long letters, telling me everything you experience.”
“I will, and you must let me know how the women get along and all your plans.” Meg stepped closer to Nicola and held out her hand. “This is for you.”
“For me?” Surprised, she took the little box from her and opened it. “Oh, Meg!” Nicola gasped, not believing her eyes. On a bed of velvet lay a gold chain and suspended from it was the half crown given to her by the First Mate the day she landed. “This is my lucky half crown?”
“Yes. I stole it out of your room and James had it made into a necklace for you.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Meg lifted the necklace out of the box and fastened it around Nicola’s neck. “Every time you look at it or feel it against your skin, you’ll think of me, and our friendship. Remember, I was your very first friend in this country, and I know at times I’ve tried your patience, but you do mean a lot to me and I wanted to show it.”
“Thank you.” Tears spilled and she smiled sadly at Meg, upset at the thought of her leaving. “I am so amazed you’ve done this. Thank you.”
“Although I won’t physically be here, I’ll be here in spirit.” Meg kissed her cheek and Nicola embraced her.
“It’s a wonderful gift.”
“We had some fun, didn’t we?”
Nicola raised her eyebrows. “Oh yes. However, there were times when our opinions differed on what fun exactly was.”
Chuckling, Meg resecured the white flowers in her hair. “Remember that time I put vinegar in Burstall’s tea?”
“Heavens, yes.” Nicola chortled “And the time you hid Miss Golding’s Bible and she searched for it all day. Or the time you convinced Mrs Eldersley that it was Wednesday when it was actually Tuesday, and she went out and complained to the grocer about him not delivering her order.”
Meg collapsed onto the bed in a fit of giggles. “Such fun.”
Her laughter dwindling, Nicola sobered. “I sincerely hope you live a long and happy life, Meg.”
“You must do the same.”
“I’ll try.”
“You need to marry Mr West.” Meg gave her a saucy look as she straightened her skirts. “Find out what it is to have a man, Nicola, and I guarantee that West would know how to please a woman.”
“Meg!” Nicola felt her cheeks grow warmer, but Meg just burst into a peal of laughter.
Nicola shook her head at her. “You’re outrageous.”
“I know, and won’t you miss me!” Laughing, arm in arm, they went back out to the guests on deck.
Warner came to Nicola’s side and Meg left them to talk to her guests. “Soon we are to part, Miss Douglas.”
“Yes, sad as it is.”
“At least I got to spend a beautiful Christmas with you. It’ll be one I’ll never forget.”
“Me too.” She thought back to last week when the Home had rung with the joyous celebration that was Christmas. Despite the governesses being out of work, for one day they put all that despondency aside and enjoyed themselves. Mr Belfroy, Warner and the Captain had joined them for a wonderful meal. Although she hadn’t seen Frances and Nathaniel on the day, she saw them the day after. Frances had bought her a beautiful peacock blue satin scarf and Nicola in return had given her a pair of cream kid gloves.
Her hand went up to the brooch she wore. She fingered the diamond and emerald flower, Nathaniel’s present to her, one which was far too valuable for her to accept at first. Only he refused to take it back, saying he’d be deeply insulted if she spurned his gift. His present to her meant more than she cared to admit.
“James says the wind is favourable.”
She concentrated on Warner. “That is good. And the tide turns in about four hours?” she asked, admiring how dashing he looked today in his best suit of dark brown, the colour of rich chocolate. His overlong sandy hair, this morning neatly slicked down, now lifted with the breeze sweeping off the harbour.
“Indeed. Are you staying a while longer after the guests have gone ashore?”
“I’m afraid not. A new governess is expected to arrive this afternoon and there are other things awaiting my attention.” She couldn’t tell him that Miss Rogers was due to give birth any day now.
“I’m sad not to have these last few hours with you. But I’ll always have the memory that I danced in the New Year of eighteen sixty-eight with you. I’ll treasure that.” He spoke the words