Lavender felt her knees go weak, but she met Grimsley's eyes without faltering. It was important to her that he not see the tremendous fear that pounded in her heart. "Am I not to be given a trial then?"
"There will be no formal trial. I think you should know that in time of war it's not unusual for a hearing to take the place of a trial. But let me hasten to add that English tempers are running high just now. One of our men, Major Andre, was executed by your Americans, three days ago. He was found in civilian clothing, and the Americans refused to treat him as a prisoner of war. Instead they hung him as a spy."
Lavender read the sad truth in Colonel Grimsley's eyes. She was to be hung to satisfy the revenge for this Major Andre's death. "Why go through the mockery of a hearing, when, in truth, you have already convicted me in your mind? Who will be my judge and jury?"
He looked cautious for a moment. "You have me all wrong. I will see that you are treated fairly. I have appointed three of my best officers to hear your case." He spread his hands, and studied the tips of his fingers. "You will be allowed to speak in your behalf. You must remember, I myself saw you operating as the Swallow. My testimony alone would be more than enough to convict you."
"Can I assume that this absurd stab at justice is what the duke wants?"
"Of course. He once told me he wanted to see you hang. Pity he will not be here to witness his triumph."
Lavender could not believe that Julian wanted her dead. Yes, he was angry with her, but surely he couldn't want her death! "Would not a public trial satisfy the duke's lust for revenge much better?"
"No, no, His Grace would never chance a public trial, where he would run the risk of having his brother's shame exposed to the world."
Lavender felt as if her heart had been mortally wounded. Of course Julian would feel her death was justified—her life, in exchange for his brother's. Why should that surprise her? Had he not come to America to see her punished?
She turned her back to Colonel Grimsley, and said, with just a touch of wistfulness in her blue eyes, "I can see that the outcome has already been decided, Colonel. Prepare your hearing, I will be ready."
Never had Colonel Grimsley admired a woman as much as he admired the Swallow at that moment. She did not beg or cry for her life. Few men would have stood before him so bravely, after being told they were condemned to die. As he prepared to depart, he spoke to her in a kinder voice. "You have not been ill treated while staying with us, have you, Miss Daymond?"
She managed a slight smile. "No, I have not been ill treated."
Grimsley walked across the room feeling guilty about the secret he was keeping from the three military officers who had gathered for the hearing tomorrow. If they knew about the child Miss Daymond was carrying, they would spare her life, at least until the child was born. That must not be allowed to happen. He assured himself that he was doing the right thing. The Duke of Mannington would be angry if she was set free. Grimsley also reasoned that he was doing what was best for Miss Daymond. If it became known that the woman was with child, without benefit of marriage, she would be humiliated. At least Miss Daymond would be spared that indignity. He pushed his guilt aside. Yes, he was doing the right thing. Surely His Grace would approve of the arrangements he had made to dispose of the Swallow.
Stopping at the bed, Colonel Grimsley glanced at the pink frock that Lavender was to wear for the hearing. He had seen how innocent she could look. Perhaps it was not a good idea to have her appear before her accusers looking like a lovely angel. He did not want her to influence the officers who would have to condemn her to death. Making a quick decision, he scooped up the gown and started for the door. "I have decided that this gown will not be appropriate for you to wear tomorrow. Holly can see that you are made presentable in your own clothing."
Lavender looked down at her attire, knowing Grimsley had changed his mind about the gown. Dressed as she was, it would not take much imagination to convince the officers that she was indeed the Swallow, for what sensible young woman would don a man's attire. "As you wish," she said in a cool voice. "I prefer my own clothing anyway."
When Lavender was alone, the brave front she had projected to the colonel crumbled, and she dropped to her knees, raising her face in prayer. "Give me the strength and a brave heart to face whatever comes," she pleaded. "Please, I beg you, do not let me weaken and shame myself before my enemies."
Tears fell unheeded down her cheeks. If asked, Lavender could not have said if she were crying because she was about to die, or because she felt Julian had betrayed the love she had so freely given him.
Colonel Grimsley had set up headquarters in a plantation house that had been deserted by an English family who had fled to England when the war had broken out. He had chosen the study as the room where the hearing would be held. A table with three stuffed leather chairs had been placed at one end of the room. In the middle of the room there was a straight-back chair where Lavender would sit to face her accusers.
Two guards led Lavender down the two flights of stairs, past a wide hallway, where Colonel Grimsley was seated on a wooden bench, awaiting such time as he was called upon to testify against her. Apparently he wanted it to appear as if he were adhering to the law, and to present some symbolism of fairness at this imitation of justice.
Once inside the makeshift courtroom, Lavender stood straight and proud as she faced the three officers who would be her judge and jury. Her black britches outlined her slender frame. The white ruffled shirt was almost the same color as her pale skin, for in truth she was feeling nauseous and very alone and frightened. It helped her to think what Chandler would do under the same circumstances.
When one of her accusers motioned for her to come forward, Lavender's thigh-length black boots clicked as she walked across the wooden floor. She had chosen to wear her hair loose, so golden curls framed her lovely face and tumbled riotously down her back', giving her exactly the angelic look Colonel Grimsley had wanted to avoid.
One of the officers, a portly gentleman with a hooked nose and narrow lips, was the spokesman for the trio. "You are Lavender Daymond?" he asked in a clipped tone.
"I am," she replied. "May I know who you are, sir, as well as my other judges?" she asked, noticing they were in formal dress uniform, with their medals proudly displayed across their chests.
The officer looked taken aback for a moment, then cleared his throat. "I am acting adjutant, Captain Linton. To my right is Captain Davis, at the far end is Captain Payne. Are you now ready to hear the charges that have been brought against you, Lavender Daymond?"
Her eyes sparkled with pride and dignity. "I am ready, sir."
"Lavender Daymond," he said in a clear, loud voice. "You stand before us accused of treason against your country. How do you plead?"
Her eyes met his defiantly. "I plead not guilty, sir" came the clear reply. "My country is the United States of America, and I have never by word, thought, or deed, done anything to betray her."
Captain Linton's face reddened and he sputtered with anger. "You condemn yourself out of your own mouth, Miss Daymond. You may not choose to recognize the fact that you are an English citizen, but you are one all the same!"
"No, sir, I am not English." Her eyes challenged him even from the distance. "I am an American!"
In the hallway, Grimsley had his ear to the closed door, trying to listen to what was being said in the room. When he heard the movement behind him, he stood up with a guilty expression on his face. His eyes twitched anxiously, and his mouth gaped open in shocked surprise when he saw the Duke of Mannington. "Your Grace," he sputtered, "what are you doing here?"
"I will ask the questions, and you will answer them, Grimsley. I want to know what in the hell is transpiring in that room, and why you thought you had permission to transport Miss Daymond away from Virginia?"
Grimsley saw the tired lines under the duke's eyes, and he wondered how the duke had found the strength to make the journey in his condition. "You need have no worry, Y
our Grace. Miss Daymond's trial is in progress at this very moment. She will be punished to the full extent of the law. You have my solemn word on that."
Julian had ridden horseback all night to get there, but he was hardly aware of the pain in his back because of the anger that burned in his heart. "How dare you take it upon yourself to conduct a trial for Miss Daymond without first consulting me." Julian then demanded, "Has she been well treated? By God, she better not have been harmed in any way."
Colonel Grimsley shook his head. "She has not been mistreated, Your Grace, and every care has been taken for her health. As a matter of fact, when she fainted yesterday I called in a local doctor to examine her." Grimsley saw Hendrick standing just behind the duke, so he lowered his voice. "The doctor was not aware of her true identity, so he will never be able to connect the hanging with the woman he saw here yesterday."
Julian's eyes narrowed, and if Grimsley had known him as well as Hendrick did, he would have recognized the danger signal. "What was the doctor's finding?"
Grimsley lowered his voice to a whisper. "Miss Daymond is expecting a child, Your Grace. I am sure she is not aware of her condition, and I decided not to inform my three officers who sit in judgment of her today, since they might be squeamish about such a delicate matter. They may not want to condemn her to death if they know she is with child."
Julian completely lost control. Grabbing Grimsley by the shirtfront, he slammed him against the wall. "You bastard, I will see you in hell for this! If anything has happened to her, I'll kill you!"
Grimsley was trembling as he stared into dark eyes that were filled with rage. "I .. . thought this was what you wanted, Your Grace. The first day we met you said—"
"To hell with that. Do you think I would be a party to murdering an innocent baby?" Julian bit out, releasing his hold on the man, and watching as Grimsley's eyes dilated with fear. Julian's eyes were contemptuous as they burned into Colonel Grimsley's. "Did you say the trial is in progress at this moment?"
"Yes, Your Grace. It is taking place just beyond that door."
Julian pushed the door open far enough for him to view the proceedings. He saw Lavender standing before the three stern-faced officers, her back straight, her gaze unfaltering. He thought how alone and defenseless she looked. He glanced over his shoulder to Grimsley. "Is there a woman who can look after Miss Daymond?"
"Yes, there is the maid, Holly."
"Send for her. I want her to take Miss Daymond upstairs immediately. After you have done that, come back here to me."
Grimsley scrambled to his feet and lost no time rushing down the hallway to do the duke's bidding. He had assumed what he was doing would please His Grace. He now knew he had been wrong, and was eager to make amends.
Julian listened as Captain Linton spoke to Lavender. "You come from a rebellious lot, you Americans. You are rabble-rousers and troublemakers. But you will find in the end that victory always goes to the strong. It has always been thus, and I suspect it will always be so."
"What about David and Goliath?" Lavender boldly reminded him.
"Do you make mock of the Bible, Miss Daymond?" Captain Linton fired at her.
"Not at all, I was merely pointing out to you that the strong do not always win."
Captain Linton stared at her in irritation. "There are always exceptions to everything," he said heatedly. "I was speaking in general."
"Then I will speak in general to you. Another like case of David against Goliath is America against England. England has her superior military strength, and a trained army that would rival any fighting force in the world. But with all her might, she will not withstand America's ragtag armies, which are made up of farmers and shopkeepers. When a nation is fighting against tyranny, they can always find an inner strength."
Captain Linton gasped with hot indignation. "Again you condemn yourself out of your own mouth. You would do well to guard your tongue, Miss Daymond."
If Julian had not been so angry, he would have been proud of Lavender as she bravely stood her ground. "Why shouldn't I say what I feel? You have already convicted me in your minds. If I am to die, I will have my say."
Julian chose that moment to push the door open all the way and move into the room. Colonel Grimsley, having summoned Holly, entered just behind him.
"Gentlemen, excuse me for interrupting this so-called tribunal," Julian said in a decisive voice. "But I will also have my say."
At the sound of Julian's voice, Lavender whirled to face him, her heart pounding in her throat. His dark eyes moved briefly over her before he glanced back at Captain Linton. So, she thought in anguish, he had come, after all—most probably to watch her die.
"How dare you interrupt these proceedings, sir," Captain Linton stated angrily. "Colonel Grimsley, will you please have this gentleman escorted out of the room, so that we may continue with this hearing."
Grimsley caught the burning anger in the duke's eyes, and he spoke hastily. "I think I should inform you, gentlemen, that this is His Grace, the Duke of Mannington."
Silence fell heavily as Julian walked casually across the room. He passed by Lavender without a glance. He stopped before the three officers. "By whose authority do you sit in judgment on Lavender Daymond?"
The coolness of his voice struck fear in Captain Linton's heart. He knew the Duke of Mannington by reputation, and it was well known that the duke was the first cousin to the King of England. He stared at Colonel Grimsley for a moment before answering the duke's question. "I was led to believe that you gave the permission, Your Grace."
"No, not I. I suggest you each leave as quickly and inconspicuously as possible. If any word of this gets out, it will go hard with all of you. If I were in your place, I would practice discretion where these proceedings were concerned."
Lavender could not believe her ears. Had her love come to save her? She was startled when Holly came up to her and took her arm, gently leading her out of the room. She prayed Julian had not rescued her only to send her to England for a trial as he had once threatened. She heard Grimsley's voice as the door closed behind her and Holly.
"What about Miss Daymond?" Grimsley asked. "Surely you will not set her free?"
Lavender did not hear Julian's reply as he swung around to fix Grimsley with a cold glare. "She is none of your concern, but my responsibility from here on out."
Grimsley bowed and took a step back. "It will be as you say, Your Grace."
While the other men were gathering up their papers and making a hasty retreat, Julian pulled Grimsley aside. "I will be remaining here for a day or two and need to make several arrangements."
Grimsley was delighted he would be playing host to such a distinguished guest. Perhaps he would redeem himself in the duke's eyes. "You are most welcome, Your Grace. It would be my pleasure to personally see to your comfort."
"That will not be necessary, Hendrick will make any arrangements I need. I want to say something to you in confidence."
Grimsley's eyes sparkled. "I would be happy to be in your confidence, Your Grace. You can always depend on my discretion."
"I am counting on that, because I want to talk to you about the baby Miss Daymond is carrying. Was the doctor positive that she was with child?"
Colonel Grimsley was puzzled by the question. "He seemed to be quite sure."
Julian's hand fell heavily on Grimsley's shoulder. "If you ever tell anyone about Miss Daymond's condition, I will see that you are drummed out of the Army. If I were you, I would have a lapse of memory. Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Grimsley said hastily. "I have already forgotten."
Julian nodded grimly, his eyes still showing his anger. "Now that we understand each other, come with me, I have something I want you to do."
Grimsley bowed. "As always, 1 am at your service, Your Grace."
"Go into the nearby town and see if you can find a vicar, or someone who is eligible to perform a wedding ceremony. On your way out, send Miss Daymond's maid to me.
"
Grimsley blinked his eyes, completely befuddled. "Is someone getting married, Your Grace?"
Julian sighed impatiently. "Yes, you fool, I am getting married. Now hurry with my instructions. Time is of the essence."
Grimsley stood as if rooted to the spot. "Do you mean that you and Miss Daymond—" His mouth clamped shut as the truth dawned on him. For godsakes, he had almost made the biggest blunder of his life. Was it possible that the duke was the father of the child Miss Daymond was carrying? Of course, he must be, otherwise the duke would never marry Miss Daymond and make the unborn child his heir! He trembled at the thought of how near he had come to hanging the woman who might be the mother of the future Duke of Mannington!
Lavender did not know what was happening. She had been moved to a bedroom on the second floor where a procession of servants and shopkeepers had been parading through all afternoon. Boxes containing hats, petticoats, gowns, and shoes were stacked on every available space. She stood at the window, unimpressed by it all, while Holly shooed the lady from the millinery shop out the door.
"There, miss, that's the last of them. They hardly give a body room to breathe."
Lavender did not hear Holly because her mind was on the duke. Why was he plying her with gifts of wearing apparel? By rights, she should have been hanged this morning. She had little doubt that if the duke had not intervened on her behalf, she would now be dead. She had not seen him since he swooped into the makeshift courtroom with all the power of a hurricane, but it was for certain his was the authority that had stayed her executioner's hand. He must also be responsible for her being moved to this luxurious bedchamber.
"Miss . .. Miss."
Lavender realized that the maid had been speaking to her and she had not heard one word that she had said. "Please forgive me, Holly, I was thinking about something else. What was it that you wanted?"
Lavender Lies (Historical Romance) Page 21
