Twenty-One-INTRODUCTIONS
September 1716
The early morning hour brought fog and a crisp coolness to the surrounding trees as Sam and Rachel bounced along the dirt road in the open carriage. It was a surreal morning for Sam thinking about what took place last night. Notwithstanding how it ended, he felt he had made true friends in the Phineas family. Bath, it turned out, was the best move he and Paulgrave had made on their voyage yet.
“Thank you for the ride,” Sam said breaking the silence.
“You’re welcome.” Rachel kept looking straight ahead.
Sam watched her for a moment. “Could I ask a favor of you?”
Rachel looked at Sam. “What is it?”
Sam reached in his pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope. “I have a letter here that needs to be delivered. Could you take it to a courier for me?”
“Certainly.” Rachel turned back to the road ahead.
“Thank you.” Sam felt responsible for the strange mood.
“You’re welcome.”
Sam looked at the letter. Touching the wax seal, he took a deep breath.
“Is that for Maria?” Rachel asked.
Sam nodded. “It’s been three weeks since I’ve seen her.”
“That must be hard”
“It seems like it’s been three years,” Sam said. He slipped the letter back into his inner pocket.
“What is she like?”
Sam looked at Rachel, at her warm and welcoming face, and decided to answer honestly. “She is smart, charming, funny...Beautiful.”
“It sounds like it’s you who are the lucky one.”
Sam smiled and nodded. “That is a fact.” He watched the road for a moment. “You remind me of her.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Sam you don’t need to—”
“I’m not,” he said, turning slightly toward her. “I see her strength in you.”
“Well, she must be an amazing woman then,” Rachel said with a grin.
“She most definitely is.” Sam noticed Rachel shiver in the slight breeze. He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“She really is the lucky one you know,” Rachel said with a slight blush.
Sam shook his head. “With that I respectfully disagree.”
“There are very few gentlemen in this world anymore. A woman who has one could consider herself very lucky.”
A smile formed on Sam’s face. “I happen to know a man who is one of the few. May I introduce you?”
Although she shook her head, Rachel let a smile shine through. “If you must.”
***
Paulgrave stood near the festival grounds waiting. Rachel pulled the wagon to a stop nearby. Sam hopped down and clutched onto Paulgrave’s arm. “Good to see you my friend.”
“It’s about time what took you so long?”
“Paul, when ones company is as lovely as Miss Rachel Phineas, one cannot help but lose track of time.” Sam moved his head slightly back toward Rachel, hoping Paulgrave would catch his meaning.
Paul looked at Rachel who was still sitting on the wagon. “Pardon me, miss, those words were meant in jest.” He walked over to her and held out his arm. Rachel grabbed hold and stepped down.
“No apology necessary. Paulgrave is it?”
“Yes, Paulgrave Williams. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Phineas.”
“Please, call me Rachel.” She smiled at Paulgrave then removed Sam’s coat, turning to hand it to him. “Thank you, Sam.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Rachel turned back to Paulgrave. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
“Considering the source, I’m lucky if half of it is true.” He gave Sam a look.
“Well, if you are half the man that Sam described, then you are one of the good ones.”
Paulgrave blushed. “You’re far too kind.”
“Will I see you gentlemen on your way back through?” she asked.
“I certainly hope so,” Paulgrave answered.
Sam handed Rachel his letter to Maria. “We’ll be back.”
Paulgrave took her hand and kissed it. “Pleasure meeting you, Rachel.”
Paulgrave helped Rachel up into the wagon, and they both watched as she drove away.
“So how was your night?” Paulgrave asked.
“Not bad. And yours?”
“Not as good as yours apparently.”
“No, I expect not.”
“She’s beautiful,” Paulgrave said still in a trance.
Sam nodded his head. “Yes she is.”
“Are you going to tell me about your night?”
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Paulgrave looked at Sam, who laughed.
“Why do you suppose I introduced her to you?” Sam said before Paulgrave could protest.
“Oh I don’t know, maybe to show off the fact that you always seem to attract the most beautiful women.”
“From what I saw, she’s attracted to you my friend.”
They turned and headed toward the docks.
“Are you going to tell me about her?”
“Well, that depends.”
Paulgrave turned sharply and started walking inland.
Sam laughed again. “All right, all right… I will tell you.” They began walking toward the dock again. “Are the men going to meet us at the ship?”
Paulgrave shook his head, “You are unbelievable.”
“The truth is she’s an amazing woman.”
“You’re not very good at this.”
Sam continued. “She thinks we’re pirates.”
“What? Why? What did you say?”
“Don’t worry; it actually makes you more attractive to her.”
“This is beyond ridiculous.” Paulgrave turned back toward the road.
Sam put his arm on Paulgrave’s shoulder. “Paul my friend, it will all work out as it should.”
“You really should stop talking now.”
They continued down the dirt road toward their ship.
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