Kay's Story pt 7 - Off to Scotland

Planning for such a monumental move and change proved to be more freeing than Elianna had anticipated.  The sense of adventure and looming challenge and surprise made the tedious arrangements fly by effortlessly.  She never had imagined that she would ever be so fortunate to breathe in the Scottish sea air again.  Nevertheless here she was, spending her days saying her goodbyes to friends, explaining the change as best she could.  Not everyone pretended to understand.  Lord Ashmore nearly laughed when he heard that Sylvia was involved, and the other Ashmores were glad.  For they admired Elianna and also felt a prick of pity for her.  She would never find another man like David—that much they knew.  Moreover, Elianna had felt like family to them for years, and if anyone should get a change to see David again before they did, it should be this simple girl with the golden hair that Violet and Rosemary loved to braid.  The countless hours she had spent with that family—through every season of life imaginable—weighed heavily upon her.  Parting with them was as hard as saying farewell to her beloved mother.  Lady Ashmore was the only one of the family besides David who had come to trust the living Christ, and God had seen fit to use Elianna’s vibrant, joyous faith to bring her to Himself.  This was no small answer to both David’s and Elianna’s prayers.  And so Elianna and Lady Ashmore naturally shared a special, divine bond.

When the day finally came for  her to leave for the port.  As it often happens when you are leaving, you find out just how much people care about you.  Elianna found herself amazed and nearly incredulous because of the turnout to bid her a safe and pleasant journey.  So many sincere thanks were uttered, and so many generous gifts were given that Louisa Key could not have been more proud to have such a loved and appreciated daughter.  An extra large sum of money found its way into Elianna’s hands from Lady Ashmore, and even Reneé teared up and gave her a warm, stylish shawl—purple, with an ornate floral pattern. 

            With final waves and yells and whistles, the buggy whisked her away, with George driving.  He had insisted on being the transport to the ship.  His company always proved to be positive and endearing, and the ride to the sea port was no exception. 

            When they arrived George ensured that her luggage was safely aboard the “Judith”, bad her an earnest farewell, embraced and kissed her cheek, handed her a letter, and went on his way with eyes filling. 

            There was really no time for Elianna to be lost in the cloud of emotions that enveloped her heart.  She was standing before the biggest ocean vessel she had ever seen, dwarfed by towering masts, and caught in the middle of a bustling crowd as vast as the sea itself, and noisy as a storm.  The crowd was far too large that day for a normal boarding, and Elianna wondered what had brought so many people to Hampton.  It seemed as though the entire state of Virginia had come out to see a celebrity.  Now, one thing that should be clear about Elianna is the fact that she was a shy girl by nature.  It was impossible that she would ever walk up to a complete stranger to ask even a simple question.  Large gatherings of people made her often hang on the edge of panic.  She needed to board as soon as possible to escape the chaos.  After squeezing her way past all sorts of interesting people, darting out of the way of carts, trying not to lose her hat, she finally was able to show her ticket and walk up the long, narrow entrance. 

            She remembered the luxurious steamer she had enjoyed when she first visited Scotland with the Ashmores.  They had spoiled her with the finest of rooms and dining, and she and David had explored every last square inch of the vessel.  But now that the War had consumed and overshadowed the world, coal and fancy steamer ships were designated and conserved for the State’s participation in the Allies’ cause.  She remembered that cold day in April, 1917 when her beloved country had made official its involvement in the war.  The announcement had been imminent all along, but when the reality struck visceral horror through her soul she had run to her refuge of solitude by the lake.  There she prayed and wept such heavy sobs that she vomited, utterly reduced to a crumpled, broken woman.  Images of the carnage it could bring to loved ones flashed through her mind unbidden.  She had known all along that David would be the first to join the ranks.  He was that sort of man—duty and honour bound to the end, valiant through and through, fearless.  When he had enlisted without asking or consulting anyone, she had run to the old place behind the Mayhurst fields again, draining ever last tear upon the mossy bank of her favourite brook.  David had not come to ifnd her as she had expected, and she fell asleep on the pine needles, only to be awakened at two in the morning when her mother came for her, worried and breathless.

            Now on this crisp Autumn morning Elianna walked slowly about the ship, curiously eyeing the passengers on board.  A tall man with thick grey hair, and finely trimmed mustache met her glance with a pair of piercing green eyes.  Although he was walking hurriedly, she still stopped abruptly to give a slight bow toward her and say, “Welcome aboard, miss.”  That was all.  Three women behind him rushed past her as well, dressed in green chiffon and lace and ornate rose patterns.  Their rich apparel and jewelry contrasted strongly with the simple blue dress Elianna had made herself. 

            Before long she began to realize that everyone seemed to be running or hurrying toward something or someone on the bow of the ship.  After leaving her quarters in order, she ventured in that direction hoping to see what all the commotion was about.  As she reached the outer edge of the crowd of onlookers, she could make out a short man atop a great wooden crate.  He was bald, and his distinct, grey, pointy beard made her instantly recognize him as the new governor of Virginia, Westmoreland Davis.  In spite of his small stature, his voice blew through the air like a trumpet blast, filling the ears of everyone who watched on the boat and on the shore.

            She gathered that he was going to Britain to discuss matters of the war, and to raise the morale of what troops the U.S. had stationed there.  He was eloquent and spoke of hope and the prospect of a near and glorious victory.  The people applauded and cheered, and as Elianna joined them a young man leaned over and asked, “Who’s that fellow, if you please, miss?”