Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (43 page)

He helped Lorona into the carriage and climbed in beside her. As they pulled away from General Clinton's home Lucas stared out into the night.

Lorona leaned forward and placed a hand on Lucas' arm to get his attention. "You love your wife very much, don't you, Lucas?" she asked.

"Yes, very much."

"I saw your wife when she first came to New York. She is very beautiful. This separation must be hard on both of you."

"The war will not last forever, Lorona."

"I get the feeling you don't want to discuss your wife with me."

"The one thing I always admired most about you, Lorona, was your quick perception. Do we go to your house or mine?" he said, changing the subject.

"Let's go to mine, it's closer."

"What does it matter? I suppose we have given the gossips enough to talk about," he said, sighing heavily.

"Lucas, I know you love your wife, but you must be very lonely. I myself have been very lonely since Tom died. We could help each other over this rough time. Everyone already believes the worst about us."

Lucas smiled. "If I were not so much in love with my wife, Lorona, I might just take you up on your tempting offer. I am sure you will not take it personally if I decline. Good lord, I must be out of my mind to turn down such a tempting offer. Before I met Season I would never have hesitated to please a beautiful woman."

Lorona laughed. "I hope the new Mrs. Carrington knows how fortunate she is?"

Lucas smiled. "Perhaps you will tell her, if you ever meet."

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Lucas."

He laughed. "Nor do I. The last thing a wife wants is to have her husband's virtues pointed out to her by another woman."

"I still think she is most fortunate, Lucas."

"I am the one who is fortunate, Lorona. Season is like no other woman I have ever known."

"Pray that this war is soon ended, Lucas, and you can return to your wife."

"I believe the wheels of war have begun to grind down even now, Lorona."

August 20, 1781

The allied forces, commanded by General George Washington, had crossed the Hudson River. When General Clinton heard of the crossing he felt that he had made the right decision by ordering the British fleet to remain in New York waters to defend the city from the American general's expected attack. It wasn't until the American army crossed the Delaware heading south that it became obvious to Lord Henry Clinton that he had been tricked! Consequently, George Washington marched unopposed to join Lafayette at Yorktown. Meanwhile, the French fleet reached the mouth of the York River, trapping Cornwallis' forces between them and Lafayette's land forces.

When the British fleet, commanded by Admiral Groves, finally arrived to help their surrounded troops it was too late. The French fleet gave battle, and managed to out sail, outshoot, and outsmart the British. Admiral Groves was forced to take his crippled fleet back to New York for repairs, leaving Cornwallis to fend for himself.

September 28, 1781

The French and American forces, commanded by General George Washington, surrounded the British and German Hessian troops. It wasn't until October sixth that Washington began the attack. The battle raged for twelve days, until Cornwallis knew he had been defeated. The war was, at last, nearing an end. America had won an important battle and was well on her way to being free!

October 19, 1781

The British and German forces marched out in front of their posts. Their uniforms were neat and tidy, while the American troops were a rag-tag lot. Many of the Washington's soldiers didn't have uniforms. There was a sharp contrast between the opposing armies. As the American troops drew up parallel to the British and Hessians, the line stretched for more than a mile.

George Washington was sitting on horseback, patiently waiting for Cornwallis' surrender. The British general couldn't bring himself to hand over his sword to Washington, whom he considered no more than a traitor. He ordered his second-in-command, General Charles O'Hara, to offer the sword to Washington. But Washington, aware of the insult aimed at him by Cornwallis, refused the sword. Washington's deputy, General Lincoln, accepted the token of surrender in place of his commander in chief.

It was with great reluctance that the British officers ordered their men to disarm. Many hated glances were directed at the American soldiers as the defeated army stacked their weapons in a huge pile.

Lafayette's young face was eager as he looked at General Washington. "It is over, sir. The war is ended," he said, smiling proudly.

Washington looked toward the sea where he could see the
Andromeda
's sails catch the breeze as she headed out to sea. He smiled to himself, thinking of how The Raven had managed to come ashore to watch Cornwallis' surrender. No one else would ever know that The Raven had kept the British fleet in New York long enough to allow him and his troops to reach the South and defeat Cornwallis.

Washington turned back to Lafayette, a grim expression on his face. "There will yet be battles to fight, but for all intents and purposes, the war is ended. I am weary of this war and will be glad to become a planter again."

32

Season was sitting on the veranda, going through the mail. She knew she wouldn't receive a letter from Lucas, and she couldn't really blame him for not writing her. After all, she had told him she would not read any letter he wrote. Still, each day she waited and hoped for some word from him.

Picking up a letter with unfamiliar handwriting she broke the seal. She smiled to herself when she saw it was from Mrs. Tibbs.

My Dear Lady Season,

I take pen in hand to say how surprised I was to find out you married Lucas Carrington and not his dear cousin, Edmund Kensworthy. I do hope you know what you are doing, my dear. I heard of dear Edmund's death and many of us think he just didn't want to live after he lost you.

I hope you won't think I am prying, but I think someone should tell you that your husband is seeing a lot of a certain widow, Lady Lorona Southerland. I don't approve of gossip, but I myself have seen the two of them together. It's easy to see they are more than friends. I do not wish to upset you, but I think you should know what is going on.

I send you my highest regards and wish you all that happiness can bring.

Your loyal friend

Edna Tibbs

Season placed the letter on the table and stood up. Tears of anger at his betrayal blinded her. How could Lucas do such a thing? Her heart shattered into a million pieces and an agonizing sob broke from her lips. Lucas didn't love her—he couldn't—not if he found pleasure in another woman's arms. Edmund had warned her that Lucas was seeing Lorona Southerland, but when Lucas had told her it wasn't true she had believed him. Mrs. Tibbs would never have written and accused Lucas of being with the woman if she hadn't believed it to be the truth.

She walked into the house and slowly climbed the stairs. In the last letter she had received from her father he had asked her to come home to Chatsworth for a visit; perhaps she would do just that. She would wait a few more days for Lucas to come home, and if he didn't, she would consider her father's suggestion and return to England.

*                                          *                                          *

Season was arranging a bouquet of fall flowers in a vase when Rebecca came running into the house, her cheeks glowing and her eyes shining.

"Season, it's over, it's over. We have won!"

Season was trying to make sense of Rebecca's excited clamor. "What are you talking about? What's over?"

"The war is over. America is free!" her sister-in-law cried excitedly.

Season almost dropped the vase she had been holding. Her hands were shaking so badly she spilled some of the water onto the floor, so she placed the vase on the hall table. As she watched Rebecca dance gleefully around in a circle, Season's heart sank. She was happy that America had won her independence, but she couldn't help feeling a painful ache because the land of her birth had suffered defeat and humiliation.

"Where did this happen, Rebecca? When did you receive the word?"

"At Yorktown! Robert came home this morning and told me all about it. As soon as I could get away, I rushed over to tell you. General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington yesterday!"

Season closed her eyes. Her life seemed to be filled with conflicting emotions. She didn't know whether to laugh because of the victory or cry because of the defeat.

Rebecca seemed to sense Season's torment and she hugged her tightly. "I know how you must be feeling, but perhaps the time will come when our two countries will become friends again. After a period of healing on both sides, I believe that's just what will happen."

"I pray what you say will come to pass, Rebecca. I am so torn within my heart."

Rebecca took Season's hand and led her into the sitting room. Once the two girls were seated, Rebecca smiled. "We must look on the bright side. You have been alone so much, because of Lucas' absence. Now that the hostilities have ceased my brother will be coming home to stay."

"Yes, I suppose you are right. I wonder how Lucas will handle the end of the war?"

Rebecca sighed. "I wonder about that myself. I hope our friends and neighbors will put aside their hostile feelings toward Lucas. In time, my brother will come to know that he was misguided in his choice of a government for the United States."

"I pray that is so, Rebecca. Lucas did what he thought was right, just as Robert did what he considered his duty. They stayed friends despite the difference in their political views."

"I know Lucas felt strongly about his loyalty to the British. Right or wrong, he has always stood up for what he believes in." Rebecca defended her brother.

"Have either you or Robert heard from Lucas?" Season asked softly.

Rebecca looked at Season and saw the tiny shadows under her eyes. She couldn't understand why Lucas neglected his bride so shamefully. "No, we have heard nothing. Have you still not received a letter from him?"

"No, nothing since he left," Season saw no reason to tell Rebecca of what Mrs. Tibbs had written about Lucas and Lady Southerland.

Rebecca patted Season's hand. "Try not to fret. One day soon Lucas will come home. I just know he will! If he has not written, there must have been a good reason."

Season stood up and walked over to the window to stare out at the trees with their bright autumn colors. She had many reasons to distrust Lucas, and she didn't know if she ever wanted to see him again.

She didn't tell Rebecca that she had received a letter from her father asking her to come home. He had written that the war was going badly, and he feared for her safety if she remained in America, thinking she might become the target for revenge. He thought she might be in danger since the colonists seemed to despise everyone and everything British, and he felt it would be wise for her to come home to Chatsworth until things cooled down.

Season had almost made up her mind to return to England. Now that the war was over she would give Lucas one more week to come home. If by the end of that time he hadn't put in an appearance, she would pack her belongings and sail for England and Chatsworth.

In the early evening Season walked in the garden, watching the multicolored leaves drift to the ground. It had been over two weeks since Rebecca had told her about the end of the war, and still she had heard no word from her husband. Her trunks were packed and tomorrow she and Molly would sail for England.

To Season's surprise, Molly had been the one who put forth the loudest objection to their departure. She had adamantly aired her view that she didn't consider it proper for a wife to desert her husband without first letting him know she was leaving.

Season allowed her eyes to move over the land. It was painful to be leaving Rosemont, and Virginia. She had come to love it here and considered this her home.

She shook her head. What right did she have to expect fidelity from Lucas? He had once said he loved her, but she had doubted the sincerity of his words. She had been his wife such a short time; still she didn't feel obligated to sit at home alone while he paid court to another woman. If she had owed him a debt, she considered it now canceled.

Turning her footsteps back to the house, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She would go back to her father and hope she would never hear from Lucas again. She was so absorbed in her misery that she didn't see the shadow that moved from behind an oak to stand in her path, but when Season heard the deep raspy voice her head snapped up, and she stared at the dark cloaked figure.

"Were you not expecting me, my lady? I told you when the war was over I would come to you one more time."

Season could hardly catch her breath. "What are you doing here? Go away and leave me alone!"

"Are you not glad to see me?"

"No, I am quit with you and Lucas Carrington. I want nothing that will remind me of the grief I have suffered because of you both."

The Raven chuckled. "Could your ill temper be caused by the fact that your husband and I have neglected you so shamefully?"

Season's temper soared. "You may find cause to laugh at me, but I can assure you I find no humor in anything you have to say. For your information my trunks are all packed. By tomorrow I will be on my way back to England. I never want to see you or Lucas again!"

"Lucas was a fool to leave you for so long. You are feeling neglected and who can blame you."

Season's eyes blazed. "Move aside and allow me to pass, Raven. I am in no mood to listen to you. I cannot take much more from you or Lucas."

Suddenly The Raven seemed to tense. "Have we both hurt you so badly, my lady?"

Season could feel tears gathering in her eyes. "I just want to go home."

The Raven was quiet for a moment; then he reached out and pulled Season into his arms. "If it is your wish I will take you to England," he whispered against her ear. "If you do not wish to go to England, I will take you back to the island where we once swam in the sea. Would you like that?"

Season closed her eyes, feeling The Raven pull at her heart. There was a time when she would have given her life to hear him say those words to her. Now it was too late. She was a different person from the innocent girl he had once known. She had felt love for two different men, but neither loved her. Season knew that deep inside she still yearned for a true and lasting love. She wanted a man to love her totally and wildly. Neither Lucas nor The Raven had been able to satisfy that need. Both of them had asked more of her than she was willing to give.

Season raised her head and stared into the black leather mask. "No. I cannot allow you to take me to England, and I will not go with you to your island. After tomorrow I will never have to think about you again."

The Raven touched her face with a gloved hand. "Actually, my lady, you have little choice as to whether you want to go with me or not. You see, I have come to take you away, with or without your consent."

Season stepped back a pace. "Surely you aren't saying…you wouldn't try to—"

"I believe the word you are having difficulty with is 'kidnap,' Season. I abducted you once before, this time it will be even easier."

"I will scream, Raven. You can't just come to my home and spirit me away as you did before. There are many here at Rosemont who would stop you."

"There are those who would try," he said, reaching out and lifting her into his arms.

Season struggled when he placed a hand over her mouth. She couldn't believe this was happening to her again! Surely The Raven couldn't be so bold as to abduct her a second time! She ceased struggling when he lifted her over his shoulder and carried her toward the back of the garden and out the gate. He had removed his hand from her mouth and Season knew if she were of a mind to, she could scream loudly enough to bring someone to her rescue. She considered the consequences if she were to call for help. Whoever challenged The Raven, would surely lose his life.

Once outside the garden, The Raven placed Season on her feet and she saw that a carriage was waiting for them. Looking back at the gate, she wondered if she could outrun The Raven.

"Don't try it, my lady. I would only come after you and cause us both a great deal of trouble."

"I despise you!" she spat out. "You are a black hearted pirate."

He merely chuckled. Scooping her into his arms, he placed her in the carriage and then climbed in beside her.

Season moved into the corner and faced him defiantly. "How can you justify what you are doing to me, Raven? The last time you abducted me, you had a cause—this time there is no excuse. I don't know why you are doing this!"

"It's really very simple, my lady. I want you."

"Lucas will never stand for this. I am his wife and he will hunt you down."

"Your husband will have a very difficult time tracking us, my lady. The
Andromeda
leaves no tracks to follow," The Raven declared in an amused voice.

As the carriage raced on through the night, Season realized the hopelessness of her plight. She stared into the darkness, barely able to see The Raven since he blended in with the shadows. Suddenly she realized that he had braved danger to see her. Was he not risking his life by kidnapping her? Surely that must mean he loved her. She thought of Lucas, he hadn't even bothered to come home to her when the war had ended.

Season felt an ache deep within her and she wished with all her heart that it was Lucas who sat across from her. She realized in a flash that it was her husband she wanted to be with and not The Raven. She knew suddenly that even if Lucas didn't want her, she still couldn't betray him.

"I will never allow you to touch me, Raven. If you think you can win me over as you did the other time you abducted me, you are sadly mistaken," Season declared in a voice that shook with emotion.

Before The Raven could answer, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. He opened the door, jumped to the ground, and pulled Season into his arms.

"No, I will not go with you," she declared, kicking her feet and trying to escape his grasp.