Memoirs
(continuing the adventures of Captain Gregg and his Carolyn found in Timeless. Yes, sure, of course you can just start here, but why? It will be more interesting if you read the first part first, don't you think? No? Well, that's ok you can read it later if you like, but there's a lot going on today in Schooner Bay, so here we go. . .)
Meeting the returning stranger – a scandal begins – Chapter 1
Did it cause a scandal in Schooner Bay? Oh yes, most certainly, but that was not a bad thing, not really.
After all, it was a scandal that had been carefully and thoughtfully planned. Despite the planning, the residents of Schooner Bay that day (even the most unromantic) found themselves recalling years later what occurred when Claymore's "distant cousin" arrived in their small town.
It had been a common belief that their local heroic, historical sea Captain, Daniel Gregg, had cut a wide and handsome swath through various ports of call in his life in the 1800's. While the official records indicated he had never married, and that no descendents claiming him ever surfaced, the townspeople would have been woefully disappointed if he hadn't, shall we say, 'made his mark' by leaving some offspring in his travels.
That Sunday, when Claymore drove up, and the locals noticed a tall, handsome stranger in his car, they paid attention. Without any intention, the parishioners leaving church that afternoon, found their usual Maine laconic reaction to newcomers quickly set aside. As the stranger stood, and looked their direction, men who hadn't sucked in their stomachs for 20 years did so automatically, without prompting or even understanding why. They stood taller and squared their shoulders as if ready for military inspection. Women, who hadn't thought about such things for years pinched their cheeks, fluffed their hair, and looked into mirrors or windows to check their appearance before going to make their introductions. It wasn't as if he had done anything to expect this, request this, it was purely a reaction to precisely just who he was.
Surrounded by the quietly interested and obviously curious, Claymore introduce the newly corporeal Captain Daniel Gregg, as a current relative, a distant cousin from Ireland, and, or so they were told, who was a direct descendant of the Captain and who was himself, named Daniel Gregg. In his new public incarnation, the Captain made himself comfortably part of the gathering. His deep blue eyes, filled with happiness while meeting each person. His hearty laughter and courtly behavior to the ladies made him, shall we say, 'acceptable' in their eyes. At least it was recorded several Sunday dinners were woefully overcooked that day, when homemakers finally returned rather late from church. Not one woman admitted the real reason for her delayed return. Later, in discussing the new man in town, a number of quiet, but appreciative sighs could be heard from many dining room windows as they recalled a glance, a smile or just the warmth of his look.
Yet, what the residents recalled most on that peaceful, sunny Sunday, was the sudden, electric feeling that went rippling through the air when Carolyn Muir (often called the lovely young Widow Muir, when she wasn't around to hear), drove into town, and stopped by to say hello.
It began, or so it seemed, the moment she stepped out of her car and began to approach the gathering. Even though his back was to her, this Daniel Gregg sensed something. As if prompted by a force of nature, he turned quickly and faced her, (or so the ladies said over dinner) and instantly they exchanged a look of what appeared to be both a sense of mutual recognition and even more so, an obvious mutual attraction. At least, it was clear he was instantly entranced by her, and if the rapid blush of her cheek, and the sparkle in her eyes were to be trusted, Carolyn Muir had an identical reaction. Without prompting, the crowd parted automatically so he might step up to her. He took her hand and kissed it. Claymore stood close by, "Oh let me finally introduce the two of you," he giggled.
If anyone had been paying closer attention, they would have noticed he seemed to be so precise, so detailed that he might have been speaking from a script (which he was!). "Mrs. Muir, I would like you to meet my 'cousin' Daniel Gregg." Nudging her slightly, he continued, "AND we believe he's a direct descendent of the Captain himself," he chortled. She paused, and looked softly into the gentleman's eyes, which never left her face for a second. "Heavens Claymore," she murmured, "you've always told me he was a mirror image of the portrait, but I never imagined it could be so close, so identical." Shaking her head, she appeared at last to remember her manners, "Mr. Gregg, so very good to meet you at long last," she smiled. "Ah, Mrs. Muir, it is truly my honor, but it's Daniel, if you don't mind." "Yes, of course. After all, we've been collaborators, even if just by mail and phone for such a long while, and please call me Carolyn, will you?" Keenly aware that the crowd watched them with a singular intensity, they stood reveling in the moment. If you weren't aware that the newly visible Captain Gregg (pretending to be his own descendent) and Carolyn Muir had known each other for nearly two years, had been recently, if privately, married, and yet had never stood publicly together amongst their peers, it would have been impossible to understand, much less appreciate all the intricacies and emotions driving the moment.
Because she knew all this, and much more, Carolyn, who was still blushing, felt the pressure of all that attention. Realizing that he continued to grasp her hand, she awkwardly shifted to shake his hand, "I'm so pleased to welcome you to Schooner Bay. After all our correspondence over these many months, I cannot wait for us to begin work on the Captain's Memoirs." "The work, yes, I cannot tell you how much I've looked forward to that, but there is something more I've waited for," he looked intently at her. Only someone looking closely would have seen his slightly raised eyebrow and the silent suggestion of 'are you ready?' before he swept her into his arms, and before the whole of Schooner Bay kissed her passionately on the church steps.
With an audible gasp, the crowd went silent.
Chapter 2 – "A Successful Scandal, Indeed"