Chapter 10 The Flag

Darcy gave the coachman the address on Grace Church Street. Elizabeth thought they would be early until Darcy explained they needed to make a stop on the Thames.

"I think the dock might be very near your uncle's warehouse." He said.

The coachman was expert at driving the carriage thru the streets of London in the busy traffic. They made a turn and the river came into view. She thought they were on River Street and her uncle's warehouse was ahead. The carriage stopped on the quay with several ships docked in line. There were boxes, freight wagons, men and soldiers all along the wharf. Two ships down the line soldiers were boarding a ship bound for the Peninsular and Lord Wellington's army. Small groups of relatives were saying goodbye.

They stopped at a smaller ship named the Channel Breeze. Elizabeth could see the name on a sign hanging from the side next to the gangplank. The Union Jack fluttered on a small mast at the back. Several sailors were working on deck and she could see a portly man she thought was the Captain on deck. A gentleman stood by the gangplank.

"Shall we go aboard?" he asked.

He opened the carriage door and stepped out. He handed her out and they walked to the ship. They stopped at the gangplank.

"Mr. Bradshaw, this is my wife Mrs. Darcy. Mr. Bradshaw is my Man of Business." Darcy said.

Mr. Bradshaw bowed and said, "Very nice to meet you Mrs. Darcy."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Nice to meet you sir." He led the party up the gangplank to the deck of the Channel Breeze. They were met by the portly man. Darcy made the introductions.

"May I introduce you to one of your owners Captain Barns? This is Mrs. Darcy." he said.

He bowed and said, "A pleasure Mrs. Darcy." "Shall we go to my cabin for refreshment, I have tea." He said.

Darcy and Bradshaw both laughed and they went to the stern and descended stairs to his cabin. Elizabeth wondered what one of you owners meant.

It was very neat and clean but small and Darcy had to bend slightly going thru the door. They sat on stools and a bench while a seaman served tea with a hard brown biscuit. The Captain explained it was a favorite of the sailors and you soaked them in the tea. They were made from flour and Caribbean molasses. Elizabeth thought the biscuit was good when it was soaked in the tea.

"These biscuits are very nice Captain." She said.

"Ah well, if you like a spot of rum and climbing mast I'm in need of a top spar hand." He said.

His was smiling and his eyes twinkled. "

I thank you for the opportunity sir. I of course will have to bring my husband, maid, two footman and housekeeper along. How soon can we sail?" she asked.

"Madam, with all that I think we would have to stay tied at the dock and become a house."

Darcy was chuckling. "Captain I need two case of Assam India tea and two bolts of Egyptian linen if you can get it." Darcy said.

"I can sir." he replied.

They talked of sailing times and tides, routes and ports of call. After an hour they returned to the main deck.

They walked to the gang plank and Elizabeth looked up at the main mast.

"Sir, I know I lost the position but could you show me the top spar". She said to the Captain.

He replied, "Certainly mam, it is that cross beam there on the main mast. The top most beam."

He pointed indicating the small beam.

"Sir I think that would be too small for me and my maid." she said.

Captain Barns stood on his deck and waved at them as they left the ship, he was still laughing.

"Do we always come to the docks to buy tea and cloth?" she asked.

Darcy gave a light laugh. "I was helping with your Christmas shopping; we give all the tenants a basket with tea, candy, honey and spices. He said.

He explained he wanted to show her the ship. Charles owns thirty five percent; I own forty percent, Col. Fitzwilliam ten percent, she owns ten percent and Georgina five percent. The also owned a small warehouse. He pointed to one two doors down. It was used to store sails, spars and ship supplies. Mr. Bradshaw manages the business.

"Are we in competition with Uncle Gardiner?" she asked.

He said they were not. The ship moved supplies to the British Army in Spain and the fleet blockading the French. It would then sail to Port Said, Egypt and buy tea, food and textiles and sail back to the fleet and then to England. The tea and textiles were sold to merchants like her uncle who owned warehouses. He explained if she needed more tea, spices or imported items she could send a note to Bradshaw.

"I am a business woman?" she asked.

"Business woman, mistress, wife, yes you are all of those." He replied.

"It sounds complicated." She said.

"Yes, I suppose but you could always take the position of a simple top spar hand." He said.

They both laughed as the coachman said walk on. Elizabeth thought as the carriage rolled thru the streets that her husband was beginning to enjoy teasing her. She realized he was changing maybe they both were.

"I thank you dear for the ship."

He smiled and said he was glad she didn't take the position.

The game of flag was not kind to Darcy. They played the game three times and Martha captured him all three times. She was very tired after the last game so Darcy carried her back to the carriage and then into the house. They stayed for diner. The children came into the drawing room to say goodnight. Martha told her Mother she had captured Mr. Darcy three times today and she had decided to keep him. The older children laughed and Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner quickly quitted them. They explained she really couldn't keep Mr. Darcy and gave several reasons why. None seemed to satisfy her but they did manage to get her to bed. On the way home Elizabeth was smiling. Darcy asked if she was pleased.

"I am, very pleased, but husband should I be worried about you and Martha?" She asked.

"Yes, I think so. I was disappointed you would not let her keep me."

Elizabeth knew he liked kids and he was especially fond of Martha. She would have to do all she could to give him children. That would not be an unpleasant task.

Thanks for all the reviews. I'm will accept PM to discuss points on research or points of views or interest on the Recency period or this story. I plan to make corrections to the book after uploading the last chapter.