Misconception

Chapter 4

Two weeks later, London…

Isabella pulled her cloak tightly around her shoulders and leaned against the rail of The Defiance. Her eyes swept over the dock as the ship approached it in slow but strong glides. She bit her lip and inhaled deeply the fresh London air. Her chest felt strangely light at the sight of the busy dock and she felt a small smile stretching on her cold lips. The journey to England had been long and exhausting but Isabella felt a strange feeling of joy. She no longer had to stand the filth of Tortuga neither did she have to stand the smelly customers of Madame Angelique. Her face twisted in a grimace as she recalled the woman’s reaction to her leaving Tortuga.

Flashback

“You what?” The Madame asked with wide eyes as she closed her book and removed her glasses from her nose.
“I said that I have to leave.” Isabella said quietly while fumbling with her sleeve.
“Leave? What do you mean, girl?”
“I found a job elsewhere. I am afraid I can’t stay here anymore.” Isabella said and Madame Angelique blinked rapidly, her shock evident in her chocolate eyes.
“What happened, Bella? I thought you were fine with the work I assigned you.”
“No, I don’t have a problem with the work, Madame. I simply wished to leave Tortuga. Irene…she has a close friend in London. Nellie. She is a cook at a merchant’s house. Irene was kind enough to send a letter and they were in need of a maid to look after their young daughter. So, in a week I am leaving. The pay is good and I’ll have a place to live.” Isabella finished as the Madame stood up and started pacing.
“After everything I have done you want to leave, Bella? You have a job here. What’s wrong with it?” the Madame asked and Isabella sighed.
“I’ve wanted to leave Tortuga for a long time. I was just looking for the right moment. I am sorry but my decision has nothing to do with you, Madame. I am sorry if it offended you but I wanted to go to England. I am not comfortable here. I am sorry.” Isabella said in earnest and the Madame opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. She paced the room once and then turned to Bella.
“Are you sure those people are decent?” she finally asked and Isabella wanted to laugh at the irony of the question.
“They sure are. The Stevenson family is one of the richest in London, Madame. They are very powerful. The father and son are in the trade business. Silk. I am sure I’ll be fine there.” Isabella smiled and the Madame sighed.
“Fine. I still don’t understand why you wish to leave us but I won’t pressure you to do something you don’t want. I am sure your mother would do the same.” Angelique said and Isabella beamed at her.
“Thank you.” Isabella said and the Madame patted her shoulder.
“Yes, yes. Well, you need to pack and I’ll be sure to give you the money you’ve earned here. Go to bed and we’ll talk again tomorrow, eh?” Angelique waved her away and Isabella nodded before she fled the room, a relieved smile on her face.

End of flashback

Isabella smiled at the memory but then frowned. The Madame and the rest of the girls were very supportive. Claudia and Irene were continuously reminding her how lucky she was to get away from the decadent island. So did the rest of the girls. All were urging her on. All except for one; Rose. From the moment she had found out that Isabella was going to leave, her temper had flared into unprecedented heights and her snide remarks were more usual than ever. Isabella knew she was envious because she couldn’t do what she wanted due to the fact that the Madame quite literally owned her. That, combined with her unsuccessful elopement, made her even sorer than she already was. It was sad really but Isabella couldn’t do anything about it. The only thing she wanted was to leave.
Luck was on her side because since her last meeting with Sparrow she had not seen him again. He had been around but Isabella had been cautious enough to be careful not to meet him. It was only a matter of time for him to remember her and that would be a disaster.
A voice announcing that they had docked broke her out of her reverie and she leaned down to pick up her suitcase. Slowly, she made her way towards the gangplank that led to the docks and when her feet stepped on solid ground she started looking around. In her employment letter she had been informed that a carriage was going to pick her on and take her to the Stevenson’s mansion.
Stifling a sigh she walked further down the docks until she saw three carriages just a few feet away. She closely inspected the carriages until she spotted the one she needed. A large S was carved at the door of the dark brown carriage and she realized that was the one she was looking for. She took a deep breath and then headed towards it. A young man was leaning against it while his eyes swept over the crowd. When he noticed her approaching he straightened and offered her a small tentative smile, his green eyes sparkling.
“Miss McCarthy, I presume?” he asked and Isabella nodded.
“Isabella actually.” She replied as she offered her hand for a shake. The young man looked her over once before he cleared his throat and shook her hand gently.
“I’m James. I will take you to Mr. Stevenson’s house.” He said as he opened the door for her and then loaded her things in the carriage.
Isabella shifted in the seat and she blinked at the luxurious interior of the carriage.
“God.” She muttered as James climbed in his seat and grabbed hold of the reins. The carriage took off and Isabella gave a last look at the dock before she allowed herself to relax against the seat.

*********************************
The ride to the house was relatively small and Isabella realized that the house was not very far from the port. As she stepped out of the carriage she inhaled deeply and she could smell the humid scent of sea. That brought a smile to her face since she had gotten so used to being close to the sea. James went to pick up her suitcase but she rushed to him.
“No, I can do it. Thank you.” At her words he gave a shrug and a smile and handed over her bag.
“Could you perhaps show me the way?” she asked him as she looked over the huge house.
“Of course. Come with me. This way.” He winked and she followed him. They passed through the back garden and they arrived at a side door. James pushed it open and Isabella’s ears ware immediately greeted by chatter.
A man and a woman were in the kitchen. The woman was cutting vegetables with a large knife and the man was talking to her angrily.
“I ain’t telling you lies, Nellie. I heard it with me own ears.” The man said the woman, Nellie, laughed.
“You’ve just grown old, Dave.” She chuckled but then she noticed the pair by the doorway.
“Oh, James! You’re back. There’s fresh bread at the table.” She told him before she turned to Isabella.
“And you, my dear, must be Isabella.” Nellie said with a warm smile.
“Yes, I am. Hello.” Isabella shook the other woman’s hand. Nellie was in the early fifties and she had a kind visage.
“Welcome to the household. I am Nellie and that one there is Dave. He’s our gardener.” Nellie said and Dave saluted her with a smile.
“Hello, there, lass. Welcome. Well, Nellie, I’m off to work.” Dave said as he waved at them and then walked out the back door.
“Come, I’ll show you your room and then I’ll let you know your duties here.” Nellie said and Isabella followed her silently, smiling lightly at James as she passed by him. He returned it and resumed eating as he watched them walk away.
Isabella followed Nellie down the hall and they stopped three doors down away from the kitchen. Nellie opened the door and invited her in.
“This is your room. I hope you like it.” Nellie said and Isabella’s eyes widened. There was a bed with dark green covers and the curtains were a lighter shade of green that made the room very inviting. There was a small desk, a chair a nightstand and a door that led to a bathroom.
“Are you sure this is for me?” she managed to ask shocked and Nellie laughed.
“Of course, dear. The little miss picked out the covers, sheets and curtains for you.” Nellie said as Isabella put down her suitcase and brushed her hand over the covers.
“Little miss?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, yes. Mr. John’s daughter Charlotte was very excited that she was going to have a maid closer to her own age. She’s only seventeen and the only woman of the house.” Nellie said softly.
“Oh…Her mother?” Isabella asked.
“She passed away four years ago. She had been ill for quite a while, God bless her soul.”
“What is she like?” Isabella asked and Nellie smiled.
“Oh, she beautiful and very energetic. A bit insolent for her age but her father and brother do love her enormously.”
“I see…Um, I will make sure to than her then for her kindness. The room is beautiful. Certainly different from the one I used to live in.” Isabella murmured.
“Oh, yes. How is Irene?” Nellie asked and Isabella smiled.
“She is fine.” She answered, not getting into details. She didn’t know how much Irene had said to her.
“How was your journey then?” Nellie asked as she opened the window to let some air into the room.
“Tiresome but that was to be expected.” Isabella said as she fingered the delicate water basin on the desk.
“Hmm…Why did you leave Tortuga?” Nellie asked quietly.
“I…” Isabella faltered, “I didn’t like it there. Bad memories.” She said finally and Nellie looked at her intently for a few moments before she smiled.
“Well, I hope you forget all about it here. Mr. John and his son, Christopher are strict but kind. You will have no problem with them if you’re polite and conscientious. You are to help Miss Charlotte in everything she asks of you and you might be required to help with serving lunch and dinner. You are going to have one day free during the week and if you have free time you should help in the kitchen. Can you cook?” Nellie asked and Isabella nodded immediately.
“Of course. I cook and I learn quickly.” She said as confidently as she could.
“That’s good, child. Now you said you were how old…?” Nellie asked.
“Eighteen. I’ll be nineteen next December.” Isabella said nervously and Nellie nodded.
“That is good. Now please unpack and make yourself at home. You can help me serve dinner in two hours.” She smiled and Isabella returned.
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll introduce you to the masters and the little miss.” Nellie winked.
“”I should probably wash up then.” Isabella motioned at her wrinkled clothes.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” Nellie said before she walked out of the room and softly closed the door behind her.
Isabella nodded to herself and opened her suitcase to pull new clothes.
“Right.” She murmured into the silence of the room. It was time to forget the past and move forward.


End of chapter 4

Xxx Lina :)