Embark | h.s

Fourteen

The chirping of birds woke Celia from her slumber. She peeled her eyes open and stretched her arms and legs, a yawn escaping her mouth as she woke up. Flipping onto her side to face Harry, she was greeted with an empty space. She reached out and ran her hand across the wrinkled sheets, feeling the coolness from his absence and lack of body warmth. She sighed.

She slid on a gown and laced up the corset herself, then taking her curls and running her fingers through them to clear the tangles. She stepped into the kitchen to find a note on the table. Picking it up, she read Harry's script carefully:

C,

I'm sorry for getting home late last night, I was meeting with John to discuss how we will ration food for the winter. Hopefully we will be gone before then. Supper was delicious. I did not want to wake you this morning, you looked so peaceful. I assume you will be spending the day with Marisol, so I will see you later. John and I plan to draft a letter to England for extra provisions to be sent for winter.

All my love,

H.

Celia folded the parchment in half and tossed it onto the table. She ripped off a piece of bread from the fresh loaf she had purchased the day prior and skipped out the door. As she walked to Marisol's house, she chewed on the bread and tried not to focus on Harry.

When she reached Marisol's door, she lifted her fist to knock as it was swung open. A man greeted her with a smile, scooting past her without a word or looking at her for too long, and began to run across the fort. Celia furrowed her brows and peeked her head inside.

"Marisol?" she called.

"Oh, Celia," Marisol said, coming into view. She wiped her hands off on the white apron that was tied around her waist, flour clouding the air as she did so.

"Good morning, I hope it's not too early for a visit," Celia said.

"Nonsense. Come in, there's just enough tea left for a cup for you."

Celia walked inside and accepted the cup of tea with thanks. "Was that your husband who ran out in a flurry?"

"Yes. He works for the blacksmith across the fort and was running late. Perhaps you and your husband could join us for supper tonight? I know Edward would appreciate a friend around here."

"I'd love that, I'll mention it to Harry," Celia smiled.

✿

Celia entered their home with a spring in her step. The cooing of Nerissa as Ana fed her mashed fruits made a wide smile spread onto her face.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," Ana said from the table, "You seem to be in high spirits."

"Good afternoon, Ana," Celia replied, walking from the door to the table in which they sat. She stooped down to be level with Nerissa, who was propped up in a wooden chair that Harry had made himself. "Hello, my love," she smiled, tapping her finger against Nerissa's nose and making her giggle. She returned to her full height and scanned the room. With no sight of Harry, she looked down at Ana. "Where's Harry?"

"Outside, ma'am," she said, "He's been out there ever since he got back from his meeting with Mr. White."

Celia hummed in response, gathering the skirt of her dress in her hands and twisting it with nerves. She then smiled at her daughter and blew her a kiss before striding across the room to the back door, stepping through the threshold and entering the afternoon heat. Standing in the tall grass with sweat strolling down his tanned skin, Celia found Harry sawing through a plank of wood. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at him from the door, studying his knitted brows and the firm grip that his strong hands had on the saw. His muscles flexed as he rigorously cut the wood until it eventually broke in half, falling to the ground by his feet. He wiped the sweat from his brow and upper lip with his sleeve, his eyes lifting upward and catching a glimpse of Celia.

"What are you doing?" he asked with confusion written on his face.

She shook her head with a small smile. "Just observing you." Harry laughed dryly. "The Paynes have invited us over for supper tonight."

Harry reached for another plank of wood and set it on the tree stump. "I have a meeting with John."

Celia sighed. "Of course," she mumbled, "Why do you spend more time there than with your family? I'd very much like for you to get acquainted with Marisol's husband, they seem to be a pleasure to be around."

"This is my job, Celia," Harry said, "I have meetings over supper or a cup of ale or wine to discuss how to run this damn place. No longer am I simply the captain of a ship, I have a much greater responsibility now."

"A responsibility that comes before spending time with me?"

"Unfortunately, yes," he said, "Besides, why don't you call upon Eleanor? Become friends with her, and we could see each other much more often than if you spend all of your time across the fort at the Payne's house."

"Marisol is my friend. Eleanor is a child. Besides, I shouldn't have to create friendships so that it's convenient for you."

"My dear, please—"

"No! Don't 'my dear' me," Celia snapped, "You spend half the day with John and the other half sawing away at planks of wood. The only time I see you is when you crawl into bed, because you're up before the sun rises. I'm your wife, the mother to your child, and I feel as if I am nothing but a pet to you. You don't even know what goes on in my life."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Harry questioned, his brows furrowed with anger but also confusion.

"Nothing," Celia muttered, "Give the Whites my best. I will be dining with the Paynes this evening." She quickly spun around and swung the door open, stepping inside and slamming it shut behind her. Ana jumped at the sudden sound, and Nerissa's eyes were wide. Celia huffed and walked over to her child, scooping her up in her arms and hugging her tight. "My little pearl, you are so innocent and pure. You seem to be the only constant in my life."