Chapter Twenty
The hustle and bustle of getting their trunks loaded on to the coach took no time.
Once everything was secured, Harriet and Lucien climbed aboard for the trip to Dover.
Harriet had at first thought his parents would see them off, but neither of them did.
She’d made sure she would be comfortable for the journey.
The dress she wore was one of her favorites for days like today.
She didn’t wear a corset which made traveling much easier.
Lucien chose to sit across from her to give them both extra room for the journey. He carried a book with him as did Harriet. But rather than read, they were both sound asleep once they were on the outskirts of London. Their late night had proven to take its toll this morning.
She woke up hours later. There was no vibration to the coach, meaning they were stopped somewhere along the way. She peered out the window and saw a fresh team was being changed out with the ones they’d started with.
At that moment Lucien entered the carriage with a small basket in his hand. His eyes lit up when he saw her awake. Sitting down next to her, he opened the cloth revealing fresh baked scones with butter.
“I thought you might be hungry.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you. I am hungry,” she said, picking out one of the fluffy scones. She picked up the knife in the basket and slathered the top with fresh butter before sitting back to enjoy her first bite.
“They’re very good,” he said finishing off one and grabbing another.
“And you must be very hungry,” she replied with a smile.
“Famished.”
“Where are we?” she asked before taking another bite.
“Just outside a village called Rochester. We’re making good time,” he replied.
Harriet glanced at the basket which now sat between them. She picked up another scone and fixed it as she had the last one. “Will we go directly to the ship and stay until it departs or find a hotel?”
“We’ll go directly to the ship, if that’s all right with you,” he replied.
“That’s fine with me. That way we’ll only have to move the trunks once.”
“Correct.”
She sighed. “I can’t believe we’re going to have all this time to ourselves.”
“I’m looking forward to it, though I hope you don’t tire of having me around all the time.”
“Never,” she replied.
It was early afternoon when they arrived in Dover.
Finding the ship wasn’t hard and Lucien stepped out of the carriage and spoke with one of the men standing next to the entrance to the ship.
Harriet sat inside the carriage watching him as he spoke with this man.
When they finished conversing, Lucien turned and walked back towards the carriage.
“Come, we can board now,” he said.
“How soon before we can leave?”
“Once the tide changes, which will be in a few hours.”
Harriet said nothing but began to step out of the carriage. She put her hand over Lucien’s as she stepped out of the carriage. A breeze cooled the air because they were at water’s edge.
The inside of the ship was bustling as the crew made preparations for them to depart. A young man showed them to the cabin they’d occupy as the ship made the crossing. The cabin was cramped. A small table and two chairs along with a bed which was built in were all the furnishings.
“I’m going to find the captain. There’s the basket we purchased so feel free to eat. Lock the door behind me and don’t answer it to anyone but me.”
“Very well. I believe first I’m going to lie down for a while,” she replied.
“I’ll try not to be too long.”
“Very well.”
She rose and followed him to the cabin door, locking it behind him, Harriet turned and walked the short distance to the bed, sat down, and swung her legs up. She grabbed a blanket at the foot of the bed and pulled it up over her.
She wasn’t tired after all the sleeping they’d done along the way. Instead, she lay there and listened to the hum of the ship. She snuggled into the blanket. It was a welcome item to take the chill off her.
Not knowing how long she’d been asleep, Harriet awoke sometime later and found her handsome husband asleep in one of the chairs. Sitting up, she swung her legs over the bed. He stirred and slowly opened his eyes.
“What are you doing?” Harriet asked.
“The bunk isn’t really made for more than one person, and I didn’t want to disturb you,” he replied.
She noted a change in the ship’s movement. “Have we left Dover?”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yes. Perhaps about an hour ago.”
“Is it too early to take a walk on deck?”
“No, not at all,” Lucien replied.
Harriet found a small looking glass on the wall and fixed her hair as best she could. She grabbed her cloak and put it on.
Though it wasn’t an ideal day, being outdoors in fresh air made up for that. He took her hand and led her towards the bow of the ship. There was no land in sight. Finally, he found a spot and held her close to him.
“This is our first of many adventures,” he murmured as he tried to keep her warm. “I love you, Harriet.”
“I love you too. I’m so thankful to have you in my life,” she replied. “You’ve taken me from a shy wallflower to what I am today.”
She shut her eyes, feeling the movement of the ship and the safety of her husband’s embrace. For being told her entire life she’d never find a decent enough man to marry her, she considered herself fortunate to have found the man of her dreams.
Life with Lucien was incredible, but love had a way of doing things like that.
The End