11
The Smiths took Richie and Annie on their horses for a ride. They decided to have a picnic breakfast along the beach in Mablethorpe. Flit scaled the shoreline, while Meeko and Percy nibbled on bread. For amusement, Pocahontas walked barefoot in the water.
"'Tis bitter cold," she shivered.
"It takes some getting used to." John's feet appeared to be immune to the cold. "I've been in water as cold as ice; and even as hot as boiling water," he bragged proudly.
"Is that so?" After a while, she couldn't feel the chill anymore, and relaxed. Feeling mischievous, she splashed water on John, and he soon splashed her back. The children, still eating, laughed at their antics.
"You two are such silly gooses," Annie giggled. Richie mischievously threw seaweed at her. "Ew, yuk!" She threw some back, and both threw a few more times at each other.
"There's nothing wrong with having a little fun," defended John.
"I wish father thought that way," commented Richie.
"Your father needs to loosen his girdle." John's comment made them all laugh.
"Uncle, you're nothing like father. 'Tis almost like you're not even brothers."
"I wouldn't say so. Perhaps your father is usually more serious like our father, your grandfather. I was more like your grandmother-lax, and free-spirited. But while we're both good fellows, we're also stubborn as mules at times. Your father only wants what's best for you." Richie looked at him like he wanted to believe that. "Someday you'll see."
Annie had stopped eating, becoming thoughtful. "Uncle, what is London like?"
"Well 'tis lively, and bustling. A little dirty, even. But I like that everything is there, yet I can escape to wherever, whenever."
"Someday I want to be able to travel like you, uncle. Not having a home, free to do as I please, without a care in the world... ." Richie went on about his fantasies.
"Richie, as much as I like coming and going, I don't want you to think 'tis always pleasant. Sometimes 'tis nice to have a home to go to, and knowing people care about you... .I think I was secretly searching for that before I met your aunt." This made his wife smile.
"Uncle, do you think we can visit you in London?" Richie asked John.
"Tell you what. We'll make a trip to London, and we'll show you around town." John's answer made them jump for joy. -
London was just as lively as John indicated: Carriages traveling along, people trudging through the streets, vendors shouting out for people to buy their wares, the breeze from the River Thames cooling the atmosphere.
Richie was enamored by it all."'Tis great uncle. I think I'd like to live here someday."
"One day at a time, Richie," he reminded him. "And remember, no wandering off-either of you."
"Yes, uncle," they replied grudgingly.
"Those dresses are lovely," commented Annie, regarding a few women walking past them.
"Those women are likely married to bankers, barristers, and wealthy merchants."
"And what about those ladies?" Annie pointed to a familiar redhead and brunette, who turned up their noses upon seeing John.
"Why did they do that, uncle?"
"'Tis a story for another time, Annie...and believe me, they're not ladies. I hope I never see you on the streets like this."
"What do you mean, uncle?"
"Never-mind, Annie. Perhaps I'll explain when you're older."
Something else soon caught Annie's attention. "Can I visit the dress shop, auntie?"
"We'll meet you two at the dock." Pocahontas said while Annie pulled her towards the store.
Richie saw an unusual man. "Who is that man with the hook?"
"Captain Christopher Newport. He's a good friend of mine."
"Is that his ship?"
"'Tis his. There's mine over there." John could hardly keep up with Richie when he heard that. -
"The li'l laddie is a young'r version of you, Smith," Captain Newport spoke of Richie.
"He wishes to be more like me, although I think he should be himself."
"'Tis hard not to look up at an adm'r'ble man, 'specially if he's yer uncle," he winked.
"Sir, what happened to your hand?"
"'Tis bet'r you know not, laddie."
John hoisted Richie on his shoulders, handing him a compass. "You're in charge."
"Reef the topsails! Steady on your course!" Richie enjoyed being captain.
"Sounds like what a man I know used to say," a familiar voice laughed.
"Thomas!"
"Who's this little rascal?"
"I'm not a rascal," Richie defended. But as John put him down, he gave him a glance indicating otherwise.
"This would be my nephew, Richie."
"I didn't know you had much family left, John."
"Honest, neither did I, until recently." He turned to his nephew. "Thomas is a friend of Aunt Po and I."
Annie and Pocahontas were approaching the dock, but when Annie saw Newport waving with his hook, she clung to her aunt fearfully.
"Nooo," she pleaded tearfully. Pocahontas carried her and consoled her the rest of the way.
"Tis alright Annie. Old Newport can't harm anyone." Then John whispered jokingly, "he's only got one hand after all."
Newport pressed his hook against John's back, half teasing, and half threatening him for his remark, but mostly to hide it from Annie.
John turned to Thomas and Newport. "This is Annie, my niece, Annie, this is Thomas."
The three-year-old studied the young gentleman in his twenties, before addressing her aunt and uncle. "He's quite good-looking." Thomas blushed.
"But he's much too old for you," scolded John, teasingly.
"Come now, John, she's only a child," he reasoned.
Newport held out his good hand."Cap'n Newport at yer service, li'l lassie."
Annie cautiously and curiously approached him. Then finally, she shook his hand. "Where is your hook?" She shook it also. She began to relax again, turning her attention to John."Uncle John, look what Auntie Po bought me." Annie turned around, revealing hair combs in her hair, which was braided down the middle. "Auntie Po braided it for me."
"'They're beautiful." He kissed the top of her head.
"It's past midday John, we should be heading back," Pocahontas said quietly.
"Can Thomas come?" The children pleaded.
"I'll let Thomas decide."
Thomas looked at the eagerness on their faces. "Well, I don't see why not." -
Thomas took turns giving the children piggy-back rides, while running along the farm with Pocahontas' critters.
"The children seem to like him very much. Don't you think John... ."
"Believe me, I have thought of it... ."
While they rode the carriage to Alford Manor, Thomas spoke to John. "Is Richie like you were as a child?"
"He's not too far off, I can assure you. Richie found my old musket the other day and tried to shoot me. Fortunately, the gun wasn't loaded. He actually aimed fairly well for his age."
"Better than me?"
"You learned rather fast, but I told him he aimed better than someone I knew." Thomas punched him in the back playfully, knowing very well who he was referring to. -
Thomas was just as impressed when they reached the manor. He was even more surprised when someone answered the door.
"Richie, Annie. Tell me you didn't give your aunt and uncle much trouble."
"We behaved, we promise we did-ask uncle," pleaded Richie.
"I can assure you, they had a great time, and were on their best behavior," he told her.
"Auntie Alice, this is Thomas-a friend of Auntie Po and Uncle John," said Annie.
"'Tis a pleasure meeting you, Alice," he greeted her cordially.
Alice was speechless for a moment, before shaking his hand. "Please come in."
"You never told me your sister was pretty," whispered Thomas.
"You never asked."
"Auntie Alice, uncle gave me a compass-look-we traveled North to get here."
"Now, he'll never get lost again," joked John.
"Your hair is pretty Annie."
"Auntie Po put hair combs in my hair."
"Could you braid mine?"
"I don't see why not."
Richard and Francis entered the room. Richard spoke first. "Richie, I trust you were on your best behavior?"
"Yes father."
"Annie, where did you go today?" Francis asked.
"We went to Mablethorpe to have a picnic on the beach, then we went to London-"
"London?" Richard interrupted her. "You took my Richie to London?"
"Annie and I met Captain Newport aboard his ship," Richie announced proudly.
"You let a pirate near my son and niece?"
"He's not a pirate, father," Richie defended. He travels for the King. We sailed down the River Thames on his ship."
Annie spoke up, boldly. "He's not even that scary... ."
"Really? You were crying like a baby." Richard teased.
"I was not!"
"Was too!" He stuck out his tongue.
"Richie, please. Did he frighten you?" Asked Francis concerned.
"A little, but he's nice, really. He loves kids and has many."
"I'm certain," Richard interjected.
"Richard," John explained. "We walked around, visited some shops, and yes, I took them to the dock. I assure you-"
"You took them on an unstable vessel, with questionable characters and unruly sailors? 'Tis no place for a child."
"Richard, if my daughter went and returned safely, I trust John took care of your son."
"Sounds like they had a wonderful time," spoke Elizabeth who entered with Margaret.
"And who might you be, young man?" Margaret wanted to know.
"I'm Thomas. I've known John and Pocahontas for a few years now."
"Have you been on his voyages?" Alice's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Oh, actually, I met John when I started working for the Virginia Company."
"Supper should be finished shortly. Would you care to join us?" Elizabeth invited.
"Certainly, Madam. I've always wanted to meet John's family."
"Elizabeth, can I speak with you?" Richard and Elizabeth went into another reception. "What were you thinking, inviting a strange man into our home?"
"This 'strange man' is a good friend of your brother...and seems like a nice young man. The children seem to like him as well."
"They're children, Elizabeth: They like everyone."
"They didn't like William, Oliver, James, Henry...and they don't like Charles. Lizzie cries whenever he holds her, and even Mattie is afraid of him."
"Well, perhaps not everyone, but-"
"Give him a chance, Richard. At least one of Alice's brothers brought home a man she actually appears to be fond of."
Richard was fuming on the inside, but witheld his thoughts. He was used to having his way, until 'he' arrived. He's already favoured by everyone-even my son. "Well, let's not keep everyone waiting." -