Margo Hansen

Sky's Bridal Train

Atlantic Ocean

            "You've had trouble with that Hadley fellow again, haven't you, dear?" Mrs. Lowe whispered nervously.

            Sky moved away from the door and acknowledged her plump traveling companion’s question with a nod. Mrs. Lowe went on, "I heard him the other day boasting to some of the passengers about his large estates in England. He seems to be quite wealthy. He says he's just taking a pleasure trip to see America and maybe buy land— What is it, dear?" Genuine concern creased the older woman’s face as she watched frustration cross Sky’s.

            Sky slumped down on the lower bunk, her head in her hands. "Why won't that man leave me alone? It's been like this ever since he discovered I was on this ship. He follows me and tries to start a conversation. He says we should 'get to know each other better.' I have no wish to know him at all! He presumes too much! I've even resorted to carrying a weapon." She indicated the long pin, which produced a gasp from Mrs. Lowe. "I don't care how wealthy he is or even if he is titled. He frightens me." She shuddered.

            "He has a reputation of sorts in England, you know," Sky continued as she moved over to allow Mrs. Lowe to sit beside her, the tiny confines of the cabin allowing little room beside the bunks for the two women. "A girl at one of my schools told me about him. It seems he looks for a wealthy woman, usually a widow, and he woos her with his good looks and charm. Then he convinces her to marry him, and not long after the marriage she mysteriously dies, and all her wealth becomes his."

            Mrs. Lowe’s hand flew to her mouth. "And…you?"

            "That’s what I don’t understand. I’m not wealthy. I have no idea why he is so interested in me. This girl said he has been under suspicion because it seems that his wives—and there have been more than one—have died from one sort of accident or another; none seemed to have been of natural causes." Sky shuddered again.

            "Has he ever bothered you before?"

            "No, I've never even seen him before this trip, only heard of him. Don't worry; I'll keep out of his way. Besides, I have enough to think about right now without having him to worry about."

            "Your uncle's job offer?"

            "Yes, he's paid for my trip back to America on the condition that I will work for him and his new wife in their tailor shop."

            "Back to America, dear? You never told me that you've been there before," said Mrs. Lowe.

            Sky noticed Mrs. Lowe's interest. She had been reluctant to tell her cabinmate much about herself during their voyage, but now she felt the need to confide in someone, so quietly she began.

            "I was actually born in America. My father died before I was born; he was thrown by his horse and killed, and my mother left for England shortly after my birth, taking me with her. She married again, this time to a wealthy baron. I was raised in a fine home with many nice things, but the baron never really accepted me since I wasn't his. I often felt that my mother was sad because of this."

            Sky paused then reached for the small bag beside the bed. She pulled out an envelope and from that a letter. Then she stood and paced the tiny cabin, pleating the letter in her hands.

            "My mother came down with pneumonia and died, and shortly after her death the baron died in a hunting accident." Sky felt tears at the memory of her mother, so she cleared her throat and tried to gain control as she continued. "Before she died, my mother kept saying she was sorry. I didn't understand. I thought she was apologizing for the way the baron treated me.

            "The baron's solicitor handled the legal matters. The baron left all his money to his brother who now bears the title. He left me nothing at all."

            Sky heard Mrs. Lowe mutter something, but she didn't stop.

            "At first I thought that was what my mother was sorry about. That she knew the baron had not included me in his will. But this letter explains the real reason." She handed the wrinkled paper to Mrs. Lowe.      

My Dear Sky,

When you read this, I will be gone. I wish I could have had the courage to tell you this in person and answer all the questions I know you will have.

            I love you very much. When you were born, I looked into your bright blue eyes so much like your father's, and I named you Sky. I always told your father that his eyes reminded me of the bluest skies. He would have loved you.

            After your father's death, I was poor. I had no way to earn money, and I was expecting you. My sister and her husband took me in, but not out of the goodness of their hearts. Elaine was always jealous of me because your father married me, not her.

            She arranged for me to marry the baron. He and I had met many years before, and he had wanted to marry me then, but I had eyes only for your father.

            Elaine is not a nice person. She wrote the baron explaining about the baby and demanded money not only for our passage but also a fee for herself for her trouble. The baron still wanted me, so he reluctantly agreed to my bringing you. Sky, I had to agree to all this. There was no other solution that I could see. My only other hope of caring for you was through my brother, Peter, but he was off in the West somewhere at the time, and we didn't even know if he was alive, although now I know him to be in New York.

            Now for the hard part, my dear. The night I gave birth to you, I gave birth to another baby as well. I had twins! The birthing exhausted me, and I slept soon after, but I remember the midwife put a baby in each of my arms and praised me for such 'fine looking wee babes.' I was happy, and I thought how proud your father would have been!

            The next morning Elaine woke me and brought you to me. "Where is my other baby?" I asked.

            She looked at me long and hard and said, "There is no other baby, Lucille. I had enough trouble getting the baron to agree to one; there is no more."

            "What have you done with my baby?" I cried. She never told me. I pleaded with her for days, and then finally I refused to speak to her at all. A month later I left.

            Elaine's husband, John, brought me to the ship. He was never as cruel as Elaine, so I asked him one more time if he knew what Elaine had done with my other baby. He didn't want to tell me, but finally he said, "She had the midwife take the baby to a family that was headed west by wagon train the next day. They had lost their own baby recently and were grateful."

            So, Sky, my darling, you have a twin in  America, somewhere in that western land. I barely saw her, but I have never forgotten her. I have tried to love you double to make up for you not having your father or your sister.

            Find her if you can. I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to make it possible for you. Beware of Elaine. It would be better to avoid asking her help at all. I have never forgiven her.

            Please forgive me for being so weak. Remember me with kindness.

            All my love,

                                                 Mother

            Mrs. Lowe folded the papers carefully and then looked up at Sky, who was staring out the small porthole. "Sky, you don't really expect to find your twin after twenty years, do you? America is such a large place. They say that a man can hide out in that West and never be found if he wishes it so." She paused and then reluctantly said, "Besides, dear, a newborn baby on a wagon train would have little chance of survival, don't you think?"

            “I don't know!” Sky blurted. “But don't you see? I have to find out! All I know is that I must try, for Mother, and for me. If my twin sister is there, I'll find her.” Sky squared her shoulders and continued to stare out into the night. “I must.”