Freedom's Light

by Colleen Coble

  “Outside?” Bewildered, Lydia’s lovely face was creased with a frown.

  “No harm done. Your son thinks he shall starve if you don’t feed him.”

  Distracted from her questions, Lydia looked down and smiled at the crying babe. She unbuttoned her shift and began to nurse him. “He looks much like Galen, does he not?”

  “I was thinking that myself when I picked him up this morning. Galen will never be able to deny his paternity.”

  “Galen would never try to deny it!” Lydia smoothed a hand over his downy hair. “He will love the babe when he sees him.”

  “Of course not, Lydia. I only meant that he would be proud to see himself so clearly in his son.”

  “Methinks John and I shall go find him as soon as I am well again.”

  “You cannot.” Hannah couldn’t keep the words back though she knew it would just make her sister more resolved to have her own way. “John is much too young to be traveling about the countryside in the middle of a war.”

  Lydia surprised her by nodding. “You are right, Sister. I may have to wait a bit. I shall write him a letter and tell him of his son. He will find us.”

  Hannah breathed a sigh of relief. There was not much chance of that. If Galen wanted Lydia and his son, he would not have sent her away like he did. He doubtless thought he was well rid of them both. They had likely seen the last of the man.

  Two days out of Gurnet, the nor’easter struck. Birch stayed with the crew on deck battling the wind and waves. The cold wind lashed the ship with fury, and the men took turns warming up in the cabin below. The wind drove them off course, and by the time the storm had ended, they were another day’s distance from their goal.

  The first clear morning after the storm, Birch woke with a sense of purpose. This was the day. He would have his vengeance today. They were far from shore, an ideal place to drop the major overboard. He dressed with haste, took his sword and his pistol, and went to the hold.

  He unlocked the door to Montgomery’s cabin. “Come with me.”

  Montgomery took one look at his stony face and backed away. “No, you cannot do it, Captain.” He put his hands up as a shield. “Take me to the authorities and charge me with murder, but don’t just leave me in the sea. What about sharks?”

  Birch gave a bark of laughter. “Sharks would be fast, Major. Face your death like a man.”

  Montgomery gave him a disdainful glance. “What do you know about being a man? If you were a real man, you would face me in an honest fight.”

  “The way you killed my brother in an honest fight?” Birch’s voice was low, but his remark hit home. The major flushed and his eyes went flat.

  “Fine. But my demise will be on your conscience, Captain.” He pulled on his coat and stood waiting.

  “I can handle it.” But could he? He was beginning to wonder. Could he even do it? He felt a shaft of shame at his feeble determination. Where had his resolve for vengeance gone? Montgomery should have been dead already.

  Birch motioned for the major to come out of the cabin, then unlocked Galen’s cabin as well. He should witness the execution so he would be too afraid to back out on his promise to Lydia.

  Galen eased to his feet and smiled at Montgomery. “So your death warrant is about to be served, eh, Major?” He slipped his arms into his coat sleeves and picked up his tricorn hat. “I shall enjoy seeing you flailing in the waves.”

  “Just remember you shall suffer the same fate if you double-cross me.” Birch felt as though he’d made a bargain with the devil. Galen was a slippery villain.

  Galen’s face darkened. “I will remember.”

  Birch marched them to the deck. A pale sun shone weakly from a light-blue sky. Cold gray waves battered the hull of the ship. He remembered the feel of the ocean’s cold grip himself. He’d fallen overboard in the winter once, and only the quick response of his crew had saved him. He’d been near death in only moments. The crew had put the plank out for Montgomery.

  “Get on the plank,” Birch said, his heart pounding so hard he found it hard to think. The Scripture Hannah quoted to him floated in his mind. “Vengeance is mine; I shall repay, saith the Lord.” Hannah’s now-familiar words pestered him again. “Jesus must save you. I cannot.” He willed all those words away. He’d waited years for this moment. Years to watch Montgomery pay. He would not let soft words from Hannah deter him from his purpose.

  But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t still God’s voice in his head. Turning to look into his enemy’s face, he saw the fear in Montgomery’s eyes. In that moment Birch knew killing him would solve nothing. It wouldn’t bring back his brother, and it wouldn’t satisfy that place in his heart that wanted an end. No ending would ever come, even if Montgomery died. Birch would still have to live without his brother and without his Hannah.

  He couldn’t do it. His shoulders slumped, and he stumbled to the other side of the deck. Falling onto his knees he released his bitterness and hatred.

  “’Tis yours, Lord,” he whispered. “Forgive me for my hardheartedness.”

  The astonished murmurs of his crew broke through his introspection as though from a great distance, and he rose to his feet. Light. He felt light and free. The heaviness he’d carried since Charlie’s death was gone.

  He spun around and faced Montgomery, still standing on the end of the plank. “Get down. God has convinced me to leave you in his hands.”

  An astounded smile dawned on the major’s face. He stepped toward the deck.

  “No!” Galen howled. He threw himself forward on his knees before any of the crew could stop him. “He must die.” He shoved at Montgomery’s legs, and the major teetered on the gangplank.

  The major stepped back and lost his footing. With a scream he pitched over the edge and into the icy water below. A crew member wrestled Galen to the deck.

  “Montgomery!” Birch flung himself to the rail and saw him floundering in the gray waves. He seized a cask tied to a rope beside the rail and heaved it overboard. “Grab the cask!”

  Swimming awkwardly, the major struck out for the cask, but it bobbed out of his reach. He made another try and managed to get an arm around it. His face was as white as the foam striking it.

  The man was weakening fast. “Hang on! We’ll haul you in.” Birch motioned for his first mate and another sailor to help him, and they pulled on the rope.

  Birch leaned over the side and shouted at Montgomery, “Hold tight. You’re almost here.”

  Montgomery was barely keeping his head above the water. Waves splashed in his face, and sputtering, he went under several times. When they had him positioned at the ship’s ladder, Birch scrambled over the side to help him.

  “Let me, Cap’n,” Riley said. “’Tis too dangerous.”

  Birch shook his head. “I want to do it.” He felt responsible since he had forced Montgomery to get on the plank. The major was barely hanging on to consciousness. A wave struck him and pushed him out of Birch’s reach. Then a fin sliced through the water. Birch felt pure terror at the sight of the shark.

  “Montgomery! Swim to me! Shark!” Birch yelled the words into the sea. “Shark!”

  The major’s half-closed eyes opened wide, and he turned to see the fin coming toward him. He screamed and cursed, but he wouldn’t let go of the cask and swim to the ship.

  “Swim, Major!” Birch leaned out as far as he dared with his arm outreached. “You have to swim!” He shouted to his men on deck, “Pull, men! We have to get him.”

  The men were yanking on the rope, but the pitch of the ship and the white-capped waves jerked the cask back out nearly as fast as they pulled it in. The major screamed again, and the shark reached him. He gave a choking shriek and was yanked beneath the water. Waves of red bubbled up to replace him, but whitecaps soon replaced them.

  Birch hid his face against the rough wood of the ship and shuddered. He made a slow climb back to the deck. God had truly had his vengeance this day. Montgomery had almost been safe. Birch swung h
is legs over the railing and stood on the deck on shaking legs.

  “Good riddance!” Galen writhed in the grip of the two sailors, and a wild exultation shone from his eyes. “I said I would have my revenge on him, but he did not believe me.”

  Galen laughed, and the malevolent sound made Birch cringe inside. Was that how Hannah had felt when he had vowed he would have his vengeance? He understood now.

  “Take him below,” he told his men. He couldn’t bear to look upon his face.

  He stared out over the empty sea. No trace of Montgomery remained. Now Birch could go to Hannah with a clear conscience. In three days he would see her green eyes again and tell her the past’s shackles on him were gone.

  CHAPTER 30

  Hannah felt as though she had not slept in months, though in truth it had been only a few days. She often found Lydia wandering the house at night. Her eyes would be vacant, and she remembered nothing the next morning. Hannah didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t go to Mother Thomas for help, and Olive was far away in Boston.

  December had come, but the weather had been unusually mild the past few days. The pale-blue sky and sunshine brightened her mood, and she decided to go for a walk while Lydia stayed with the children. She wouldn’t be gone long, and Lydia was always fine during the day.

  She strolled along the path at the top of the cliff overlooking the sea. The choppy waves splashed noisily on the rocks below. Mingled with the sound of the surf, she thought she heard voices. She hurried to the edge of the cliff, then looked down into the cove.

  Two men got out of a ship’s boat and started up the path to the lighthouse. When they were within ten feet of her, her heart jumped. She knew that confident stride. Birch had come back. Joy nearly choked her. He looked up and saw her. Lifting a hand in greeting, their eyes connected as never before, and somehow Hannah realized what that meant. He’d let the past go.

  The other man noticed Birch’s distraction and reacted instantly, pulling the pistol from Birch’s belt. Birch made a move as if to attack him, but the man gestured toward her.

  “I shall shoot her, Captain. Stay where you are!”

  Galen’s voice. Hannah put a hand to her throat and glanced behind her. She hoped Lydia still slept.

  Birch’s hand dropped, and he glanced at Hannah with an apology in his eyes. She looked around for a weapon, but the heavy snowfall had covered any branches she might have used for a club.

  Galen prodded Birch with the pistol and forced him to Hannah’s side. He waved the pistol in her face and laughed as though at a fine joke. His eyes shone with a strange light, and Hannah shuddered.

  “We meet again, sweet Hannah.” His gaze raked over her, and he smiled again. “Just as lovely as ever.” He glanced at Birch. “We shall see who is married to Lydia this day, shall we not, Captain?”

  His cryptic words puzzled Hannah. She glanced at Birch, but he just shrugged. She sensed a coiled power in his bunched muscles and knew Galen would not have the upper hand for long.

  “Hello, my love.” Birch made a move as though to take her in his arms, but Galen jabbed him with the pistol again.

  “She is not for you, Captain. Haven’t you realized that yet?” Galen motioned toward the house. “Let us go to the house and discuss this like civilized folks, shall we?”

  They had no choice, so Hannah led the way back to the house. She just prayed Lydia would realize something was amiss and get John’s sword from the bedroom. A vain hope, she knew. Lydia would never believe evil of Galen.

  The warmth of the crackling fire welcomed them. Galen sighed. He settled in the chair next to the fire and waved the pistol in Hannah’s direction. “Fix me some hot food, Hannah. That fare aboard ship was not fit for man or beast.” He shoved a stool at Birch. “Have a seat, Captain.”

  His eyes on the pistol, Birch sat slowly on the stool. Hannah hesitated a moment. She hated to leave them alone. Galen was so unpredictable.

  He saw her still standing in the doorway. “Now!” he roared. “Do not try my patience.”

  There were knives in the kitchen. Could she use one on Galen? She would if she had to, but she would rather get it to Birch. She was small and slight and would be no match for Galen’s burly muscles. She slipped the largest and sharpest one in her pocket, then took another and quickly cut some of the roast pork on the skewer she’d been preparing for supper. She raked some potatoes from the coals and cut two slices of bread. After putting it on a plate, she carried it to Galen.

  His eyes brightened at the food. “You shall make someone a good wife, Hannah. Birch thinks it will be him.” He laughed again.

  Hannah glanced at Birch. She could see her own puzzlement reflected in his eyes. What was Galen planning?

  “Cut my meat for me. I cannot do it one-handed.”

  She’d hoped Galen would put down the pistol to eat, but he was too sly for that. She took the plate from him and cut up his food. Handing it back, her other hand went to her pocket, and she fondled the knife. If she had the courage to use it, now was the time, while Galen’s head was bent over his plate. But she could not force her hand to pull out the knife and plunge it into his back. All the atrocities he’d committed against her family rose in her mind, and her hand trembled, but still she refused to move.

  Lydia came down the stairs. Her eyes widened when she saw Galen. She started toward him with outstretched arms. “My love, my Galen, you have found me.”

  He looked up from his plate. “Stay back, Lydia. Can you not see I am eating?”

  She stopped. “Of course, Galen. But I am so happy to see you. Would you like to see your son?”

  He nodded without looking up from his plate. “Fetch him.”

  Lydia practically ran up the steps. At the top of the stairs, she looked back down, and Hannah felt a pang at the joy on her face. Poor Lydia. Poor, poor Lydia. So blind, so deceived.

  Within moments she came flying back down the steps with young John in her arms. She held him out proudly for Galen’s inspection. “He looks just like his papa.”

  Galen pushed his empty plate away and stared at his son. “So he does.” A trace of awe tinged his voice. “A fine boy, Lydia. Now give him to Hannah.”

  Lydia stared at Hannah with a question in her eyes. Hannah shrugged. She had no idea what Galen intended. Lydia walked to her sister and handed her the baby.

  “Now tie up the good Captain.” He held the pistol to Hannah’s head. “If you value her life, Captain, you will make no move.”

  “I-I have no rope.” Lydia held her hands out.

  “Well, find some!”

  Lydia flinched at his roar. “Yes, Galen.”

  She went to the kitchen, and Hannah heard her rummaging in the storeroom. Hannah’s heart sank. They stowed rope in there. She stared at Birch, and his eyes told her to have courage. She took heart from the peace and determination in his gaze.

  A few minutes later Lydia returned carrying a length of rope. “Here is some.” She bounced on her toes.

  “Tie him tight.” Galen’s eyes watched her every move with a slight smile. “And stuff a rag in his mouth. I have heard enough of his preaching about forgiveness to last a lifetime.”

  Hannah must make a move or it would be too late. She shifted young John to her left arm and reached into her pocket with her right hand. No one saw her furtive movement except Lydia. In an instant she discerned her sister’s intention.

  “No!” she screamed. She fought Hannah for the knife.

  Hampered as she was by the baby, Hannah couldn’t put up much of a fight, and Lydia succeeded in wresting it from her.

  “Very good, Lydia.” Galen’s smile widened. He gestured to Lydia again. “Tie him up and make it tight. I don’t want him to get away.”

  Lydia slipped the knife into her pocket and tied Birch’s hands behind him, then wrapped the rope around the chair legs.

  Hannah thought Birch might have managed to bulk his muscles as he was being tied to allow him some slack to work with. Given time,
he might work his way free. But she didn’t think they would have much time.

  Testing it for strength, she stepped back and turned to Galen. “Where are we going when we leave here?”

  Galen didn’t answer at first. He just surveyed the scene with a satisfied expression. He stood and strolled around Birch. “I intend to kill you, Captain.”

  Hannah trembled, an awful feeling roiling through her.

  Galen turned to Hannah. “Beg me for his life, Hannah,” he said with a smirk. “If you ask prettily, I might spare him.”

  “Please, Galen, he has done nothing to you.”

  “Oh, but he has. He stole what belonged to me, what I took for myself when you were sixteen. For that he deserves the severest penalty.”

  “You were the one who stole by force what should have been for my husband alone.” Hannah couldn’t still the hot words.

  Lydia frowned. “What do you mean, Hannah? Galen would not force a woman. He is an honorable man.” She turned to Galen. “Is that not so, my love?”

  He snorted. “You were ever a fool, Lydia. She has always belonged to me. When she would not come to me willingly, I had no choice but to take what belonged to me.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened in horror. “It-it is true?”

  Hannah lowered her head and whispered, “It’s true.”

  The horror in Lydia’s eyes bled out into serenity. “No matter. That is past. We shall leave this place with our son and sail to England.”

  Galen scowled. “You still do not understand, do you, wench? You were nothing but a pretty face to pass the time until Hannah could be mine again. Hannah knows she and I were destined to be together. Your usefulness has come to an end.”

  He took the baby in one arm, still keeping the pistol trained on Hannah. “Put your cloak on, Hannah, and fetch a blanket for the babe. We shall take him with us. I would not leave my son in the care of a doxy like Lydia. Do as I say, and I will let your captain live.” He smiled cruelly. “This time.”