Far From Home Read Free

and the women sat in desultory fashion with children about their knees.
    ‘You must come up on the top deck, Kitty,’ Georgiana declared and immediately made arrangements for another cabin, which, though not premier class as hers was, was more comfortable.
    ‘When we arrive in America, we’ll stay in New York for a while,’ Georgiana told Kitty as she unpacked the bags. ‘We’ll have a look around. The state is very big, I believe, but not all of it is civilized, so we must take care. But we will enquire and find out what opportunities are available to us.’
    ‘You’re not thinking of working for a living, Miss Gregory?’ Kitty’s voice was shocked. ‘You’ll take a house, won’t you, and entertain?’ Her words drifted away. ‘I mean – a lady like you?’
    ‘I don’t know yet, Kitty.’ Georgiana decided to confide in her. After all, she had brought the girl away from a secure, comfortable position. ‘I have enough money to last us for a while, but I must look to improve our situation.’
    ‘Well, I can get a job of work, miss, cleaning houses or in a shop. I could even sing in ’streets if necessary,’ Kitty added cheerfully. ‘My da allus said, ‘‘Sure and you have the voice of an angel.’’ ’
    ‘Well, if the worst comes to the worst, that’s what we’ll do.’ Georgiana sounded more confident than she actually was. ‘You can sing and I’ll play the piano for our supper.’
    The voyage was set to be long and tedious. It was now March and they expected to be in New York by the first or second week in May. The weather was fair for the first fortnight, with a stiff breeze, and they made good progress. Then rough weather got up and though the wind was in their favour, the sea was running high with massive waves and many passengers became sick.
    Georgiana staggered to her cabin door for some air and looked out at the spectacle in front of her. The sea was mountainous, towering high above the ship. The sun shone brilliantly, catching every great wave, each billowing swell and tossing white horse with its flashing intensity, so that she had to shield her eyes from its brightness.
    ‘How wonderful,’ she murmured, then dashed back inside to be sick.
    The wind and sea eventually calmed and Georgiana and Kitty were able to take a walk each day and mingle with some of the other first-class passengers. The ship’s Master invited Georgiana to take supper with him, his officers and an elderly lady. Mrs Burrows was, he informed her, a former resident of Beverley, the shire town of the East Riding of Yorkshire, noted for its fine Minster and horse racing.
    ‘Mrs Burrows, I would like you to meet Miss Gregory who is also from your area.’ Captain Parkes made the introductions and invited them to be seated at a long oak table in the low-ceilinged dining area, which was adjacent to the Master’s cabin. The table was set with pewter plates, fine glassware and crisp white table linen. ‘As you are both travelling alone, I thought perhaps you might care to be acquainted. Most of our other passengers are in families or groups—’
    ‘Are you one of the Hessle Gregorys?’ Mrs Burrows boomed, cutting the captain off in his verbal flow. ‘Montague Gregory?’
    ‘My uncle.’ Georgiana began to explain her relationship but was interrupted by Mrs Burrows who asked in a loud voice, ‘Travelling alone? No gentleman to escort you?’
    ‘Exactly so, Mrs Burrows. Apart from my maid.’ Georgiana was tight-lipped, certain that this tall, rather formidable woman dressed in an old-fashioned black gown with leg-o’-mutton sleeves, a lace cap pinned to her grey hair, was about to lecture her on such indecorous and foolish behaviour.
    ‘Glad to hear it!’ Mrs Burrows exclaimed. ‘If I can do it so can you. It’s about time you young women stood up for your entitlements.’
    Georgiana gave a small gasp. Such an unexpected statement coming from a woman who must be nearly sixty years of age!
    ‘Shocked you,