Page 8 of Moonstone Landing
“The squall had almost passed by the time he reached us, so he was able to maneuver his vessel close to ours and start hauling the children off it. He got them all onto his. Me, as well. Then he sailed to the nearest beach where other rescuers were standing in wait to unload us. Then he went back for the crew.”
Henleigh took out her handkerchief as Miss Gray spoke, for the young woman’s story and her quiet tears also brought tears to her eyes. “How many were you all together?”
“Ten children, me, and a crew of six. The wind was still howling, and we could hear the sharp crack of wood as the sloop began to break apart. Captain Arundel did not waver. He was helping my Henry get one of his injured men onto his sailboat when the sloop’s giant mast suddenly cracked and hit him on the head, knocking him into the sea.”
Tears streamed down Henleigh’s cheeks. “And they could not save him?”
Miss Gray shook her head. “They tried desperately, but it was as though the sea had reached up its mighty jaws and swallowed him. They never saw him surface, not even once in all the hours spent searching after the squall had passed. We were all devastated by his loss. We never recovered his body. It must have been swept out into the English Channel by those dangerous tides and wave swells.”
Henleigh’s heart ached for him. “I suppose it is fitting the sea took him.”
Miss Gray nodded. “He truly loved the sea. I am told that he only came back to land in order to arrange his next sailing.”
“I must do something to honor his memory.” She dabbed her eyes and cheeks. “I had no idea he was someone quite so special.”
“He is a hero to us all. I had never met him before that day. Suddenly, he was before us, shouting orders and calming all of us, assuring us we would all survive. He was our guardian angel that day.”
The schoolboys were starting to get unruly.
Miss Gray turned in dismay as two of the boys began to scuffle. “Lady Henleigh, do forgive me. I must get the children back inside.”
“I won’t delay you. Thank you for your time, Miss Gray. I shall invite you up to the cottage for tea once I am settled in.”
“I would love that,” she said and hurried off.
Henleigh walked down to the dock and stared out across the quiet harbor. The sun glistened on the water, reflecting off it like sparkling diamonds. The wind had picked up, so that whitecaps now formed on the heightening waves. She thought she saw a family of dolphins in the distance but could not be sure.
Sailboats and a few fishing boats were moored near the dock, their ropes groaning as they were pulled taut with the ebb and flow of the tide. Other vessels were out on the water, dotting the harbor, some cutting across it with neatly trimmed sails caught on the breeze.
She inhaled the scent of salt air and fish and weathered wood. “I wish I could hug you, Captain Arundel,” she murmured. “It is beautiful here. I can see why you loved it.”
“I’m glad you like Moonstone Landing, Hen.”
She turned sharply to the deep rumble of his voice and saw him come to stand beside her. He was still clad in the same clothes he had worn this morning, his shirt thankfully still on and now neatly tucked into his breeches.
Truly, he was a fine-looking man.
She shook her head in confusion. “Captain? How can you be here?”
She glanced around, hoping no one caught her talking to him. They must already think her mad to have settled at his cottage. To now be seen talking to herself would raise more eyebrows.
“Should I not be?”
She glanced around once more and put a gloved hand to her mouth, pretending to cough as she spoke to him. “I thought you were bound to the cottage?”
“I am, but that does not mean I cannot go anywhere else. Moonstone Landing is a charming town, do you not think so, Hen?”
She faked another cough. “Yes.”
He laughed. “Ah, you are afraid people will see you talking to yourself and start calling you the Mad Woman of Moonstone Cottage. We shall save our chat until later this evening. But I would like to escort you around town and point out the sights. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Just don’t expect me to talk to you.”
“You needn’t. I rather like the idea of walking beside you in companionable silence.” He looked around. “I haven’t been down here in a while. Very little has changed.”
They left the dock and returned to the center of town, passing a row of fishmongers and their wagons, and several taverns close to the dock. Further up the street were several farm stands selling fresh produce, a butcher’s shop, bakery, fabrics shop, tea shop, the land agent’s office, a solicitor’s office, the blacksmith’s stable, a carpenter’s workplace, and an inn.
Grazing sheep dotted the village green, and several tinkers had gaily festooned wagons parked along one side of it displaying crockery, trinkets and ribbons, and other wares.
