Forty - Four - OLD FEELINGS
June 1717
Mirrors and paintings of all shapes and sizes covered the dance hall walls. Crystal chandeliers and sconces lit the grand room brilliantly. Gold accented dark handcrafted wood. It was a beautifully warm, rich ambiance and the live music fell right into line.
In classic Baroque style, Maria smiled and gave a curtsey to Cade as they performed the latest minuet. Each move was graceful and choreographed down to the placement of the balls of the feet at each step. Maria glanced at her parents whose smiles could not have possibly been any bigger. When the dance ended, Maria made her way to the musicians. She pulled them together and whispered something so only they could hear.
The conductor hesitated a bit. “But Madam Hallet said this is to be a formal event.”
Mariah took his free hand. “Oh come now, Jefferson, let’s have a bit of fun.”
The conductor looked over to Mrs. Hallet. “I wish we could, Miss, but—”
“Miss? Really Jefferson. It is as if you do not know me at all.” Maria leaned slowly in to his ear. “Please play the song, for me.” The scent of powder he used in his wig reminded her of her father. The conductor swallowed hard, which made her smile. She looked in his eyes. He smiled and gave her a nod. Maria kissed his cheek and then went back to Cade.
“I feel sorry for the man,” Cade said taking Maria’s hand.
Maria turned around and watched the conductor get the musicians ready for the next song. She shrugged and turned back to Cade. “Sometimes a lady only has but one way to get her point across to a man.”
Cade leaned closer to Maria’s ear. “I believe you underestimate yourself.”
The music was fast and the dance more liberal. Maria smiled as she watched Cade go through all the motions. She taught him this one recently and he told her he liked it. She knew he really didn’t like to dance, but he did like being with her. She laughed as Cade swung her around with ease.
They switched partners and although she was enjoying herself tremendously, she could not wait to get back to Cade. Her eyes scanned the dancers in an effort to locate him, but that only made her dizzy. She apologized to her partner and stepped out of the dance area. She quickly located Cade, who also left the dance, grabbed Maria’s hand, and pulled her out onto the gallery, where he kissed her, then wrapped his arms around her in a long embrace.
Maria stared into Cade’s eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening, it’s like a dream.”
Cade grabbed her hand and put it on his cheek. “I’m real Maria and this is no dream.”
“It may sound silly, but sometimes I still feel guilty, like I’m betraying Sam.”
Cade wiped a tear from her cheek. “It’s not silly. You were in love with Sam Bellamy, maybe you always will be, but we have to get used to the fact that he is gone.”
Maria nodded. “You’re right.” Maria laid her head on his chest. She knew Cade was right, but she could not get the image of Sam out of her mind. She closed her eyes and pictured his scruffy face and long black hair as she hugged Cade tight.
***
The next morning Maria awoke with a smile on her face. The sun shined through her windows, setting her room in a soft angelic glow. An image of last night’s kiss sent a rush of excitement through her body. She grabbed her pillow and held it to her chest, imagining it was Cade holding her in his warm, secure embrace. Life could not get any better.
A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. “Yes, what is it?”
“Maria, someone is here to see you.” It was her father speaking from the other side of the door.
She was wrong, life just got much better. She jumped up off her bed. “I’ll be there in a moment.”
She rushed to her closet where she dropped her nightgown to the floor and stepped into a day dress. It did not seem that long ago that she and Cade weren’t getting along, but she was happy that part was over. She pulled her hair up and tied it in a knot to hold the mess away from her face. Usually she took her time getting ready but this morning she didn’t care. With a glance in the mirror, she rubbed her face, and cleared her eyes.
She took a deep breath and walked out of her room toward the foyer. Her parents were there waiting by a man standing with a letter in his hand. Her heart sank. No visit from Cade.
Her mother stood looking at her with her usual disappointment. “Maria dear, this man says he has a letter for you.” Calm down mother it’s only a day dress.
The messenger stood with the letter in his outstretched hand. “I was told not to give it to anyone but you, miss.”
She took it and studied her name written on the face.
Maria
Her heart pounded, as she knew it was from Sam. Turning the letter over, she dragged a finger over the wax seal.
“Maria, are you going to open it?” her mother asked hovering over her shoulder.
Maria still could not believe it. She didn’t know what to do.
The man at the door cleared his throat.
Mr. Hallet reached into his pocket. “Thank you,” he said handing the man a few coins. The man gave a bow and left.
Maria stared at the envelope. “I don’t…um…”
Her father put a soft hand on Maria’s shoulder. “Maria darling, why don’t you go to your room where you can have some privacy?”
Maria fanned her face with the letter, still trying to catch her breath. “Yes, I believe I will.”
Sitting on her bed, she touched a fingerprint frozen in the stamped wax. Is it his? She hesitated to break the seal. He had formed it himself and something about breaking it made her sad. However, her curiosity won out and she cracked it open.
My Dearest Maria,
I hope this letter finds you well. It is my tenth in half as many
Months. I have no way of knowing if you have received any of
them, as I am never in one place for any period of time. As you
may or may not know, we were unsuccessful in our salvaging
efforts. I have picked up work on another vessel, of
which I have just become Captain. Some consider the kind of work
we do as barbarous, and I tend to agree. However, if kings and
queens hire crews like us to win wars and further their wealth
and power, then this is my war against kings and queens. for the
powerless. We have been very successful at sea and I wager I’ll be
home before you know it. I love you with all my heart. I could
never have made it this far without you in my thoughts constantly.
You inspire me to be the man that I alone could never be. I will
continue with speed toward our reunion, thinking of you every step
of the way. Until then,
Love always and forever,
Samuel Bellamy
A tear dropped onto the parchment and Maria quickly brushed it off, smearing a bit of the ink with it. She read it repeatedly, crying more each time.
The door opened and her mother walked in and sat by her on the bed. Maria wiped her tears and tried to hide her emotions, but it was too late. “I really don’t know why I’m crying. I have everything I ever wanted.”
Her mother held her hand and kissed Maria’s forehead. “Our hearts don’t always forget what they once felt.”
Maria nodded and gave her mother a smile. This actually made a lot of sense and she really appreciated her mother in this moment.
“Are you going to be all right?” her mother asked.
“Yes,” Maria said as she wiped the tears away. “I’m fine, just a bit shocked is all.”
Maria embraced her mother, then got up and rummaged through her closet.
“Where are you going?” her mother asked.
Maria kept looking in her closet. “I have to go talk to Cade.”