Hadleigh looked up at the chiming clock. Her needlepoint was not holding her attention as she had hoped it would. The butterflies in her stomach refused her command to quiet down. Her parents, Franklin and Annabelle Norton, were hosting a dinner party where the man seeking her hand in marriage would probably ask her father’s permission to marry her.

Lieutenant Safford Halliwell would be made a captain within the next month, something he mentioned only five or six times during every conversation she had ever had with him. He would be named Captain of the H.M.S. Intrepid once he received his rank of captain. She knew marrying him would mean she would probably never see her parents again since his new assignment would leave him patrolling the Caribbean. The only comfort she took in that knowledge was that she would finally have the opportunity to have an adventure.

Adventure. Hadleigh had dreamed of adventure since she had read her first book about sailing when she was twelve years old. She knew that she would never be able to, being a woman, but she dreamed of a life at sea. Marrying a captain she hoped would enable her to accomplish that dream, even if on a much smaller scale. At least she would know the feeling of standing on the deck of a ship as it pushed through the waves. Somehow she had managed to be blessed with a tutor who encouraged her imagination and creativity. Thomas had encouraged her to read books outside the ones he required her to read. He had even allowed her to discuss them with him and share her ideas about them. Thomas was the only son of a farmer. His father wanted him to have an easier life so he worked the farm alone so Thomas could get the best possible education. After he finished, he discovered the only type of work he could find was as a private tutor. He wasn’t considered a gentleman, so he couldn’t gain an apprenticeship with any gentleman profession. He also discovered that he enjoyed Hadleigh’s enthusiasm and seeing her grow into a fine woman. He was the only man, other than her father, that she knew that didn’t think it was useless to educate women. Once Safford started calling on her two years ago, she began to see less and less of Thomas. She knew that her station in life would have never saw him as an acceptable suitor, but that never stopped her from thinking she wouldn’t object to the possibility. He had grown more handsome in her eyes over the two years he was her tutor and she began to spend more of class time watching him than looking at her work. Safford convinced Franklin to send Thomas on his way after he walked into one of their lessons and caught Thomas leaning close to Hadleigh to help her with a problem.

“Miss Hadleigh?”

Hadleigh looked up to see their maid Julie entering her drawing room nervously.

“Yes, Julie.”

“Um, Lieutenant Halliwell to see you, Miss.”

“I though Father ordered that I was not to be disturbed to rest until this evening’s festivities.”

“Aye, that he did, Miss, but the Lieutenant is quite insistent that he see you before this evening.”

Hadleigh let an exasperated sigh escape her as she stood up. “Show him in, Julie.”

Julie curtsied and left. “What could he possibly want?” Hadleigh asked herself. She didn’t have to wait long for the answer since Safford came barging into her drawing room with Julie running close behind to properly announce him.

“Lieutenant Halliwell, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?”

“Miss Hadleigh, I must speak with you, alone,” he replied with a sharp look to Julie.

“Miss?”

“Leave us, Julie.”

Julie curtsied and left the room.

“We are alone. Now, what is important enough to make you force Julie to disobey a direct order from Father?”

Instead of answering, Safford began to pace back and forth. Hadleigh noted the he did look quite dashing in his blue English naval uniform, something she had not failed to overlook when it came to Safford. It brought out his blue eyes and showed how blond his hair truly was. His height was average, but she almost thought of him as being on the shorter side simply because she herself was taller than most young women she knew. She had never quite decided if her height was a blessing or a curse. If she wasn’t in a dress as a child, most people thought her a boy simply because she was nearly as tall as most of the boys her age. Many times her father told her that if she ever grew tired of the constraints on her as a female, she could always begin dressing and behaving like a man because she was tall enough to do so. She had always thought he was joking, but she pondered that possibility whenever Safford became too overwhelming. A blessing, she had decided. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t noticed that Safford had stopped pacing.

“Hadleigh, I have something of a very delicate nature to discuss with you before this evening.”

“Do you, Lieutenant?”

He walked towards her. She straightened her shoulders to attempt to make herself taller and, as she saw it, a little more intimidating. He took both her hands in his. “You know of my being named Captain of the H.M.S. Intrepid in the coming month.”

“Yes, I do recall that being mentioned in conversation.”

“I think it has been no secret that I have set my sights on finding a fine woman to be mistress of my household. Whenever I think of all the young ladies that I have had the good fortune to meet, you are the one who holds my attention.”

She gracefully pulled herself out of his grasp to find her fan. She couldn’t believe he was actually about to propose marriage to her. Her fan, she needed to find her fan quickly. “You flatter me, Lieutenant. I am sure there are plenty of young ladies who will be disappointed to learn where your attention lies.”

“Yes, but I don’t care what they think. I need a wife who can run a household alone, since I will be on the Intrepid more than I will be on shore. With your love of books and knowledge, I know you will be able to keep yourself entertained and not see what I am about to propose as a mistake to be made.” He took a deep breath and fell to one knee, taking Hadleigh’s left hand in both of his. “Miss Hadleigh Norton, will you do me the great honor of consenting to become my wife?”

Hadleigh stood in front of Safford in shock. She hadn’t expected him to drop formalities and attempt to be romantic. Yes was the only answer she ever thought about giving him, but she wasn’t sure if she could say yes expressively enough for that proposal.

“Oh, Safford. I-I don’t know if I can give an answer eloquent enough to fit that proposal.”

He stood, still holding her hand. “All that is required is a simple yes,” he replied and gently kissed the back of her hand.

“Well then, yes, Lieutenant Safford Halliwell, I would be honored to become your wife.”

Adding to her shock he pulled her close for a suffocating hug and then leaned down as if he were going to kiss her. She pulled away and he looked at her sheepishly.

“I am sorry, Hadleigh. I forgot myself for a moment. If it is acceptable to you, I would like to announce our engagement this evening, after I have asked permission from your father.”

“That would be acceptable to me.” Hadleigh looked up to Safford coming towards her again. Thinking quickly she asked “Safford, when would we marry?”

Safford stopped to think for a moment. He hadn’t thought about where they would marry. He knew Hadleigh would probably want her parents at her wedding, but he needed to leave Boston in the next week. One week was not long enough to plan and have a wedding. “I must confess I haven’t given that any thought. I leave next Friday so I can be in Fort Charles for my captain ceremony. I would very much like for you to be there for it. I only wish you could travel with me on the Intrepid, but we could only do that if we married before we leave.”

“Could I not travel on a merchant ship so that I might bring Julie with me?”

He smiled. “I don’t think that would be a problem. If having Julie with you will help ease your loneliness in Kingsway, then we will make sure she is able to come with you.” He paused, trying to get closer to where Hadleigh had moved. “You wouldn’t prefer to marry here before we leave? We could always book passage on a merchant ship for Julie.”

“It would be nice to have my parents there, but I feel I must separate myself from them sometime and begin to live my own life. Besides, a wedding would be a nice excuse for a party and help me get to know the other people there.”

“True, but we will discuss this further later. I am sure your mother will have an opinion on all this. Now, I must got speak with your father. Until tonight, Miss Hadleigh,” Safford ended. With a flourish, he kissed Hadleigh’s hand, bowed and left to find Franklin Norton.

Hadleigh found her knees were weak and sat down in a chair a bit harder than she intended. Julie entered the room after seeing Safford leave with a smile on his face.

“Since you have already been disrupted, Miss, is there anything I can get for you?”

Hadleigh turned to her. She didn’t have many female friends. Since Safford starting calling, the few she did have no longer wanted to associate with her since they all saw him as a fine catch. Julie had become her only female confidant. “Julie, sit down. I cannot believe what just happened.”

“He proposed, Miss?”

“Yes, he did. I didn’t expect him to until he had talked to Father. He is going to speak to Father right now.”

“It’s a smart match, Miss.”

“It is, but I don’t think I love him. Is that terrible to marry him only to get myself away from all of this?”

“I don’t believe I am one to comment on that. You will make a very handsome couple. You’re children will be tall and beautiful. I look forward to taking care of them, Miss.”

“I have only accepted his proposal, Julie. I haven’t married him yet. Now, I believe I should prepare myself for this evening. I want to look the part of being the future Mrs. Safford Halliwell.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Later that evening, Hadleigh was looking herself over in the mirror when there was a knock on her bedroom door.

“Come in,” she answered.

“You do look lovely, Hadleigh. I do believe there are many gentlemen who will soon be jealous of Safford.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Do you really think so, Father?”

“Yes, I do.”

She turned to look at him rather than his reflection. “Did you come to escort me down to dinner or is there another purpose in your visit?”

“I can’t hide from you, can I? I just want you to be sure that you are marrying Safford for the right reasons.”

“You are not happy with the match, Father?”

“I am delighted, as is your mother, but we want you to be sure you do this because you have feelings for him.”

“I’m not sure why I am doing this. I have received no other proposals and Safford has seen to it that I have no other suitors. I guess this is the only option available to me. At least it will get me away from Boston and onto the sea.”

“Yes, I know. Now, your mother is concerned that you will not be married before you leave Boston. What will people think?”

“Whatever we tell them, Father.”

“Which will be?”

“That I want to marry among my new friends so as to get to know them better before Safford leaves to patrol.”

“I still don’t like it, but I have to accept it. I cannot believe that I do not get to walk my only daughter down the aisle.”

Hadleigh went to her father and kissed him on the cheek. “I know, Father. It is a day I have thought about many times and you, Father, are always there, walking me down the aisle towards my future husband. I know you will be there in spirit.”
“It won’t be the same as actually being there. Please, consider marrying before Safford leaves.”

“I have considered it. Julie and I will travel on a merchant ship shortly after Safford leaves. I don’t want Julie to have to travel alone.” She wanted to hide the fact that she wanted an adventure before she settled into life as a wife.

“If that is truly what you wish.”

“It is.”
“Fine. We should see to our guests.”

“Yes, Father.”

She took his arm and they left Hadleigh’s room to find Safford pacing outside her door.

“Is there a problem, Safford?” Franklin inquired.

“I was hoping to talk to Hadleigh alone before the party starts this evening.”

“Of course. I will see you both at dinner.” Franklin walked downstairs to leave Hadleigh and Safford alone.

Safford offered her his arm and they began to walk back and forth outside her room. After several repetitions, Hadleigh decided to break the silence since Safford didn’t appear ready to do so.

“I though you wanted to talk to me not make me dizzy with this pacing.”

“I am sorry, Hadleigh.” He stopped and took both her hands into both of his. “I received word that I must leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? But, why?” she asked trying to hide her happiness that this would end the marrying before he leaves discussion.

“The Captain feels we have lingered here too long. We sail tomorrow. I had hoped to sway you to marry before I sail, but that can no longer be a possibility.”

“I know.”

“I fear for you and Julie traveling alone. I would feel better if you had a man to travel with you.”

“Safford, do not worry about such things. I can be quite intimidating when I need to be. No one will take advantage of our situation.”

“I know you are strong, Hadleigh. That is part of what I love about you,” he stated as he leaned in to kiss her.

The kiss surprised Hadleigh. She didn’t know what to expect from her first kiss, but she was sure she would feel something. His lips didn’t ask hers to kiss back. Safford released her hands to place his on the small of her back. Unsure of what to do with her own hands, Hadleigh placed them on his shoulders. When the kiss broke, the only thought on Hadleigh’s mind was how to keep that from happening again. She vowed to herself that she would keep kissing to a minimum. Safford stepped back and smiled at her.

“I reasoned that since we are officially engaged a kiss would be permitted.”

Not knowing what to say and trying to find a polite way out of the situation she found herself in, Hadleigh smiled, took Safford’s arm and led him downstairs. Thinking his kissing abilities had overwhelmed her, Safford followed with a broad smile on his lips. As soon as they stepped off the last step, Hadleigh’s mother descended upon them.

“Safford, I must steal Hadleigh away from you for a moment.”

“Of course, Mrs. Norton.”

Hadleigh then spent most of the evening being ushered around by her mother, getting introduced to all the new faces and being forced to make small talk. The only thing she did enjoy about the evening was that she and Safford were kept apart and she didn’t have to worry about him attempting to kiss her again. She didn’t actually see Safford again until dinner. He pulled her chair out for her and seated himself next to her. After dinner, Safford stood up and everyone quieted down at Franklin’s prompting.

“Mr. Norton, Mrs. Norton, guests. I have two announcements that I would like to make. First, the bad news. I will be leaving Boston tomorrow. Now, the good news. Miss Hadleigh Norton has consented to become my wife.”

There were gasps of surprise and words of congratulations directed to the happy couple and Mr. and Mrs. Norton. Hadleigh had never been happier to see one of her parent’s parties end. To her surprise, Safford was the last guest to leave and her parents left them alone to say their good-byes. Again, Hadleigh found both her hands being held in both of Safford’s.

“I was so worried about telling you I have to leave tomorrow that I didn’t tell you how beautiful you look tonight. I did not enjoy having to watch you across the room all night. I wish we could have had more time together tonight.”

“What is one night compared to having the rest of our lives to spend together?”

“Yes, but I am afraid that the first part of the life will be spent apart.”

“Eventually we will spend time together,” she replied. Before he could kiss her, Hadleigh placed a kiss on his cheek. “Good night, Safford. I will be there to see you off in the morning.”

In shock he replied, “Good night, Hadleigh.” He then turned and walked out the door.

Hadleigh breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her room to prepare for bed while she pondered what she had gotten herself into by accepting Safford’s proposal.