“Assuming you can find passage at short notice. Your parents are expecting you back in four months-going via Cairo you’ll be able to surprise them, if you can find a berth-” Seeing the light in her face, Ralph broke off. “You’ve found one, I take it.”
Emily nodded. “And yes, it’s on one of the sloops the company regularly uses, so the captain and crew are vouched for.”
Ralph considered, then nodded. “Well, you’re the most sensible young lady I’ve ever known, and you’ll have Watson and Mullins with you, so I trust you’ll be all right.” He cocked a brow at her. “So, when do you leave?”
One
17th September, 1822
My cabin aboard the sloop Mary Alice
Dear Diary,
As usual, I will endeavor to record my thoughts at 5 o’clock every afternoon, before I dress for dinner. This morning I departed Bombay, and I understand we are making good time as the Mary Alice slices its way through the waves to Aden.
And yes, I acknowledge that it’s undeniably bold to be pursuing a gentleman as I’m pursuing Major Hamilton, but as we all know, fortune favors the bold. Indeed, even my parents should accept the necessity-they sent me to Bombay because I dragged my heels over choosing any of the young men who offered, opting instead to wait for my “one,” as all my sisters-and I suspect my sisters-in-law, too-did. I have always maintained that it was simply a matter of waiting for the right man to appear, and if Major Hamilton proves to be my right man, then at the ripe old age of twenty and four, I doubt anyone would argue against my pursuing him.
Of course, I have yet to determine if he truly is my “one,” but I can only decide that after meeting him again.
Speaking of which…he and his party are two days ahead of me.
I wonder how fast a sloop can go?
E.