The Secret of the Stone

Chapter 5

Mark

When I had made Elise’s father the promise to take care of his daughter I hadn't realized she would be such a handful. Over the years I had been curious to meet her. He talked so fondly and proudly of her. By the afternoon I finally got the truth out of a reluctant Peggy about Elsie’s whereabouts and she had given me her note. I knew I wouldn't be able to catch up to her. She had almost a 12 hour head start. And my own crew wouldn't be ready until the next morning. I glare at Peggy for the 10th time that hour. “How could you let her do such a dangerous and foolish thing?” 

She glares right back. “As if anyone can stop her once she gets an idea into her head. Besides, you aren't  much better!” 

I throw her a look and she pokes me angrily in the arm. 

“Oh no mister, don't you dare play innocent. She would have married you if you had stood up to your mother and had the wedding today and sailed out TODAY. You tell Elsie that her only living family member left is dying, then say "oh just wait a few weeks to see if we are going to be recovering a BODY or not .” Her face is flushed as she takes a breath. 

I swallow guilt hitting me hard. I should have stood up to my mother. Her damned traditions and backhanded insults. She was very upset to hear of the engagement to Elsie. But had only been appeased when she realized the cider business would be in my name at her father's death. Clenching my fist in frustration I stare out the window. Anything could happen to her out there!  I made a promise to a dying man and I already screwed it up. 

“You don't know what it was like for us.” Peggy says quietly interrupting my thoughts. We were in a carriage heading to the city to prepare my ship. She had insisted on coming with me. I only agreed because Peggy reminded me she would be the best chance at finding Elsie. I was likely to agree since all I knew of her was what her father had told me. 

“We lost almost everyone. The pox, it destroyed us. And those that didn't die were left to pick up the broken pieces of their lives.” 

I lower my gaze at the pure pain on her face. She continues, her eyes lost in the past. 

“When I was hired by her father to be her maid I didn't want to live anymore. Her father found me in the village up the cliff. I had lost everyone. I had nobody left. And he told me if I agreed to be his daughters…..chaperone, and I still found life to be worth throwing away then he wouldn't stop me. But then I met Elsie. She had spent two months alone in that house.” Her voice breaks. “Two months before her father had returned from his business trip to find half the village dead and his family in tatters. Elsie was so quiet and broken. But we helped heal each other. She saved me more than she will ever know. I was 15 and I had nobody. But I found a home with Elsie and her father.”

She goes quiet staring out the window blinking back tears. 

“I'm sorry.” I tell her. My heart breaking for her. “I knew Elsie had lost her mother, I didn't know the details.” 

She looks me in my eyes, pinning me in place with just her stare. 

“You will find Elsie and you will keep her safe. Even if that means making her love you so she will do the right thing and marry you. She doesn't know the world beyond her family's orchard. But she will not survive without her father.” Giving her a small smile I bow my head. 

“I intend to do right by her and her father's wishes.” 

She nods content and I wonder if Elsie knows just how much Peggy cares about her.