Chapter 27: The Joys of Christmas
Months passed and fall turned into winter. The weather stayed the same, except that it rained more and there was less going out. Less having fun. I continued on with my studies with Missus DeWitt, and she announced around the Christmas season that she was going to be married in the next year. Most likely in the spring. Governesses could be married women, and so she would have to leave her dear pupils, meaning she'd have to leave me. I was overjoyed at the announcement. I would have no governess anymore! I'd be done! Finished! Complete! But Mum brought my joy crashing down immediately. She said that if Missus DeWitt was married before my fifteenth birthday, she'd employ another governess for me. There were only two governesses in the whole town at that time, and the other one was the dreadful Miss Abigail Smith. She'd be a governess all her life, I proposed, for no man would want to kiss a woman with that huge a nose.
Missus DeWitt was a widow when she decided to become a governess again, and so kept her husband's name (that explains why she was 'Missus' and not 'Miss'). After her second marriage she would be proudly called Missus Susannah Moore. I wished the best for her, but her leave would bring me my doom.
Christmas was a remarkable celebration. By the time the holiday came, Adam and I were quite branded with the name of 'young lovers,' and Mum had invited the Locke family to our home to celebrate it with us. Adam's sister, Natalie, the one who had courted Alexandra's brother, had arrived from England to spend several months in the Caribbean with her family. She brought with her, her darling husband, Ian Clyde, who surprisingly enough, was the same age as Stephen. I was beginning to suspect that Roland's story was true. When the whole Locke family finally arrived to celebrate Christmas with us, I already planned in my mind about asking Natalie Locke about the matter.
When Maggie came to dress me for that day, she actually brought out a dress that I admired. It was a deep rosy color, printed with many little red flowers to enhance its magnificence. Like the others it was fluffy and frilled with lace almost anywhere possible, but I had to admit, it was stunning. The dress was, at least. I was not.
The dress also fit me just fine. It was not too long, or too lose or too wide. I even asked Maggie when this dress was made. "Early autumn, Miss," she answered. I gave a satisfied nod at myself in the mirror. I had grown a couple inches then.
Once dressed in the fine frock, Maggie dressed my hair. She said I was a lucky girl to be born with naturally curly hair, for then she needn't use the heavy and hot curling iron on my hair. I thought my curly hair was a curse. It was an untamable and bushy mess glued to my head. I found nothing special in it. Maggie arranged it in the normal up-do, and sent me off with a, "Look at you. So lovely. Young Mister Locke will be most pleased." And I replied with my usual, "Yes, Maggie. You did a fabulous job. It is wonderful." Then, I was off to put on the shoes, a shawl over my shoulders to protect and cover up the low neckline, and then down the stairs I went.
Roaming to and fro at the foot of the stairs was Roland, whistling while he walked. He was dressed smartly in a velvet crimson overcoat, a spotless white shirt that collared his neck in lacey ruffles, and white trousers. He wore his Midshipman boots that went up to his knees, and it was a good change for him, considering that he usually wore brown, blue and black ever since he came home. Red made him look a tad bit more like the half-mad boy he was. At my sight he raised his eyebrows and stopped whistling. "Dressing to impress, sister?" he asked, a wide grin on his face.
"No," I snapped back, annoyed that men always had to think women looked nice just because of them. Could it never occur to them that women just wanted to look and feel nice? "And what about you, Roland? Marching back and forth like you were drilling on a ship itself."
"I was just waiting for you to finally come down," he grunted. "All because of this escort nonsense."
"Don't worry," I said. "Adam will arrive soon and you won't have to tag alongside me any more… at least… for the day."
"Good. I can never get any freedom accompanying you around." Out of jest, I took out my fan and whacked him in the face with it, and he screamed the normal, 'Ow!' and covered his face with his hands.
"I think that makes ten for today, Roland," I said, quite pleased with his lighthearted pain. I had, in fact, hit him ten times that day, but only for play. He could be a very big nuisance at times.
"It is Christmas Eve and you are still an impulsive wench," he retorted.
"Very well," I said, turning to face him, my smile vanishing from my face. "Let's see who can stand the longest behaving today, and whoever wins may play a public prank on the other, agreed?" Roland smiled his wicked smile, and it was that smile that made me suddenly want to take back what I said, but I could not. It was too late.
"I accept the challenge, Astrid, just as I have accepted all your challenges. You may have won the fencing duel some months back and had me tell you the good parts of my voyage, but I will get you back today. Roland William Turner will be a good boy—young man, I mean."
"We will see who survives, Roland," I said, pointing a finger at him. "I cannot and will not pass a chance to humiliate you, brother."
"Same here, sister," he smirked.
"Now, here is a splendid sight, dear," said a voice coming from the stairs. Roland and I were about ready to shake hands on the bet when we heard it.
"Yes, it is. Our children behaving together for once? I didn't think it was possible." Roland and I exchanged looks. We were thinking the same thing and the eerie glimmer in our eyes confirmed it.
"Ready?" I mouthed.
"Yes. Lead the way, Astrid," he whispered.
Because I hung looser with my pride, I was the first to run up to Mum and Dad and give each of them a choking Christmas embrace. I hugged Mum first, and miraculously, I was the same height as her. She patted me gently on the back, careful not to hug me too tight for the sake me and my corset. She laughed softly and finally let me go. "Daddy!" I squealed, just as I would have done as a tiny girl, and I had to jump up in order to wrap my arms around his neck.
"Merry Christmas to you also, Astrid," said Daddy, laughter in his voice as he hugged me back. "You behave when the Locke family arrives."
"Yes, Sir," I replied. At that, we parted and I stepped aside so that Roland could have his turn.
Roland's exchange of affection with our parents was much more formal than my own. He walked up to Mum and took her hands and planted a kiss on both sides of her face. In return, she patted his cheek, letting him know to be a good boy or else she'd slap him.
With Daddy, Roland put his feet together, arms at his side and gave our father the honor of a midshipman's salute. Dear Roland, you must always make me look bad, don't you? Daddy was clearly surprised and pleased with Roland's presentation of control and refinement. He was doing this on purpose to show me that he could and would be a good boy that day. "Merry Christmas, Mum, Dad," he said, nodding his head at them. "I assure you that, as Astrid's escort and brother, I will be right by her side making sure she does not get into any trouble." Mum beamed and I glowered inside. Roland would certainly pay for tricking Mum and Dad into his favor.
"And as Roland's older sister, I shall make sure he is behaving as well, with no tricks or pranks up his frilly sleeve." I snuck up behind Roland and poked his perfect, straight back with my finger. He jerked and spun around, his eyes aflame.
"I urge you, sister," he cowed. "To watch your back, for you do not know what may be sneaking up behind you."
"There'll be none of that, you two," said Mum, Dad already leading her into the living room. "Promise me you will behave." I swapped looks with Roland. And so the war has begun. Let us see if you can outsmart the notorious Astrid Turner, Midshipman.
"Yes, Mum. We will," we chimed together. Though we certainly did not.
Everyone was gathered in the living room. The Locke family had arrived, all beautiful ten of them. There were of course Mister and Missus Locke, sitting on the large couch with Mum and Dad. Sitting on the richly garbed floor were the Locke children, all seven of them. Roland and I, along with Natalie Locke's husband, Ian Clyde, sat on the floor as well. There were but four couples in the room. Two sat on the floor, which were Natalie and Ian, and Adam and me. Then, of course, there was Mum and Dad, and Mister and Missus Locke on the couch.
The smaller children, namely the twin five year old girls, Rachel and Sarah, and their seven year old brother, David, were sitting in a tight cluster near their mum and dad on the floor. The two older children, Stephanie and George, sat apart from their parents. George sat near Adam and me, and Stephanie sat close to Roland. Ah… perfect. Stephanie turned out to be my age, fourteen, though a bit younger, and George with the big feet was a good twelve years of age.
Adam and I sat closest to the fireplace and closest to the pile of presents in the room. We held hands while we sat, but we'd do nothing more. I had to behave for Mum and Dad, and also to show Roland who was best. "Astrid," said Mum, beckoning me with her hand. I let go of Adam's hand and carefully walked over to where Mum was, making sure not to step on any fingers or limbs on the floor.
"Yes, Mum?" I asked, sitting down on the couch beside her.
"You see Stephanie, correct?"
"Yes… I do…"
"I think she likes Roland." I grinned. So Mum and I had similar minds, for I had thought the exact same thing not too long ago. "I was speaking with Missus Locke and she said she was hoping to find Stephanie a suitor before Christmas. But, here Christmas is and still no suitor."
"I see…" I mumbled, as if in deep thought. The only thing on my mind was how I could use Stephanie's fancy towards Roland to embarrass him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Can you talk to Adam and tell him to encourage Stephanie to be friendlier with Roland?" I had to bite my tongue to keep from bursting out in laughter. Oh what a marvelous Christmas it would be.
"Of course," I answered. "I won't let you down, Mum." At that, I got up from my seat and plunked my rump beside Adam and whispered my plot in his ear. A small whirlwind of giggles surfaced around the younger children, most likely because they still held onto the myth that falling in love was sickening. Adam quieted them easily with a harsh pointed finger, and silence endured again.
"Is that so?" whispered Adam, sending a very cautious look over at Roland. "Let me talk with her. While I speak with her, go on with opening presents." He got up and casually walked over to his sister, not appearing forward at all, which therefore made Roland unsuspicious of anything.
"Roland, brother," I called, drawing him from his daydream. "Come here. I bid you open your presents now. After all, it is just you and I left to open our gifts. And as the younger, I invite you to open your gifts now."
"Oh, but dear sister," he replied with the utmost mockery. "You are the lady. I absolutely forbid that I should go before you. It is not what a gentleman should do."
"Ah, but you forget the holiday spirit, young Roland," I countered. He was not going to make me open my presents first. Besides I needed to have him distracted for a while so that Adam could fill his sister in on my plan. "Bend the rules a little, brother. What harm would it do?"
"As a midshipman, I am strictly molded into a life of rules and orders, my sister. It is not like me to go before a lady." He sent me a very sly look. You will surrender, Roland. Don't make me use force.
"Very well. Here, we shall open our gifts together."
"Then that would decrease the amount of joy that should come with those gifts, sister. I admit I am selfish, but I hold happiness very close to my heart."Roland was good. Very good. But I was not about to surrender yet. Not yetI stared at him, and he stared back looking very pleased and arrogant himself. He knew he was doing well with his courteous talk, but Astrid had some tricks up her sleeve.
"Oh, but brother," I whined. "All my life I have gone before you in many things and this should not be one of them. It is Christmas after all, and I do not want to have our guests see you take the back seat again when you certainly do not deserve it." Roland's grin faded at last, for I had brought the attention of our guests towards him and now he would not want to disappoint them, now would he? Grumbling, he got up and sat next to me, the fiery glare still in his hazel eyes.
"Could you pass your gift to me, sister?" he asked, still remaining polite. He hadn't forgotten about our bet, and neither had I.
Obediently, I fetched my gift to him and he sat it on his lap, looking at it doubtfully as if he suspected some trap. He opened the lid to the box suspiciously and seeing that everything was going just fine, tossed the lid away and looked into the box. His eyes lit up and his eyebrows arched unto his forehead, and he looked up at me, no words coming from his mouth. "Ass… Ass… Astrid," he stuttered. "This… this is… by God, this is…"
"Yes?" I asked, feeling very self-satisfied myself. I even acted as if his apparent joy was not affecting me, but of course, inside I was bouncing with joy. He leapt to his feet, dangling what was in the box in his hands. "I thought you'd like a smashing new midshipman's uniform," I said, seemingly not amused. Roland wasn't listening to me. To tell the truth, I had never seen him ever so happy about a piece of clothing. I took it that he was thrilled with the gift only because it would make him appear very handsome and appealing to the lasses.
He quickly set to putting on the navy blue midshipman's coat, lined with fine gold buttons. He paused and looked at everyone. "How do I look?" he asked.
"Repulsive," I shouted.
"Not you," he barked.
"Stunning, Roland," said a high and sweet little voice. I turned my head swiftly in its direction. I couldn't help but smile. Good girl Stephanie said it! Yes!
Even Roland was amazed at hearing her speak. He looked abashed and tittered nervously, with the red already well on its way to his ears. I watched Stephanie's face and she looked shyly away from Roland, trying to hide her very happy blue eyes. "Well, isn't that just wonderful!" I exclaimed getting up from the ground and walking over to Stephanie. "Only one person thinks you look dashing, Roland," I giggled. The blush on his face vanished and was replaced with the steamed look in his eyes.
"So nice of you to make such an observation, sister," he said, smiling, for once out of jest. "But I thank you deeply for the new midshipman uniform, Astrid. I'll wear it the first day I go back on board the Paramount."
"There's more in there if you haven't noticed," I said, pointing to the abandoned box on the floor.
"Really?" he said, kneeling back down to inspect what he had missed. "Boots? A hat? The trousers? The shirt? A compass and spyglass?" he yelled, pulling the items out of the box quite briskly.
"Yes, everything you could possibly need to make you look like the pompous, ill-mannered boy you are," I laughed.
"You are undeniably respectful," jeered Roland, his bliss indestructible. As he donned the items sloppily onto himself, he looked at me, his ecstasy almost driving him wild. "Here, Astrid. Now you have to open my gift to you." He rushed to the heap of presents and searched frantically for mine. At last, he found it, announcing its finding to all with an animated, "Aha!" He ran to me and stuffed it into my hands beckoning me to quickly open the box. And so I did.
I stared at the box for a few moments, wondering if Roland had some ill-conceived trick up his sleeve, but being drawn into the Christmas spirit, I decided to toss away any suspicion and to let things come as they did. I lifted the lid to the box and at seeing the items in it, the box fell to the floor clamorously. "Roland!" I shrieked, unable to speak. I was hopping about in unexplainable elation gaping and gawking at what hanged from my hands.
"See! Told ya you'd love it!" said Roland, raising his arms up in the air and bouncing around with me.
"It's almost exactly like my gift to you!" I shouted, already gathering up the box from the floor and preparing to head out of the room to change into the pieces of attire.
"Precisely!" As brother and sister, with minds stubborn and wild, we whisked our heads towards our parents with countenances that portrayed our utter desire to dress out of our ridiculous formal garments and into our more fitting Christmas gifts.
"All right, go ahead up to your rooms. We'll still be here when you get down," said Mum trying her best not to laugh in her own enjoyment. I gave a cheer and sprang up the stairs.
Well, Miss Astrid were walkin' into town,
Dressed to impress in a fine satin gown.
But on her face was a strange little frown,
For the lads were lookin' her up and down!
She whipped out her fan to hide her face,
Red from her anger and her disgrace
Ripping off her dress she cried 'Adieu!
I'm a buccaneer lads! From the hat to the
shoes!'
Roland sang as we pranced all the way back down the stairs, newly dressed in our stunning new seaman attire. He was dressed in his blue naval coat, with the gold buttons glistening in the light, along with his spanking new trousers, shirt, hat and boots. As for me, I wore my new pirate wear. My old one was getting quite small but this new garb fit just fine. I had on a dark blue coat as well, but it was a bit more grayish and worn out than Roland's faultlessly assembled naval apparel. It wasn't adorned with the bulky gold buttons and lacked the shortness of Roland's coat as well, making it lag behind me as I danced around in ecstasy.
On my head was a brown, weathered leather tricorn hat, and under that was a red sash I used to control my bulging hair. I also wore a vest that matched the color of my coat over a white shirt, and around my limbs was a pair of black trousers with boots that climbed up to my knees. Of course, my garments were less honorable than Roland's, but I didn't give a hoot at all about it. It was a wonderful transition from a stiff and stuffed dress.
At the bottom of the stairs, Roland and I hooked arms and began to do a very unceremonious jig. I took it that the little tune he sang about me and my new clothes was still giving him a great time in his well groomed head, and so I countered his tale with one of my own. In as loud a voice I could manage, I sang:
But have you heard of Sir Roland here?
Dressed all fine in his midshipman gear?
His face all smug and longing for beer
And wishing for a lass to finally be near!
At the end of that verse, Roland and I paraded into the living room, arms still hooked and spinning around like drunken idiots. The room was shocked in an uproar of laughs and shouts and many a, "Great God! She's dressed like a man!" I only laughed all the more, too full of joy to be put down and happily, I continued on with the second verse to my tale about Midshipman Roland William Turner.
He marched on the docks all prim and cool
But to the sailors he looked like quite a fool.
Lieutenant arrived and to him piped up,
'You! Fetch me some wine and bring me a cup!'
The last line sent a storm of laughter through the merry air and Roland sent a fierce glare in my direction as we twirled about in our uncoordinated jig. I smiled wickedly in reply and looked about the room, and it made my heart leap with joy to see that the others were up and dancing around as well. Abruptly, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and Roland and I unhooked arms and I looked into the very pleased face of my young Adam Locke. "May I cut in?" he asked to Roland, and my brother just shrugged and turned around still dancing.
"Of course ya can," I chimed and I took his hand in mine and led him to the center of the room. He placed his hand on the small of my back and together we whirled about the room, him dressed so finely as a gentleman and me, well, dressed as a pirate.
Roland and mine's singing jokes on each other were over, but for some odd reason, a blast of music came into the room. I turned my head looking towards whoever was playing an instrument, for certainly nobody was singing now. In the far back of the room I caught sight of Ian Clyde who cheerfully put his lips to a flute and blew a sweet Scottish tune. "I didn't know Natalie's husband was a musician," I whispered in Adam's ear as we continued to skip about.
"He's not, but he learned how to play a number of instruments. From what I've heard, he can play a flute, violin and harpsichord remarkably well."
"A talented Scot that makes him then," I said. "If he is not a musician, then what is his profession?"
"He's a merchant, but has been trading more in the Mediterranean than around the Caribbean so he can stay with my sister. He spends plenty of time on the sea and I'm sure he uses that time with his instruments." I nodded in agreement and we slowed to a stop, and we ended with a few claps from our mums and dads. It was only when we stopped did I realize that Adam and I were the only ones dancing. Everyone else was back in their original spots, except for Roland who stood strangely by the exit.
"How come you like to dress like that?" came a high-pitched voice. I knew the question was addressed to me. After all, I was the only one in the room who was dressed uncommonly. The question came from Adam's youngest brother, David.
"I dunno," I answered. "I guess, well, it gives me a lot more freedom to move about than in a dress. Do you like to play games?"
"Yes," he replied, still not understanding my reasoning behind dressing like a pirate.
"Well, so do I, but I can't play very much in a dress because it is so big and puffy. But, in the clothes I'm wearin' now, I can move about freely and I get to play games and do things I couldn't do in a dress." He looked up at me from his spot on the floor, his blue eyes all a-twinkle. He seemed to understand and at last turned his burdening stare of curiosity away from me and towards his older sister, Stephanie.
"How come you don't do that?" She bit her lip and her primped hair began to shudder with nervousness. I could tell right away that she was a shy one. Or perhaps she was not being herself because Roland was in the room and she wanted to impress him.
"I like to wear dresses," she confessed at last. "Don't take it personally, Astrid, but I don't crave freedom as strongly as you do."
"'Tis perfectly fine, Miss Stephanie," I said. "Did you like the dress you received as a Christmas gift from your parents?" I asked, having a plan already thought out in my mischievous mind.
"Yes, it was absolutely beautiful," she responded. "In fact, you going up to change in your Christmas gift wants me to do the same. Mum, Dad, do I have your permission?" she asked, already getting up from her seat. Adam nudged me with his elbow as soon as his sister's back was turned and I came back with a wink of delight.
"What do you have planned, Astrid?" he whispered, leaning his head slightly towards my own.
"Roland is standing right by the exit, which just happens to be where the unnoticed mistletoe hangs. He is utterly bored at the moment, his happiness from his midshipman uniform having worn off some minutes ago. See him standing there looking uninterested in what is going on?" I said, inconspicuously lifting my arm towards my brother's direction and casually placing my hand on my hat.
"I see. As soon as Stephanie gets permission to change into her new dress, she will pass through the same exit…"
"…And I will yell at the top of my lungs to get both your sister's and Roland's attention under the mistletoe." Adam snickered and wrapped his arm around my waist and gave my cheek a warm kiss.
"Any other mischief you have up your pirate sleeve?" he asked.
"None at the moment, but I'm sure I would have thought up another prank by dinner." Adam was about to say something, but Stephanie had finally managed the "yes" from her parents and was heading towards the exit with her new dress in her hands. Roland still stared at the ceiling in sheer boredom, oblivious to anything around him. It was time to unleash my trick. Stephanie was almost to the exit. Almost… almost…
"ROLAND!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, and that made him nearly shoot up. He drew himself out of his reverie and nearly collided into Stephanie, who also turned her head in my direction when I yelled.
"What!" he yelled back, clearly irritated. Stephanie still stood beside him, bewildered and observant of what was going to happen next.
I abandoned Adam's side and quickly walked to the soon-to-be couple and placed my hands on my hips as if I was about to scold Roland. He stared back in masked rage, waiting every so patiently for me to finally give my reason. I looked up at the ceiling, and locked my eyes on the piece of shrub that hung above the two and grinned. "Well, isn't that a surprise indeed," I said, trying my best to act as astonished as Stephanie and Roland. "You two happen to stand directly under the… the mistletoe." I giggled and took a step back, ready to stare into the angry and astounded face of Roland William Turner. And furious did he look.
But, remembering our bet, he kept his mouth shut and sent me curses through the murderous look in his eyes. One mark for Astrid. None for Roland. Stephanie looked clearly confused, but her cream-colored face was already dyed in pink. "Well, you two know what happens under the mistletoe. And we all want to see what happens, don't we?" I asked, looking back unto the thrilled and eager audience. I knew Roland wouldn't dare oppose anything in the cage of guests' expectations. He'd go along with the plan.
Reluctantly and with a twitch, he approached Stephanie warily and when his feet stood directly opposite hers, he looked down at her, grabbed her face and kissed her swiftly on the lips. Needless to say, while his eyes were closed in mortification, her eyes were wide with astonishment and remained that way when their lips parted. "What a show!" I cried, clapping my hands together. From my examinations of Roland's face after the kiss, his embarrassment was flushed out and replaced with his own foxy grin.
"Yes," he replied calmly. "Adam, your sister is quite a lovely kisser." At that, Stephanie blushed deeply and bit her lip again. "But then again, I'm sure Astrid has honored you with her own kisses, hasn't she?" Adam didn't reply and just narrowed his eyes on his good friend.
"Indeed she has, but there is no need for a mistletoe for us to demonstrate such an act."
"All right then," said Roland, too proud to stop himself from making sport of Adam and me. "Would you care to show us exactly how you and Astrid exchange means of affection? Stephanie and I gave you all a show. Is it fair for Astrid, dear and funny little Astrid, to deprive you of a better one?"
"Roland, you miserable piece of rubbish!" I yelled. "How dare you bring Adam and me into such a—"
"What did you say, sister? I'm sorry, I am still so mesmerized by the little event under the mistletoe." I clenched my fists. He chose a perfectly horrible time to ignore me.
"I have no intention to repeat what I said earlier to you, brother!" I shouted. "So shut your haughty and undignified mouth before I smash it shut myself!"
"I'm sorry, sister," he replied, his grin only wider. "Could you say that again?"
"What!" I squealed, teeth bared and fists up ready to pound him into dust.
"I simply asked you to repeat—"
"Repeat my ars—" A hand clasped my mouth shut and another held my waist firmly to keep me from lashing out at Roland. Into that hand I muttered every curse I knew.