“Your brother receives the best care.”
“I didn’t mean to imply . . .” Elizabeth could barely breathe. Fatigue had turned her limbs to stone and dulled her mind. All she wanted was to return to her room, bury her head in a pillow, and let the autumn breezes blow in the scent of the ocean and Mama’s oleander. “I—” Unbidden tears stung her eyes. “I miss home.” Her throat constricted. “I miss you, Papa.”
His expression softened, but Father never displayed affection in public. “If you had written, I would have had Nathan ready with the carriage. Instead we must wait for the boy I hired to fetch him.”
Elizabeth could scarce believe he accepted her unexpected arrival so easily. “I’m sorry, but the ship wrecked.” It was a poor excuse but the best she could muster.
“Your appearance betrays that fact.”
Elizabeth looked down at her salt-stained skirts. The tiny black bows had been torn off both sleeves and the bodice. The hem was soiled. Her hair felt like straw. Only Aunt Virginia wore a cap. None of them had a bonnet or parasol. They must look a sight. Indeed, several people had stopped to stare.
“Miss Dobbins.” Father extended his arm to Aunt Virginia. “Shall we find a shaded spot?”
She readily accepted, and he ushered them off the dock and away from gawking bystanders.
Once they were situated in the shade of a gumbo-limbo tree, he turned to Aunt Virginia and asked, “Which ship did you take from Charleston?”
“Why, the Victory, of course.”
He flinched ever so slightly. “Jonathan’s schooner?”
“Naturally. Do you think he would send us on someone else’s ship?”
“Of course not.” His brow pinched under the brim of his top hat. “He will be grieved to hear of this misfortune.” But his gaze and his voice had drifted far away.
“Indeed he will,” Aunt said. “He has never had a ship wreck before.”
The bystanders had followed them to the street, crowding close on their heels.
“Did you say a ship wrecked?” a man asked.
“How impertinent,” Aunt scolded. “You should be ashamed of yourself, listening to a private conversation.”
Instead of apologizing, the man gleefully called out, “Wreck ashore!”
The crowd hurried back to the docks, eager to see what salvaged cargo the Dinah Hale had brought in. They would be disappointed.
A wreck meant prized goods at an inexpensive price. Once the salvaged cargo was tallied and warehoused, the federal marshal would set an auction date and time. Then the goods would be sold piece by piece to the highest bidder until the salvage fee could be paid. Many a Key West home had been furnished with salvage. Many a lady wore jewelry sold at auction. From shoes to pianos to rum, wrecked ships brought excitement to the port.
“My word,” Aunt exclaimed, “I’ve never seen such a to-do over misfortune.”
Elizabeth smiled at her aunt’s dismay. The carnival-like atmosphere of a shipwreck must appear curious to the uninitiated.
Father, his expression still grave, drew Aunt’s attention toward town. “Welcome to Key West. You will find it quite unlike Charleston.”
Aunt looked up and down the street with evident distaste. “I knew it could never compare, but I didn’t imagine the island would be so . . . provincial.”
Elizabeth stiffened at the affront. “I’m amazed at how the town has grown. I barely recognize any of the buildings.”
Father swept his walking stick toward a trim building on two-foot-high piers. The scent of fresh-sawed lumber tickled her nose. “That’s the new custom house. We have more warehouses now. Over there you may recognize Mrs. Mallory’s boardinghouse.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Even it looks different.”
Nathan drove up with the carriage. That cut off any further sightseeing until Father had helped both Aunt and Elizabeth inside. Anabelle, who had followed at a respectful distance, looked away when Father glanced at her and then took her place on the driver’s seat with Nathan.
“You repaired the carriage.” Elizabeth ran her hand over the leather seat, marveling at how even the familiar was different.
With a flick of the reins, Nathan urged the chestnut mare forward.
“What happened to Patches?” Elizabeth asked. “He survived the storm.”
“Died last year of old age.” Father sat across from the ladies, facing the rear. “We were fortunate to get another. If not for your brother, I might have given up the carriage entirely.”
Elizabeth’s throat tightened at the reference to Charlie’s inability to walk.
“Stop the carriage,” Aunt Virginia cried out. “We can’t leave without our trunks.”
“Nathan will fetch them after bringing us to the house,” Father said. “Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to them. The marshal will have them brought into a secure area.”
Aunt Virginia grumbled a little but was appeased by his assurances.