Into the Night: Book Two - Lady Craven's Desire

The Atlantic Ocean - November - 1899:

Clara Stewart stared over the edge of the ship, sighing in frustration at the mist. She had hoped her trip to England would be more exciting, but it had grown rather dull after the storm. In her race to escape from Maine, Clara had managed to stop by the bank and retrieve a small amount of money from her father’s account. Thankfully the bankers, Molly and Jacob, hadn’t heard about Clara’s admittance into the asylum. They shared their condolences over her father’s death and gave Clara what she needed. She hadn’t expected her escape to go without problems and was currently calling out all the adventure stories for being such liars. 

It was almost a relief when a storm rolled in and gave the ship some grief that the girl was able to get a little excited about..

Sadly the weather had only lasted for three days and they were back to smooth sailing. In all of the books she had read, Clara often observed that the journeys were supposed to be difficult. Such trials helped the hero to grow stronger - Something that the Stewart girl felt she desperately needed. It was true that her real work would begin upon her arrival in England, but a little tribulation along the way would have at least given her something to be proud of.

For her first stop, Clara knew that she needed to get to Craven Manor and ‘visit’ Alexander Craven concerning the whereabouts of her sister during the time of her death. The older Lord Craven had not revealed the location of their honeymoon to anyone, which was why it had taken so long for his family to even discover they were missing. The girl clenched her teeth… That ridiculous man. She hadn't been fond of him from the start and was still incredibly shocked that Mary had accepted his hand in marriage.

According to the ship’s Captain, Marcus Drake, they would be arriving in England by tomorrow evening, so long as they did not run into any more trouble. Clara smiled at the thought of him - Captain Drake had been the best part of the trip. He was strong and manly, and had almost helped Clara to forget about an English Lord she had left back in Maine. Though the Captain and Clara were only able to spend time together during supper, she looked forward to the evening meal every day. Mostly so that she could watch that stubbled face beam at her from across the table. 

His arms were her favorite part of him to look at. The muscles on them were so big that she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to embrace him or be pinned against a flat surface by them. That was her cozy thought at the end of the day. The dream that helped her to stay warm at sea.

A whistle sounded - It was time to eat once more. Eating and pacing - Clara’s two daily activities thanks to the fact that she could not find a single piece of reading material onboard. There had been a wonderful library back home, unfortunately the girl had not had time to grab anything from it before fleeing.

She followed everyone below, eerily remembering being herded along down cold halls in a sinister asylum. The cold, the smells, and the constant wails… She quickly pushed the thought from her mind and joined the others around a long table. A feeling of excitement returned when the Captain waved her over to sit at his right side again. He was pouring her a drink as Clara approached.

“Good evening, Ms. Stewart,” Captain Drake greeted, his voice deep and warm.

“And you as well, Captain,” Clara replied back, accepting the offered beverage. “It is getting rather misty outside, is it not?”

Marcus nodded, “It’ll get worse the closer we get to England. I swear the darkness is unsettling there.” He turned and poured a drink for his younger brother, Andrew, who was no more than 15. Clara watched him with his adorable golden locks, which he was constantly brushing out of his face. He reminded the girl of her youngest sister, Anna, who would have instantly taken to sea life.

Andrew's blue eyes fixed on her.

“Clara,” the young man started excitedly, “I can’t wait until we get to England. I am going to purchase some books for the ship and start a library.”

Captain Drake chuckled, “This small vessel barely gets to be called a ship, and now you want to load her with books? Clara Stewart, you have given my little brother a terrible idea.”

“It’s a wonderful idea,” Andrew insisted.

The Captain signed, “Very well. If it keeps you out from under my heels, I see nothing truly wrong with it.” He accepted a bowl of potatoes from the boy and heaped some onto his plate, “You must be very happy this trip is coming to an end, Ms. Stewart.”

Clara nodded, “Though I will certainly miss the company, I have a great deal that I need to do.”

Andrew perked up, “I wish I could go on an adventure like you, Clara. I love sailing but sometimes it can get a little boring out here.” He eyed his brother cautiously, as if worried he might offend his Captain, but Marcus winked.

“I know sailing has its bad weathers, Andrew. Just grant me a few more years of your company and then we shall see about finding you your own feet to stand on.”

As the brothers shared a caring look, something in Clara ripped. It was a wound that was constantly being reopened: The death of one sister and the parting of another. The moment between the Captain and the boy was one she knew well, because Clara had shared that look for 18 years. First with Mary and then with Anna. It still pained her not to have been able to give either sister a proper goodbye.

The girl clenched her left hand around her fork and tried to busy herself with eating. Using that hand was a bit difficult, as Clara preferred her right, but she had broken it three weeks ago and was still having many problems. The ship’s Doctor, Finnish, had tried to ease some of Clara’s pain, but an ache remained.

The girl finished her meal quickly and excused herself to take a walk on the deck. 

As she emerged from the ship, the sky above her head was a beautiful night. The air tasted of salt and freedom, just as she had always imagined it would. Clara filled her lungs with it, trying to steady the shaking that came whenever the girl thought of her old life.

Wrapping her green shawl around her bare arms, she shuffled to the back of the ship. There had been a small pause in New York, in which Clara had been able to purchase three suitable gowns. She had never seen herself purchasing a dress with so little sleeves, barely enough to cover her shoulders, but the woman at the dress store had insisted that it was becoming a popular fashion choice in England. To Clara it made her feel colder than her dress at the asylum had. Though the color was certainly a prettier one.

She looked back at where the ship had been coming from, knowing that farther in that direction she would find Anna. Clara wondered what her little sister would be doing at that moment, but found comfort in the thought of Edgar and Abram being with her through it all. The girl held a hand to her heart as she thought of the three of them having their own little adventures throughout Maine. They were a perfect little family, she knew it. It was enough to lift her spirits once more… Until she felt an eerie presence and knew she was no longer alone. Clara held her breath as she turned, the small hairs on her arm rising with apprehension.

Just as she had feared, the spectral that was watching her was not a living one. “Again?” Clara groaned, having thought the ghosts would leave her alone once she left America. “Well… What do you want?” The spirit was a woman in a long white dress. She watched Clara with wide eyes, ones that expressed both shock and fear. Though the girl couldn’t even begin to guess what a ghost would be afraid of, she still felt slightly sorry for the spirit. The visitor’s hair was wrapped around her head in the same regal fashion that Clara had seen Widow Lady Craven wear hers, only the ghost had a literal small crown laced into her locks. She raised an arm, one Clara could see through, and pointed in the direction that the girl had come from.

“You want me to go back?” She sighed, her emerald eyes drifting to the ocean before her. “I am sorry to say, that is not possible. Not only do I have things to do in England, but I am going to be wanted for Murder if I return.” She looked up in case the ghost wanted to say more, but it was already gone. “Oh… Good talk then.”

“Clara,” a kind voice called from somewhere on the deck.

“I am over here, Captain,” The girl replied back.

“There you are,” Captain Drake observed with relief, “You looked a bit 'not yourself' at the table and I thought I would come to check on you. Is everything alright?”

“Very,” Clara answered cheerfully, “I just needed a little air.”

Marcus nodded with understanding, “I know it isn’t the brightest of lifestyles, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Clara patted the ship’s railing, an invitation for the Captain to join her. “I wish my life were as steady as yours. You are happy with what you do and it is a rather exciting adventure never knowing the people you are going to meet next.”

“Yes,” Captain Drake agreed, “I love every moment of it.” He smiled back at her, but his gaze quickly shifted to the water, “We have a couple of positions that need filling, should you like to stay aboard. The pay may not be at its finest but there will always be food and a safe place to lay your head.”

Clara hated how hopeful he sounded, as well as how perfect his offer was. She frowned as she answered, “I honestly wish I could accept your offer, Captain. Alas, I really must continue on my journey.”

Marcus nodded, though he looked a little put-out. “I understand the need to finish what one starts. I shall keep my offer open though, should you like to accept it at a later time.”

Clara reached out and took the Captain’s hand, holding it into her left one, “Thank you.”

Marcus Drake held on firmly, the two of them just standing awhile under the star-filled sky until he finally sighed. “I should get down below and make sure my crew is behaving themselves.”

“I’ll join in a moment,” Clara promised, releasing the Captain’s hand at last. She watched him retreat with a smile. She was smiling too, and though she knew there was a chance she could never accept his offer, it still warmed her to know there were other good people in the world. Not just the ones she left back at home. If she continued to meet others like the Captain and his brother, it would mean her journey wouldn’t feel so incredibly cold…

So incredibly lonely…

Clara was a mix of emotions when the lights from England became visible through the fog. Her water journey had finally come to an end and the next leg would begin - But that did mean saying goodbye to the ship that had been her home those last few weeks. She stood beside Andrew Drake, who cheered as they moved closer to land. In no time at all the girl was stepping onto the docks, her small traveling bag held tightly in her grip. Though the streets were alive with noises and song, she knew it would be foolish to let her guard down. She had made up a plan to find cozy accommodations and then set out for Craven Manor first thing in the morning. Her conversation with Gabriel aboard a train had proven to be enough detail to locate the Manor by a map that Captain Drake had loaned her. Thinking of Marcus once more, Clara turned to look for him and spied the man waving her over.

“Clara,” he motioned toward a shorter girl with rosy apple cheeks, “This is my sister, Martha. She owns th