Into the Depths (2)

Madeleine awoke to the touch of a servant's hand, who told her that she ought to put on something suitable and come down to dining room at once, as her father requested her presence.

Madeleine nodded. It was probably to discuss everything that had happened last night, or could there be more?
“What time is it?” Madeleine asked. From the way her body felt and the way the sunlight shot through the curtains, she could tell that it was late.

“Just after ten.” Then the servant left.

Madeleine got up out of her bed, stretched and walked over to her wardrobe. She had a great deal of dresses for a great deal of occasions; weddings, funerals, and everything else she was required to attend being the daughter of one of the highest ranking members of the British Royal Navy. Her father was the sort of person that would throw a fit if things didn't go exactly the way he wanted, But suitable was a vague term. She finally decided on a blue and yellow lacy thing; it was comfortable and she remembered her father once said that it had looked pretty on her.

When she came downstairs, everyone else was already at a breakfast table full of food.

Her father, wearing his navy uniform, raised his eyebrows upon seeing her, and all fell awkwardly silent.

“Good you could join us, Madeleine.”
Madeleine nodded at sat down at the place setting that had been laid out for her. She helped herself to some food, realizing how hungry she was.

“We were just discussing the events of last night,” her father continued. “We did worry for you at first, but I am much grateful that Mr. Simmons was around to help you. If he hadn't...but anyway, I believe that it is safe to say that the raid the pirates conducted was a failure. There was damage done, lives lost, yes. However, we were able to repel them before they stole anything serious. But you see, we know the pirates who attacked. Their flagship is called The April Hawk, and they have operated under a brutal captain who shows no regard for human life or welfare for many years. They are one of the crown's most wanted, and we believe, with the recent attack as proof, that they are desperate and weak. Tomorrow morning a section of the best officers in this unit of the Royal Navy, Captain Harris and myself included, will leave in a few hours to try to find them.”
For a minute Madeleine didn't say anything. It was a lot of information to process, and from the way the three looked at her she knew Helena had already been told. “How do you know where they are headed?”

“We cannot be sure. We believe they think, despite how they fared last night, that they are not too concerned about brushing with the law. We don't think they will stray far.”
“How long will you be gone? What will Helena and I do in the meantime?”
“You two are old enough to look after yourselves. The servants will prepare your meals and tend to business as normal. And you will have each other. We do not know how long we will be gone, hopefully not too long, but – and we already discussed this with Helena – this does mean will have to postpone the wedding.”

“Alright.” Madeleine didn't know what else to say. She knew how brutal pirates could be, and she had even seen some of that firsthand the day before. In recent years, the papers had covered their fair share of stories regarding the downfalls of pirate captains who had killed many. There was some pang of worry that they would not return, but she doubted that. She was more worried for Helena would feel, constantly worrying about the man she loved, having to wait an uncertain amount of time before she married.

Breakfast finished in relative silence, and while Harris and their father made their final preparations to leave, Madeleine and Helena sat with tea in the parlor.

Helena seemed very distant, and Madeleine tried to make attempts at casual conversation that would die out quickly. Finally she said, “Are you alright?”

“I'm very worried,” Helena confessed. “I know George is brave and has fought many battles, but I guess there's a part of me that wonders how all will proceed should they encounter the pirates that they are after.”
“I am not sure there is much cause to worry. They don't even know if they will encounter the pirates at all. Plus, father will be there, and just of think of everything he has seen and done in his days.”

“Yes, I guess so.” Helena paused a long time before adding, “We'll have a good deal of time to spend with each other.”
Madeleine got up and sat next to her sister, embracing her tightly. “I love you, Helena. “
“I as well.”
The two finished their tea, not talking much. Before long, a servant came into the parlor that their father and Captain Harris were leaving and they wished to say goodbye.

Madeleine and Helena saw them both sitting by the doorway, in their naval uniforms, eyes distant. Admiral Grey got up and hugged both of his daughters first, and Madeleine overhead him whisper into Helena's ear to be sure and take care of her sister. Harris got up then and walked over to Helena, kissing her long and softly on the lips. Although it made Madeleine slightly uncomfortable, she watched still. Comparing it with how Helena had been both the night before and just now, in addition to how Harris had behaved upon finding them in the Carpentry...she could not deny the love they felt for each other. When her mother was still alive, she and her father behaved the same way. With it she felt a pang of loneliness, for it would be even longer now before her father found someone to marry her off to. After the kiss Captain Harris turned to Madeleine and gave her a small wave before the two both exited.

Almost instantly after the door shut, Helena announced she was going up to her room to take a nap, and Madeleine thought it best to do the same.


The next day was off to a lazy, empty start. Breakfast in the dining room felt odd with just the two of them. Although on normal days Madeleine rarely saw her father—he spent most of his time at the naval fort in town or in his study—he was always present at mealtimes.
“Madeleine, after you're done, do you want to go for a ride?”
“Are you sure?” Madeleine asked, thinking of what had happened last time. The odds were close to none that something of that caliber would happen again, but the thought still felt slightly uneasy.

“Yes. I need to be away from here for a while. Besides, when George returns and we marry, how often do you think he will let me go out riding? The answer is probably never. It's just simply won't be a proper thing for a naval captain's wife to do.”
It took Madeleine a minute to register what her sister had said. “That's the first time I've ever heard you say something ill about George.”

Helena shrugged. “Will we able to just ride after we finish eating?”

“Okay, if that is what would make you happy,” Madeleine said.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence, as the food was wholesome and neither of them really had much else to say. Then they rode. And they supped once more. And for a while the two relaxed in the parlor, both with tea, Madeleine with her violin and Helena with her sewing. Sometimes one or both of the sisters would take a rest. The next three or four days—for Madeleine, they began to blend together—passed in this same manner.
One morning, about a week since Captain Harris and Admiral Grey had been gone, Madeleine was sitting on a couch in the parlor. She had her violin beside her, but she did not practice it, instead she stared emptily at the fireplace. They were skipping their horse ride today because Helena was tired and had decided to take a nap. Madeleine was left with nothing to do. Eying the parlor, she thought of how she was sick of constantly being stuck in her home. Being outside of it made her feel free, alive, like there was more to life then the narrow view that she had experienced. Maybe if she was just got some fresh air for a few minutes, she would feel better. She took her violin from the couch and thought she'd sit and practice a few songs.

She went outside, overwhelmed by how bright and sunny and warm everything was but at the same time loving every bit of it. Madeleine closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. She sat down on one of the chairs that outlined the house and began to play her violin, appreciating the scenery that surrounded her.

For a while she played, so immersed in her music that she hadn't noticed the figure beside her.

“Miss Grey?”

Madeleine was so startled that she shrieked and nearly dropped her violin. Turning, she saw none other than Matthew Simmons, the silversmith who had saved her life not long ago. He was caring a bundle of white packages.

“Can I help you?” Madeleine felt her cheeks reddening. She wanted to see him again, that was true, but of all times that it could have happened, why did it have to be now?
“Erm, I was supposed to deliver these packages today, For your sister's wedding.”

“Oh, well, you see, my father's an Admiral in the navy, as you know. He and my sister's fiance had to go out to see on an emergency. We don't know how long they'll be gone. It's just me and my sister right now, you see. So the wedding is being postponed.” Madeleine was talking fast, and her thoughts were getting mixed up in her head, and she didn't know why. Usually she wasn't this way.

“Oh, I see,” said Matthew. “You two are all by yourselves right now?”
“Yes. Well, not really. We have servants assisting us and our horses to ride each day. So we're not really all alone, but it feels like it.”
“I know a little of what that's like,” Matthew said.
“You do?” Madeleine suddenly felt as she wasn't thinking straight.

Matthew laughed. “Yes.” He looked down at the packages. “But I'll tell you what. Since your father already paid for these items when he ordered them and my purpose of being here today was to simply deliver them, can I leave them with you? You could give them to your father when he returns.”
“That sounds good.”

Matthew started to hand Madeleine the packages, and she hesitantly walked back into house. After today, would she ever see the silversmith again?
She turned around, wanting to say something, but the words started to get caught in her throat as Matthew—also slowly, she noticed—was walking away.

“Wait!”
Matthew turned around, his eyebrows raised.

“When can I see you again?”

Matthew took a second to respond, but his gray eyes shone. “My store is down the street from King's Inn. It's a little brick building and I have the sign in silver. You can't miss it.”
Madeleine nodded. She'd passed by King's Inn often enough on her daily rides, and if she got lost she could always ask a passerby. “When?”

“Tomorrow night. After your supper?”

“That sounds perfect.”

“I best be off, Miss Grey. Good day. Don't forget your violin.” Madeleine laughed slightly and placed the violin on top of the packages. And with that Matthew walked down the dirt path back into the town. Madeleine stood there and watched until he was no longer visible, stunned by what the last few minutes or so had actually meant.
She would see him again, most importantly. What would she say to him once she went to his store tomorrow night? What would they do? Madeleine had no experience with men except for the occasional social event she would attend with her father and sister. She'd never met anyone interesting before, anyone that had struck her fancy.
Madeleine turned around and nearly shrieked when she saw her sister standing in front of her.

“How long have you been here?”
“I just came down,” Helena said. “I heard voices outside so I came to see what it was all about. I thought we could go for our ride today after all. What are those packages?”
“The silversmith was just by to drop off the tableware for your wedding. I was outside practicing my violin when he saw me. I was going to go put those in father's study and put my violin away. Before we go on our ride, could we talk?” Madeleine felt breathless. She figured that you could tell Helena about Matthew. She trusted her to understand.

“Okay.”
“I'll be right back.” Madeleine went down the hall to her father's study and placed the packages on his desk. Then she went to her room to return her violin , and when she returned to the foyer, she found Helena standing in exactly the same place.

“What did you want to talk about?”
“Do you remember Matthew Simmons?”
“The silversmith? Of course. He saved our lives, you know. Besides, you told me that he was just here to drop off the packages.”
“I think...” Madeleine couldn't finish her sentence, but she didn't need to. Her reddening face told Helena enough.

“Madeleine.” Helena's voice was laced with surprise and disbelief. “What happened?”
“We agreed to meet tomorrow.”
“When?”

“At his store. After supper.”

“Father adores him, you know.”
“Really?”
A small smile escaped Helena's lips. “Yes, he does. When he first ordered the tableware for my wedding, he raved to me about about what an upstanding and talented man he was.” She paused before adding, “He's very handsome too.”
Madeleine's heart raced at idea of what Helena was implying. That the two would fall in love and get married, that Madeleine would be happy just like her sister. Even though that was what she wanted, she didn't know if it would necessarily turn out like that. “He's only a merchant, Helena. I doubt that father would approve of me marrying someone of a lower social class.”
“Don't give up hope yet, dear. If you stop being so negative about everything, you'll learn that life can bring you happiness once in a while.” With that she kissed her sister on the forehead. “Come on, let's go on our ride.”