Sequel to CAPSIZE
The adventure continues as Celia finally escapes Elizabeth's iron grasp, but the horrors that await the recently free, seemingly happy couple surpass their expectations.
Set in 1500s America
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Five years later...
The golden rays of spring sunlight warmed Celia's cheeks as she lay in the tall grass of the meadow. She was smiling as her eyes followed the curly-haired six year old that chased the green-eyed five year old around in circles. Her eyes moved downward and she ran her fingers through the red curls of her youngest child that sat next to her.
"How much longer until Papa returns?" Walter asked, his face flushed from playing.
"Not too long," Celia said, "Why don't you and your sisters pick some flowers for him and our guests?"
Nerissa nodded excitedly and trotted over to her sister, taking her hands and pulling her to her feet. "C'mon, Lizzy, let's pick some pretty flowers," she said in a sweet voice to the three year old, leading her away.
Celia stood to her feet, brushing any dirt from her dress and then placing her hands on her hips. She observed her surroundings, breathing in the fresh scent of the flowery meadow and admiring the forest skyline in the distance. She could hardly believe that it had been five years since Elizabeth had gifted them with the money for the cottage. It was the perfect location, settled on the edge of a village and only an hour carriage ride from Berkeley Manor.
"Carriage is pullin' up, ma'am!" the house maid shouted from the doorway of the house.
Celia gathered the children and ushered them inside, picking out grass from their hair and brushing off dirt from their clothes. They huddled around her, with bouquets of wild flowers in their tiny hands, and waited anxiously for their father to walk through the front door.
The knob turned slowly and the door creaked open. When Harry stepped inside, his children attacked him with hugs and squeals of joy. He scooped Lizzy into his arms, and kissed Nerissa and Walter on the head, stepping further into the house for the guests to follow. He took the flowers from the children with a gracious smile and stood next to Celia, kissing her cheek and whispering a greeting to her.
"Izzy!" Nerissa grinned when her cousin entered. She attacked Little Izzy with a hug, and the two ran off, their giggles trailing behind them.
Walter rolled his eyes and huffed. Though he thought it would go unnoticed, Harry thumped him on the head, receiving a small groan from Walter. Harry smiled and scruffed his hair, then resting a free hand on his shoulder.
James came to the door next, carrying a trunk in each hand. "You'd think we're staying for an eternity," he joked.
"Oh, hush," Anne said, appearing beside her husband.
"Anne, I'm delighted that you're here," Celia said, stepping forward and embracing her in a hug. They pulled apart and Celia linked her arm with Anne's, leading her into the parlor. "My friend, Beatrice, and her family will be here soon. I haven't seen her in years, I'm so happy to have everyone here."
