Episode 9

The morning of departure arrived with a clear sky and favourable winds. The Azure and the Queen Elizabeth frigate were anchored, ready to set sail. Sailors ran across the deck, adjusting the sails and loading supplies brought from the island. At the port, the small group led by the Count of Devonshire, accompanied by Tabitha, Ethan, Lord Granger, and his wife, awaited the final adjustments.

Tabitha looked out at the sea, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and melancholy. Despite the hardships, the island of Sark had become an unlikely refuge. Now, leaving meant facing an uncertain future.

“Are you ready?” Ethan asked, approaching her side.

She turned to him, hesitating before answering. “I don’t know if 'ready' it’s the right word. But I know it’s time to go."

Ethan nodded, offering her a reassuring smile.

Lord Granger accompanied the group to the dock. When they reached the port, the Count of Devonshire turned to him with a serious look. ”Lord Granger, I have no words to express my gratitude for everything you’ve done for my granddaughter.”

Granger gave a slight nod. Tabitha approached, gently holding Mrs. Granger’s hands. ”I will never forget what you’ve done for us,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I hope one day to repay you. She smiled warmly.”

“Just move forward and be happy, my dear. That will be more than enough.”

Tabitha, Ethan, and the Duke were the last to board the Azure. From the deck, she looked at the island one last time. The rocky landscape and the small port were etched in her memory, a symbol of struggle and survival.

Ethan stopped beside her. ”Do you already miss the island?”

“It’s strange... “Tabitha said with a melancholic smile. “It was both our refuge and our prison at the same time. But I think I’ll miss it, in a way.”

Ethan tilted his head. ”Then take the lessons, but not the fears. What matters now is what’s ahead.”

The Azure raised its sails, propelled by a steady breeze. The Queen Elizabeth frigate took its position just behind, protecting the smaller vessel. From the deck, the Count of Devonshire watched the horizon, while Tabitha and Ethan spoke quietly.

Tabitha looked at Ethan, her tone hesitant. ”When we get to Ipswich, everything will change, won’t it?”

Ethan nodded, thoughtfully. ”Yes, but change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You have a strength you don’t always realize. Use it.”

She looked at him for a few moments, finding confidence in his words.
”Thank you for being here. I don’t know how I would have gotten through all of this without you.”

Ethan gave a discreet smile. ”I said I wouldn’t leave your side, didn’t I?”

As they talked, the outline of Sark Island began to fade on the horizon. Tabitha took a deep breath, feeling the weight of that chapter of her life closing. The Count approached, placing a hand on her shoulder. ”My dear, the worst is behind us. Now, we go home, where you will be welcomed and protected.”

Tabitha nodded, but her gaze remained distant. She knew that new challenges awaited her in Ipswich, but with Ethan and her grandfather by her side, she felt stronger. The Azure and the Queen Elizabeth sailed steadfastly, crossing the sea toward their destination. The sky seemed brighter, and the wind carried promises of a future still to be uncovered. After a smooth journey, the ships finally arrived in Ipswich. The port was busy, but attention quickly shifted to the disembarkation of the Azure’s party. Tabitha and Ethan were the first to step off, followed by the Duke.

At the dock, a familiar figure awaited. Amélie, with a veil covering her hair and tears in her eyes, hurried forward when she saw Tabitha. ”Tabitha! My girl! Thank God!” she exclaimed, embracing her tightly. Tabitha returned the hug, feeling emotional. ”I thought I’d never see you again, Amélie. How did you survive?”

Amélie, holding Tabitha’s face between her hands, answered, “The Azure never sank, my dear. But the thought of losing you consumed me. Now everything is as it should be.”

The Count approached. ”We are all together again. And now, my dear Tabitha, it’s time to begin your new life.”

Tabitha smiled, feeling, for the first time in days, truly safe. Ethan, however, remained reserved. When Amélie moved aside to arrange the journey to Ipswich, he received a message from Caldwell. ”Lord Devereux, your presence will be required again soon,” he said. “The Crown thanks you for your service but requires your continuation.”

Ethan nodded, but his gaze was fixed on Tabitha, still talking to Amélie. I can’t leave without making sure she will be protected, he thought.

***

That night, while resting at the Count's estate, Tabitha looked out of her bedroom window, watching the lights of Ipswich flicker in the distance. Beside her, Amélie slept in an armchair, exhausted but serene. Ethan remained at the estate, his presence a silent comfort.

Tabitha knew that new challenges awaited her, but for the first time in a long while, she felt safe. ”Now I know I’m not alone. And with them by my side, I can face anything.”

The days at the Count of Devonshire's mansion in Ipswich settled into their own rhythm, a routine carefully orchestrated by the housekeeper and the Count’s strong will. The manor, with its long corridors adorned with ancient tapestries, was a blend of tradition and grandeur, each detail reflecting the family’s prestige. Although grateful for the safety of the home, Tabitha felt somewhat out of place. Her mornings began early, with the sound of servants moving through the corridors and the scent of fresh tea and baked bread coming from the lower floor. After breakfast, served in the hall lit by tall windows, she often wandered through the vast, well-kept gardens, trying to find some inner balance. The servants had already grown accustomed to seeing her wander among the rose bushes, lost in thought, and sometimes Amélie would accompany her, always offering gentle and encouraging words. ”My dear,” Amélie would say as she adjusted Tabitha’s hat to shield her from the sun.” The world is now full of possibilities. Don’t be afraid to explore them.”