The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel [Paperback]

USJohanna Moran comes from a long line of writers and lawyers. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her husband, John.The Wives of Henry Oadesis her first novel.Part One


The Newcomers 1890  

A common bat on the other side of the world elects to sink its rabid fangs, and one's cozy existence is finished.   Margaret Oades knew her husband was up to something the moment he came through the door with a bottle of wine. It was late. The children had gone up hours ago. What's the occasion? she asked, laying out a plain supper of shirred eggs and lardy cakes.  

Henry kissed the nape of her neck, giving her a shiver. I've an announcement, he said.  

Margaret expected him to say he'd found a collie for their son. John, nearly eight now-her big boy, her pride-had been wheedling without letup for weeks. She took down two goblets, hoping the dog was an old one and not some frisky crocus lover.  

A senior passed in New Zealand, he said instead. Of a bat bite, poor bloke. I'm to complete his stint. We're due as soon as possible. You'll want to prepare.   

Margaret set the goblets aside. Henry.   

Two years, sweetheart. He'd proposed marriage with the same pleading look. The time shall sail by, you'll see. It's a grand opportunity, a flying leap forward. I could hardly say no thanks.   

Three weeks later, boarding the steamer tender that was to take them down the Thames and bring them up alongside the Lady Ophelia, Margaret could not recall what she'd said next. Nothing perhaps, stunned as she'd been.  

On board the crowded tender, a child each by the hand, Henry and Margaret jockeyed for position at the rail. Already the narrow boat was moving, spewing gray smoke. Margaret waved to her parents on the quay below, flapping her hankie, straining to pick them out through tears and drizzle. She'd not toldló,