Secrets Of The Sea

by Jessica Blair

Genres: Sagas; Family Life

Synopsis

In the early days of the 19th Century Whitby is a thriving port. Both the Coulson and the Campion families make a living by the sea. Sam Coulson has three sons: Martin, Ben and Eric. He has grand plans for expanding his whaling business; and as Seaton Campion has no sons, a marriage between Martin and Campion's eldest daughter, Alicia, will aid the fortunes of both families. Ben Coulson, Sam's middle son, has turned his back on whaling to follow other pursuits. However Ben is secretly working hard, waiting for the time to show his father he is not the wastrel he thinks he is. Ruth Holmes also comes from a sea-faring family. Her father is the captain of one of Sam Coulson's whaling ships. Newly returned from France, she catches the eye of Ben Coulson and he is instantly smitten. But when Martin fails to return from his last voyage their fledging relationship is put under threat. For not only does Sam blame Ruth's father for Martin's death, he sees little reason why his business plans should be thwarted by family tragedy. If Martin cannot marry Alicia then it is Ben's duty to take his brother's place, regardless of where his own affections lie

Release date: November 10, 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Print pages: 448

Sample

‘Maybe when you get back?’ Georgina Holmes put the question with a quizzical smile on her lips.


The corners of her husband Gideon’s kindly eyes crinkled as he placed his broad hands on the waist of his wife of twenty-three
years. Their gentle touch told of the love he had experienced the first time he saw her on the quay of Whitby’s east side
in 1773, the year he had returned from his third whaling expedition.


The weather had been good for the last two days of the voyage that had taken him away from his home-port for six months. A
calm sea and a favourable wind had meant good progress. The sight of Whitby’s ruined abbey on the cliff top, catching the
sun’s rays, a welcome landmark for sailors nearing home, always set Gideon’s heart racing. It had put him in a good mood.
The voyage had been successful and, judging by the praise he had received from the Captain of the North Star for his enthusiasm and ability, promotion in the future looked certain.


As the ship had been warped to its berth beneath the streets of red-roofed houses that spilled down the cliffside to the river,
his eyes were drawn to a girl among the crowds of relatives and well-wishers jostling on the quay as they strove to get a
better view of those on board. Gideon had fallen instantly under her spell, and there and then had resolved to marry her if
she was free. He swore that at some time in the future he would make her proud of him when he took out his first ship as captain
from this thriving port on Yorkshire’s rugged coast.


Someone had come to the rail beside him and for a moment his attention deviated from the girl, but it proved to be a decisive
moment.


‘Hello, Jack,’ he greeted the young man with whom he had become friendly on this voyage. ‘Tell me, do you know who yon lass
is? That one with the pale blue bonnet and the grey shawl round her shoulders?’ Gideon’s gaze was on her again, drawn by the
laughter in her eyes, joyous in the knowledge that a whale-ship was safely home from the rigours of the Arctic.


At that moment her gaze swept along the men crowding the rail, and stopped. She sensed she was being closely scrutinised.
Puzzled as to why this should be and who might be studying her, she sought out her observer. Their eyes met. Across the gap
between ship and quay a moment of time was stilled. The past meant nothing. The future beckoned with its gift of a life to
be shared. Theirs was an immediate and binding love that promised to last through eternity.


‘Aye, Gideon. She’s Georgina Attley. Her father has a jet workshop near the bottom of the Church Stairs.’ As he spoke Jack
glanced at his friend, grinning when he saw the look in Gideon’s eyes. ‘Smitten, is thee? Ah, well, best of luck. Thee’ll
need it.’ He did not enlarge on the meaning behind these last words nor add that he had been rebuffed by the same girl who
had obviously transported Gideon into a dream world. All that his friend had taken in were the words ‘Georgina Attley’.


They became the gateway to a world of happiness, an enduring marriage, three sons and two daughters.

‘Maybe when you get back?’ Georgina repeated her question when she did not receive an immediate reply.

Gideon gave her a loving smile. ‘Aye, all right, lass.’ Maybe she was right. At fifty, it was time to fulfil her desire and
move to the west side of the river, where new buildings were being built as the town expanded, offering more salubrious dwellings
to those who could afford them. It had been Georgina’s dream for some time to live there.


‘So I can look for somewhere while you’re away?’ Excitement shone in her eyes.


‘Aye, lass,’ he replied, then added a note of warning. ‘But don’t go completing any deals until I get back.’

‘I won’t, I promise.’ She kissed him on the cheek.

He still held her round the waist and looked with teasing seriousness into the depths of her eyes. ‘Now, lass, thee can do
better than that.’


Love welled from the depths of her heart as she met his gaze, and then allowed a kiss on his lips to express it as eloquently.

When their lips parted he said with glowing affection, ‘Your kiss will be my warmth in the cold of the Arctic, and your lips
will be on mine through all the coming days when we are apart.’


‘And my thoughts will never leave you,’ she replied tenderly.

The door opened but Gideon and Georgina did not move apart. Their five children were used to seeing the constant expressions
of love that passed between their parents and in them saw the foundations of the security that permeated their own lives.


‘You boys ready?’ Gideon asked.

‘Yes, Pa,’ Daniel and Edmund answered together.

‘Good.’ He cast a proud eye over them.

Daniel at twenty-two reminded Gideon very much of himself at that age. He was strong and broad-shouldered, his face tanned
by the sun, wind and salt air. His six-foot-two frame, with its commanding presence, could not fail to be noticed, and appreciated,
by many a girl.


His nineteen-year-old brother Edmund was shorter by three inches but, though he was thinner, there was still power in his
frame. When the two eldest boys came into the room they were accompanied by Abel who, aged eighteen, was making his first
voyage to the Arctic. There were boys who went at a much earlier age but Abel’s parents had insisted, as they had with all
their children, that he receive good education first. Now he was excited by the prospect of being gilded with the same aura
that attached itself to his father, brothers, and all the whale-men of Whitby. Theirs was regarded as a special calling, braving the icy seas and dangers of the Arctic, where they pitted themselves
against whales sometimes twice as long as the open boats from which they hunted with hand-held harpoons. These men were hunters
and often explorers too, sailing uncharted seas in search of their prey. Special in the eyes of Whitby folk, whale-men were
always given an enthusiastic send off on sailing day; and on their return, when the cry of ‘Whale-ship!’ rang through the
town, the cliffs, staithes and quays were crowded.


Gideon was a strict captain. He would not allow his sons to sail with him for he feared that family relationships might get
in the way of his running the ship efficiently. A fierce disciplinarian, he was sometimes criticised for being too unbending.
Once on board he was a different character from the mild-mannered man who doted on his family at home. Nor would he allow
his sons to sail together on the same ship. Should tragedy strike, the loss of more than one of them would be impossible to
bear. So today Daniel would be on the Hunter under Captain Fitzgerald; Edmund on the Sunset with Captain Webster; and Abel would be aboard Captain Horner’s Wanderer, while their father would take his usual ship, the Water Nymph, owned by Sam Coulson, one of the leading merchants and businessmen in Whitby.


‘All right, boys, say goodbye to your ma. We’d best be getting on board.’ Gideon kissed his wife again and turned an admiring
eye to his daughter Ruth who at twenty rejoiced in the same fresh beauty as her mother at that age. She reminded Gideon so
much of his first sight of Georgina. ‘It’s good to have you back, Ruth. Look after your mother. You too, Rachel.’ They nodded
reassuringly at him and accepted his kisses.


Daniel, Edmund and Abel said their goodbyes, and Daniel voiced their concern for their sisters. ‘Take care. This will be the
first summer when there’s none of us lads here to look after you.’ The brothers had been solicitous for their sisters’ welfare
ever since they were youngsters. This had been a cause of chagrin to Ruth on more than one occasion but they took no notice of her protests that they were smothering her and she could look after herself. At twenty, three years older than Rachel,
she had a likeable personality that was complemented by her attractive looks and capacity for friendliness. Though sometimes
reserved, like her mother, it was a trait that could deceive, for Ruth had a strong character. For most of this last year
she had been in France with her spinster aunt who had invited her to accompany her to the Continent, judging it would be good
for Ruth to widen her experience.


Rachel had an independent streak, too, and though she sometimes revelled in her brothers’ protective attitude she always managed
to give them the slip when there was a special beau she wanted to see. She had no one to whom she gave particular attention
but was never at a loss for an escort to a party or special function; her lively personality ensured that. Her round, bright
face was usually wreathed in a sunshine smile and her startlingly blue eyes expressed her love of life.


Now, with their brothers sailing to the Arctic, the sisters experienced a new and welcome feeling of freedom. Though their
mother would be at home to caution them occasionally, they relied on her inherent tolerance and trust, knowing they could
twist her round their little fingers.


But across Whitby at that minute something was taking place that would alter the course of the future they had envisaged.

Sam Coulson pushed a bottle of whisky and a glass across his desk to his twenty-four-year old son. ‘Get a good one, it’ll
be the last for five or six months if you keep out of the whisky houses in Shetland.’


‘I’ll do that all right.’ Martin grinned at the thought of his first whaling voyage when some of the crew had introduced a
youngster of seventeen to the whisky houses. In the gloomy atmosphere of a room filled with peat smoke trying to escape through
a hole in the roof, the skirl of the pipes could not drown out the cries of the old crones who’d egged him on to try both
whisky and girls – at a price.


Sam eyed his son closely. Sam’s strength of character had been tested in the darkness of poverty and shaped on the anvil of
his determination to rise above his beginnings and make a success of his life. Wealth had come to him through his shrewd brain
and good eye for an investment, but he was a man who also knew what it was to serve in the Arctic seas – all traits that had
been passed on to his eldest son who was the shining light in his father’s eye.


Sam admired Martin’s physical strength, though he himself did not lack power in a slim frame which had been honed by the rigours
of a harsh early existence and the punishing life of the whale-ships. His thin pointed face had been leathered by the elements
of sun, wind and sea. His dark eyes hardly ever smiled and there was always a slightly sardonic look about his mouth. He held
most men in contempt and gauged them purely by their financial status. Ambition beyond measure had cultivated a ruthless streak
in him that he was not averse to using to further his desires.


Now Sam leaned back in the chair behind his desk, sipped his whisky and eyed his son. ‘You’ve thought about what I said?’

‘I have. I’ll make this my last whaling voyage.’

‘Good.’ Sam’s knowing half-smile was full of satisfaction. ‘You’ll not regret it, Martin, I’ll see to that. You can fulfil
many of my dreams – expand on my ideas. We’ll not let this business stagnate. A lot will depend on you. I have no faith in
Ben who seems to seek only the pleasures of this life, and Eric will never make anything other than a whale-man. He’s sailing
with you again this year.’


‘You shouldn’t have indulged Ben with the same money as you did me.’

‘I made a promise that when you reached the age of twenty-one each of you would receive two hundred pounds, and I’m a man
who keeps his promises, Martin. You used your money wisely. In the last two years Benjamin seems to have used it just to have
a good time. He must be coming to the end of it.’


‘Unless his luck at cards holds.’ Martin knew he was not revealing Ben’s passion for gambling.


Sam snorted. ‘It can’t! And he needn’t come running to me when he hasn’t a penny. He’ll get no more off me, and he needn’t
think he can sponge off Eric when he gets his. I’ll see to that.’ Sam fished a watch from his waistcoat pocket. ‘Ah, plenty
of time. Well, now that you have decided to give up whaling as far as voyages to the Arctic are concerned, I’ll give you something
to think about while you are away.’


Martin eyed him with curiosity, knowing there would be some intrigue behind these veiled words. His father had not become
the town’s leading merchant, with investments in a number of Whitby’s thriving industries, without a capacity for seizing
on some very slender chances. Sam Coulson had a reputation as a shrewd businessman, but one who would bend the rules and sail
very close to the wind if it was for his own benefit. His dealings had brought him friends and also enemies, but Sam Coulson
was always the one to come out on top and many a man had left Whitby rather than cross him a second time.


His ruthless attitude stemmed from his rough childhood, at the mercy of a father who drank, and a mother who did not care
where he was. But Sam always had a streak of ambition in him he must have inherited from somewhere. It had roused in him a
desire to escape from the squalor of his childhood and move in the upper echelons of Whitby society. He had done so first
by toughening himself serving on the whale-ships. There he had seen the possibilities of making money in a trade that contributed
much to the economic prosperity of the town. He took the view that if it did that for Whitby it could do the same for Sam
Coulson. He saved and speculated, moving in and out of investments quickly until he had built up sufficient capital to take
a share in a whale-ship. That share became two and then four until he achieved his ambition of owning a ship of his own and
engaging a captain with a reputation for sniffing out whales – Gideon Holmes. Sam then wisely diversified and also acquired
interests in shipbuilding, and the making of ropes and sails. He was ever on the look out to use his wits and further expand his investments. He loved the power that money brought
him, and that had led him to the suggestion he was about to make to his eldest son.


‘There is something I have never disclosed to anyone before but now is the time.’

His curiosity aroused, Martin raised one eyebrow in query.

‘Over the years I have watched Seaton Campion create a successful business. It would be a great asset to Coulson’s, and I
mean to acquire it.’


The force and conviction in his father’s voice startled Martin. ‘What! But you and he are friends … the families are close.’

Martin was familiar with the story of how his father and Seaton had first met as boys in the Market Place. His father was
being chased by an irate girl from whose basket he had just plucked a bag of cakes. He fell and would have been caught had
not a stranger, Seaton Campion, grabbed him and yanked him to his feet. Seaton took Sam to his home which was very different
from the hovel where he lived. He thought he’d be thrown out and told to keep away but instead was treated with kindness by
Seaton’s parents, who seemed to take the attitude that if their son liked someone then that person was all right. They were
so easygoing Sam could easily have deceived them but it had never entered his head. Their acceptance of him changed his view
of life. This was another world from the one Sam knew and he was determined to make something of himself and enter it. When
they grew up the two friends both prospered in Whitby’s commercial world, but in different ways. Sam, because of his tough
childhood, had a ruthless streak that carried him along through many a shaky deal. Seaton achieved his position slowly and
steadily, without taking chances.


‘Seaton is content to be where he is, enjoying a comfortable living from his various interests,’ Sam went on. ‘I don’t decry
him for that or for what he is. In fact, I respect his perseverance and good sense. But that way is not me, I don’t think
I could ever curb my restless nature – be content with my lot as he is. I need to be always achieving.’


He paused to take a sip of whisky and Martin took the opportunity to ask, ‘Where is this leading, Pa? What do you want me
to think about while I am in the Arctic?’


‘I want to create the biggest commercial enterprise in Whitby, a business that could wield influence beyond this town as Britain’s
mercantile strength increases.’ The fervour of a visionary was in Sam’s voice as he envisaged the future power within his
grasp. ‘And it will all be for you eventually, if you play your part.’


‘Pa, I love the life of a whaler, the responsibility that I have as a harpooner. Something gets into your blood when you are
locked in contest with a gigantic creature that could shatter you and your crew with its enormous flukes. And if that isn’t
enough of a driving force, there is always the magic of the Arctic calling me back. But …’ Martin paused to emphasise the
word and those that followed ‘… I’ll forego all that to help strengthen this firm in any way I can.’


Sam eyed his eldest child with satisfaction. All his planning for the son on whom he had doted since birth appeared to be
coming to fruition. He gave a slight nod as he said, ‘I’m pleased to hear that. I wouldn’t have got the same response from
Ben. And Eric will only be happy at sea. He may be useful in that respect, of course.’


‘The firm will be safe in my hands,’ replied Martin in a tone that showed he would tolerate no interference from Ben whom
he regarded as an unambitious wastrel. ‘You and I will carry this business forward.’


‘Aye, lad, we will that – and you’ll produce the heir to secure its future. I reckon when you get back from this voyage, you’d
better think of marrying.’ Martin merely raised his eyebrows at this suggestion. His father chuckled before he went on, ‘Oh,
I know you play the field but I reckon it’s time you settled down for the good of our enterprise.’


Martin’s lips twitched with amusement. ‘It sounds to me as though you have someone in mind?’

‘Aye, lad, I have. Someone who could substantially expand our interests the moment you marry her.’


‘Don’t I get any say in the matter?’ Martin asked warily.

‘You do, but think on my suggestion carefully.’

‘Well, who is it then?’

‘Alicia Campion.’

Sam could not tell immediately how his suggestion had been taken. Was Martin horrified by the idea or did he approve, if only
mildly? Sam pressed on.


‘I have approached Seaton a number of times with the suggestion that we should amalgamate, but he’s always refused. I think
it can be achieved through Alicia. She’s not bad-looking and has an attractive personality. And, think on, Seaton has no sons
and as the eldest daughter she has to be in line for some or all of the business. Even if he shares it out between his three
lasses they’ll no doubt see the advantage of staking their shares through you.’


Martin started to chuckle. ‘You’re a wily old bird!’

Sam grinned. ‘Aye, maybe I am. I haven’t got where I am today without keeping one step ahead and weighing up all the possibilities.
Well, how does it sound to you? You’ve known Alicia her whole life.’


‘I agree she’s likeable enough, and has something about her.’

‘And, I imagine, a useful lass in bed.’

Martin was not taken aback by his father’s straight talking. ‘But maybe she won’t have me?’

‘Leave that to me. A few words in Seaton’s ear, pointing out the advantages to be gained from such a marriage, should do the
trick. As you indicate, Alicia can be a bit rebellious at times but she isn’t one to go against her parents’ wishes. You think
about it while you’re away.’


‘No need, Pa. It’s obvious we’d benefit the business if we could pull this off. I’ll not scuttle that. Besides, I can still
sow my wild oats elsewhere.’


‘Aye, you can that, lad. I’ll plant the idea in Seaton’s mind then.’ Sam raised his glass. ‘Here’s to the future.’

‘The future!’ Martin drained his glass and stood up. ‘I’d best be going. Don’t want to get on the wrong side of Captain Holmes
before we sail.’


Ten minutes later he and Eric were making the traditional goodbye in the hall.

‘Take care, you two,’ said Sam, clamping his hands on each son’s shoulders in turn, ‘though I know you are in good company
with Captain Holmes.’


The young men gave their sisters Sarah and Dina a kiss, and shook hands with their brother Benjamin. Martin gripped his father’s
hand and read his approval when their eyes met.


‘Aren’t you going to break your own rule for once and see your sons sail?’ asked Benjamin, impatience at his father’s stubbornness
evident in his tone.


Sam’s eyes were cold when they locked on him. ‘You know my views about that. Watching ships sail is time mismanaged, and my
time is money. You’d be better thinking more about those words and applying yourself to something useful.’


‘There’s more to life than making money.’ Ben didn’t wait for what he knew would be a sharp retort; he had heard it often
enough. He turned to his brothers. ‘I’ll be on the pier.’


‘And we will too,’ chorused Sarah and Dina.

Martin and Eric picked up their bags and strode quickly from the house.

Sam watched them go. He always had to steel himself for this moment, not that he minded them leaving so much but their leaving
for the sea always reminded him of his wife who had died four years ago. She had pleaded with him the moment Martin had reached
his teens not to send their sons to the Arctic, but Sam had been adamant, saying that whaling was a part of the family business
they should know about, apart from the fact that it would toughen them up for life. There was constant disagreement between
his wife and him after that, and Sam’s ruthless nature would not allow him to yield to her pleas. This had led to the disintegration
of their marriage and to both of them seeking solace in other arms, with their confrontations growing more and more bitter until her death.


An hour later Ben called up to the stairs to his sisters, ‘Are you two coming?’

He heard a door bang and an answer of, ‘Yes.’ There was a scurrying sound and Sarah and Dina appeared. They ran quickly down
the stairs, fastening the ribbons of their bonnets around their chins. They wore similar ankle-length pelisses. Sarah’s was
in navy blue with the thinnest of fur trim around the small collar. Dina’s was scarlet, devoid of any adornment.


The sisters were very close, having found solace in each other’s company during the sad years of their parents’ feud. Though
they dare not voice their opinions openly they blamed their father for much that had happened. They had witnessed his intransigence
over the whaling issue during their impressionable years and it had left its mark. Nor did they see eye to eye with him over
the gifts of money he had made to Martin and Ben, and would do to their youngest brother when Eric reached twenty-one, for
he had refused them the same gift saying only that ‘girls marry and are looked after by their husbands’.


Sarah, at twenty-two, had been engaged to the son of the owner of the alum works at Ravenscar south of Whitby, but two years
ago tragedy had robbed her of the happiness she’d envisaged when her fiancé fell from some high cliffs while going to supervise
the unloading of the cargo from a collier berthed below. She was only just beginning to get over the loss and was grateful
for the support of her sister Dina who was currently courting Rowan North, newly promoted to boat-steerer for this voyage
aboard Sam’s ship the Water Nymph. Though he had respect for any man who signed on for a whaling voyage, Sam did not really approve of his daughter’s relationship
with Rowan who had been raised an orphan. He’d prefer her attention to be directed towards someone more influential and useful
to the business. But a defiant Dina had always opposed her father’s hints and suggestions about this matter.


It was she who, as they left the house, voiced her pleasure at Ben’s stance. ‘You’ll really rile Father one day with your
constant criticism. Not that he doesn’t richly deserve it, mind.’


‘He should go to see his own sons off. I had more than enough of that harsh existence after just one whaling voyage, but I
care nothing for his opinion of me. There are things about me he does not know and which I will only reveal when the time
is right.’


From the garden of their house on the West Cliff they had a view across the river to the east side where the late-morning
sun brightened the red roofs of the buildings climbing the cliff to the old parish church and the ruined abbey standing like
a sentinel on top of the cliff, a welcome sight to many a home-coming sailor.


‘Do you know how many ships are sailing today?’ Dina asked as they hurried through the streets towards the riverside.

‘I heard yesterday that four will be ready: Water Nymph, Wanderer, Hunter, and Sunset.’


‘Good,’ said Sarah, excitement in her voice. ‘It will be a grand sight.’

Streams of people of all ages and levels of social standing were making their way to vantage points to see the whalers sail.
The whale-men who would not see this Yorkshire coast nor their homes for nearly six months were widely respected by the townspeople.


‘Where do you want to go?’ asked Ben as they neared the bridge.

‘The West Pier,’ replied Dina quickly, wanting to get her opinion in first.

‘Not the cliffs?’ he asked, a little surprised at her choice. ‘You get a better view from there.’

‘But you are closer on the pier, and that means you see the crew.’

‘All right. The West Pier it is,’ Ben agreed. He exchanged a glance with his elder sister Sarah who raised her eyebrows in return, knowing that Ben was well aware of their younger sister’s continued liaison with Rowan North, in spite of their
father’s disapproval.


They turned away from the bridge and joined the crowd of people already on their way to the West Pier. On the other side of
the river folk were thronging narrow Church Street as they headed for the piers and staithes, while others were prepared to
make the steep climb up the one hundred and ninety-nine steps to the cliff top. Though there would be sadness for some at
seeing a loved one, be it husband, son, brother or sweetheart, sail to the Arctic, they thrust the dangers from their mind
and assumed jocular expressions. This was sailing day for the whalers, a special day when these brave men deserved the best
of send offs.


On reaching the West Pier, Ben quickened their pace and forged a way through the crowd to seek a good vantage point for his
sisters near the end of the pier.


‘All right here?’ he queried, shepherding them to the edge of it.

‘Yes,’ they agreed wholeheartedly.

From their position they would see the vessels approaching downstream, towed by oared boats until they cast off and allowed
the ships, with the wind in their topsails, to take to the open sea.


Around them people were jockeying for good viewing positions in a light-hearted way. Joking complaints and criticisms were
made and good-humoured banter flowed in return. Pleasantries were exchanged, news imparted and opinions offered, but all the
while a keen lookout was kept for any sign of movement from upriver.


‘They’re coming!’ The first cry was eagerly taken up and swept through the crowd like a consuming fire that would not be controlled.
Excitement charged everyone.


Ben turned automatically as he took up the cry, passing it on. The words faded on his lips when his eyes met those of a young
woman a short distance away. He felt a singing in his heart that would not stop. It told him that all the other girls with whom he had sou