Leaving the French naval officer waiting up on the main deck, Mas got straight to the point as he sat down at the table in Gardiner’s cabin with the captain and Wake.
“Captain Gardiner, the French here want to make a good impression on y’all by entertaining you and your officers ashore. Things are rough for ’em back home politically and it looks to me like they have orders to cement the relationship with America so they don’t have to worry about any potential problems here. Their navy doesn’t have much of a presence these days and I think they’d appreciate the support of our navy.”
Mas waved a hand. “Just wanted to say that, ’cause I do believe y’all are gonna get to see some French hospitality.”
“Oh God, I suppose we’ll have to act appreciative and somebody’ll have to attend some damned French social event. I’m getting too old for this,” moaned Gardiner. “Mr. Wake has the duty on the social front, Mr. Mas.”
“Consider yourselves lucky, gentlemen,” Mas said. “Believe me, it doesn’t happen often.”
After a few administrative details they invited the Frenchman inside. He was Lieutenant Claude Martin, aide-de-camp to Rear Admiral Jacques Normand, commander of all French naval forces in the Americas. Martin was every inch the young professional, trying to impress the Americans with the power and responsibility of the French Navy in the New World.
With a disarming smile and smooth flourish, Martin invited Gardiner in very good English to a soirée that evening at the admiral’s quarters next to the fortress, and asked him to bring along two other officers, explaining there would, of course, be young ladies who would need dinner and dance partners.
“I accept the admiral’s very gracious invitation, so magnificently presented by you, Lieutenant, and we will have the officers attend.” Gardiner pleasantly smiled back at Martin and gestured to Wake. “Led by Lieutenant Peter Wake, my executive,” he greatly exaggerated the word, “officer, whom I have designed the official soirée officer of this command. I will, unfortunately, be indisposed aboard. Thank you so much for allowing us the honor of attending.”
Martin bowed and acknowledged the acceptance and compliment, as Mas’s eyes revealed his admiration for Gardiner’s deft handling of the French.
After the visitors departed, Gardiner turned to Wake. “Peter, this morning I have just used up the few diplomatic words I can muster. Please do not incite an international incident at this island. I fear I just wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“Yes, sir.”
He knew the captain meant it. Wake stood to leave. “I guess I’ll take Lieutenant Laporte and Engineer Grimsrud with me, sir.”
“Oh, and Peter . . .”
“Sir?”
“Relax a bit. I know that aboard you’re the executive officer, but ashore at a party you’re allowed to have fun. Enjoy the French girls’ company.”
Wake laughed and said he would, then went to his cabin where the ship’s clerk had dropped off a letter that had come aboard with the consul. It was from Linda. He tore it open, sat on his berth and read it, his heart clenching.
Pensacola, Florida
December 3rd, 1873
Dear Peter,
I hope this letter finds you well on your voyage around the West Indies. Frequently I lie in bed at night and try to imagine the sights and sounds you experience, the people you meet, and the challenges you overcome. I’m glad you have a good ship and captain at last. I so look forward to your letters about all you do, but wish you were here next to me to tell the stories in person, late at night, when it’s just the two of us. In June that will happen and I can wait until then, but barely.
The children are fine, as active and playful as ever. They miss their Daddy and Sean asks if every ship he sees in the bay has Daddy aboard. I have news about Useppa. I took her to a doctor in Mobile who specializes in children’s maladies. After examining her, his diagnosis was that she had a bone growth problem and that it might resolve itself with age. He recommended against any strong pain relievers such as opiates or laudanum—explaining that as difficult as that is for us to agree with as parents of a suffering child, it’s because of the addictive qualities of those drugs.
Wake understood that very well, he had seen it in a captain of his only a few years earlier—a captain he had relieved of command by force to save the ship and men. His heart lightened when he read on.
He said that special exercises would be beneficial and prescribed some stretching and lifting. He then gave her the same powder medicine given to elderly arthritics, thinking that might help with the pain. I feel so much better after the consultation and I am having Useppa do the exercises every day, but know that it might take a while to see the results. Oh Peter, now I have some hope she’ll lead a normal life.
Then he read her next paragraph and almost cried.
Peter, as happy as I am for the good news about Useppa, I have to tell you that I am also very tired. Tired of running a household alone, tired of sleeping alone, tired of another Christmas without my husband, tired of trying to get by on navy pay, and tired of living in cold Pensacola. I want you to know this but I haven’t told anyone else. You are the only person I confide in.
I am trying to be patient and will wait until your arrival in June. Then we’ll
