Chapter 1: Statue of a Lady

1748 England - I lived in a time and place in which the greatest efforts of my nation were bent to dominating the seas. We at first took on this mission as an effort at self-preservation, but it quickly became evident that military dominance was but a prelude to commercial endeavors. The powers of Europe were bent on the same task. Spain was not the sea power she once was, but was still strong and France was reported to be spending large sums on expanding her fleet.

To a large extent the new resources and markets provided by colonial expansion allowed all the powers to grow their economies and England in particular enjoyed this growth. Her colonies provided cotton which the textile mills turned into cloth and linen which was in turn shipped back to these same colonies as well as other countries. England's balance sheet was, as they say, heavily in the black. To keep up with the economic growth, the great shipbuilding yards in Bristol and Chatham were building scores more ships of commerce than warships. Not all the ship's keels were newly laid. In protecting her interests, England's navy was sometimes able to take prize ships which were sent to the shipyards for refitting and a new life under the Cross of St. George.

Without a doubt, life in most English seafaring towns revolved around the sea and Chatham was no exception. I can recollect the day on which the five arrived like it was yesterday. Five prizes taken at once was not a common event. Indeed, one by itself was an event. A prize ship was not only an addition to the fleet, but one less ship in another country's fleet. So it was with no surprise that, though the ships arrived with the dawn, they were greeted by a large part of the populace. The ships had all flags flying and cheer after cheer went up from the docks. This is where my story really begins.

In my opinion, Mary Aster was the loveliest young lady in Chatham. With blue eyes and hair like brushed gold, she stood out from her peers as the sun from the moon. Even so, it was wasn't without the proper introductions to well-placed persons that she was chosen as the sculpter's subject. Her mother had used every possible acquaintance in the effort and when the announcement was made she could not help but be insufferably pleased with herself. After all, the selection of her daughter as the model for Mr. Danglars was sure to place her in circles advantageous for marriage options. To be sure, Mr. Adam Danglars had been chosen by the Lord of the Admiralty himself for the honor of sculpting a new masthead for one of the prize ships that had been reported to be enroute. Befitting the persons involved, an unveiling was performed to the great pleasure of the city's socially elite and the masthead was generally expected to bring good luck to the ship that was refitted with it.