Noble Duty

16. The Bethesons

As we sipped tea and talked, Atlantica's bell pealed, causing Camille to pause her cup short of the mouth and smile. "Ooh, how I remember those – and what memories they bring back. Two bells of the first dog, five o'clock."

Camilia shook her head. "Dogs and two bells for five. What manner of counting is this? You have lost me, Grandmama."

"This is the way ships indicate the passing of time and mark the watches, sweetheart."

"Mark the watches?" She shook her head again. "I am now further lost."

"Watches are the duty rotations of the crew, four hours each, and their progression is marked by the bell at each half-hour. The two we just heard mark one hour, and eight bells mark the end of the watch when fresh crew relieve those on watch."

"Oh. And the dog?"

Camille chuckled. "Each watch is named, beginning at eight of the evening with the first. This is followed at midnight by the middle, then the morning, the forenoon and the afternoon. The next watch is divided into two of two hours each, and these are called the dog watches, a corruption of the original name, dodge watches."

"Dodge?"

"To give the day seven watches rather than six and dodge the crew always standing the same hours."

Smiling at her comprehension and clarity, I added, "The dogs also allow the evening meal to be served on either side of six o'clock, easing the work of the cookery. Those about to go on watch eat before, and the remainder sup after the watch change."

"Ah, yes, that as well." Camille placed her hand on Gillian's and looked at me. "And speaking of eating, we would be honoured if you two join us for dinner this evening."

Charles nodded. "A fine idea. Also, invite Charlie and Mary, so we can discuss their daughter visiting England."

I pursed my lips in thought. I could leave the ship to Master Jenson. Is that proper? Yes, of course, it is. Father always went ashore in ports. "Charlie? Your son, who is surveying our damage?"

"Yes, and the evening together will also allow us the opportunity to discuss details of the repairs."

Camille sipped the last of her tea, dabbed her lips and stood. "We need to warn the kitchen. Gillian can accompany Camelia and me now, and the men can follow when they have finished here."

Charles rose as Camille did. "We could gather the entire family. A grand welcoming feast."

"There is insufficient time to properly arrange that." Camille shook her head. "No, it is best to do it to-morrow and allow the staff the time to organise it properly."

"True. And it is a fine occasion to take the calf with the lame leg."

Thoughts of roasted veal set my stomach rumbling as I rose and took Gillian's hand to assist her up.

A while later, after we handed the women into the carriage and the coachman turned about on the wharf, I asked, "How many children have you?"

"Nine, plus thirty-seven grandchildren and two great-grands." Charles chuckled. "And four more on the way."

"Oh, my!" I nodded toward the departing carriage. "I see why Camelia feels left out."

"Yes, a younger sister and two younger cousins have already wed, as has her older brother."

I chuckled. "You must have difficulty keeping track of them all."

"No, we are fortunate in this. Every Sunday, we all gather for sport, merriment and a grand luncheon. Besides, most live on the estate, and of those who have chosen to build elsewhere, none is more than half a mile away."

"The estate?"

"Less than half a mile north of here along the strand." Charles pointed across the wharf to what he had earlier identified as the office. "Camille and I first lived in that house while we established the trading company. This was before the rapacious taxation, and the business grew quickly. So quickly, in fact, that rather than building our planned mansion in the meadows to the north, we delayed it and added more warehouses here."

"And during this, did you continue sailing?"

"No, after nine years at sea, I had decided it was time to find a suitable woman and settle ashore." He chuckled. "Camille found me, and I sold Zeelandia to my three officers."

I smiled and nodded, thinking how quickly the right woman can change plans – even lives. Then, Charles continued, "Four years later, with Camille carrying our fourth child, we had the architect revise the plans from six bedrooms to ten."

"Ten?"

"Twenty, now. We built new housing for the staff and renovated their former quarters in the garret to provide additional space when our children began marrying."

"Oh, so multiple families in the same house."

"Yes, and when it became too crowded and awkward, we built another house across the west gardens."

"Oh, my! Your own little village."

"I like that perspective." He smiled and pointed northward beyond the end of the wharves and the unbroken line of houses. "It sits in a waterside meadow surrounded by that piece of remaining forest. But it is a hidden village, and other than by birds on the wing, it is seen only in a fleeting glance from boats and ships passing by."

"Ooh, that sounds delightful."

"It is. Our three-and-a-half acres of oak, hickory, and chestnut trees is all that remains of the forests that once covered the southern part of the island. When we built, there were only a few scattered farms north of here, beyond the former city wall along what is now Wall Street. But with New York's rapid and uncontrolled expansion, houses now sit cheek-by-jowl and higgledy-piggledy on short, crooked streets all the way to and beyond our estate."

"Oh! Removing all the trees and taking you from a rural setting to an urban one."

"Indeed, and though now surrounded by the crowding and clamour of the city, our ring of forest allows us to remain as if rural."

"Peaceful and private except for the neighbours wandering through your forest and into your meadow."

"Ah, but because of our horses, cattle, sheep and goats, we keep it well-fenced, and it is posted with warnings about the dogs." He chuckled. "If the fencing and signs fail to deter the adventurous, our dogs will."

Images of the wondrous setting invoked by his descriptions filled my mind as we reboarded Atlantica. When we stepped on deck, Charlie approached and pointed to his slate. "I believe we have all the damage noted, sir. What remains is to determine the best approach. What to replace and what to repair."

I pointed aft. "There is also damage to the sterncastle, both inside and out."

"We noted the exterior, sir. Do you wish us to repair the interior, as well?"

"Yes, we need to improve the accommodations for the officers and mates – they were rather hastily done after the attack, the priority being the comfort of the passengers and the hands."

A while later, when the two men had examined and noted the work required, Charles laid a hand on his eldest's shoulder. "The Captain and the Baroness are joining us for dinner this evening, and we want you and Mary there, as well. We have a matter to discuss."

"A matter?"

Charles pursed his lips and shrugged. "Yes, it might be best to tell you now and allow you to dwell on it. Camelia has asked to visit Cavendish Castle, and the Baroness welcomes this."

Charlie chuckled. "She is so like her grandmother. Inventive, impulsive and forthright. Is this another of her schemes to find a man?"

"We both know the answer to that."