Page 62 of The Make-Believe Marriage
They were on the road by midmorning and traveled north for the next two days, arriving in Greenock on the second evening in a light rain. Since Octavian had been to this Scottish town several times before, he knew of a good inn where they could settle for the night. If Syd liked the place, he would have them stay for the next few days, and possibly for the remainder of their stay. He did not expect this visit to last longer than two or three weeks before they headed to the Glasgow shipyards and then eventually home to London.
It did not take them long to reach the Seafarer’s Inn.
Octavian made certain Syd was comfortably settled, and then left her behind to unpack their meager belongings while he reported to the commanding officer. The town had originally been nothing but a row of houses along the harbor, only recently becoming a center of activity for the sugar trade and shipbuilding industry. His assignment was to assess the potential for building navy battle-ready vessels here as well as in the port city of Glasgow, which had an established shipbuilding industry and would likely be awarded the lion’s share of the work.
If Syd was willing, he would take her along with him on his expeditions around the area. First on his list was to learn all he could about the depth of the waters in and around the Greenock harbor. He knew it was deep enough for most vessels, but the naval fleet required battleships much larger than a standardmerchant schooner. The keel had to clear all shoals and other obstructions as the ship sailed in and out of port.
If the harbor wasn’t deep enough, he would have to assess the cost of enlarging it and determine whether the time, men, and materials necessary to make it work was worth the effort. Finding able workers was not the problem. Too many Scots were unemployed and desperate to find a means to make a living wage. Labor, in more than adequate supply, could be had at a reasonable cost. Whether the proper materials could be found close by was another matter.
Since it was already well past suppertime, Octavian knew his meeting with the fort commander would be a short one tonight, merely to advise him of his and Syd’s arrival. Tomorrow was Friday, so he had only to officially report to duty in the morning. Right on time, and just as planned.
The commander, an older gentleman with a shock of white hair and a jovial disposition, greeted him warmly. “Captain Thorne, good to see you again. Come in out of the rain. Come in!”
“How are you, Commodore Wainright?”
“I could do with a warmer, drier climate. But no complaints, otherwise.” Wainright gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Are you settled in at the fort? Have you had your supper, lad?”
Octavian shook his head. “I’ve settled at the Seafarer’s Inn and will return there for a bite to eat shortly. I’m here with my wife, so we’ll either remain at the inn for the few weeks necessary to complete my duties, or we’ll find a suitable short-term accommodation.”
“Your wife?” Wainright’s eyes widened and he smiled in obvious delight. “When did this happen? I had no idea you were courting a young lady. In fact, to hear you talk when you were last here a few months ago, one would think you weren’t going to marry for another five years.”
Octavian cast the man a sheepish look. “You must have thought I was a fool.”
“Not at all, lad. Not at all.” Abner Wainright had been happily married for decades until his wife passed away last year. Octavian had met the woman several years earlier and enjoyed watching the pair together. He would best describe them as old lovebirds, for they fussed and cooed on each other with a charming ease. Their affection for each other was sincere but never cloying. Watching them was a revelation, for it seemed as though they were each a natural extension of the other.
He ached for this same ease with Syd.
Yes, he wanted passion, too.
But he also wanted the comfortable familiarity that came with complete trust in each other and an unbreakable bond of love.
Lord, he and Syd had a long way to go to achieve this.
They spoke for a short while, exchanging pleasantries before Octavian politely excused himself. “I’ve left my wife at the inn. She’s awaiting me for supper.”
Wainright rose along with him. “Dine with me tomorrow night, you and Mrs. Thorne. I’m eager to meet this paragon who has stolen your heart. You cannot make mention of her without smiling, so do not think to deny it is a love match.”
Octavian smiled. “Yes, she certainly has my heart.”
Usually, she had his heart twisted in knots because she was often too fearless.
But he was not about to discuss all the ways Syd overset him.
Still, he loved her for those very strengths that also tended to rile him.
Could it count as a love match if he was the only one in love? Well, Syd might feel the same, but she was not ready to admit it to him or to herself yet. Perhaps in time. He was hopeful of it,but it was no sure thing. “Until tomorrow,” he said and stepped out into a heightening wind and a pattering rain.
He hurried back to the inn which was not very far from the commodore’s residence. Nothing was far in this small town. Syd was just coming down the stairs when he strode in. She hurried toward him as he shook off the dampness like a dog might do after a swim.
She giggled and skittered back a few steps. “You might have warned me!”
“Sorry, Syd. It’s damn wet out there.” He shook off the last of the rain as he asked about her. “You must be hungry. Did I keep you waiting too long?”
“No, not at all. But I will admit that I am glad you are back. Oh, but your uniform is still soaked. Take off your jacket and I’ll hang it up to dry in our room. Did all go smoothly?”
“Yes, most pleasant.” He grinned as she fussed over him, and allowed her to unbutton his jacket for him before he shrugged out of it. But he merely set it near the warming fire in the common room for now. Several men were at the bar, and others were seated at tables eating and enjoying an ale or a stronger libation. “The commodore has invited us to supper tomorrow evening.”
“Oh, that is lovely. Tell me about your visit with him as we eat. You look hungry, and I think you shall expire if you have to wait another moment for a meal. Me, too. I’m famished. I spoke to Mr. MacLean earlier,” she said, making mention of the innkeeper. “Lamb stew is on offer for tonight. Doesn’t it smell heavenly?”
