The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 1: Fortune's Favors

Chapter 1: Fortune's Favors

Charlestown, South Carolina, 1843

Fitzgerald Thornton's house seemed a familiar sight now, with how many times John Brandon Quincy found himself there. Whether the visit was in terms of business, a social call, or an errand, he found himself on the man's threshold at least once a day.

It started when John's wife, Eliza Quincy, formerly Worthington, started going about Charlestown in her social splendor, talking up his name and spreading good words about him. She spoke of his accomplishments in business, trade, and finances, and even dropped her own connections, though only the two of them knew how little such things meant. Ever since Eliza left Belmoran with John and came to Charlestown, her brother, Samuel Worthington, a powerful name in that area, cut her off entirely. There was no dowry, and no allowance. Had it not been for her marriage, Eliza would have been left destitute.

John saw to it that they were married the proper way as soon as they arrived in Charlestown. His mother, Malia, a gathering of his good friends and associates, and his employer, Benjamin Hewlett, bore witness to the union. It was not a grand affair, the other people they wanted there could not come. John's sister, Lucy, had all but disappeared with no word, and Eliza's brother was out of the question.

Still, the two of them were very happy to be married, and did not waste time being with each other in ways a man and wife should. John knew he was as inexperienced as she was, and the first time was more experimentation than anything else, but after they both got the idea, the enjoyment came second, and soon the phase arrived where they couldn't take their hands off each other, and had to school themselves to proper decorum when they were in public. A year had passed, and still nothing much had changed, but now that John had a new alliance with Thornton, work started becoming a hindrance.

John's mother had taken well to Eliza, and even insisted that she call her 'mother' as well. The women got on beautifully, and spent many nights speaking and getting to know one another better. He saw the wariness in his mother's eyes from time to time, but he was blessed that she was open minded enough to give Eliza a chance. That Eliza had grown up with servants seemed to bother his mother slightly, as she had to teach Eliza how to cook, clean, and keep a home from scratch. Still, John even noted that his wife was as quick study, eager to learn and be in her mother-in-law's good graces.

Eliza's announcement that she was with child had brought about a great deal of joy in the home. John's mother was in a fit, trying to ready the house for the new arrival, and John himself was constantly doting on Eliza, pampering her and trying to get her to relax when she was overly stressed.

John and Eliza had few secrets, but one he felt he needed to keep was him trying to find his sister. Lucy's disappearance had disturbed all of them a great deal and, not wanting to distress his wife any more than he had to given her current state, he chose to remain mum about his efforts to find Lucy. Fitzgerald Thornton proved a valuable asset in that endeavor. He was the uncle of Lucy's former friend, Beatrice, and he had connections all throughout London society, which meant he could reach Abigail and Lydia Quincy if need be.

Today's visit was because Fitzgerald had new findings for John. The last time such an announcement had come was about six months ago, which meant that it was a year since Lucy's disappearance, and John still had no substantial news.

"Abigail Quincy seems to know nothing of her daughter's disappearance," Thornton told John when he arrived to his home and they were both sitting in his study. "Her youngest, Lydia, left London to seek out her sister. According to my informant, she went to Lanfore and met with her uncle there, Robert Quincy, does the name sound familiar?"