Return To France
Captain Peanut Butter • Chapter 13
New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 starting here:
In the previous chapter, Captain Peanut Butter agreed to accompany Lafayette to Philadelphia to discuss a proposal with the Continental Congress—service in the war in exchange for land and citizenship for the Jellyfish crew.
I will resume the role of narrator.
Six weeks had passed since our engagement. Early one morning, the Grand Duke stopped at my manor. Adelbert showed him to the kitchen, where we were all eating waffles.
“Grand Duke, what a pleasant surprise. Will you join us for breakfast?”
“I welcome the invitation, but I have already eaten. I do not wish to take much of your time, but I have important news. The Eternal Horizon should be ready to sail in two weeks.”
“The Eternal Horizon?” Elise asked.
“Yes. I have given it much consideration, and it is as fine a name as any. I see no good reason why my fleet needs to be numbered sequentially. And she is your ship. Are you prepared to go?”
“My case is packed,” Elise said with a big smile.
“Excellent. The Sea Merchant II sails in two days.”
“Grand Duke,” I said. “We have been discussing it, and I wondered if I could accompany Elise. Well, not only I but Andelbert and Maria also. Maria would dearly like to visit her home village, and, as we are no longer wanted as pirates, I thought Andelbert and I could seek an audience with the King and Queen to thank them for our pardon.”
“It would be my pleasure to provide passage for all of you. Although I must warn you, Elise will be far too busy to join you on your trip to Versailles.”
“We understand, which is why we planned the visit. I won’t have anything to do at the port, and I thought, why not visit Versailles?”
“I wish I could join you, but with Snoffduffle gone, I must remain here.”
“Thank you, Grand Duke,” I said, and everyone echoed their thanks.
We arrived in Le Havre after an uneventful sailing. Thankfully. I get nervous every time I board a ship now. Not knowing what unwelcome adventure awaits.
“Are you ready?” Elsie asked me as we made our way down the dock toward her father’s office.”
“Not in the least,” I replied.
“Just remember, his bark is worse than his bite.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”
Elise had written her father and told him about our engagement. But she hadn’t informed him about her new role as sea Captain. She said she wanted to tell him in person. I wasn’t sure that was wise. We were about to find out.
“Daddy, how good to see you,” Elise said and quickly crossed the office to give him a warm embrace.
“My Dear. What a pleasant surprise. It has been a long time. Welcome home.”
“Of course, you have heard the news about Britpop and me.”
“Yes. I had begun to wonder if you would ever marry.”
“Stop teasing.”
“I am not. But I am delighted by the news.”
“Well, I have more news for you. Grand Duke Goatbeard has given me the position of Captain on his new ship. I am going to be a sea Captain.”
“What? I hope you are jesting.”
“Not at all. That is why I am here. To take possession of my ship.”
“This is nonsense. I will not allow it.”
“You have no say in the matter. I am a grown woman, and I accepted the position. I will be a sea Captain.”
“A woman cannot captain a ship full of men. That is madness. What was Gooatbeard thinking?”
“He was thinking I am a smart, capable woman who will be the best Captain he has ever had.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it or not, it is happening. I wanted to tell you face-to-face, hoping you might be proud of me. Obviously, you are not. I will bother you no more.”
Elise turned and walked out the door. I said, “If she were my daughter, I would be proud. And in no hurry to lose her affection.” Then I followed after Elise.
I chased Elise, who was walking quickly down the dock. I grabbed her arm and said, “Stop for a minute.”
Elise turned around. She had tears in her eyes. I embraced her.
“I don’t know why I thought it would be any different,” Elise said. “He has always thought my dream was foolishness.”
“He will come around. You just have to prove him wrong. And you will. I am sure of it.”
Elise kissed me and said, “I love you.”
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Merci Marc pour le partage.📘📖
Mark, are these latest 13 chapters from Book 2 /Elise Boissoneau? Or are they part of book 3 as yet unpublished via Amazon? Also, I noticed that there is a typo in Amazon's online subtitles - Blasfurnace rather than Blastfurnace. You see that? Just thought I would mention it.