Prologue
Key West, Florida
The Diary of Amelia Brown, 1870
September 14, 1870
I watched Ian sail away this morning and I thought my heart would break in two. I finally told him last night that I had missed my courses and was certain I was in the family way. He promised me this was the last trip, that after this he would have enough money for a respectable wedding and a home. He gave me a small gold ring as a promise of his intentions and said he would be back within six weeks and then we would be properly wed. I promised him I would keep a lantern lit in our Widow’s Walk every night so he can find his way back to me. The next few weeks are sure to feel like an eternity, but I will focus on our future and can only hope that time will slip by quickly.
September 30, 1870
I received aletter from Ian today. Gordon managed to hide it before Mother saw it. Ian’s ship is slowly making its way around Cuba and just left Baracoa for its next stop. He says he is eager to reach home and is happy about starting our family, that we now have a reason to push past my parents’ disapproval at marrying so far beneath my station. I am terrified to tell them, but with Ian by my side, I know I can do it. My heart is so full of love for him that I think it will burst.
October 8, 1870
A horrible storm hit this morning and the society matrons are worried that it will become a hurricane. The winds are relentless and have brought down so many trees. As this storm rages, I can only think of Ian and pray with all my heart that he is safe. If their ship stays south of Cuba, they should avoid the worst of the winds. I pray for him every night.
October 15, 1870
My mother informed me that Mr. Miller, a widowed shopkeeper, has expressed an interest in courting me. I was afraid I would vomit on her feet. Mr. Miller is forty years old, fat, balding,and his two children are only a few years younger than me and horribly ill-mannered. I shudder at the thought of being part of that household, of that man touching me. I would rather jump off the pier and take my chances with the sharks than marry a man such as him. I take strength in knowing my Ian will be back before anything can progress on that front. As I promised, I have kept a lantern lit for him every night when the storms allow. I know when Ian sees it, he will know it is me. My heart sings just thinking of him and I pray for his safe and swift return.
October 17, 1870
Another terrible storm hit today so closely on the heels of the last, and it feels as if the winds will tear the house apart. I cannot go up to the Widow’s Walk as I normally do and do not dare light the lantern. The sound of the wind is a constant howl, as if God himself is angry. It is so loud that one cannot even think. I have not received a letter from Ian in over two weeks and can only hope he is safe and nearing the end of his voyage. I felt our baby move for the first time this morning.
October 25, 1870
There is still no word from Ian or his ship and I worry constantly that something terrible hashappened to him. Gordon assures me that all is well and that the post is probably delayed from the storms. I am sure he is right. My brother has been such a huge support to me and I don’t know what I would do without him. He promises to help me with my parents when the time comes for us to tell them the news. Even so, I dread that moment. I have had such horrible sickness recently that I can barely keep down my afternoon tea biscuits, and my mother has promised to send for the doctor. If she does that, I will be discovered.
October 30, 1870
It’s been six weeks since Ian left and it feels like an eternity. I miss him so. I’ve received no letters in a month now and Gordon assures me he has watched for the post each day. I can only hope Ian is well and on his way back to me. My mother sent me to the dressmaker today to measure for a new wardrobe and I was terrified they would notice my growing stomach. The change is still so small I don’t believe they noticed, but my heart was pounding frightfully the entire time. Mother says that Mr. Miller will begin calling on me soon and the thought makes me ill. Ian, please hurry home!
November 5, 1870
My heart is broken and my world has stopped. The ache is overwhelming. My life is over and I cannot stop sobbing. Gordon learned today that Ian’s ship, my father’s ship, went down off the coast of Cuba in the first hurricane. There were no survivors. My love is lost at sea, gone forever. Whatever will I do without him? Surely I cannot survive this.
1
Boston, Massachusetts
Present Day
Charli took a sip of her coffee as she scanned the legal brief that would be submitted to court later that day. After hours of research and reading depositions, she felt like her eyes would cross at any second, but this case was important. A win should mean a huge promotion, the one she had worked endless hours over the last several years and basically given up a personal life for—a partnership in one of Boston’s most prestigious law firms.
There was a quick knock on the door as her assistant, Annette, stuck her head in.
“Charli, Mr. Stewart would like to see you now if you have the time.”
Charli’s stomach tightened at the unexpected summons. “Did he say what it was about?”
Annette shook her head. “Just that he needed to see you ASAP. I haven’t heard any serious gossip this morning, but I’ll ask around.” She shrugged. “You’ll probably know what’s going on before I get any juicy details.”
Charli sighed and massaged the spot between her eyes. “Ok, I’ll be right there.” When the firm’s executive director wanted to speak with you, you didn’t dawdle. Besides, a break from reading would be a good thing.
Annette nodded and started to close the door, then popped back in. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She tossed a thumb over her shoulder. “A package arrived for you today. It’s from Key West,” she added with emphasis.
Charli blinked. “Key West?” She looked up at the ceiling for a moment, lost in thought. “We don’t have any clients from Key West, do we?”
