Elizabeth Meyette (15 page)

“No, please, David, let me explain it. Perhaps in the telling, I will find a way to forgive myself. She teased, she stripped, I could not control my reaction, my response. That made her even more intent on completing the mission she had set out for that afternoon. She climbed over me, and, my God, David, I could not control myself. I was like a damn rutting stag and once she began to ride me, I responded in kind … ” Jonathon’s voice broke and he began to sob. “I was unfaithful to Emily and I will never forgive myself let alone expect her to forgive me.”

David stood and put his hand on Jonathon’s shoulder. The ticking of the parlor clock was all that broke the silence. Finally, David sat across from Jonathon again.

“David, she killed Robert. She drugged him and pushed him over the side of his boat,” Jonathon’s eyes were intense, burning with rage. “As I related in the letter I sent to you, she threatened Emily’s life and the life of our child if I did not lie with her. I thought they would be safe, but fear gripped me throughout my time away. I had to return, to see for myself that Emily was safe, and when I heard what happened today — I hate that I cannot be here to protect her.” He dropped his head in his hands and wept again.

“Tell her, Jonathon. Explain to her as you have to me,” David said.

“She does not want to be near me. How can I get her to listen? And if I told her, would she live in fear, a prisoner in her own home? And, David, what if our child is a girl? And what if Deidre bears a son? Oh, this is a disaster!”

Outside, the sound of hoof beats signaled an approaching rider. Jonathon looked around wildly.

“That is probably Andrew returning from Stephen Alcott’s,” David said.

Jonathon spoke quickly. “David, I will contact you as soon as I am able. I must leave and travel through the night.” Jonathon leaned alongside the window and peeked out. “David, I promised Emily that I would be here when our child was born, and I vow I will keep that promise. Please, protect her. Keep Deidre away from her. Oh, God, I do not want to leave her.”

“Jonathon, you must get away quickly. If you are captured, you will be no good to Emily. I will talk to her, try to make her understand what happened. She loves you, Jonathon, you must trust her.”

Jonathon looked at his brother-in-law, his eyes clearer, hope a small flame within his heart.

“Thank you, David.”

The men stood and clasped each other, patting each other on the back.

“Godspeed, Jonathon,” David whispered as Jonathon slipped out the terrace doors and disappeared into the night.

• • •

“Come in,” Emily called softly and sat up in her bed. Bracing herself for an encounter with Jonathon, she was both relieved and disappointed when Joanna entered her bedroom. She carried a tray of tea to the nightstand and set it down.

“I suspected you might still be awake, Emily,” she smiled tenderly noting her sister-in-law’s red, puffy eyes.

“Joanna, I — ,” Emily began.

“Hush, Em. You have had a very traumatic day. You need to rest and stay well for your baby,” Joanna said as she poured tea into the delicate porcelain cups. She handed one to Emily and then sat beside her on the bed. Emily sipped hers and a brief smile crossed her face.

“Is this your special blend of tea, Joanna?” she asked.

“Let us just say it will help you sleep,” she chuckled.

Emily’s fleeting smile was replaced with a somber look as she gazed at the liquid in her cup.

“Joanna, what am I to do? How can this be true? How could Jonathon … I do not even know what to think right now; my world has been turned upside down.” Tears burned her eyes, brimming then streaming down her face unchecked. “How can this be possible? Jonathon and … and … she? How could he betray me like this?”

Joanna stood and crossed to the window watching Andrew arrive at the stables. She pressed her forehead against the glass pane and shrugged her shoulders.

“I have no answer for you, Emily, for I do not know what transpired. My brother is not this kind of man; I cannot believe he intentionally hurt you like this,” she said.

“Well, I do not know how it could be unintentional,” Emily sniffed.

“You will need to talk to him, Emily, to hear him out.”

“I do not want to be near him,” Emily said curtly.

“Then you will never learn his side of the story, Em,” Joanna said gently.

Turning to place her empty cup on the nightstand, Emily looked at Joanna.

“Perhaps learning his side of the story would only bring more pain, Joanna. What if he loves her? What if she predicted the truth? That Jonathon got tired of a ‘child’ and needed a real woman? What if he loved her all along and merely felt sorry for taking me from my home? What if — .” Her voice had risen in pitch at each question, and now the tears flowed freely. Joanna hurried to her bedside and took the trembling girl into her arms. Emily laid her head on Joanna’s shoulder and yielded to sobs that shook her whole being. Joanna rubbed her back and stroked her hair.

“I am so sorry this ever happened, Emily. But I know one thing for certain: Jonathon loves only you. He risked his life tonight to come to you. I do not know what occurred between them, but I suspect it had nothing to do with love,” Joanna said.

Emily’s sobs subsided, but her trembling continued. Joanna helped her lie back on the pillows and tucked the counterpane around her despite the warmth of the night. She brushed a stray curl from her eyes and kissed her forehead. Seeing the heaviness of Emily’s eyelids, she lowered the wick on the oil lamp and placed her cup and saucer on the tray. When she looked back at her, Emily was asleep. She sat beside her for a while, then feeling the effects of the brandy-laced tea, she rose and headed for her own bed.

• • •

Andrew dismounted and led Neptune into his stall. Sweat gleamed off the ebony horse, evidence of their ambitious ride, and Andrew patted his flank in gratitude.

“Nicely, done, Neptune. You are truly the finest horse in the colonies,” he murmured, feeding the horse some oats. Neptune nickered and tossed his head trying to move out of his stall.

“Yes, he is,” a voice answered from the shadows. Startled, Andrew reached for his pistol as he turned and peered toward the sound. Neptune neighed and trotted toward the voice. As Jonathon emerged, Andrew replaced his pistol and smiling broadly, hugged him.

“Jonathon, how good to see you so well.” He stood back and looked closer. “However, I see a heavy weight bears you down this night.”

“Andrew, much has transpired, but I must let David inform you of it. British troops have been pursuing me since I left Yorktown, and I must be away quickly. If they suspect I was here, it will put all of you in grave danger.”

“Then be off, Jonathon. Neptune has brought me swiftly from the Alcott Plantation where there is great news of movement toward independence from Britain, but your horse has many more miles left in him before he rests.” He laughed observing Neptune’s obvious pleasure at being with Jonathon. “I believe you have given him his second wind.”

Jonathon mounted and turned to Andrew, his eyes dark with sadness.

“Andrew, you must see to your sister’s safety. She is in great peril, and I entrust her to you and to Joanna and David’s care. He will explain.” With that, Jonathon nudged Neptune and horse and rider rode seamlessly into the night.

• • •

Noticing a light burning in the parlor, Andrew peeked around the door to see David staring out at the night. Andrew saw how fatigued he looked as he entered and sat across from him.

“I have just seen Jonathon,” Andrew said quietly.

Pulled back from his reverie, David looked at him and sat up.

“He said that Emily is in danger and that you would explain everything to me.”

“It has been a long and difficult day, Andrew. We discovered the cause of Emily’s illness today and it seems there were other … uh … difficulties … ”

Andrew caught his breath.

“No, not complications with Emily or the baby, rather, other problems.

“Emily is all right, then?” Andrew asked looking toward the staircase.

“Emily and the baby are healthy and safe … ” David said weighing his words. “I believe she is asleep now.”

Andrew nodded, satisfied that he could wait to check on his sister until the morning.

David brushed his hand over his face. Looking at Andrew, he realized that he was no longer a child, but a man who deserved to know the facts, all of the facts, that surrounded his sister’s close brush with death.

“Andrew, pour us each a brandy and have a seat.”

David explained the events of the day and what had occurred between Jonathon and Deidre to cause such misery. A cold lump settled in Andrew’s gut as he listened carefully and recognized clearly what Deidre was about. And he had almost participated in her devious plans. He winced as he realized what effect this news must have had on Emily, and what effect it would have had on Jenny had he complied with Deidre’s offer. He shuddered as he comprehended how fortunate he had been to avoid Deidre, and rage burned within him at the thought of his sister’s close call.

“She will not come near my sister,” he vowed.

“She has been banished to the east wing of the manor, and to grounds away from the terrace so to prevent any encounter with Emily,” David explained.

“Is that enough? We cannot trust her,” Andrew argued. Rising he snatched the poker and stabbed at the cold logs in the hearth sending one rolling impotently onto the floor. “She must leave Brentwood Manor!”

“Yes, we believed that, too, but if she carries a son and Emily a daughter, she will bear the heir to Brentwood Manor. Jonathon insisted she stay here, as would be expected,” David said quietly. The parlor clock ticked loudly in the still night as Andrew digested this information. Letting out a deep breath, he returned to his seat. This night had not evolved as he had anticipated as he urged Neptune along the roads. This would require much contemplation. Expecting to find serenity at home, Andrew instead had found personal danger to rival what the patriots faced in Williamsburg. And while his family was of utmost importance, he realized that the larger cause of freedom and the spirit that inspired people to risk their lives to attain it demanded their attention as well. Finally, he leaned forward.

“David, I have news from Williamsburg,” Andrew whispered excitedly.

“What news, Drew?” he asked.

“The Virginia Convention has adopted the Declaration of Rights, David. Jefferson is drafting an explanation of our quest for independence to be sent to Great Britain. Williamsburg is abuzz with talk of war, of being free from the constraints — no the chains — of Parliament,” Andrew’s words tumbled out. He had ridden so far and waited so long to share such exciting news, and yet David seemed a bit reticent. “They want you to go to Williamsburg to join the debates and discussions, David.”

David looked down at his empty brandy glass. “I am not sure I can leave Brentwood Manor at present, Andrew,” he murmured. Despondency filled his eyes as he looked up at the younger man.

“You must go, David. They are depending on your guidance and your leadership. I will remain at Brentwood Manor to ensure Emily’s safety. Believe me, the hounds of hell could not get to her if I can help it.” Andrew’s jaw clenched and his hand tightened around his glass.

David reached out and clapped his shoulder. “You are a good man, Andrew,” he smiled.

Andrew warmed at his compliment, especially since he used the word, “man.”
Yes,
Andrew thought
I am a man. Fully capable of protecting my sister, and fully capable of presenting myself to Jenny and proclaiming my love to her.

David rose and wiped a hand across his eyes. “It will all need to be sorted out, but that must be left for another day for I am weary and in need of my bed,” he said. “Thank you for taking on the responsibility of communications with Williamsburg. You have done exceptionally well, Andrew,” David said, smiling at him. “Let us retire, for tomorrow may hold some interesting possibilities.”

They climbed the stairs, and as he turned toward his room, Andrew glanced down the hallway toward Jenny’s room. No light shone beneath the doorframe. He shrugged and entered his bedroom.

Emily awoke aware of a heaviness that had nothing to do with her pregnancy, for it was a heaviness of heart. Opening her eyes, she spotted Jonathon’s shirt flung across the room, lying in a heap near the hearth. Like a stab, it brought back the painful reminder of the previous evening. Tightness gripped Emily’s throat as she fought back sobs. She closed her eyes as if willing the truth of Jonathon’s infidelity away, but she knew it was not possible. If what Deidre had proclaimed last night were true, her life would never be the same.

How fate had frowned on her life with Jonathon, tossing obstacles in their path of happiness at every turn. First, the awkwardness of their situation as guardian and ward, then Emily’s accusation of Jonathon as a traitor, the attack on the Cosgrove house in Williamsburg, the death of James and Martha Cosgrove, Jonathon’s dear friends. He had brought her to them because they shared her Tory loyalty, and he thought she would be safe in their home. But the rebellion had reached fever pitch and after the attack on their home, they, too, planned to return to England with Emily. James was killed by the British who captured Jonathon, and Martha died of a broken heart.

Jonathon’s capture. She rolled over and clutched her pillow, tears dampening it as she cried. She had thought he was dead … because of her. For months she had grieved for him thinking her life was over, too; only their child kept her alive. Then news of his escape, proof he was alive. Oh, it was all too much.

Lying on her back, Emily stared at the canopy. Images ran through her mind of all the hardship that had befallen them. She had much to consider, but she knew wallowing in self-pity was not going to improve her health, her state of mind, or the circumstances. As if a fog were clearing, she began to see more lucidly. She would need to confront Jonathon and hear him out, no matter the cost in anguish. Then she would decide a direction to move in, once she had all the information. For she would not live beneath the same roof as Deidre. She was not sure that she was incapable of doing her harm.