Free So Near So Far by Parkinson C. Northcote

righted herself, leaving booms, gaffs, and canvas in the water. Frantic baling followed amidst a further hailstorm and then the storm passed, the wind became a mere breeze, the waves disappeared, and the mist vanished north-west towards the head of the lake. As when the curtain rises at the theatre, the clouds, dispersing, revealed the fells on either side. The scene momentarily sunlit was one of breath-taking beauty but Delancey was not looking at the landscape. His attention was fixed on
Peggy
and he was relieved to see that she also was dismasted but afloat. Both yachts were at a standstill, with much of the course still to sail. Delancey began at once to make a plan. If he could rig some sort of jury mast and set even the jib alone,
Water Nymph
might still reach Waterhead and return to the finishing line. It would take hours to be sure, but it was still possible for him to win the race. He was still thinking furiously along these lines when there came the boom of a gun from the judge’s boat, accompanied by a signal which Tim Lowther was able to interpret. “The race is over,” he announced with obvious relief, “and the result is a draw.” Sir Roger’s decision was a sensible one for the race, if continued under jury-rig, might not have ended until after dark. It was obvious, at the same time, that Manning had been cheated by ill-luck of a victory which he certainly deserved. As for Ravenglass and Lowther, they had been saved by the Goddess of Gambling to whom their prayers had been directed.
    It would have been physically possible to re-rig the twoyachts and stage another race in June but Lowther pleaded technical difficulties and Delancey made it clear that the race, if it took place, would happen without him. He spoke of another engagement and hoped inwardly that it would prove to be more than an excuse. The whole affair ended in friendly fashion, it being generally agreed that
Peggy
was the faster yacht and that Manning was as good a helmsman as his opponent. Delancey himself would have allowed that Manning was the better of the two, having had far more experience with that type of craft. For him, however, the whole affair was over and his only ambition was to reach York without further delay.

Chapter Five
T HE “C HARLOTTE D UNDAS ”
    T HE COACH was approaching the City of York, where the lights were already lit. The rumbling of the coach wheels became louder as the vehicle passed through the city gates and now the coachman was flicking his horses into a final burst of energy so that he could arrive with a flourish. With stables almost in sight, the horses broke into a canter. The guard sounded his horn, some children waved and cried out, and then the coach swung into an inn yard, the horses plunging as the ostlers ran forward to hold them. The journey was over and Delancey told himself that Fiona could not possibly be there to meet the coach. The letter in which he had given the hour of his arrival would not have come in time. In any case, she would be on stage all the evening. He might expect to see her next day, at the earliest. After all, an actress, a leading lady has her work to do, her parts to learn, her rehearsals to attend…. Then, somehow, she was in his arms! Kissing him on the mouth, she cried, “You
shall
marry me!” Kissing her back he asked, “When?” To this she replied, “Soon!” In the inn yard while the coach was emptied of its luggage, while the horses were led away, while other passengers were greeted by their friends, they hugged each other and Fiona shed a few tears even while laughing.
    â€œIt seemed so long!” she explained.
    â€It was an eternity!” he agreed, adding, “You are more beautiful than I remembered.”
    â€œAnd you look younger,” she replied, “perhaps because you are on holiday.”
    â€œOr perhaps because I am in love.”
    â€œLike you were with Mrs Farren?”
    â€œLike I