The Ocean's Daughter (Sequel to Sirene)

I'm sorry I'm a little late with this. Had a bit of writer's block and then there was also a lot of housework to do and I had to sit with my nephew all day yesterday :)

enjoy :)

***************************************************************************************

Chapter 13

Robert Blackwood had come to call on Beth and Oceana again and the three were sitting drinking tea at the hotel.

“You have a very nice family.” Beth was saying to him. “But I’m afraid I didn’t understand a word of what Mrs. MacMorrow was saying the other day."

Dr. Blackwood laughed. “That is little wonder; she mixes Scottie *wi' Gaelic *an' hardly says a word in *comprehensife English.”

“I find it very unfair that Oceana knows Gaelic and so has little problems communicating. I have trouble understand anyone when they speak in English, much less when they start mixing in other words.”

“Ye are English through and through, are ye not?”

“Well,” Beth thought for a moment. “My father was actually from Wales, but I was born and raised in London. I’ve got pure English blood from my mother’s side though.”

“Ah, but ye are still half a Celt, I *kent there was some sort *ay connection.”

Beth giggled at this “I never thought I would admit this, but I’m actually enjoying our stay here. Edinburgh has proved to be a very beautiful city, not at all like London. Somehow it doesn’t seem as smoggy here, though I will say it has its share of factories and dirt. Still, there is something about it that I can’t put my hand on.”

“Perhaps you could bring Miss Patterson here, to prove to her I did not waste her money in bringing her here.” Oceana put in. “It is really thanks to her that we are able to come here.” Oceana explained to Dr. Blackwood. “You see, it was my idea to visit but I don’t have the funds to pay for such a trip. I am after all nothing more than a humble school teacher with hardly a penny to my name.”

“Oceana.” Beth hissed. “You must not talk about such things in public.”

“Oh, it’s not like I’m upset about the fact that I am poor.” Oceana hastened to justify herself. “I actually like being poor. I know it sounds shocking, but riches are death to me. They put you in a cage and dictate how to live your life. No, I’m happy living in my village and teaching the children. We may be poor, but we are not in want and that is the main thing.”

“That is not what I meant.” Beth said. “Dr. Blackwood here could tell you that it isn’t right to discuss your finances like this.”

“Why isn’t it?”

Beth shook her head. Oceana could be so blunt and Beth didn’t know how best to teach her that tact was just as important in your speech as honesty.

“You make enough to live on in the hospital, don’t you?” Oceana turned to Dr. Blackwood.

“Indeed I do. But I am lookin’ to broaden my horizons.” Dr. Blackwood nodded his head and cast a side glance at Beth. Beth blushed a little while her mind raced at how to get the conversation away from the discussion of finances. If there was one thing Beth hated talking about, it was money. Dr. Blackwood saw her discomfort and came to the rescue.

“*Hae any ay ye ladies read th' Home-Comin' by Doyle? It came out just this December.”

“I have.” Beth’s eyes lit up. “Sir Author Conan Doyle is my favorite writer. Come to think of it, wasn’t he born in this very city?”

“He was indeed.” Dr. Blackwood grinned. “I think ye an' I are kindred spirits, Miss Warren, *fur Doyle happens to be my favorite writer as well. I enjoyed every story he *hud to offer *abit Sherlock Holmes.”

“Sherlock Holmes, you like Sherlock Holmes?” Oceana wrinkled her nose.

“I’m afraid Oceana is no fan of Sherlock Holmes.” Beth said with a giggle.

“There is nothing interesting about him!” Oceana stated her argument with great fervor. “He is a perfect person who never gets anything wrong. The thing that makes a character interesting is the fact that he has a flaw, something that makes him not perfect. I mean, it’s not even interesting to read stories about Holms because you know in the end he will find everything out and solve everything and what is more, it’s all super easy for him.”

“I beg to differ.” Dr. Blackwood argued. “Sherlock Holmes may always *hae th' answer, but he is interestin' in how he comes to his conclusions by *deductife reasonin'. Tell me, Miss Warren, which ay th' Sherlock Holmes is yer favorite?”

“Without a doubt, The Hound of Baskervilles. I couldn’t put the novel down. Though of course I enjoy all the stories with Mr. Holmes, but The Hound of Baskervilles is certainly my favorite. I even brought it with me and read it over and over again.”

“Ah,I enjoyed that a one too, *thocht I hae to say that my favorite would be th' Adventure ay th' Empty House.  This is probably coz I was so relieved to fin' it that Holmes *wisnae actually dead.”

“Oh, I would have never forgiven Doyle if he would have killed Sherlock Holmes for good. I would have hunted him down and made him write more.”

This passionate statement from Beth sent her and Dr. Blackwood into a burst of laughter. Oceana looked at the two of them and felt somehow extra in this little gathering. Perhaps it would be better if she left the two of them alone for a while.

“If you will please excuse me for a moment.” She said, standing up.

“Where are you going?” Beth turned to her.

“I just need freshen up.” She gave Beth a look and Beth got where it was Oceana wanted to go. “I’ll be back soon.” Oceana said and walked off in the direction of the ladies room.

“I hope we *dinnae offend her by talkin' abit a character she doesn’t like.” Dr. Blackwood said. Beth shook her head.

“Oceana isn’t the sort of person to take offence at such things. She’ll jump into the conversation no matter what. I’m actually surprised she didn’t argue with us, there is nothing she likes more than a good argument. I think it was something she picked up from Chandler.”

“Chandler is one ay th’ smugglers who pulled her out of th’ boat, right?”

“Yes, he was the Frenchman and Callum is the Scotsman. Between the two of them they brought Oceana to be very eccentric. She’s a very good girl and I love her so much, but sometimes I wish she would just mature up a little. She still behaves very, I don’t know, silly.” Beth wasn’t sure why she was discussing this with Dr. Blackwood, whom she had only met a few days ago.

“Ye *cannae force someone to grow up, Miss Warren. Ye must *lae that to time an' God. In time th' right experiences will come *alang an' Miss Oceana will hae to either choose to ignore them or learn *frae them. Ye see, to mature an' to become older *arenae necessarily one an' th' *sam. Growin' up is a matter ay time, maturin' is a matter ay choice an' experience.”

“I like how you put that, Dr. Blackwood.” Beth smiled. “I just wish she would stop telling people she was half mermaid.”

“Ye would rather she tell people she is th’ Ocean’s Dochter?”

“Good heavens, not that either. I don’t know which one is worse. I will admit, it is something McDuff would say, I met the man while I was visiting with Oceana and he can come up with the craziest of stories. The Daughter of the Ocean, what a story to come up with. How can she be half mermaid and the daughter of the Ocean all in one?”

“*Mebbe her father is th’ spirit of the ocean an’ her mother was a mermaid?” Dr. Blackwood suggested.

“Mercy me, Dr. Blackwood, your imagination is no worse than McDuff’s or Chandler’s. Whatever you do, don’t tell that to Oceana. The last thing she needs is another theory of where she came from.”

“Frae what I understand, th’ original one, abit th’ sailor and th’ mermaid is th’ one she believes in.”

“Yes.”

“Very interestin’.” Dr. Blackwood chuckled, he found this all extremely funny. “What abit yerself, Miss Warren? I dinnae think I’ve ever heard ye speak a word abit yer family.”

Beth caught her breath a little. As a rule, she never talked about herself. The fear of society finding out of her family situation and how she had lived in an orphanage for several years made her vague and silent about her past.

“It’s complicated and not something I like talking about.” She finally summed it up. Robert Blackwood found this very intriguing, but he didn’t want to scare Beth away and decided to wait a while before prodding her for her back story. Instead they turned back to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Author Conan Doyle. From there progressed to Walter Scot and Victor Hugo. Beth found herself so engrossed in the conversation that she jumped when the clock struck five.

“Goodness me, I’ve lost track of the time.” Beth exclaimed. “What happened to Oceana? We’ve been talking here for a good two hours.”

“I suppose we had better go look for her.” Dr. Blackwood stated, getting up and offering Beth his arm. Beth, who was still a little wobbly on her foot, took it gratefully.

As it turned out, they didn’t have to search for long. Dr. Blackwood spotted her sitting by the hotel bookshelf.

“Oceana, you said you would be back soon!” Beth scolded.

“I’m sorry.” Oceana looked up from her book. “I was on my way to you when I got sidetracked.”

“The Tale of Benjamin Bunny?” Dr. Blackwood read the title of the book. “Miss Oceana ye prefer Beatrix Potter to Author Doyle?”

“Of course I do. Have you ever read her stories? They are the most wonderful tales ever written! And to think she does all the pictures herself. I’m afraid art is one thing I’ve never had much of a talent for and I envy Miss Potter. Her pictures look so real, so alive.”

“I told you she had yet to grow up.” Beth giggled.

“And I am proud of that fact.” Oceana stated. “I’m in no hurry to ‘grow up’ and when I do I can assure you I will still be in love with the characters of Miss Potter’s books. Just look at this daisy, you would swear it was the real thing. Daisies are my favorite flower you know.”

“I do know.” Beth said. “You always crammed then into your pockets, even though Stacey was allergic to pollen.”

“An’ what are yer favorite flowers, Miss Warren?” Dr. Blackwood asked.

“Daffodils.” Beth said with a wistful look. “I remember when I was very little, my father took me to this field that was covered in daffodils. I can still see it now, the seemingly endless yellow maze.” Beth bit her lip to try and keep her composure. That memory always brought tears to her eyes.

“Do you have a favorite flower, Dr. Blackwood?”

“Not really.” Dr. Blackwood chuckled. “My Aunt Mae is in loove wi' roses though an' they are all over th' place in our *hoose.”

“Roses are overrated.” Oceana couldn’t help from saying.

“Aye, they are indeed.” Dr. Blackwood agreed. “I fear I must tak' my lae ay ye. I said I would be *haem fur dinner an' I don’t want to be late. James an' Katy are comin' to visit us again.”

“Oooh, I don’t know how you aren’t deaf yet.” Beth pointed out.

“Ye get used to it.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Beth giggled again. Oceana couldn’t help from thinking that she giggled an awful lot when Dr. Blackwood was around.

“What a pity we are leaving in two days.” Oceana mused aloud. “We have gotten quite used to your company, Dr. Blackwood.”

“Ye are leavin’ in two days?” Not exactly pleasant news for him.

“Yes we are.” Beth said. “Oceana does have to get back to the school and I must return to London.”

“Well, I *hiner ye *wulnae min' then if called on ye again tomorrow? Miss warren, seein' yer loove fur books, Ah thooght Ah could show ye th' largest library in th' city.”

“I would dearly love that, Dr. Blackwood.” Beth hated her face for going red again.

“In that case, until tomorrow.” Dr. Blackwood said. He kissed Beth’s hand and with a nod to Oceana, who was still sitting in a pile of books, departed.

***

The weeklong vacation sped to its end and before Beth knew it she was standing with Oceana at the train station.

“Do you think he’ll come?” She asked her friend nervously.

“There he is.” Oceana pointed out in reply. Sure enough Dr. Blackwood was making his way through the crowd. A young red head was walking by her side.

“Who is that?” Beth asked, eying the girl suspiciously.

“I don’t know.” Oceana replied, giving Beth an amused look. Beth was too busy staring at the girl to notice.

“She seems very young.” Beth thought to herself. “I’d give her about sixteen, maybe seventeen, and her hair is very red. But apart from that I guess she is pretty…maybe…”

“Dr. Blackwood we were beginning to worry.” Oceana had stressed the word we and looked over at Beth with a smile. “Who is this with you?”

“*Allaw me to introduce my cousin, Abi. Abi, this is Miss Warren an’ Miss Oceana.”

“Pleasure to meet ye.” Abi looked straight at Beth. “I’ve been dyin’ to meet th’ young English woman our Robert just cannae stop talkin’ abit.”

Beth looked down and Dr. Blackwood nudged his cousin. “That’s enough of that Abi.”

Oceana giggled loudly and winked at the red-head, who grinned back; glad someone was of the same humor as her.

“Dr. Blackwood, are those daffodils in your hand?” Oceana suddenly realized that Dr. Blackwood was holding something in his hand.

“They are indeed. Fur Miss Warren.” He handed the flowers to her. Beth’s eyes went wide and she accepted the gift with a shy smile.

“Where did you find daffodils in the middle of winter?” Oceana asked with suspicion. Abi opened her mouth to answer but was stopped by Dr. Blackwood who gave her a sharp nudge with his elbow.

“Secret, Miss Oceana, an’ not one I’m goin’ to give away.”

“Thank you, Dr. Blackwood, that was very thoughtful of you.” Beth forced herself to look into his eyes.

“My pleasure, Miss Warren. Perhaps ye could visit Edinburgh in th’ summer. I could tak’ ye to see th’ daffodil fields. They are yonder on th’ outskirts of th’ city.”

A rapturous answer rose in Beth’s breast and just about made its way to her mouth when she stopped herself. Miss Patterson would not approve, society would not approve. Swallowing it all down, she fingered the flower stems shyly. “I suppose we’ll see.” She said at last. Oceana frowned at the answer but decided against speaking out about it.

The train whistle blew.

“We must go.” Beth hurriedly stated. “Thank you for everything, Dr. Blackwood, it has been wonderful getting to know you.”

“An’ it was a pleasure meetin’ ye.” Dr. Blackwood to Beth’s hand and kissed it. “I suppose your fallin’ *doon was something ay a blessin’ in disguise. Have a pleasant journey, Miss Warren, I hope ye get to London safely.”

“Thank you.” Beth smiled and turned to leave. Robert Blackwood helped her into the train then turned to Oceana.

“I was glad to meet ye, Miss Oceana.”

“And I you.” Oceana smiled. “Thank you for helping us with Beth’s ankle and showing us the city. I have to say, you were a very interesting guide. Goodbye Abi, it was nice to meet you too.”

With that she boarded the train and took her seat beside Beth. The whistle blew again and slowly the train pulled out of the station.

“Beth, look.” Oceana nudged her friend. “He’s following the train.”

Beth looked up and her eyes locked with Dr. Blackwood’s. He waved to her, she waved back. Despite herself Beth kept his gaze until he disappeared out of sight. Then she sighed and looked down. This was not happening to her, this was just not happening to her.

“Beth, are you aright?” Oceana asked, a little worried at her friend’s behavior.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Beth masked all her concerns with a bright smile. “Just musing about all that has happened in the past week.”

“A great many things have happened.” Oceana agreed with her. “This vacation has been something of an adventure.”

“Which is not surprising, seeing as anything with you will turn into an adventure.” Beth pointed out. Oceana giggled and buried her nose in her book. Beth turned her attention to the window, watching the landscape as it the train passed it by. Her thoughts were in a whirl and despite all her efforts, she found her mind wandering back to the deep blue eyes that had been looking at her with such admiration.

“Peace, Beth” She spoke to herself. “You won’t ever see those eyes again, so you might as well not think about them.” With that decision she pulled out The Hound of Baskervilles and engrossed herself in it. But among the words, the blue eyes haunted her.

***

“Robert.” Abi approached her cousin and touched his arm. “I ken that look, what are you thinkin’ ait?”

“Nothin’ ye need to ken.” Robert replied.

“Tell me, it has somethin’ to do with the English lass, doesn’t it?”

“I said *ne’er ye mind, so ne’er ye mind.” Robert winked at his cousin and turning around, walked out of the station. Abi shrugged her shoulders and ran to catch up with him. The determined look in her cousin’s eyes worried her a little. It was obvious Robert had greatly fancied the English girl, and something told her he was determined to see her again. But how and when?

****************************************************************************************** 

The song on your right is called Black is the Color and I thought it really went well with this chapter :) (I found it on youtube and do not own any part of it)

Glossary for words hard to understand:

abit: about,   allaw: allow,   alang: along,   an': and,   ay: of,   cannae: cannot/can't,  

comprehensife: comprehensive,   doon: down,   deductife: deductive,   frae: from,   fur: for,

hae: have,   haem: home,   hiner: hope,   hoose: house,   hud: had,   jist: just,   ken: know,  

kent: knew,   lae: leave,   sam: same,   thocht: thought,   th': the,   wi': with,   wisnae: was not,

wulnae: will not.