Finding Real Love

Chapter 8

We drank our tea slowly. As we drank it, I learned more about Faith. I learned that she was engaged to her cousin who lived in India.

"What? In India?" I asked.

"Yep. But he's moving back here and then after we get married, we're moving to Canada." She explained.

"With all those savages? You're brave."

"I have no choice."

"But then what are you doing here?"

"I started here three years ago. It kept me outta trouble and it pays my dowry. My parents don't see an issue with me being here." She says, chuckling at her own bad fortune.

"That's so sad. Do you like your cousin?" I ask.

"He's nice enough."

We fall silent and finish our tea. Faith takes the cups, washes them and puts them away.

A knock sounds at the door. An unfamiliar voice calls out, "Staff dinner in five!" And then we hear his footsteps walk away and stop and call out the same warning over and over.

Faith and I stand up and straighten ourselves out and she leads me to the 'Mess Hall', where the staff and then the servants have dinner.

We enter the room early and Faith explains how we are seated, men on one side, women on the other, according to position. In other words, I would be sitting across from Gus, at the left hand of the captain, who sits at the head of the table.

I groan that I will have to make conversation with this man who appears to hate me in my eyes, but to others, has fallen completely for me. I don't quite see how that's possible, because I have done nothing to inspire his 'love'.

Faith chuckles at my groan and says, "Well at least you don't really have to speak with Octavius."

I laugh at her real misfortune and nod my head, completely agreeing with her. Octavius is an odious man.

We head to our seats and I pull out my chair so I can sit down, but Faith stops me. "You can't sit down yet. You must wait for everyone to join us and then for the captain to say the blessing."

"Oh." Was my embarrassed reply, and I hurriedly pushed my chair back in and waited for everyone to fill in and stand behind their chairs. When everyone had assembled, the Captain spoke.

"I would like to welcome you all aboard the ship. I have a few announcements to make before we start. Number one; as I'm sure you've all heard, the Prince of Wales, and his sister, Princess Sephira have graced us with their presences on this trip. Should they speak to you, be overly polite, should they need anything, direct them to me. Number two; Should there be anything you need or any troubles, speak to Angus, the first mate. Number three; we have some new crew members. First of all, Adella Harrison our Ladies Nurse. Pierre Javert, our Chef. Also, Jon Macintosh the Sous-Chef. Those are all the announcements for today, please bow your heads for the blessing."

There was a rustling as everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. I, too, bowed my head, but I did not close my eyes, I hated not being able to see. I had many insecurities about it. So much so, that I slept with one eye open, as any sane, single woman should do.

The Captain continued with the blessing, I couldn't understand it though, as it was in Latin, "No nobis Domine, no nobis. Sed nominae tu, ta gloria. In nominae Patris, Fliliae et Spiritus. Amen."

Everyone repeated the final 'amen' and sat down to a feast of dry chicken, mushy beans and a potato each. I ate the chicken and potato while talking to Gus and Faith about the ship, and the prince and princess. But the beans I just pushed around on my plate.