LOVE LETTERS FROM A SEA VOYAGE

May, 1838

My Darling Geoffrey,

It is my hope,  my fervent wish to finally be off,  heading to you at last.

The eternal waiting for cargo is finally over with notice that our ship will be transporting granite from Maine for the completion of the Treasury Department building in Washington.   It would seem a very important cargo so the ship will be well fitted out and equipped with the latest sea going innovations.  The time and schedule is being sternly met so barring weather complications,  it should be a swift journey as sea voyages go.

I have been packed for days after carefully shopping for and  deciding on dresses and bonnets that  I hope will please you.  You do know, of course, that my happiness depends totally on pleasing you!  You my darling are what fills my mind on these long days of waiting.  I walk the avenues and pace the gardens wishing time to fly by but time is what it is I’m afraid.

A week from tomorrow in the pre-dawn hours a carriage will arrive to take me to the ship.  I understand the docks can be a rude place with all kinds of coarse creatures but I so long to see you and this very longing is my courage to do this thing.  My cousin Alma will never leave my side as our journey begins.   She will travel with me to Washington where she will disembark for a long visit with her parents and I will continue my journey alone but very well chaperoned with the captain making me welcome at his table and with his party each evening.

Do you remember my telling you about the excitement and pride I felt on my graduation from college?  I thought I could never be more excited than the day I graduated from the Boston Female Medical School but now I think with building excitement of walking on your arm, as your wife,  as you show me and teach me all about Charlotte.  My dearest you are my heart’s very wish,  forever and ever!

I do so long for and anticipate your face, your very person there at dockside as my ship arrives.  If I were a silly silly thing I might say I would swoon but I am not a silly silly thing but a woman in love.

It will be a long voyage but I will write a letter to you every few days of my thoughts and how I see us together.   How I imagine our life will be!   It will make a nice tidy bundle tied up in red ribbon, for you to read on my arrival. 

Love Letters From A Sea Voyage.  

With intense affection,

Henrietta

~~~~

Geoffrey has read and reread the only letter to arrive.  In his heart he hopes that Henrietta is as sincere and loving as she sounds.  Their engagement was very short in actual time before the need for him to travel ahead to prepare and establish a life for them as man and wife.   All has progressed nicely.

He found a large stately house with extensive gardens close enough to the hustle and bustle of Charlotte city life to participate in Charlotte society but far enough from the hustle and bustle for a private time of learning about each other.  He had a true wish for them to love as a couple in every way.  He wanted a family,  sons and daughters and the comfortable life he thought Charlotte may provide.  

His offices stood apart from the actual workings of the dock.  The offices were on a hillside with a view of the ocean, not far from the docks where the real business took place but in a much more genteel setting.   He imported silks and woven rugs,  fine wine and furnishings for the fine homes in Charlotte.  From this vantage point he would get the first glimpse of Henrietta’s ship as it makes it’s approach to Charlotte. 

The days are passing rather quickly and he has reports from business associates and agents along the route.  He is becoming more and more nervous but really, it isn’t nerves, it is profound anticipation!   

He stands at his large windows looking out to sea, his thoughts are so far away.  He has wanted to be settled for some time but it took time to build an enterprise that would support the family he imagined in his dreams.  Beautiful wife, well behaved intelligent children,  all involved in the love and harmony of family.  Now in a few days, the beginning of his dream.

On the morning of Henrietta’s arrival,  he has gone over his check list dozens of times.  He again stands before the large windows,  the ship should arrive by mid morning, all is at the ready.

Going to the office door, he waves for his secretary and his secretary’s secretary to please attend him.   Once in the office he begins to itemize for them, all of the preparations and then he stares at them both.   He has begun with carriage,  and goes through the whole list.  “Well?”   “What have I forgotten.”

His secretary,  Mr. Andrews looks blank but Mr. Andrews secretary, Mrs. Humpreys quietly whispers….”Fresh flowers in your home.  On the tables?  Anything no matter how small that you think a woman may like,  mostly that you took the time to think about her pleasure.”   “If you would like,  I can see to it.”  “Call at your home and see if the staff is prepared.”   

 And with that the day is ready except for him ….be on time...smile….appreciate her…..and I know I will.  I have wanted this for so long.

Messages are flying in from agents along the route and at last, tiny as a speck the sails become visible!  The ship is under full sail with favorable winds,  the distance is cut in half and soon it is possible to make out shapes of the seamen working the ship.

Geoffrey goes to the dockside so she will see him and feel reassured.  He goes for himself too as he also needs to feel that this romance is real and genuine.  His Mother, rest her soul, always said..”If you want to see the real person, observe them in turmoil or crisis, a time of discomfort or confusion,  if they can remain courteous and kind, they have a good soul!”

Geoffrey waits on the dockside and his heart hopes to see a courteous,  kind and beautiful woman!