The Secret of the Stone

Chapter 3

Elsie

Just after the midnight bell I decided I'd done enough pacing in my room, so I stuck my head out. There was nobody around as I slipped out, hoping to find a garden outside. But as I walked down the halls towards the stairs I passed a door that was slightly ajar. Firelight glowing from inside. Peeking past the door I am surprised to see Mark sitting in a lounge chair reading a book and even more shocked to see just how big their library was. 

Shelves going up ten feet, five or six rows deep that I could see before the room disappeared into darkness. It puts our library to shame. I glance back at Mark, so still and silent as he gazes at the book, his brow furrowed and I start to retreat. As I take a step back my shoulder bumps the door and it creaks. Mark looks up before I am fully out of sight. He drops his book and hurries over. “Elise? Is that you? You are up late, are you alright?” 

I didn’t want to say anything but the look of worry made me swallow. Sighing I wring my hands together. 

“I'm alright. I just couldn’t sleep.” Look past him at all the books I can’t help but be in awe. My eyes focus back on him and my face flushes. 

He was out of his suit and jacket just wearing a loose tunic un buttoned to show part of his chest. I suddenly felt like I was interrupting his personal space. Embarrassed, I start to retreat. 

“I couldn’t sleep either. Please come in, do you like books?” I hesitate as he swings the door completely open and gestures for me to come in. Looking down at his hand on the door I hesitate. Unsure of what was appropriate. In the end my curiosity wins. Walking forward I spin around. This was the biggest personal library I had ever seen. Most people don’t find a need to have so many books. I look at him in wonder and he smiles, a dimple on his left cheek appearing. Smiling back, I take a seat on the plush armchair across from where he was by the fire. “I do like to read. This is very impressive.” 

He grins boyishly and sits down too. “This is my personal collection. I am always collecting more books. Nobody else in my family quite gets my passion.” 

I was curious. He didn’t seem the book type. But I guess I didn't really know him.On the floor I spot the book he had dropped and I reach down to pick it up. He taps his finger nervously and his face turns red. It was on illness prevention. Question in my eyes I look at him. 

“I just wanted to make sure when we go see your father if there is anything we can bring him to help that we do. I don’t know, I just wish I could help more.” He looks so embarrassed. I can’t help but reach out to touch his hand. “Thank you. That means a lot.” 

He relaxes his face showing relief and I move my hand. We sit in silence for a moment before he clears his throat speaking, “I promise it wasn’t my idea to marry you-I mean not that I don’t want to. Just that he asked and I respect your father enough and wanted to do right by him and you. He has been so supportive and taught me about traveling and other countries. About the cider business. We have become close in the last two years.” He stops and I think back. Why had my father never mentioned Mark? He had mentioned a few times that the silent partners were occasionally traveling with him but not anything about Mark specifically. 

“I don’t know what to say. This has all been crazy. Just 5 months ago he was healthy and he never mentioned you. All I want is to leave and go see him. I don’t care if we are married or not. I don’t know you nor love you and I never wanted to marry for anything other than love.” I run out of breath and words, look at him carefully, refusing to be embarrassed by my truth. While I sincerely did not mean to hurt his feelings, I also believed in being honest. 

Mark lets out a breath and closes the book he had been reading. 

“Elise, I do not claim to say you will love me, or that I love you. But I do know that I will try. I will not hold you back from your passions or what you want. I will be able to give you protection if god forbid something has happened to your father. I feel like overtime we will grow fond of each other. And I would love for your family business to stay in the family.” He looks at me and his eyes inky in the firelight, flash for a moment and he looks away. I didn’t know what to tell him. I was dead set on going to Cuba. I wasn’t going to wait for a wedding. I wasn’t stupid. If my father does not survive, I hoped he would still honor this engagement. I would have nothing and no one if he didn’t. But how can I wait with the only family I had left dying alone?

“I believe you are an honorable gentleman. And I am no fool. I see the need for the union. But also know, I am no damsel in distress.” 

He gives me a soft smile,“Of course. I wouldn’t dream to see you as such. I can already see you have as much courage and fortitude as any man.” 

Blinking at his words, I realized no one had ever said they thought me capable and as accomplished as a man. I had spent a lot of time trying to be both my fathers daughter and learn the duties that the son he never got to have would have taken over. Grief hits me hard, a pain splitting my chest as my eyes sting. Pushing off my chair, I stand up quickly.  “Thank you for understanding. I will retire to my room now. It is very late.” He stands and gives me a nod. 

Back in my room Peggy was waiting for me. “How did it go?” I ask her quickly. Pushing all thoughts about Mark aside. “What did you find out?” 

Peggy grins mischievously. “I could ask you the same. The servants are gossiping about your late night rondevu in the library.” My face heats and Peggy chuckles. 

“It was nothing.” I promise her, not wanting to think about what anything with Mark meant. ‘So, what did you find out?” I twist my hands nervously sitting down on the bed.

She points to the trousers, shirt and hat laying behind me. “For starters I got those. And we must hurry to get you ready. The next boat leaves at first light for the caribbean. It was very hard to find them. The captain has been very secretive about their business. But I did find out they are missing a cabin boy. He fell ill and they don’t have one now.” 

I leap up and embrace peggy. “Thank you thank you thank you! I owe you.” 

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah yeah,” More seriously she takes my hands searching my face, “Are you sure I can't convince you to stay and wait until after the wedding and cross safely with Mark? It is dangerous out there alone Elise!” Peggy's brows were wrinkled together with worry and I tried to assure her I would be ok. 

She grunts as a permanent line of concern sets on her face. “I will cover for you as long as I can tomorrow morning. But what do I say when they find out you are gone?” 

I hadn’t really thought about it yet. Hopefully, Mark would understand. He had to. Knowing his mother, she would be livid. “Get me some ink and paper if you can, Peggy.” She scurries off and I begin to undress pulling off the layers until I was just in my under things. Here I wondered what to do. The shirt was baggy but I didn't want anyone to be able to see my breasts through it. My safety depended on it. I look down at the layers of my dress and pick up an outer layer ripping the silver blue material into a thick strip and wrap it around my chest. I pulled it as tight as I can and knotted it. It was uncomfortable but not as much as the stupid corset. I throw on the shirt and the trousers before looking in the mirror. My curly red hair streamed around my face and I realized It would have to go. The clock chimed 3 and I jump as Peggy rushes back into the room.

“We must hurry! First light is in a short time.” She freezes, eyeing me. My hair was beautiful. I wasn’t vain but if I had to pick one thing to keep about myself it would be that. 

“Hair grows back?” She tries to offer me comfort. I pull out the shears and hand them to her. “Please. I can’t.” Taking them from me gently she asks me,“Are you sure? We can still back out now?” 

I think about my father. His kind smile. How he taught me everything about our apple orchard and how to make cider. How deeply he loved my mother and still mourned her.  How he was always helping others before helping himself. And how empty my life would be without him. 

If there was any chance of seeing him alive at all, I needed to do this.

I picked up the quill and ink and begin writing.

“Yes I am sure.” Feeling the cold scissors as my hair falls away to the floor, I smile grimly. I knew this was what I needed to do.