Chapter Thirteen
It was early in the afternoon when Gabe and Lum made their way to the Lacy home. He'd gotten directions from Finch's friend who plainly was nervous at the thought of Gabe accompanying him and Finch on their mission, said, 'Rest assured they'd be a threat to us if we was to meet up with any Colonials and they started to ask questions. I insist that we go alone and you,' the man said emphasizing the word 'you' to Finch, 'Can meet up with them later after we've done our business.' Therefore they set off in different directions.
As they got close to Savannah Lum's pace quickened, 'I knows where we at now, suh, just you fallah me.'
The lane was filled with crushed shells. Huge oak trees with hanging moss grew on either side of the lane that made a circle in front of the house. The house was a three-story affair flanked on each side with a two-story wing. There was a veranda that was adorned with four white fluted columns running the full length in front.
The house was brick and the only oddity was it had blue shutters. On each end of the house a white wooden swing hung on chains.
As Gabe and Lum approached an elderly black man clad in a well-tailored black suit with a white shirt and a gray sash about his middle stepped out the huge ornate door.
It was obvious the servant recognized Lum, who called, 'Howdy Henry, where is Nanny and Missy Faith?'
Hearing her name, Faith stepped out on the porch and felt her heart pound at the sight of the approaching men, 'Gabe, oh my God, Gabe, it's you?' Gabe's heart began to pound, his knees felt weak, he could barely breathe as he stood in awe at the sight of Faith. If anything she was more beautiful than he remembered. He raced up the steps to this woman who held his heart. Her blonde hair hung loose over her shoulder and he could feel its softness as their arms embraced one another.
Her smell, her softness, the pent-up passion as their lips met, both hungry with longing and desire. When finally they broke their kiss Faith was gasping, here was her man. Still embracing Gabe, Faith felt his body stiffen and try to take a step back but with her holding him so tight he was unable to do so. Then sensing someone else on the porch Faith turned and saw why Gabe had stiffened.
'Aunt Caroline… this if Gabe… he's…,' Faith not sure if she should reveal Gabe's identity or not finally said, 'he's my fianc+?!'
'I see,' Caroline replied, 'but child if you don't let loose of him there will be no wedding. You've fairly squeezed the breath out of this young man.' Then smiling Caroline reached out her hand to Gabe and said,
'And a handsome young man he is too Faith, no wonder your so moonstruck. Seeing the two of you tangled up pure gave me the vapors. Now come in the house before we shock any passerby and they die of apoplexy.' At that time the rustle of feet could be heard and Nanny rushed in. One hand had Lum in tow while the
other fanned her face. 'Would you look a heah, child, what da debble done brung up and left at our doh steps.
Fact is ole Nanny's heart is jus' a flip-flopping like some ole catfish what done been caught and drug up on da creek bank.'
'Mine too, Nanny, mine too.'
Gabe felt some flutters himself but was in strange territory and was at a loss for words.
Not so with Lum. He walked over to Faith who gave him a big hug, then Lum volunteered, 'I been takin'
care of de cap'n foh you missy, jus' lak I promised you I'd do. I been right by his side and we's been doing fine.
'Ceptin' I knows the cap'n been missin' you. Yes mam, he sho' nuff has. I see him holden on to dat little bag round his neck and starin' out into de ocean and I knows who he's thinking bout.'
'Well, thank you Lum,' Faith said using her dress sleeve to dry the tears that started with Lum's words.
Sensing the need to leave Faith and Gabe alone, Nanny said, 'Well come on heah you ole rascal, I know you must be hungry.'
As the two left for the kitchen Caroline said, 'So you're a ship's captain, Gabe?'
Oh hell, Faith thought, Lum let the cat out of the bag.
Gabe, deciding not to lie, said, 'Yes ma'am, although I don't look like it, I command a British ship of war.' He then added a little lie, 'I wanted to see Faith and knew I wouldn't be well received dressed in my uniform, therefore these clothes.'
'You realize you could be shot as a spy?' This from a man who entered the foyer from what appeared to be an office or library.
Turning to the man, Gabe replied, 'Matter of fact it was a risk I was willing to take in order to see Faith.' A silence filled the room and Gabe sized up the man standing before him. He was of medium height, short brown hair that was graying at the temples and balding on top, a man that would not wear one of those stylish wigs. He was barrel-chested and had a weather-beaten tanned face. He had deep-set green eyes and wore white pants and a dark blue frock coat.
Gabe knew the man's clothes were of the finest quality. He also knew by the way the man spoke and carried himself he had spent many a hour on a quarterdeck. The sailor in him was unmistakable. This had to be Faith's dead father's partner, Gavin Lacy.
Lacy held Gabe's gaze for another moment then broke the silence. 'Well said young sir. I like it when a man knows what he wants and is willing to risk all for it.' During the exchange Faith had sided up to Gabe and again put her arm around him.
'I'm pleased to meet you,' Lacy continued and held out his hand, 'For now I welcome you as a guest. We'll talk about other matters later.'
Gabe breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.
Later that night after gorging himself on a fine southern supper, Gabe sat in the swing with Faith in his arms.
'How long can you stay?' she asked.
'I leave at daybreak.'
'Take me with you.'
Gabe's heart almost stopped. 'I can't,' he finally replied, 'I've no place for you right now. A ship is not place for a woman… and… Faith you once said you couldn't marry me as our countries were at war. Does that still hold true?'
'Oh no, Gabe, I'm so sorry I said that. You don't know how many times I wish I could have taken those words back.'
At that time Gabe could see Lacy rounding the porch on the far side of the house. He was holding a long- stemmed corncob pipe and was lighting it. It was
similar to the one Lum smoked but the 'bowl' was over three inches high.
Seeing Lacy, Gabe stood from the swing, 'Mr. Lacy, may I have a word with you, sir?'
Lacy made his way over to the far end of the porch where the two young lovers were then sat down in a white rocking chair that was beside the swing. Gabe sat back down by Faith who nestled up close to him.
Mr. Lacy,' Gabe began, 'I love Faith and desire to make her my wife. I've put enough prize money up that I can care for her in a manner of which she is accustomed. I would like your blessing on this union.' Seeing Faith's face light up, Lacy said, 'You have it of course.' Then he noted Gabe had raised his hand to interrupt him.
'However, you know sir that I'm a British officer, what you don't know and neither does Faith, but I think its important you know now before you give your blessing, is my father, who was an admiral, and my mother, who was a gypsy, lived together for over twenty years. They were never married, sir.' Then taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly Gabe continued, 'I'm a bastard.'
'Hmmph!' Lacy snorted. 'Aren't we all at some time or another? That changes nothing. You have my blessings, sir, regardless.'
'Oh, Uncle Gavin,' Faith leapt from the swing making the chains creak and groan.
Gabe stood and shook Lacy's hand, 'Thank you sir.'
