bittyjane

From the diary of Angela Sainz

May 22, 1794

Father has finally allowed me to accompany him! Mother had no small hand in it, to be sure, insisting that I go to pick out the exact lace needed for my veil. A silly notion, really, any reputable seamstress would be able to find it. I had been begging, though, and am slightly embarrassed to admit to a number of tantrums. The likelihood of me being able to go once I’m wed would be greatly diminished with the burdens of matrimony. I still think he would have denied me and insisted I journey by carriage or not at all had it not been for the Castillon family. They had booked passage a fortnight ago and had a daughter my age travelling with them. It will be a joy, I think, to have companionship on the voyage. I hope we get on well. Once they disembark, I will meet with Amanda, Rebecca, and Madame Shires, Troy’s lovely mother and sisters. They will accompany me to ensure the necessarily shopping is done with haste, then journey home with me to help with the remainder of the wedding preparations. We leave with the morning tide. I fear I will not be able to sleep for all the excitement. It has been nearly a decade since I was last on a ship with Father.

May 25, 1794

The weather has been fair and being on a ship is as glorious as I remember. I worried I would experience some degree of sea-sickness having not been accustomed to the constant motion, but am pleased to find I am perfectly well. The crew seems courteous enough. Coral, however, is the worst. She is no more than a petulant child, complaining endlessly of the damp air and the rocking of the ship. I shall have to do my best to avoid her for I fear another moment in her presence will drive me insane. In this respect only am I grateful for the relative shortness of the trip. Otherwise, I feel I could spend my entire life on the deck.

May 28, 1794

Father is furious with me. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so angry. We may make port early. I climbed the ratlines to the trestletree of the main mast to avoid another dreary, dreadful conversation with Coral. I am sure it was she who told him where I was. When I was younger, I used to climb all the way to the yard with him! I was in no danger simply climbing to just above the main boom. I hate her. I loathe her with all of my being. I wish she were dead.

May 29, 1794

Something terrible has happened. Coral and I were on the forecastle deck having a lovely chat and she fell overboard! I was in such shock that I opened my mouth to cry for help and no sound came out. While I did see her bob to the surface once or twice, I can’t be entirely sure she was conscious. I was finally able to call out, and one of the deck hands threw a rope in for her to grab, but the poor ducky didn’t even reach for it. As I mentioned, I don’t think she was conscious. It was as though she had hit her head on her way overboard. The day was fairly calm, so I can’t fathom what could have made her fall over the railing! One minute she was standing next to me and the next I was watching her plummet into the water. She made a trip under the boat and the crew was able to retrieve her body on the other side. Her dress was a tattered mess. The lacerations along her arms, hands, and face caused her poor mother to faint. It looked as though a number of her finger nails had been ripped off, like she had been foolishly grabbing for purchase on the underside of the ship. Maybe she was alert after all.

June 5, 1794

The rest of the journey was mostly quiet and uneventful. I was able to enjoy the remainder of the afternoons with my face in the breeze in peace once father had confined Coral’s wailing mother to her chambers. After a tearful goodbye with my father, I was met at the dock by Madame Shires. We will be joined at her estate in the morning by her daughters. As an only child, I have always wished for a sister and am now lucky enough to be gaining a pair! It is my sincere hope that we will all be the best of friends.

June 6, 1794

Rebecca is the worst.