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#11

Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Continue the thread

Last post by laedyfaire - April 23, 2025, 04:35:49 PM

clothes shopping is a nightmare

#12

Mundane Topics / Re: Answer my question with a ...

Last post by laedyfaire - April 23, 2025, 04:34:52 PM

are they permitted to smile?

#13

Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Two words!

Last post by laedyfaire - April 23, 2025, 04:34:27 PM

preferred parking

#14

Port of Call / Re: ZARA

Last post by Welsh Wench - April 19, 2025, 08:02:46 PM

Phillip took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Zara's room. She cautiously opened the door a crack and then flung it wide open when she saw who it was.
"I was worried sick! I see Da hasn't run you through so...how did it go?"
He sat down on her bed.
"Not bad, considering we dropped this cannonball on him."
"And Uncle Josiah?"
"Mortified that I would do something like this behind Jack's back when he trusted me to take care of you."
"But you did."
"You know my father. He's always more or less been by the book. Yeah, he went along with Jack's crazy schemes but he was always the voice of reason. He apologized for me but your father said there was no need to. And of course Renee couldn't be more pleased. I think what your da was upset about was that he felt like he was the last to know."
"But there wasn't time to send a note on the packet ship."
"I think he realized that. And in the end, he accepted the fact that we love each other and nothing is going to change that."
She put her arm around Phillip and laid her head against him. "Does this mean...?"
Phillip kissed her. "Yes, love. He said he was glad it was me. A known factor, I guess. And he gave me permission to...umm....spend the night."
"Here? And not in the spare room?"
"Here. With you."
"And it was alright with mama? He made her see reason?"
Phillip hesitated. "Well...he's probably heading up there right now to tell her."
"Oh, dear..."
"Don't worry, love. Your mama will understand. Maybe more than anyone."
She turned the covers down.
"No more jumping out of windows, destroying rose bushes?"
"No more."
"Good. Now let's make up for lost time."
"One thing—your father said to keep the noise down."
She laughed, "Well, we shall do our best!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack locked the back door and headed slowly up the stairs. He peeked in on the baby sleeping in the cradle in the alcove. So much like Zara.....has it really been seventeen years? And with the other children...will it be this hard to let go of them? The boys—no problem. Just keep them on the straight and narrow. The girls? He could only hope they would find men as well-suited as Phillip. He smiled to himself. Maybe this was what I had planned all along. He had wished they could have waited a bit but again Renee's words came back to haunt him, 'you can't fence time...and you can't stop love.'

He came quietly into the bedroom. The candle was still burning as it was Honour's habit to keep lit until Jack came to bed. He blew it out and drew back the curtains on the balcony, the moonbeams casting their light on the room.
"Jack?" Honour said sleepily. "How did the evening go? I hope everyone didn't think I was rude by excusing myself. I had put the herb garden in this morning and then there was the menus to go over Mrs Avery. And the baby is beginning to sit up and I have to make sure she doesn't topple over."
Jack took off his clothes and draped them over the chair. He slid into bed beside his wife.
He put his arm around her and drew her close.
"The evening went fine. Everyone left after midnight, though."
"I thought I heard Zara slam her door. Is she upset?"
"No, love. She's trying to adjust to being home. I suggested she turn in."
"And let me guess---she didn't want to miss anything and she didn't want to leave if Phillip was there."
"Yes."
She yawned and snuggled closer to Jack. "I swear that girl is infatuated with him. But then, what girl wouldn't be? He's handsome and commanding and has a way about him. It's too bad he is going to marry Lenore Culley."
Jack took a deep breath. "He's not going to marry Lenore, Honour."
"Does Lenore know that?"
"She will soon enough."
"He's going to end it then."
"He has to."
""Well, if it is wrong, it's wrong. You can't spend your life with someone who doesn't love you. I mean you can, but would you be happy?"
Jack stroked Honour's shoulder. "He's found someone who makes him happy, Honour. He married her. And she loves him."
"What? Are you telling me Phillip got married? No wonder Zara ran up to her room and slammed the door. Well, she will get over it. I mean, it's puppy love. But tell me, who did Phillip marry? I thought we knew all the women from here. Is it that Kilkenny girl? The one with the red hair?"
"No..."
"Oh, don't tell me it is that tavern wench at Seamus' place. The one with the big....assets. She's not in the same class as Phillip."
"No, not her...."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense! Who did he marry?"
Jack took a deep breath. "He married our daughter."

Honour sat up quickly. "Did I hear you right? He—he married ZARA?"
Jack nodded. "They got married in Virginia. Basically....they eloped."
"Jack—she's only seventeen. She has her whole life ahead of her. She has her cartography career. And now you are telling me our little girl is a WIFE?"
He let out a deep breath. "I guess that is what I am telling you."
She crossed her arms. "And what does Josiah and Renee have to say about this?"
"Renee is over the moon about it. You know how she feels about Zara. She always thought they belonged together. Josiah? He's appalled his son did this behind our backs. But 'Uncle Josie' is now her father in law."
"She's only seventeen. Seventeen, Jack!"
"Darling, you were a wife and a widow by that time you were her age. Honour, they truly love each other. Phillip couldn't see himself with anyone else. And Zara? She used to trail after him when she was a little girl. Didn't you tell me she kept that sketch you made of Phillip when we were in Scotland? I daresay that sketch is in a box with Bun-bun."

Honour sat there in silence trying to take it all in. "My baby—my little girl. A wife."
She started to cry. "Oh, Honour, darling, please don't cry. It will all work out. They are in love. He's a fine young man. And he will always protect her and care for her."
Honour started to shudder. Jack braced himself. He knew from experience that Honour was well on her way to a good sob-fest.
"Sweetheart, I know we weren't ready to let her go but better Phillip than some of the riff-raff she started to associate with."
"It—it's not that, Jack," she wailed. "How long will it be before she makes me a grandmother?"
At this point, Jack didn't know what to say. He had never considered himself to be old enough to be a grandfather. But the possibility was now there.
Honour continued to cry on Jack's shoulder.
"Darling...sweetheart....you are getting me all wet."
Honour pulled away and sniffled. She wiped her eyes with the corner of the sheet.
"I—I am sorry. I didn't mean to get so upset. I take it Phillip went home with Josiah and Renee and tomorrow we can all sit down and discuss this."
Jack bit his lip. "Well.....Phillip didn't exactly go home."
"You mean....?"
"No sense in separating them anymore, Honour. It's all legal and we need to accept it or you will lose Zara. You don't want that."
Honour shook her head. "No, I don't."
She laughed shakily. "I just thought of something."
"What?"
"Our little baby—the one in the cradle—is now a sister-in-law."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The coachman pulled up to the portico. Josiah opened the door and held his hand out to help Renee out of the carriage.
Entering the house, Renee yawned and said, "I do believe I will turn in. I am more tired than I thought and---"
Josiah crossed his arms. "Hold it right there, Mrs. Briggs. You and I are going to have a talk."
She put her shawl down and crossed her arms too. "Josie, have you ever known me to break a confidence?"
"Well....no."
"Then why would I start now?"
"Renee, Phillip is my son..."
"Your son. You keep pointing that out to me. Just because I didn't birth him does not make him any less a son to me."
She shook her head. "You, being a man---I don't expect you to understand this. But Phillip and I have a connection. I couldn't love him any more that if he were my fleshly son. But he is a son by choice, Josiah. And please don't throw that up in my face one more time. It hurts me more than you know."
Tears filled Renee's eyes.  He took Renee in his arms and stroked her hair. It was only then that Renee let the tears fall. Josiah felt terrible because it took a lot for Renee to cry.
"I am sorry, darling. I will never bring that up to you again. You are right. Phillip is OUR son."
She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. "Josiah, don't be too upset. After all, we knew that Phillip would get married some day. Let's be happy it is to a wonderful girl like Zara. Yes, she's young. But they are in love. Isn't that all that matters?"
He nodded. "You are right. But there is one thing I didn't count on."
"What is that?"
"Jack and I are now kin. And when the grandbabies come, we both kicked in a quarter of our bloodline."
Renee laughed and grabbed the candlestick. "Well, that thought should keep you up at night."
Josiah grabbed Renee's hand and led her up the stairs to their room.
"It could be worse. I could be related to Governor Culley."
She laughed, "You always look at the bright side of things, Josiah. It takes you a while...but you always come to the right conclusion on your own!"

#15

Port of Call / Re: ZARA

Last post by Welsh Wench - April 19, 2025, 08:00:50 PM

Jack, Josiah, Renee, Phillip, and Zara settled into their favourite chairs on the veranda. Jack poured out a glass of brandy for everyone, then lit his pipe with a small flourish.
"Well, Da," said Zara. "What is the big surprise that you wouldn't talk about over dinner? We're in suspense."
"Shouldn't Honour be here, too?" asked Renee. "I know she's tired, but--"
"Honour knows all about it, Renee," said Jack. "Ordinarily, I would insist she join us. I've learned that when she says she's feeling run down, it's best to let her get some rest."
"Well, get on with it, then," said Josiah through a cloud of pipe smoke. "You know how I dislike surprises."
"Fine, fine," said Jack. "Each of you know that I recently acquired another ship for the company. She's a fine sloop, and she'll be finer once I've had a few modifications made. And though it has not been officially christened, Honour has followed in the tradition of naming smaller vessels after notable rivers. She's given it the name 'Severn', after the largest river that runs through Wales."

"And?" said Renee. "You didn't invite us to dinner to tell us the name of your newest toy."
Jack chuckled. "You're right, of course. The big announcement is who her captain shall be."
"I know it's not you. Mamma isn't angry," said Zara, drawing laughter from the group.
"Wise and observant as always, Zara," said Jack. "No, the Severn's captain will be a young man who has not only earned that position, but that of partner in the company as well."
Phillip had been lost in thought, only half listening to what was being said. But now he felt all eyes on him.
"Well, son?" said Josiah. "What do ye think?"
"What, me?" Phillip stammered. "I mean... I don't know what to say. I had no idea."
"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you had," said Jack. "Phillip, you will love her. She's gaff rigged, nimble as can be. Unlike the Lobo, she'll still make good speed close hauled to the wind. I'm not anticipating you needing to run from a hostile ship, but you never know."
"That sounds fine, but—" started Phillip.
"The modifications should only take a couple of weeks to complete. That will give you plenty of time to hire your crew and familiarise yourself with the charts. "
Phillip could feel Zara's fingers clutching his arm. "Yes, well —"
"Don't worry, I won't be sending you back to Virginia any time soon. You'll have a crew of sixteen to twenty men, and the runs will range from, say, Martinique to Tobago. Easily done in a week, maybe two."
"Jack, I really —"
"In a few months, we'll discuss extending your range once you and the crew are settled in."


Phillip blurted out, "I can't leave, Jack. I—I'm married."
Zara looked over with a stricken look on her face.
Josiah exclaimed, "What? WHAT? When did this happen? You married Lenore already?"
"Lenore? Are you serious? Who on earth do you think I would marry?"
"Maybe the fact you are engaged was the clue," Josiah said between clenched teeth.
Renee sat there quietly sipping her brandy and looking out over the ocean.
Zara said quietly, "Phillip married me, Da."
Phillip looked over the water and said, "We got married in Virginia. I have the marriage certificate in my dresser drawer."
Josiah looked over at Renee. "Are you aware of this?"
She nodded and started to say, "Josiah..."
He fixed her with a stern look and said, "Then this disqualifies you from this conversation."
"But Josie----"
"Quiet, Renee. I mean it. Something this monumental and you didn't see fit to tell me about it?"
"I was sworn to secrecy."
"Then you can just sit there and be quiet."
And for once Renee obeyed him.

Jack sat there in stunned disbelief, not saying a word.
Zara tried to keep the emotions out of her voice and she said, "Da—"
He looked at her, a mixture of disappointment ,hurt and regret on his face. It was always said that when Jack Wolfe was quiet, that was the time to worry. The quieter he was,  the more you needed to take cover and choose your words carefully.
She started again, "Da---"
"Not a word, Zara. Not one word. Go to your room."
"But, Da---"
"I have to figure out a way to break this news to your mother. Good grief, you are only seventeen. She's going to blame me for this, you know. I was the one who set you up on that journey. And I should have known better. Oh, I should have foreseen this."
"But Da---"
He said sternly, "Your room. NOW!"
She drew herself up and said, "You can't do this. I am a married woman now."
Phillip sat there with his hand on his forehead, wishing the headache that was starting would go away. But he knew it wouldn't anytime soon.
"Zara? Sweetheart? Please. Go to your room and let me talk to your father."
She stood there and looked from one to the other. Jack, then Phillip. Josiah and back to Phillip.
She turned to walk away, glancing back just once, a tear trickling down her face.
"This isn't the way I planned on telling you, Da. Sometimes I feel my life is like a river running through. But I love him. And nothing you can say or do will change it."
She started to cry. "I love you, Da."
And she ran up the stairs.

Josiah looked like he wished the ground would open up and swallow him. Renee sat there quiet but with a defiant look on her face. Jack leaned back and said, "I think an explanation is in order, Captain Briggs."
"Well, Jack---"
"Not you, Josiah. From your reprobate son."
"Oh."
"Go on, Phillip. Explain away."
Phillip poured a shot of whiskey from the decanter on the table.
"Looks like you will need it, Phillip," Renee said,
Josiah said, "Renee, one more word and I will send you home in the carriage. I mean it."
She crossed her arms across her chest but said no more.
Phillip said, "I don't know where to begin."
"How about the beginning?"
"As long as you promise not to kill me."
"It depends on your story."
Phillip took a deep drink. "It started when we encountered Mendoza. Zara was scared. She had just killed a man----"
"I thought you said you killed him."
"Jack, I don't know which one of us killed him. He was about to shoot me and Zara whipped out her dagger out of her skirt pocket and jammed the blade into his chest. At that split second, his gun went off in the air and I had never drawn so fast in my life. We saved each other. That night, Zara had a nightmare and I stayed till she fell asleep and, well, I am sure Davis told you the whole story."
"Davis didn't say a word. You just outed yourself, Phillip."
The whiskey gave him courage. "You don't have much room to talk, Captain Wolfe. Getting married just so you could bed a woman...."
"I am quite aware of my past sins. There is no need to trot them out, Phillip."
"We had too much to drink. But at least we were sober when we got married. Once on the deck, Zara had asked me—this was before the whole Tranquillo thing—what I wanted in a woman. And I told her. As we spent more time together, we became close. I realized that Zara matched my description of what I wanted in a woman."
Jack looked at him steadily, "She's not a woman, Philllp. She's a seventeen year old young girl."
"Not anymore," Renee said.
Josiah looked at her. "I'm going to let that one slide, Renee. Only because besides Honour you seem to be the only one who can calm Jack down when he's riled up."
"Well, thank you, Josiah dear. Phillip is my son too. And if he needs protecting from Jack...." 
Jack banged his fist down on the arm of his chair. "Will you PLEASE? I am NOT riled up. I am trying to make sense of this....this situation."

Phillip felt his face getting red with the effort of controlling his own temper. "My God, what is the problem? We love each other. It's only natural that we felt---"
Jack interrupted with, "Is my daughter with child?"
Phillip retorted back, "Certainly not."
"You sure about that?"
"As sure as I can be. I can't believe the two of you. I would think you would be happy for us."
The conversation came to a temporary halt. Phillip reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette and struck a match. He lit the cigarette, leaned back and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes.

 "When I fought that duel with Lord Peffly over her---"
"What? What duel?"
Phillip took a deep breath. "It's another story for another time. But we realized how much we meant to each other. One day we were out riding and stopped for cheese biscuits and ale. I don't know what came over me but all of a sudden I couldn't see myself with anyone else at my breakfast table or in my bed. Pardon if I seem coarse, but you of all people should know what that is like. Seven children and from what I can see, that may not be the end of it---"
"Phillip!" Josiah exclaimed. "I need to apologize to you, Jack, for my son's lack of tactfulness."
Jack waved his hand. "No need, Josiah. He's only stating a fact."

Phillip continued, "I surprised her when we went into a village called Suffolk. I asked her to marry me and she said yes and we decided right then and there to get married. A Vicar Vickers—Andy--performed the ceremony."
Jack tamped tobacco down into his pipe.
"So it's all sewed up and legal."
"Yes, sir. I love her. I think I have always loved her. I was just waiting for her to grow up. And she loves me. I have never been happier and neither has Zara."
Jack lit his pipe and blew the match out.
He pointed his pipe at him.
"You were supposed to protect her and look out for her and keep her safe."
"Which I did. I don't see what the problem is. Honour was married and widowed by the time she was Zara's age."
"You said enough, Phillip. I don't know how I am going to approach this with my wife> I will have to figure this one out."
Renee said quietly, "You men should realize you can't fence time and you can't stop love."
Phillip said, "Jack, we are sorry to spring this on you this way. We wanted to find the proper time to tell you and Will promised—"
"Will Harkness knew before us?"
"We had to tell him. We deserved to be...together. You know..." he drifted off.
He cleared his throat, "And when Thomas and Elspeth were there---"
'Wait. THOMAS knew before us?"
"Elspeth being the ever observant woman, guessed right off. Besides, Zara forgot to take her ring off before we sat down to dinner."
Jack groaned, "It sounds like the whole world knew before us."
Everyone was silent.
Jack cleared his throat, trying to keep his emotions out of it.
" Go. Go up to Zara's room. Make each other happy."
"You mean it?"
"I can either give you my blessing or run you through with my sword. And break my little girl's heart? No."
Jack stood up and extended his hand to Phillip. "To be honest, I am glad it is you. I've known you since you were thirteen."
Phillip shook Jack's hand. "Thank you. You won't regret it."
"The only thing I regret is having to tell Honour. But she's made of strong stuff."
Phillip smiled and said, "Thank you, Jack.Thanks for your permission to—"
"Just don't make a lot of noise, alright?"
He laughed and took the steps two at a time.

Renee wiped a tear from her eye.
"May I speak now?"
Josiah smiled at her and said, "Yes, love."
"I couldn't be happier. Think of the beautiful babies those two will  have."
"Let's hope we don't have to think about that for a while. Honour will NOT relish the thought of being a grandmother."

Josiah stood up. "About time we get home, Renee. We have lots to talk about."
Renee feigned a pained look on her face. "Oh, dear."
Jack looked at Josiah and sighed, "I guess we are stuck with each other, Briggs."
Josiah clapped him on the shoulder. "Till death do us part, friend."

After everyone has left, Jack sat in contemplation on his verandah, his world turned upside down. He reached for the decanter of whiskey and poured himself a healthy dose of whiskey. Sitting there, he stared out over the beautiful ocean, the moon shedding its beams on the waves. He thought back to all the times Zara sat out here on his lap as they pretended to summon the moon to them. And all of a sudden, he felt his eyes mist up. Where did the years go? He squared his shoulders and thought back to what Renee said, 'you can't fence time and you can't stop love.' He was grateful that she made a wonderful match, though.

With a deep sigh, he tamped out his pipe, stood up and stretched.
But all he could think about is how he wasn't ready to let Zara grow up....not just yet.
And the inevitable task of telling Honour.....

#16

Port of Call / Re: ZARA

Last post by Welsh Wench - April 19, 2025, 07:55:08 PM

Zara sat at Seamus' tavern with her books spread out but she wasn't concentrating on them. Her eyes gazed over the water and she was lost in thought.
"Miss Zara? You alright?"
"Oh, yes, Seamus. Just taking it all in."
"The place hasn't been the same since you and Captain Briggs left. And the air is a lot clearer without that Culley scoundrel. I wonder if he is in Havana like they say."
"I am sure he is. But I for one am glad to be rid of him."
"Get you anything, Miss Zara?"
"Zara"I'll have tea and lemon. Oh and that lemon muffin over there."

Suddenly behind her, someone put their hands over her eyes. Zara jumped a mile.
"Oh! It's you!"
"Yes, it's me. Your husband. What has you so jumpy?"
"Oh, just reliving some past ghosts."
"Well, that ghost is long gone. But not the only thing."
She sighed. "I know. I keep playing a conversation in my mind. 'Oh, Mama and Da? I'd like to introduce you to my husband. I do believe you know him."
Phillip signaled to Seamus for an ale.
"Don't hate me, but Renee forced it out of me."
"PHILLIP! You TOLD?"
"She thought the worst. Like we were fornicating all over Virginia."
"Well.....maybe for a while. Till you made an honest woman of me."
"Do you think that will count with your father?"
"Da doesn't have much room to talk and from what I gather, neither does mama. Those two were a wild pair. I mean, who gets married in the middle of the night when you are drunk to the world?"
"At least I married you in the daytime."
"Yes, but mama insisted on a wedding band before."
"From what my father told me, they didn't surface for three days."
"So when do we tell them? Over drinks in the parlour? Over the main course? Dessert? On the verandah with brandies and cigars?"
Zara ran her finger over the rim of her teacup.
"I think over brandies on the verandah. It will be night and in the dark there is a chance Da will miss."
"Miss what?"
"His aim with his pistol."
"Surely you jest."
She laughed, "Surely I do. Frankly, I think Da will be relieved I married you. He always had the highest regard for you and you both are so like-minded."

Phillip stood up. "I suppose I had better go."
"But we are going to walk over by the docks. Da has that new sloop. He said he needed a smaller ship to puddle jump between islands. It is totally seaworthy though. Just needs a smaller crew. He won it in a poker game. Mama wasn't too happy about it. I heard her in the parlour. She said she never could change a Wolfe. But in the end he promised it was just for local stuff. He told her she could name it. So where are you headed off to?"
He took a deep drink of his ale and then signalled for a whiskey and drank it in one gulp.
Zara raised her eyebrow. "..and? Where to?"
He put his hat on his head.
"I've delayed the inevitable. It's time I saw Lenore."
"What will you tell her?"
He shrugged.
"I don't know. I'm making this up as I go along."

Zara stood up and grabbed Phillip by his coat tails.
"Are you out of your mind, Phillip? News like this needs to be broken to three out of four of our parents. Lenore can wait a day or two. She probably doesn't even know you are back. Snobby socialites don't exactly hang around the docks of Bridgetown."
He sighed and sat down. "You're right. I can deal with that tomorrow. Or the next day."
"Tomorrow. The sooner that viper knows you are no longer available, the better."
"I suppose so. I know she is expecting an announcement as soon as I came back."
"Yes. There will be an announcement, alright. 'Captain and Mrs. John Wolfe announce the marriage of their daughter Zara Jane to Captain Phillip Briggs."
"You are pretty fast with that 'captain'. I am on dry land. I was only the acting captain on the ship."
She kissed his cheek. "You are still the captain to me. The captain of my heart."
"Now who's all sentimental?"

They walked together towards the Wolfe house. "I was sent to fetch you anyways. Your father said if you had your nose in a book, you lost track of time."
He reached over and carried her books.
"So we spring the news to them when Da and Uncle Josiah are lighting up their pipes. Maybe Da will end up telling Mama so I don't have to see the look of disappointment on her face."
"You think she will be disappointed you married me?"
"No. Disappointed she can't plan a proper wedding. Something she never had."
"She never had it but did they ever become a legend in St Lawrence!"

#17

Mundane Topics / Re: Extra Words for Threads [T...

Last post by RefMom3 - April 18, 2025, 12:10:55 PM

One of my dad's brothers was a pompous sort of guy, and she asked him once who he was voting for. She said he very happily talked for several minutes about the election and his candidate's qualities, then asked her if that helped. She said yes; she wanted to know who he was voting for so she could vote for the other guy. The rest of the group in the room laughed, but his jaw just dropped

#18

Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Two words!

Last post by RefMom3 - April 18, 2025, 12:02:54 PM

experience preferred

#19

Mundane Topics / Re: Answer my question with a ...

Last post by RefMom3 - April 18, 2025, 12:02:15 PM

Are they smiling, too?

#20

Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Continue the thread

Last post by RefMom3 - April 18, 2025, 12:01:25 PM

Returned items are charged a restocking fee; could I do that to my kid if they take a clean shirt from the dryer, put it on, then change their mind and put it back with the dirty clothes?