Inette's Sanctuary: Part 4

The next day brought Inette a note telling her that William was planning an evening of either quiet solitude, or more exciting circumstances. Whichever she chose. As long as she was happy, and they got to spend time together before he left.

Inette’s mother, so curious about what was happening, asked Inette why she blushed as she read the note.

Inette said nothing, and let her mother read it for herself.

“You are going to see him again?”

“It seems so,” Inette answered.

“You like Captain William, don’t you?”

“I find his company agreeable, and his convictions convict me.”

“I’m happy to see you happy, my dear. What will you choose?”

“I’m not sure.”

Inette took the note back and reread it several times as she walked to her river spot. She thought that, since William had only accompanied her in quiet places so far, that she ought to try things his way.

That night Inette dressed her finest, and William his best. He escorted her to an opera, a fine dinner, and a festival. These activities involved many crowds. Inette was quiet and shy, but she managed well, enjoying the evening.

As William walked her home, he told her that he had a splendid time.

“I did as well,” Inette smiled softly.

“I hate to have to leave you so soon,” William continued. “I hope that we may keep a correspondence.”

“I should like that.”

William kissed Inette’s hand again and told her goodbye, then left her safely at her house.

Inette could barely sleep. She swayed and danced in her room, thinking of her time with William. Then she got an idea. She figured that the first step she could take in changing her ways was to limit her retreat to the river to every other day. This would force her to become more sociable, and work harder to keep from running and hiding.

She tried this plan of hers for many weeks. It was hard at first, and she could not resist running to her retreat on a day she was not supposed to more than once. After the first three weeks she was able to hold to her resolve. Once she became comfortable with her new schedule, she changed it to every two days. This, she believed, was as far as she would go.

In the meantime, she wrote letters to William. William would write to her about his adventures, and praise her for her new resolve, and challenged her, encouraging her, to push herself further from her comfort zones.

Over time their letters became more intimate, expressing their growing desires to be together soon.

After six months Inette stopped receiving letters from William. The letters would pause for a week while William was on the sea, and then continue once he was on land again. But this time, the week passed, and there was silence. Inette waited another week, and still nothing.

Inette told her father about the strange silence, and he said he would look into it.

Inette continued bravely, hoping that William was simply too busy at his latest port to write.

She continued to persist in her resolve to change her idle hands into working hands. She shopped for her mother, entertained dinner guests, and began making bigger plans in her head to travel and see the world.

Inette’s mother came to her one day and said, “I am so proud of you, my dear. You are conquering your fears, and growing stronger, braver, and more beautiful every day.”

“Thank you, mother,” was all Inette said, for she was still a girl of few words.

A couple of days later, Inette’s father brought her news of William’s condition. He told her to sit down, and brought in her mother as well.

His face was very grave, and his hands trembled.

“Is everything okay?” Inette asked.

“I’m afraid it’s not,” Inette’s father said, his voice faltering.

“Captain William’s ship was caught in a storm a week ago. Of the forty crew members, only five survived.”

Inette’s hands jumped to her mouth.

“And the Captain?” Inette’s mother asked.

“He died saving the five.”

“No!” Inette cried. She fell to the floor, raining heavy tears onto the red carpet beneath her.