The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 22

Nicole opened her jewellery box, extracting the gift from Waverly, returning to her bed. Carefully untying the knot at the top of the pouch, she pulled out a handkerchief, the corner of which had embroidered in red the outline of a heart inside which were their initials.

Except, Waverly had combined the letters to spell the word: WHEN.

Nicole stared at the design, her mind blown by Waverly's ingenuity, bringing it to her nose, recognising her perfume. That one gift was enough, and yet Waverly included another, wrapped in a piece of paper, held within the folds of the handkerchief. A silver sixpence, one side of which had been altered with an engraving of a sailing ship. The most intricate of designs on a small coin, complete with three masts and full sails, a flag at the stern and a series of wavy lines depicting the sea. The coin was bent to create its own wave, so as not to be spent by mistake.

The paper enveloping the coin held a message from Waverly:

My Red,

Think of me when you hold this coin.

Your Wiggle

Holding the coin between her fingers, she was determined to return to the cottage as soon as able, to be near her true love. Replacing the coin in the paper, the paper in the handkerchief, the handkerchief in the pouch, she slipped it under her pillow, laying down once more, closing her eyes, the happiest she had ever felt.

Her mother entered, a maid following with a tray, placing it on the table by the door, curtseying before leaving them alone. "How are you feeling my dearest child?" her mother asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Much better. A little tired still. I'm sorry I wasn't able to join everyone downstairs."

"Nonsense. You need to rest, recover your strength. I instructed cook to make you her special soup. The one you like. And, there is a bowl of trifle."

"No champagne," Nicole asked, checking the tray.

"Nicole! You know you can't drink. I can stay with you if you like."

"Thank you. I'm minded to go to Cambridge when term starts. Jeremy needs my help on his thesis and Waverly is struggling with her biology classes."

"I thought it was mathematics she found difficult," her mother said. "To think James Hardy is courting her. Excellent match. The Hardys are very respectable and Waverly will make a good wife."

"She does have a knack of doing the right thing," Nicole replied. "And, choosing the right person."

"I have always liked Waverly. Such a sweet-natured child, so thoughtful. And, Wynonna too with Edward."

"They are a lovely family. Would you mind handing me the trifle?"

"Soup first, then you can have the trifle," her mother instructed, bringing the tray to the bed. "I explained to father you will not be able to return to Charles, given your condition. It is for Charles to decide whether he wishes to return to England."

"I doubt he will. Too much to lose if he does. His position in Khartoum is too important. I know father thinks he'll go into politics. But, the Charles I know is too shrewd a businessman."

"That maybe so. Which leaves you without a husband. To be married would give you sufficient freedom, I can assure you. So long as you didn't cause any embarrassment."

"You mean, so long as I didn't associate with any radical thinkers."

"Those radical thinkers are not to be trusted. They are merely using your good name, your family's good name to promote their ideas. You are far better associating with the Earps than that Virginia person. I don't know what you see in her. No manners."