Thank you to all who have read and commented. Once again any mistakes are my own.
Thanks to Colleen Thomas: although no longer with us, her stories are a joy to read.
Her guide on how to write a period piece inestimable.
Chapter Eight
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words, a few original ideas, .Characters belong to TNT, Tess G,and Janet T. This was written for enjoyment. No copyright infringement intended.
RI
Dover, England Cooper's Arms-
A shiver of anticipation ran through Maura's body. The fair haired woman was petite, dainty as a China tea cup. She smiled shyly, but her eyes blatantly raked over her companion. Jane stretched out her long legs, placing her well worn scuffed boots against the far door of the carriage.
The brunette tried to stifle a nervous laugh. Maura raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows, then turned her gaze away. Sighing loudly the brunette reached out and took the smaller woman's gloved left hand. Jane squeezed it, and interlaced her long callous fingers with Maura's. Looking down at their joined hands Maura relaxed, her timidness forgotten she giggled and squeezed back.
The sounds of cawing gulls, and the clip clopping of horses hooves upon broken cobblestones trickled into the carriage. Both women flopped back into the padded backrest and allowed their joined hands to plop down between them. Suddenly the carriage lurched to a stop.
"Here we be fine lasses all, Cooper's Arms" Drew sang out.
Jane released Maura's hand with a small huff.
"I'll return quick as I can."
Maura nodded, "Quickly, you'll return quickly..."
"Aye, Matey" Jane clamber out of the cab, running gracelessly towards the Inn.
Briefly pausing to adjust her dress she took the stairs two at a time to her shared quarters.
She knocked at the door, she pulled a key out of her dress bodice and inserted it into the lock.
"Ciao, Buona notte, Hello, Good Evening" She called out.
"Good Evening to you Jane, Did you enjoy the English il salotto, er salon? Was Lady Fairfield a gracious hostess ? Did she live up to father's praise ?" Is she accomplished in academic pursuits ?"
"Si Zio. We played chess and she won a game, we tied a game, and I won a game."
"Excellent, you did not allow her to win Piccola Mia, my little one?"
"Piccola Mia? Will you never see that I am not a little girl? No Zio she won fairly."
"No, passerotto, my little sparrow, until you fly away from your old Zio my heart will see you as Piccola Mia. Your borsone, er umm, travel case is by the sideboard. "
"Thank you for finding it. I am off to the Angelina. Tomorrow you and my brother need to see to your new boots. Mistress Patterson said they are ready for you."
Jane puffed out as she dashed to and fro tossing seemingly random items into her small duffel.
"Mistress Patterson...Si, er yes...boots."
"Did you find Crowe loaded to the gunwales?"
"Yes, and not crimped by another company he is sleeping off the rum in your brothers' room. Luck sailed with us, we found the Navigator Frost, before he commits to our company he wishes to join us on our re-supply runs."
"Carpe Diem Zio, What think you of Frost? Lady Maura said he was of good character."
"Aye, he is, Why are you packing your game board?,Is that a jar of lotus-honey dust. Do you have someone to entertain ?"
"Zio, a little freely given entertainment is is good for the mind, I am not a Bachelor's wife. I enjoy the chase too much."
"Si, Gia, have a care not all lubbers 'Swing the lead'. You could..."
"Carpe Diem Zio, I could Carpe Diem" Jane sing-song to her uncle as she left.
The lankey woman hefted her duffel into the carriage, rapped on on the ceiling
"To Windward side of the pier Good Sir"
Maura had fallen into a light slumber but stirred awake as Jane arranged her travel bag.
"By chance have you ever made a wager on a chess game Lady Maura?"
End Notes:
Zio, Uncle, according to Google Translate.
Ciao, Buona notte, Hello, Good Evening, according to Google Translate.
il salotto, salon, according to Google Translate.
Piccola Mia, my little one, according to Google Translate
passerotto, little sparrow, according to Google Translate
borsone, carryall, or duffel, or travel case, according to Google Translate
Thank you to all who have read and commented. Once again any mistakes are my own.
Thanks to Colleen Thomas: although no longer with us, her stories are a joy to read.
Her guide on how to write a period piece inestimable.
Crimp - To procure (sailors or soldiers) by trickery or coercion, or one who crimps.
loaded to the gunwales Very drunk.
Bachelor's wife - A Mistress.
Lubbers - Disrespectful term for non-seafarers
Swing the lead, a lazy person, a slacker.