Sorry it took so long to continue this story, I had several inquiries as to when I would finish it. Now with things settled in my personal life I can finish this story, I hope it meets with your approval, for those of you this is your first read, read part 1. Thank you for all the input I have received on all my stories I really do appreciate it.
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As midnight arrived Elizabeth felt as if her heart would leap from her chest as hard as it was pounding. Etta had not yet arrived at the meeting place out side the castle. At once there was a noise behind her, she hid in fright but was relieved when she saw the familiar outline of Etta walking from the darkness.
"Mi-lady, are you here," she said in a hushed shout.
Elizabeth walked from the behind the bush, "Yes Etta here."
"Mi-lady all is arranged, my cousin Theodore is waiting down the road with a carriage, he will take us to London, and there we will board a ship sailing to the America's."
"The America's Etta, so far, is it wise?"
"Of course Mi-lady, they will never look for us there; they would not think that we have left the country."
"Your right of course Etta, I am just afraid. How long will it take us to reach the America's and where will we go when we get there?"
"We will land in Virginia, I have a cousin who left for Virginia several years ago, we will go to him, and I believe he will help us. We of course will no longer live as we do here Mi-lady; you need to make sure that this is truly what you want."
Elizabeth look towards the castle of her father, she turned to Etta shook her head yes and they began to walk through the woods to meet the carriage. They arrived and the carriage was waiting as expected, Etta greeted her cousin with a kiss on the cheek, and he ushered us into the carriage.
London
Arriving in London very early that morning, the carriage stopped at the dock near a large ship called the Anne Marie, they alighted from the carriage. Elizabeth looked at the large ship with trepidation in her eyes. But she knew she had to do this she had no choice now after what Lyle had done to her. She had yet to tell Etta of what had happened to her after she had left her, she feared that if she spoke aloud what had happened to her she would fall apart and not be able to aid in their escape from them. (Meaning her father and Lyle)
She and Etta waited for her cousin Theodore to return, he had gone aboard the ship moments ago to secure our passage, and give an amply believable story for our hasty retreat from England.
At that moment he came into view, walked down the plank to the dock. He walked to where we stood; he greeted us with a smile which made her feel better.
"All is well Mi-lady, as far as the captain knows you are a widow traveling to America to start over and leave memories behind. I told him that your family was trying to make you wed your husband's brother so that they could keep the family business. That as far as you were concerned that they could have it but without your marrying again. So you had decided that you would leave England and not return."
"And he believed you?"
"Yes Mi-lady, he was very sympathetic to your plight."
"Good, I thank you for all of your help. Here take this," and she handed him a gold coin.
"No Mi-lady I couldn't."
"Please Theodore, for all that you have done and will do. No one must know where Etta and I have gone."
"I am your servant Mi-lady," he said with a deep bow as he headed to get their things from the carriage and have it taken to there cabin on the ship.
Elizabeth walked to the ship with Etta at her side behind Theodore as he carried there meager belongings to their cabin. Stepping on to the ship that would take them to a new life Elizabeth could not believe how horribly scared but yet sure that this was the right decision.
As they entered the cabin it was sparsely furnished but had two beds and for now that is all that mattered to them. As Theodore placed their belongings on the beds he thanked the deck hand for his help in finding their way. . He stood still near the door for a short moment to make sure that no one was listening at the door. He then turned his attention to the two women. "Mi-lady are you quite sure that you both will be alright going alone on this journey?"
"Yes Theodore, thank you for worrying about us, but think all will be well once we are away from here."
"Thank you Theodore for all of your help, I would not have been able to do this without your help," Etta said as she hugged her cousin tightly about the neck.
"Before I should forget, I did not give the captain your real names I thought it best to not let anyone know whom you really were, so I had to make up and name quickly. Mi-lady I told him your name was Beth Williams and Etta yours is Millie. I hope they meet with your approval?"
"Beth, I like that. Thank you Theodore, I believe they will work out quite well. What do you think Millie?"
"Well mi-lady Beth, I think it will take some getting used to but I believe you are correct cousin, it is best that we not let anyone know our true identities."
Theodore went to the door, "It is time for me to go, safe journey to you both and GOD speed."
Alone in the cabin the two set about putting things away for the long journey, GOD only knew what lay in store for them on this trip and in the new world. They heard lots of commotion on the deck and knew that they were readying to sail, they heard the captain's voice shouting orders to his men and the first officer passing them along. Moments later they felt the ship begin to pitch from side to side and knew they were under way. They walked up the stairs to the deck not wanting to miss seeing England for the last time; sadly they stood at each others side as they watched their home disappear from view.
Tears rolled from Elizabeth's eyes as she worried about what laid in store for them, would they be able to make alone. She felt sure as long as her trusted friend was by her side she would be able to withstand any thing.
Day 3
On day three of the voyage, Etta became very ill from the rolling of the seas. Elizabeth seemed to be able withstand it's pitching and rolling. In a big role reversal she now was taking care of her.
In the evenings Elizabeth would walk to the upper deck to get some fresh are after taking care of Etta all day. Elizabeth loved the feel of the sea breeze whipping through her hair which she let down in the evenings, she wrapped her cloak tightly about her as the winds were chilling this evening. She stood at the railing looking out to the moonlit waters below; the occasional spray of water hitting her face was indeed refreshing.
As she stood there for awhile Mr. Phips came to stand beside her, "Good Evening Mrs. Williams, the weathers getting a little rough you should really go back below decks, it's not safe for you here, and we are coming into some bad weather."
"Thank you Mr. Phips, I assure you am fine, I thank you for thinking of me."
"Tis nothing Mrs., it's my job to insure the well being of our passengers. How is your friend feeling, the rolling from the storm will surely cause her more misery?"
"At the moment she is fine, I feel you are quite correct that her misery will surely be just be beginning. It's my hope that the storm will not last for too long. I just want a few moments more in the cool fresh air."
"Alright Mrs. as you wish, but have a care if the winds should pick up anymore."
"I will, thank you," she said as he tipped his hat and began to walk towards the bow of the ship.
The ship pitched to and fro horribly all through the night, poor Etta was up half the night her face hung over the chamber pot. It hard to believe that she had anything left to bring up since she hadn't had anything to eat other than the tea that Mr. Phips brought to them.
In the morning of the 4th day the storm seemed to have blown it's self out, fierce winds still remained and the ship cut quickly through the water. Etta felt much better as well, although she was extremely pale from her ordeal.
There was a knock at the door she knew it must be Mr. Phips with their morning tea and cakes, she went to the door opening it to him. It was indeed Mr. Phips but he didn't have a tray with him, he hastily walked into the room.
"Good morning Mrs. Williams, we are being followed by a ship of unknown origin, the captain has asked that all passengers remain in their cabins until it is determined what their intentions are. There are marauders here abouts and they attack ships steal their cargos and other valuables. Please stay here inside where you both will be safe, I will keep you informed as to what is happening."
"Thank you Mr. Phips, we will be fine here."
As Mr. Phips left she turned to Etta, how could they be fine. They were alone in the middle of the ocean no family nor friends about and their ship that was to be taking them to a new life was about to come under siege. How much worse could it be, she thought it might have been better if they had stayed at Charwood Hall.
Above decks the men were scurrying about try to rig more sail to add speed, the captain was sure that they would come under fire but was making at least a good effort to try and save his cargo and passengers.
The more time that passed Elizabeth and Etta began to feel more relief sure that if there hadn't been an attack by now they sure must have gotten away. Just then there was a loud boom from not too far away and then a splash. They had missed, but that was just the first volley. Then they heard the rush of running feet on the deck and with that an answer to their first shot. The cannons from the deck shot loudly as they returned fire towards the approaching ship. Again they heard a splash, their hearts sunk as they knew it had missed. Again the following ship fired, this time the ship lurched roughly, the two fell to the floor.
"Oh Mi-lady, she's been hit," she said as she huddled closely to Elizabeth.
"Yes I believe your right, don't worry I believe the Captain and his crew with do their best to keep us from harm."
"I hope your right mi-lady; I heard tell of what pirates do to their women captives."
"Don't be worry Etta I doubt it will come to that, it may not even be pirates."
The walls of the ship vibrated from the return fire, the men were obviously giving it a valiant effort to keep from being boarded. Elizabeth prayed that they would be successful, but knew it might be unreasonable to think that they could get away now after being struck several times now by cannon balls.
As she thought this she set in motion hiding her stash of jewels that she had taken, Etta quickly sewed the pouch into the lining of Elizabeth skirt.
"What will happen to us mi-lady?"
