Chapter 23
Jock
Kingston, Jamaica
December 25, 1910

The waves lapped against Jock's legs, illuminated from the full moon above. It felt more like he was readying himself to take a bath in this warm water rather than a dip in the ocean. He could hear the sound of laughter and other merrymaking in the hotel behind him, guests enjoying the last bit of fun at the Christmas Eve Ball before returning to their rooms. The orchestra Jock had traveled here had finished playing hours ago, but the guests had refused to leave until Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day.

This was his first opportunity to go for a swim since his arrival a few days ago. He had watched jealously from the hotel restaurant while he played during the day as the hotel guests swam and sunbathed on the white sand overlooking the bright blue water. As Jock looked down at his feet, he was delighted to see little fish nibbling on his toes and watching other creatures swim past him in the clear water.

"I'm glad I caught you alone."

He jumped, blushing when he saw a woman standing at the edge of the shore, watching him closely. He recognized her as one of the housekeepers, with beautiful dark skin and brown eyes that glimmered with each wave that rushed past him. She had been the first person he'd seen when he had set foot in the hotel and had immediately been taken with her. Although Jock had traveled many places over the last several years at sea, he had not seen many dark skinned people, especially coming from a place like Dumfries. This woman's beauty was mesmerizing, and even though Jock guessed she was several years older than himself, he had stolen glances her way whenever she made appearances near the orchestra during their concerts.

His ears began to burn upon realizing he was only in his trousers in the water, not thinking anyone would be out here this late after a night of heavy drinking.

"Happy Christmas," he said, doing his best to hide the redness in his cheeks by giving her a crooked smile. She smiled back and removed her dress, leaving only her shift on as she waded into the water towards him. He looked around wildly, but there was no one else on the beach but them.

"Happy Christmas," she said when she reached him. "My name's Ethel."

She was a true Jamaican based on her accent. As she stood close to him, her beauty nearly took his breath away. She had wide hips, beautiful dark hair, and lips that were taunting him.

"Jock," he said, trying to hide the trembling in his voice.

"A Scot," she said, her full lips turning upwards in another smile. "Fancy they'd bring someone like you all the way out here. What about your family? Aren't they missing you?"

Jock turned back to the water, determined to not let this opportunity pass him by. "Not really. That's why I'm here. There's no one at home for me to celebrate Christmas with."

He thought of Mary. But they weren't engaged, and his father hated the idea of him marrying a Costin. But Jock knew the Costin home would be a better place to spend Christmas than with the Humes.

He was surprised to feel Ethel's hands running through his curly hair, feeling her breath on his neck. "Lucky for me, then," she whispered. "I've got no one to spend Christmas with either."

It was April of 1911 when Jock finally returned home to Dumfries. It was shortly after this trip that he began handfasting with Mary. He hated to admit it, but even in the many nights he spent in Mary's bed in her family home, he dreamt about his many nights with Ethel on the Jamaican beaches.

He rolled over in bed to see Violet's sleeping form, oblivious that he was awake. It was already mid-morning and he was due to play in the first class Sunday service in less than an hour. The way he had felt about Ethel was the same way he felt aboutViolet. They were both stunningly beautiful, exotic, and up for a bit of fun while he was away from home But despite his betrayal to her, Mary was the one he loved above all others. But he knew women couldn't understand the needs of a man's body, which is why he would never tell Mary about Violet or Ethel.

He dressed quickly, knowing Violet wouldn't be upset at finding him gone as he left the room. After all, this might be the last time they would spend any time together with how busy their schedules had been.

Just as he began ascending The Grand Staircase, he stopped midstep, his face paling. Between the alcohol and lovemaking from last night, he recalled hearing a knock on his door. How stupid was he to forget that he had been sharing a room with his nephew? Nellie was surely going to skin him alive leaving Callen without a place to sleep. And Nellie would certainly know why the room had been unavailable last night.

He continued his ascension to first class, thanking God that on this Sunday morning that he'd have the chance to repent of his sins in the first class service before having to face his older sister.