Epilogue
553 Words
Epilogue
9 November, 1812
To His Grace, the Duke of Caversham
Caversham House
London
We have him located on the HMS Southampton. In August, the ship lost a mast and ran aground during a hurricane off the coast of Mississippi. After repairs she is back in service in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida and Georgia.
I spoke with the lad myself whilst ashore in Nassau. He is not willing to come home because he says the men need him. He is the only sawbones on the ship of two-hundred and seventy men.
What do you direct now?
Flynn
11 November, 1812
Mr. Harold Manners-Sutton
HMS Southampton
Nassau, Bahamas
My Dearest Harry,
I hope this letter finds you well. The days since your abduction have been difficult ones for me. Papa died from grief not a week after you disappeared. He is resting now next to Mama in the parish cemetery. I went to live with Aunt Katherine and accompanied her to London for the season as soon as she was out of mourning for Lord Rawdon. She then brought us to a house party in Wessex, where I met a gentleman and we have since wed.
He is a kind man and very powerful. He’s had his agents searching for you since I told him our story. I understand that you have grown to love your new position on the ship and the responsibilities you have tending to the wounded and sick, but please be careful. My fondest wish now is to see you return from this war alive so that you can meet your new niece or nephew after he or she is born.
I do believe that, had he lived, Papa would be very proud of you, Harry. I know that both Mama and Papa are smiling down upon us from heaven, as is evidenced by both our good fortunes, you practicing medicine and me, wife to a wonderful man.
I pray we see you soon.
Love,
Your sister,
Amelia
Duchess of Caversham
27 January, 1813
Her Grace, Amelia Caroline Elizabeth Halden
The Duchess of Caversham
Caversham House
London
A duchess, Amelia? How did you manage that? I suppose he has an enormous library for you to tend to or you would never have married him!
In all seriousness, Sister, while I might have been angry and fought the abduction at the hands of the press gang, Charlie, Wally, Jerry, and myself are all together on the HMS Shannon now. I am gaining invaluable medical experience performing surgery. While not an actual doctor, I do believe I am doing what I am meant to do as I am saving lives. When I return home, I wish to finish the remaining hours of my education and become an actual physician.
Papa’s passing comes as a sad surprise. I will forever miss him. But in his raising of us, he instilled in me the characteristics that have served me well thus far on this ship. Patience and compassion are what I need most often when I’m frustrated over how to best treat a man who’s had an injury.
Pray for me to continue to have plenty of both because we sail again into battle after resupplying our stores. Those Americans are a tenacious lot.
Love,
Your brother,
“Sawbones” Harry
THE END
II
Caversham’s Bride
The Caversham Chronicles, Book One
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