The Trousseau Read Free

world. The days were growing warm and sunny and thankfully the sea was calm, allowing each of them a chance to grow accustomed to the endless rise and fall of the ship. The young women were bunked together in a section of the lower deck and a cloth curtain separated them from the other passengers. Two family groups were also aboard, officers of the French Army with their wives and children. Several men engaged in the business of trade, Father Gilbert a Marist priest, and a small contingent of young soldiers completed the passenger list.
    Within three weeks they had sailed past France and Portugal and were approaching the Madeira Islands, off the northwest coast of Africa. Here they would stop to take on fresh supplies. By then all the passengers had met one another and merged into a friendly group of travel companions. Louise, in her outgoing adventurous way, had made the acquaintance of all the passengers. But much to Clotilde’s consternation, Louise was now spending nearly all of her time with a handsome young man, a passenger who had also boarded at Brest.
    â€˜Clotilde and Satine, I’d like you to meet Raoul Cortega. He lives on Madeira Island where his grandfather owns one of the largest wineries. His family makes the famous Madeira and port wines and Raoul is bringing back new rootstock for his grandfather to plant.’
    He greeted the girls pleasantly in perfect French. ‘You are surprised that I speak French? My mother is from Nice and my father is Portuguese so both languages are spoken in my home. Come along with me and I’ll show you my precious cargo.’
    The four went below where Raoul pointed out ten carefully wrapped, large twisted roots. ‘Look at how I’ve covered them all in wet burlap. Every other day I must turn them, check carefully and occasionally pour water over them. If the rootstock dries out, these Cabernet and Muscat grape roots will not transplant well. We will reach Porto Funchal in a short time and I’ll be leaving the ship there with my stock.’
    â€˜This is Raoul’s third trip away from Madeira to buy these plants,’ Louise interjected. ‘He is becoming a seasoned traveller.’
    â€˜But let me say this is the first time I’ve made the journey to France for new rootstock. Usually I purchase grape vines from Spain or Portugal. It has been such a pleasure to meet Louise and now, her two travelling companions.’ Raoul nodded to them.
    â€˜We are on our way to Grande Terre, at the invitation of Emperor Napoleon and Empress Eugenie,’ Clotilde spoke. ‘Our presence will help to secure this settlement for France.’
    Satine added, ‘We all chose to make this voyage and I am looking forward to all the places we will visit. I have never seen anything outside of the Mater Dei Orphanage before this day.’
    â€˜I wish you both a happy future on your new island home,’ answered Raoul. He looked fondly at Louise then bowed to them as he left the group.
    After a few more days of sailing, land was sighted and the ship docked at Funchal. What a joy is was, to leave the confines of the ship and move around again on firm land.
    â€˜I have to learn how to walk all over again. It feels so strange not to be moving up and down,’ Satine remarked.
    Clotilde brought over two other young women, who had become friendly with them. ‘Let’s all go out together in this beautiful warm sunshine and explore Funchal,’ she suggested. ‘Aren’t we lucky to have three days of freedom on dry land?’
    â€˜Will Louise join us too?’ asked Marianne, one of the girls.
    â€˜I can’t seem to find her,’ Clotilde replied. ‘But let’s be off now. We may even meet her along the way.’
    Funchal appeared so exotic and beautiful to the eyes of these young women who had only known Paris from the interior of an orphanage. Their first shock came amidst the vibrant colours and abundant array of