Chapter 39: The Sweet Peace Of Safe Haven
The Upper Deck, The Laurel, Boylston Docks, Boylsten, England (1763)...
The very sight of the familiar English layout as they approached the dreary docks of Boysten England had done wonders to improve the morale of the crew as Alain stood among them pleased to have survived the violent storm that very nearly destroyed them all. The Laurel had been a bit worse for ware, but she was intact and had safely endured the rage of the fickle sea to make it back home again. Sir Alfred had still been bundled up in the guest quarters his face looked decidedly pale, but he was alive. His occasional shivers were the cause of mild concern, but he would recover, as would Erwin and many of the other crew members who had been nearly drowned via the choppy waters. Alain stood on the deck almost as if he'd been a regular seaman himself with little to no traces of his noble heritage to distinguish him from the other soaked and panting men who had given it their all to survive the onslaught of the storm.
Not all of them had been so fortunate to see their homeland again, as memories of the lost crew members made the happiness of their arrival a bittersweet experience. Jared Todd and Joseph Sweeney were among the casualties, names Alain had not bothered to remember before the unfortunate situation surrounding their tragic deaths. They were given to the deep and as a result, would never see home again.
The ship dropped anchor as many a man was thankful to finally be on land again. Word of the oncoming ship must have reached the mainland as Alain caught sight of Casimir and his mother awaiting their arrival at the docks. Alana DuChene had been as lovely as always and dressed in the finest gown made of scarlet adorned via silver trim and jewels galore as she approached her water-weary son and limping sickly husband.
Alain nearly fell into Casimir's arms as the older lad pulled him into a hug that caught him off balance and smiled realizing that he had kept his promise to his older brother to return in one piece. They had their worries here at home, more so due to the wars going on involving England in the New World against the French and the onset of conflict following the Spanish attempt to invade Portugal. Information was scarce and even more worrisome with Alain and Alfred among the thick of things as hostilities grew.
Alana had been the next to embrace her son as tears streamed down her face while she looked him over. She had not mentioned it before, but she was terrified she'd lose him the way she had lost his father who had according to her looked exactly like him right down to the hazel eyes and she could not bear the worry as it seemed to increase with news of war reaching the area in addition to the known hostilities that came along with being anywhere near the ocean.
Next, she greeted her ailing husband Alfred who was being taken to the nearest healer. Alain set about going back to the ship and collected his things as well as his father's as he and his family filed into the nearest carriage bound for the Duchene estate.
As the hooves of the horses beat against the cobblestone along the road, Alain found himself searching in the distance for a sign that Noreen had been aware of his return and had come to see him. Unlike before when he'd been preparing for his departure, she had been nowhere to be found but he remained hopeful that he'd see her again making plans to visit the old grove and show her his journals that documented his love for her.
Try as he might, he was beginning to think he could see Noreen around every corner as this place was where he knew she'd be. It was her home as much as it had been his right here in England. The familiar architecture and street corners were a welcome sight, even the peasants that belonged to this place brought about a strange sense of fondness to him now that he'd been home.
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The Carriage, Leighton England (1763).....
Alana had gone on and on about what they missed while they were away concerning a strangely quiet and nervous Casimir as he stared out the nearby window of the carriage unsure about the upcoming event that would ultimately permanently change his life. Alain knew all too well that his brother was plotting something, even as his mother continued her speech without any input from either one of them. Casimir seemed more agitated about being in her prolonged company than usual as he turned to Alain and mouthed the words "See me later." so that she would not take notice.
Their mother had been none the wiser as she chatted on and on about various parties and the dresses she intended to make along with various servings of food she ordered and needed to order when the event came up. Alana was always one for a good party, something she and Casmir had in common despite them being mostly at odds over everything else. He did not doubt that she was enjoying this, the petty torment of arranging his engagement party and planning his wedding all at the same time.
His wayward behavior had put her to shame on more than one occasion and she was pleased that as of his wedding, it would all have come to an end courtesy of her first husband and his arranging it via a well-known business associate. Casimir was blindsided when he heard the news and was vastly angry at his late father for ruining his life from beyond the grave.
Marriage wasn't in the least something he wanted to have to enter into at such a young age especially when he'd been quite fond of bedding lovely and clueless youths for sport. The mere thought of having to commit to just one and the sheer horror of it not being a lovely bride at all made Casimir sick with worry all over again. Of course, he would have the last laugh, as being engaged meant he could choose how he spent his last nights of freedom.
Alain smiled as he sat back against the carriage and allowed himself to drift off into a contented slumber. He'd been safe and back home with his mother and elder brother and it appeared that nothing had truly changed at all in his absence.