther and Christine are here as well, and I’ve taken my younger brother Timothy on as my first mate.”

         Ainsley took the opportunity when they had boarded to look over the ship.  She found it very similar to Destiny’s Promise.  However, there were some distinct variations, which added to its appeal.  The difference between that captain’s cabin and the one aboard Destiny’s Promise was as different as the captains themselves.  Both cabins were the same as far as the permanent fixtures were concerned, but that’s where the similarities stopped.  Ainsley wondered if the window seat in that cabin was also a hidden storage place.  She was curious to find out but curbed it for the moment.  She would ask Gareth later, if she remembered.  David provided tea in the dining salon after he gave them the grand tour.  Ainsley had been so engrossed in her thoughts she failed to notice when Gareth said something to her, as David rose greet the newcomers.

         “What do you think of the ship?”

         She turned her attention to him.  “I’m sorry.  I was engrossed in the ship.”

         “I see that.”

         “Mother, dad, welcome aboard.  Where are Esther and Christine?”  David stepped aside to allow his parents to enter the dining salon.

         “Right here.”  Esther hurried into the salon behind her parents, Christine in her wake.

         Timothy joined them, and both Gareth and Ainsley could see the strong family resemblance in each of their children.  David and Esther looked decidedly like their mother, while both Christine and Timothy looked like their father.

         “I’d like to present my parents, Joanne and Quentin Alexander, and my sisters, my twin Esther Dawson and Christine MacDonald, and Timothy, my brother and first mate.”

         They shook hands all around and acknowledged the introductions.  Ainsley felt the warm family love that flowed from each one of them.  She saw immediately that they were a very close-knit family.  She knew that the decision of one was the decision of all.

         Ainsley looked on Joanne, and saw a woman with long jet-black hair, sprinkled here and there with a touch of gray.  Her eyes missed nothing, as she displayed the immense joy she had in life.  She held herself, with a proud carriage to her head.  She was a tiny woman, and had an air about her, which commanded the respect she received from her children.

         Quentin was gray headed with a proud carriage, as he stood in the dining salon of his son’s ship, at ease with his environment.  He was tall and straight-backed, his eyes grey.  Ainsley would hate to see those eyes look at her in anger.  He had a formidable face, lined with age, but with those eyes, they seemed to delve to the depths of her very soul and she felt threatened by them.  She would hate to be the one to arouse his anger.

         “I’m honored to meet you.”  Ainsley said, and saw instant approval in those eyes.

         “I’m honored to meet you.  David tells us that you plan to build a shipyard here in Rhode Island Colony.”  Joanne accepted a cup of tea from her son.  “My father was a shipbuilder in England where I spent the first seventeen years of my life.  I became the owner when my parents were killed in a tragic carriage accident when I was ten years old.”

         “How awful!”  Ainsley could not begin to guess at the pain the loss had caused her, but knew it must have been great.  She had been devastated just the previous year when her own mother died, and Gareth had told her that his parents had both died when he was eight of an epidemic.

         “It was, and it’s a long story.  Anyway, David took over the shipyard when he was old enough.  There are two shipping offices now, but the shipyard is still in Liverpool.  From the first time he was on board a ship, he wanted to go back.  It was no surprise when he announced one day that he was going back to England to see father’s shipyard.  He took it over and began to build ships of the same caliber as in my father’s day.  Right now Esther’s husband Cedric Dawson is in charge of the shipyard, though for the moment he is with us, along with their children.  Esther has taken after me and had a beautiful set of twins, both girls, age five, along with two sons, one age three, and the other just born this past February, and my youngest daughter Christine is expecting her second.  I forget exactly when.”  Joanne turned her attention to her youngest daughter.

         “November, in eight months Mama.”  Christine supplied the answer, a smile on her face.

         “Christine is here with her husband John Stuart MacDonald and their son now two years old.  Only David here and Timothy haven’t married yet.  But we have been given the understanding that David’s nuptials will be said soon.”

         Gareth looked to Quentin.  “You must be very proud of your son.” 

         “Yes we are,” Quentin said.  “We are proud of all our children.  They have each proven to be the blessing God has richly bestowed on us.”

         “I would like to meet the rest of your family.”  Ainsley was very interested in such a heritage as was before her.  She only hoped she would be as happy as they were when she reached her age.

         “Tell me your story,” Quentin said.

         “Yes, I’m most interested as well.”  Joanne set her cup down, and noted that David was quick to refill it.

         “My parents came over from Wales when I was five years old as indentured servants to a plantation owner and merchant in Virginia Colony.  Unfortunately, I lost them to an epidemic three years later.  The family my parents were indentured to took me in and taught me my sums and to read.  He did this by teaching me how to read ships charts and designs.  As I said, he was a merchant.  He dealt with the receiving end of ships cargoes.  I was attracted to ships for that purpose, and saw the way they were built and began to look at different ways to design cargo holds to give them more room.  Though he was a merchant, his interest was more with his plantation.  When I was eight, I began to work out my parents’ indenture until I was fifteen years old.  For me that meant designing ships and taking care of his merchant business.  When I was fifteen, I received fifty acres of land anywhere I wanted.  I wanted to go north, so with three days provisions he set me on a ship bound for Delaware Colony, where I met Mr. Greenfield as soon as I left the ship.  When he learned I could both read and do sums, he took me on as an employee in his shipping business, but I wanted to do more than work in an office.  I wanted to be on board the ships also.  He saw this and soon I was working my way up with the crew, starting as a cabin boy, at the age of sixteen.  I learned quickly, and as to my ability with the sums, Mr. Greenfield made me a cargo master by the time I was seventeen.  I had also been designing ships all along, which were implemented as he approved them, thus the fact that now I am a captain as well as a shipbuilder.  However, when I was seventeen he set forth a contract that would give me full possession of the shipyard and merchant business, which was prosperous by then.  It had been floundering when I joined him at fifteen.”

         Ainsley had never heard his story before and listened to each word.  She thought she understood why he stated love was not necessary to marriage.  Even though he claimed to care for her, he had not yet mentioned anything about love, though she herself loved him very much.

         “I understand he made you a partner.  When was that?” said Quentin.

         “I’m sorry, yes.  He made me a partner when I was sixteen.  He liked the designs I drew up, and implemented them with each new design.”

         “And you also said you started your career aboard ships at that age as well,” Joanne said.

         “Yes.  Ever since I learned to read and write, I wanted to be on board a ship.  This was my opportunity.  Mr. Greenfield agreed it would be a good way not only to learn the workings of a ship, but also ways to improve on the design.”

         “The other contract you signed, what specifically did it say?” said Quentin.

         “It said that I was given seven years in which to be married and produce an offspring, at which time at the end of said seven years, I would receive the shipyard and business.  He said a wife and family represented stability.  He wanted to know that I would be able to run both the shipyard and business at the end of seven years.  I had already claimed my fifty acres and built a home, all I had to do was find a wife and produce a child.  That proved more difficult.  First, because I felt seven years was a long time and I spent most of it learning the various duties aboard ship, and then studied to get my masters papers, so that I could be a full-fledged captain.  I achieved that quickly enough.  I had my papers within three years, and received a ship, not the one I currently have, but another.  Then with my design ability, Mr. Greenfield wanted me to take each new ship out on its maiden voyage to test it for seaworthiness, which I was most happy to do.  I was to take it fully laden, to the various ports; get contracts for cargo, then when I reached London fill her holds and bring her home.”

         “And you were how old when you signed this agreement?” said Quentin.

         “Eighteen.  I got my master’s papers and my first ship when I was twenty-one.”

         “I heartily dislike the man.  I could see in his eyes whenever I was around that he had only one thought in mind.”  Ainsley’s face mirrored her revulsion, though she understood why Gareth had done what he had to obtain a wife.

         “I was surprised with my wife’s instant dislike of Mr. Greenfield.  He is a shrewd businessman.  I wanted the shipyard and merchant business enough to do something that had been completely foreign to me.  Lie about a pregnancy that wouldn’t exist for at least a year.  Before we arrived home from the second voyage that she had connived her way aboard, we thought she really was pregnant.  She was so sick when we landed I thought I was going to lose her until your son showed up on our doorstep with some herbs he said had saved your life at one time.”

         “You know that the Lord will not honor dishonest gain.  I remember when I was that sick.  I was pregnant with Timothy.  We both thought that not only would we lose him, but also we thought I was going to die myself.  I don’t remember much from that time.”  Joanne looked at them and Ainsley could see only gentleness in her face.

         “Jo was very sick.  I never prayed so hard in my life.  I was very thankful when Chief Lone Wolf came to our door and was able to supply the remedy that saved her life,” said Quentin.

         “David told me the same thing.  Now, however, the only thing I have is these two ships.  I cannot even claim the cargo profits, except a small percentage.”

         “We did a lot of talking about your situation.  This is not the first time we discussed it.  David told us about the contract when you first met shortly after he had taken over father’s shipyard.  He had his doubts about such a contract then.  He told us that the two of you had become instant friends.  You concurred on several of your designs together.  We also heartily agree that what you intended was quite wrong.  It was God, Himself, that kept it from becoming a total lie.  Because of that we are all willing to help you get this shipyard built,” Joanne said.

         “It was mother’s suggestion that I get my masters papers and join you in the colonies as a captain of one of the ships in the shipyard.  Mother and father were always under the impression that there was more to what was going on.  They were right, though I have not put the entire evidence together yet; you could still receive the shipyard and merchant business when it all comes to light.”

         “Do you happen to have that contract on you?” said Quentin.

         “Yes.  It’s in my cabin.”

         “I should like to see it,” Quentin said.

         “Mr. Greenfield sounds like a most unsavory type,” Esther said.

         “You are still partners with Mr. Greenfield I take it?” said Quentin.

         “Yes.  I was hoping to sever that relationship with the building of the shipyard.”

         Quentin had a thoughtful look on his face.  “That is going to take time.  Do you have a full cargo now to trade with?”

         Gareth wondered what he had in mind.  “Yes.  We are bound to England and Europe with it.  My wife is looking forward to seeing Scotland again.  It is her home.”

         “I have a fully equipped shipyard in England.  We all talked it over, and agreed that my ships will be at your disposal, or I should say ours since, I am willing to be your partner.  We can run those ships for full profits, while you run these for the percentage you have agreed to.  Father and members of his community are going to come here after we have a good look around and start building the shipyard,” said David.

         “In the meantime you give no cause for Mr. Greenfield to doubt that you are still his partner,” said Quentin.

         He made sure they both understood him.  It was those eyes.  Ainsley had no doubt about what he meant.  She only hoped she had not jeopardized everything by bringing along what she had on the trip.

         Joanne looked across to Ainsley.  “Is there a problem with this?”

         “I took all of our belongings from the homestead when we left a week ago.”

         “Is your furniture still there?” said Joanne.

         “Yes, of course.”

         “Then there is nothing to worry about.  I am certain your husband takes everything with him when he goes on a long voyage,” said Joanne.

         “Yes of course.  It is senseless to leave anything behind.  It would go to rot in my absence.”

         She breathed a sigh of relief, and gave them a smile of appreciation.  She had really thought she had hurt her husband by her actions.

         “I was sorry to hear about the loss of your first child, my dear,” said Joanne.

         “Thank you.  My father told us it would be unwise to try for another child so soon after the loss of the first.  David confirmed what he said.  I am afraid I was eager to go along with the plans my husband had to try to gain the shipyard and business, and deceive Mr. Greenfield, whom I very heartily dislike anyway.  So I saw no fault with it.”  Ainsley turned crimson as she related how she had helped further her husband’s cause.

         “Deception is always wrong no matter what the reason.  However, your father is right.  It is unwise to have a child so soon after the loss of your first.  How long is it since the loss of your child?” said Joanne.

         “October.”  Ainsley remembered how it happened, and a look of depression settled around her.

         “That’s only five months.  I am glad to see you have not conceived yet; it could go bad for you still.  The body needs upwards of a year to heal from the loss of a child, though I have seen a successful pregnancy before that time.  And certainly in the event of a normal pregnancy I’ve seen children conceived again in a matter of months without anything to worry about.”  Joanne’s face was thoughtful as she contemplated both Ainsley and her daughter Christine.

         Quentin looked at Joanne an unreadable expression on his face.  “What have you in mind?”

         “Christine, I think you and Ainsley should become very good friends over the next several months.  David is going to be preparing the evidence he is collecting and will be taking it with him to England, along with that contract you said you still have, the next time he is there, which is when?” said Joanne.

         “I will be selling this cargo along the coast here and down to the West Indies, returning in three months time to Delaware Colony.  I will also be listening to everything along the way and looking for proof of what I believe is really happening.  After I deliver the cargo and get the evidence I need I should be back in England no later than September of this year,” said David.

         “I estimate our arrival in England about the same time,” said Gareth.

         Joanne looked at each of them, a thoughtful look on her face.  “Is Mr. Greenfield aware of your voyage plans?”

         “Yes, I need to give him a schedule of the course before I leave, every captain does.” Gareth had a questioning look on his face.

         “What about changing those plans?” said Quentin.

         “You know that would not be a bad idea.  If what I believe is accurate then I suggest you change the route from this point on.  I will continue with my plans and you go in the opposite direction.  Go over to England and Europe first.  That way if there is a ship out there looking specifically for you, it will not find you.”

         “What were your plans Captain Taliesin?” said Joanne.

         “I plan to take the cargo and go down the coast to the West Indies, then across to Africa and up the coast to England then round to Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, and France before returning with a full hold to Delaware Colony.”

         “Do you have the cargo you need now for England and Europe?” said David.

         “Yes, of course.  I got that on the last trip to the West Indies.”

         “It would be fruitless for both our ships to follow each other in the next two months.  There is no profit in it.  Whoever followed would not be able to sell his cargo.  This way it will be several months between visits to port, and both of us would have more success.”

         “It is a good thing David has shipping offices in Liverpool and London.  Your profits would be even less,” said Joanne.

         “That is an advantage I’m grateful for.  I have not made it known to Mr. Greenfield about the shipyard in England.  He believes David is just another qualified ship captain.”

         “Why did you not tell him?” said Quentin.

         “He told me not to.  He never gave me a reason, except that it would come to light.  I guess this is the day.”

         “So with the shipyard you do legal smuggling of your goods,” said Joanne.

         “Technically no.  The ships built in Delaware Colony are British Colonial ships.  That way we can carry our goods to any port.”

         “I can see God’s hand in keeping everything you have done in your life beyond speculation.  And it is with that in mind that we suggest that Christine and her family also sail with you.”

         Christine looked at her mother with some degree of shock.  “You want John Stuart and me, who have never been on a ship before, to go on this voyage with them?”

         “Ainsley needs a friend.  I want you to be that for her.  Up to now she’s only had the company of her husband and father since they married.”

         Christine was not the only surprised person in the room.  Gareth and Ainsley were surprised as well.  “I do not have the quarters on board my ship for passengers.”

         David looked thoughtful at that.  “Does not your father-in-law have a cabin of his own at the moment?”

         “Yes, but it is the only other unoccupied cabin on board,” Gareth said.

         “Could he find quarters with the crew since he is a member of the crew now?” said Joanne.

         “I am sure he could,” Gareth said.

         “Then do that, and Christine and her family will join you on board today,” said Joanne.

         “What about Macaulay, Mama?  He will want to have a stretch on land,” said Christine.

         “I am sure you will find a way to keep him occupied.  There are lots of things about a ship to keep him interested.  I know I never failed to find something of interest when I was in the shipyard with father,” said Joanne.

         “You only visited.  You never went on a voyage until you left home,” said Quentin.

         “I will have quarters arranged on board Destiny’s Promise,” said Gareth.

         Joanne stood to her feet ready to leave.  “We have not had any time to look around the port.  I would like to do that now.”