Forever Young Birth Of A Nation, page 4
Music began then, there being a trio who played violin, oboe, and bassoon. A Bach melody was begun and Laura turned to James with a dazzling smile and a curtsey, asking him to do the beginning dance with her. This being her birthday, it was an occasion where it was not thought to be rude for a lady to ask a man for a dance. Soon others joined, including Grundy and Rebecca. The young men all asked ladies their age to dance, but Ian walked over to a girl around nine years old and bowed, asking her to dance with him. She blushed and curtseyed, taking his arm as they entered the dancing group. It wasn’t too long before Ian had completely put the youngster at ease and she began to relax and have a truly good time. She did make a couple of minor blunders but Ian countered with four of his own, laughing aloud as he made a misstep now and then.
Rebecca noticed all of this and her esteem for Ian grew. She knew full well that nearly any of the young ladies there would have loved to have danced with him, and yet he had thought of the children first. And she knew full well that there was no way that he would ever make a misstep on a dance floor unless he intended to. When that number had ended Ian asked a girl of thirteen years for the next dance and took the floor with her.
The dancing had gone on for well over an hour before everyone took a break for refreshments. Ian joined the younger girls at the punch bowl, taking over for the servant who then left to help in the kitchen. The really young girls stayed there talking to him and asking questions about living in France and of his time as a sailor. When Thelma came by, Ian spoke to her briefly and she smiled brightly and nodded. After talking to the musicians, she brought a violin over to Ian and led him to where the group was centered. Taking her summoning bell she rang it until the buzz of conversation died down.
“Laura, Mr. McCloud has volunteered to play a special birthday song for you. James won’t you and Laura please come here?”
Ian stepped forward then saying “This is a tune I wrote once for a lady in the Swiss Confederation. James, you know this song as ‘Dance with Anna’. Won’t you please show Laura how to dance to it before I start?”
Thelma then said “Come, come you young ladies. Get a partner and come here now.” Several did, and Rebecca Davis tried to bring Colonel Grundy but he was speaking to some of the officers and declined so she came over to watch by herself. After James had shown the simple steps of the dance to several of the ladies, Ian struck up the lively tune, playing a complete stanza before launching into the lyrics.
“A friend said lad are ye goin to the dance,
I said I would if I got half a chance,
He said you won’t find romance,
Until you dance with Laura.”
Ian continued with the song, which told a story of a young man who fell in love with Laura and ended up married with 4 children and twelve grandchildren. It was a long lasting but rollicking good tune with a heart-pounding rhythm and a real story to be told in the lyrics. In no time the younger ladies were laughing and whirling to the lively Gaelic sound, smiling and laughing as they learned while they danced. Those not dancing clapped their hands and stamped their feet to keep time to the lively tune. Rebecca had joined in, finally snagging a partner when Grundy would not join her.
When the song ended, he segued into another lively Gaelic tune with no lyrics, but exactly the same tempo as before, so the dancers continued, now well into the simple steps and laughing as they danced. Rebecca’s eyes sparkled as she threw herself into it and the entire house resounded to the laughter and the pounding rhythm of the song. The servants had all come to see what all of the ruckus was about and stood about stamping their feet and clapping as well.
Finally with a grand flourish Ian ended the song to a tumultuous applause from all present with the lone exception of Colonel Grundy. Rebecca came over to join the throng laughing and thanking Ian and said “Ian, where did you ever learn to play like that? It was simply marvelous and so much fun!” This was echoed by several people then, both young men and young women.
“Well lassie, we used to play a lot of music like that at Henri and Marie Lafayette’s home of an evening. I took up playing the fiddle in those days.”
James said “He taught me to play too, and he plays both the piano and the harpsichord as well.”
Laura clapped her hands together then and said “Oh Ian, you must play something for us on the harpsichord now! Please!” Several of the young ladies then echoed the ‘please’ so Ian laughingly looked toward Thelma only to see her nodding and smiling broadly so he got up and handed James the violin. Before sitting down he called to James and conferred with him briefly. James turned to everyone and said “This is a favorite that Ian taught me on the voyage to New York. It is known as ‘Greensleeves’. He began then, and Ian joined in accompanying him with a flourishing style. It was a hauntingly beautiful ballad, and the two played it with exquisite skill. Presently Rebecca stepped forward and began to sing the lyrics, much to everyone’s surprise. The trio captivated everyone there as the beautiful melody was sung and played to its conclusion. Rebecca had a clear alto voice and sung the ballad to perfection.
There was a hearty round of applause then, this time even including Colonel Grundy. Ian stood then, joining James and Rebecca. He encircled both of their waists with his two arms. All three of them smiled and nodded towards the smiling applauding group and towards Thelma Millhouse, who was beaming with delight. Rebecca felt a tingling thrill at Ian’s touch however casual and innocent it was and savored the slight warmth of his arm about her waist. Laura came to Rebecca and threw her arms around her thanking her. Then she threw her arms about James’ neck and kissed him on his cheek, and also came to Ian and kissed him likewise, saying “Thank you so much Ian. This has been the best birthday of my life.”
The musicians then began to play a Bach melody. Grundy asked Rebecca to dance as James asked Laura. Others made their way to the dance floor so Ian asked the nine year old girl to dance with him again and she smiled broadly, her eyes sparkling as she accepted. Several of the young girls there giggled at her reaction.
A bit later, after dancing with both Thelma and her sister, Ian found himself near where Rebecca and Colonel Grundy were standing with a small knot of British officers and their ladies. Ian approached and asked Rebecca for a dance which she accepted with a dazzling smile. As the dance proceeded Ian complimented Rebecca on her singing.
“My grandmother on my mother’s side taught me the song. She was Scottish, from Inverness. Didn’t you say you were from Edinburg?”
“Aye lassie. Let me say that you sang it well indeed. Your voice reminds me of how my first wife sang. Cosette was an alto too. I have not heard anyone sing better excepting for Celeste Bouchard.”
She brightened and excitedly said “You have heard the Celeste sing, Ian?”
Chuckling Ian said “Ah lassie, I have heard Celeste sing more times than I can count. She is one of my dearest friends.”
“Oh, do tell Ian, please! We are talking about the European Nightingale are we not?”
Laughing at her enthusiasm he nodded and said “I toured with her to seven other countries besides France. She often sang for us at Chateau de Lafayette near Marseille.”
“Oh my! This is so exciting, Ian! How did you come to know her?”
Chuckling at her near-childish enthusiasm he replied “She was taken as a child of twelve years, an orphan really, kidnapped off of the streets of Marseille. I took some friends and we rescued her along with four other girls from two kidnappers in Marseille. She lived with us at Chateau de Lafayette for a while until we found her Aunt who then raised her in Paris. In fact she attended my wedding when Cosette and I were married.”
“My, what a tale! How exciting, Ian! I take it the kidnappers were punished?”
“Hmm. Yes they were.” We killed those vampires on the spot but you do not need to know that he thought. He continued then, saying “Celeste is like a daughter to me. I was there when she married Cosette’s brother and when she gave birth to her daughter as well.”
“Ian, just how old are you anyway. You do not look old enough to have done all of these things.”
Smiling he replied “I am thirty one, Rebecca” as he thought but I am forever going to look like I am twenty three because we vampires never age.
Her mouth dropped open causing him to laugh aloud as she said “I took you to be James’ age, or a bit older.”
“James is twenty.” He told the lie smoothly, thinking that there was no need to put James to where he would have to change his identity any sooner than necessary. James was actually thirty one also, having crossed over some eleven years ago at the age of around twenty.
“I just cannot believe that you are so much older than James” she said, her eyes sparkling as she laughed delightedly. She thought look at me hanging on his every word! He is so delightful to talk with, and I simply love his Scottish accent and the sound of his voice. What is it about this man that captivates me so?
“Ah lass, it is said that living in the Mediterranean area can keep some people looking younger than they are.” And there is no way that you will ever know why I still look like I am twenty three he thought. The music ended about then and Rebecca stood gaping at Ian as he offered his arm to walk her to her seat. She was shaking her head and laughing at the same time as they rejoined Grundy and the others. Grundy stood unnoticed, a sour expression on his face. As quickly as they rejoined her group she began to tell everyone that Ian knew the European Nightingale personally, and that provoked a flurry of conversation because Celeste was known internationally, even in America by some.
For some twenty minutes then Ian had to field questions about Celeste and his touring Europe with her. The celebration then tapered down and guests began to leave. Ian said goodbye to his hostess and both Laura and her mother. He knew that James wanted to stay awhile and visit with Laura so he quietly departed.
Chapter 6
The merchantman Elsie’s Cloud plowed through moderately heavy seas in the north Atlantic. A three-mast galleon, she moved through the sea exactly as she had been designed to do. The rain had quit during the night and they were now one week out on their voyage to New York City. Angus McCloud stood at the helm, wearing his black wool seaman’s coat buttoned securely, its collar pulled up against the wind over his right shoulder. Lost in thought, he gauged the sails and the effect of the northeasterly winds on their progress pretty much automatically, a skill born of a lifetime of sailing experience.
A lovely lady came up the steep steps leading to the aft deck, her honey-colored hair blowing wildly in the wind. She carried a steaming mug of coffee and did not even use the handrail for balance although the ship rolled rhythmically. This was the second day that he had seen her without her wide-brimmed hat and gloves. The sky was solidly overcast without a single break in sight, just as it had been yesterday.
“Good morning, Angus” she said with a cheery smile as she handed him the steaming oversize mug of coffee. She took the helm as he stepped back, noting the compass heading.
He took a sip then, looking into her widely spaced beautiful gray eyes. “Aahh! That hits the spot, Cosette. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Two nine zero then?”
“Yes. That should do for most of the day. Armando thinks we will make really good time today and I do too.” She nodded, her eyes fixed on the horizon as the two swayed in perfect unison to the pitch and roll of the ship. Angus thought never have I seen a lady take to the sea like this one. She has no fear of it whatsoever, and I have yet to ever see her grab something to keep her balance. But then, she is a vampire after all. “Have there been any problems with the goats?” He referred to the five goats that had been brought along to supply blood for her transatlantic voyage.
“None. They seem to get enough daylight and exercise thanks to the way you modified the ship.” She turned to him then saying “I only nourish myself every 2nd day, and that seems to be working well. By me doing all of the care and feeding, they have come to know me well.” In fact, she took each of the five on deck for an hour every day that the weather allowed and walked about the deck with them. She was always prompt to clean up after their mess so that none of the crew had to be bothered with it. It worked well enough being as there was not a lot to do to fill the hours anyway, and it ensured that the animals would remain healthy for the duration of the voyage. Angus was amused to note that already the goats would follow her about like puppies when on deck. She never bothered with lead or halter any more, and even had learned to operate the boom-mounted cargo windlass to lift them from and return them to the hold.
A young man came up the steps to the aft deck and walked toward the two, smiling broadly. He had a shock of dark wavy hair and piercing blue eyes that twinkled when he laughed. Cosette thought at twenty he looks nearly like Ian and is nearly as tall too.
Angus said “Well Stuart, do you think you are up to finding your brother when we arrive? New York is a big place and there will be a lot of distractions.”
“How many banks can there be Uncle Angus? It isn’t as if he has dropped out of sight or anything. He is socializing with the elite of New York even now and how many of them can there be? Cosette and I will find him, never fear. If we do not find him the first day I will be surprised.”
Laughing at his enthusiasm Angus said “We have to find New York first lad. I want you to be sure to stay with Armando when he takes readings later today. You are to learn everything there is to know about navigation in the coming weeks of this voyage.”
“I will want to be in on that myself” said Cosette with a smile.
“Ian never taught you?”
“No. We only sailed together across the North Sea once and across the Channel once. I have wanted to learn for some time now.”
Angus said “I have no doubt that you will learn quickly then.”
Stuart said “Aye Cosette. You vampires are quick learners.”
Tossing her head slightly Cosette laughed and said “If not for all of the humans aboard this ship, I should like to learn how to work in the rigging with the sails and such. You have all taught me every knot that a sailor uses.”
The two men laughed heartily at that. Angus said “Oh my yes! I can just see that. I wonder what my crew would think to see you climb that rigging five times faster than any man could!”
“Aye Uncle Angus, or better yet just leap to the top of one of the masts from the deck!”
The three laughed heartily then at that thought as Elsie’s Cloud plowed through the endless sea.
Chapter 7
Ian read the invitation aloud to James at the breakfast table at Bessie’s Boarding House.
“Well Ian, it seems we are becoming fixtures at events hosted by higher society in New York. Another gala at Government House no less and it is to be tonight.”
“Hmmm. It is touted as a celebration of the victory of the Crown over the rebels at Lexington and Concord in April. They never did seize the arsenal they went to get, but they succeeded in starting a war.”
“Yes. Don’t you think it is premature for the British to celebrate this early?”
“Yes. The colonists took Fort Ticonderoga as we heard from a fur trader just last night. I wonder if the high command is trying to do this to negate the effect of the colonists taking Ticonderoga.”
“Maybe it is designed to distract the public from that and be a morale booster to the rich Tories in New York. Are we still attending church today then?”
“Oh yes James. It would never do for two bankers expecting to start up a bank to ignore attending church. We will go again to the Anglican Church of New York this morning. It may be that you will see Laura there” he said with a wink.
“Hah! If we do not see Rebecca mooning at you today I will be surprised indeed.”
Ian chuckled and said “If she comes at all, she will be with Colonel Grundy. I want no trouble with a senior staff member of His Majesty’s forces in America over some lady. That is no way to start up a bank my friend.”
“Well from where I sit, someone had better tell her that” said James as he laughed heartily at his own joke. Mrs. McKinley came in with her usual heaping platter of breakfast goodies saying “This is only the second meal I have served to the two of you since you came here. Wherever do you eat?”
Ian thought wouldn’t you like to know! And if we told you then what? He looked at James and they both laughed heartily, each knowing exactly what the other was thinking.
At the church Ian and James both sat with the Millhouses, James sitting next to Laura herself. After the conclusion of the services, they all queued up at the door to shake hands with the Bishop as they left. As they spoke with him outside on the steps, Ian heard his name called. Turning he saw Rebecca Davis coming toward him with another young lady. She was smiling radiantly.
“Hello James. Hello Ian. I am so glad you came today.” She came to Laura and hugged her and her mother and aunt. Turning to Ian she smiled dazzlingly, saying “Are you going to the Gala tonight?”
“Why yes. James and I both received invitations only yesterday.”
“Oh, marvelous! Ian I am in a quandary. I thought that perhaps Colonel Grundy was going to escort me, but he has been sent to New Jersey by General Gage and no one knows when he will return. I do so want to go and Papa is away. Would you be so kind as to take me?” The two older ladies and the bishop all looked at each other in astonishment at her audacity.
Even as he smiled Ian thought Good night! I cannot refuse in front of these people after saying I would attend. And Grundy is sure to hear of this! “Why Lady Rebecca, it would be my pleasure indeed. When shall I come for you then?”
