by Jerri Hines
Joseph pulled on the wagon brake and reached across to halt her descent. “Wait until they finish their inspection of the house.”
She waited in silence. A reply would only invite him to talk more. She inched over away from him.
“Is it that bad?” he asked. “Can you not abide me around you still?”
“Why can you not leave me alone, Joseph? Do you take pleasure in torturing me so?”
His eyes met hers. “It isn’t that and you know it. I’m not going away, Jane. I told you I don’t care about this marriage you have found yourself in.”
“And I have told you that whatever we had is long over. I don’t want you and don’t know how to tell you any plainer.” Her voice rose louder than she intended. “It was over before I met Sumner, Joseph. Don’t keep holding to Sumner that he is at fault. Leave him alone. Hold it against me if you are angry or better yet your brother.”
He glanced over her with his mouth upswept in a cocky fashion. Gone was the pleading in his manner. Before he could say anything, a voice cried from behind him, “Major, it is clear.”
“Thanks, Radcliffe,” Joseph replied.
Leaping down, he rounded the wagon and reached up to help Jane descend. She wanted nothing more than to slap his hand away. She ignored his offer and reached toward the grip.
The next moment two strong hands gripped her waist. Momentarily air bound, she landed upon her feet. Protest lay upon her lips, but his finger covered them. His eyes intent upon hers.
Breaking the mood, Jane jerked back out of his arms. He let her go, but she felt his eyes following her as she scrambled up the stairs and into the house.
She heard him laugh. Oh, how she wished she could tell him to leave. She could demand it from Colonel Leckie, but within her was a vivid fear—a fear that Joseph stood between her and his brother, and in that she found herself weak.
Widow Hanson’s house slave, Moses, leaned against the door, holding it open for her. He looked harshly at Joseph as she passed. “You will find Mistress Hanson in her bedroom. She is a little confused this day, Mistress Meador. Thank you for coming. I believe she thinks you are the other Mistress Meador once more.”
“Thank you, Moses,” she said.
She glanced back. Joseph stood on the porch, but made no effort to enter. She breathed a sigh of relief and walked up the stairs.
Chapter 13
Sumner wasn’t mad…he was furious. From his vantage point he witnessed his wife in the arms of another! He saw plainly the officer who pulled her down from the wagon. Even from the distance, he recognized the look the officer gave her.
He wanted nothing more than to call out the offender. How dare he insult Jane in that manner or was it that he was mad with himself for not being with her? He needed to calm down.
He felt Israel place a hand on his shoulder and motion him forward to a raised mound of earth. Bending down, Israel opened a buried door.
Long ago when the house was built, the threat of Indian attacks had led to creating an alternate route of escape. Tonight, though, it led to his wife. He looked around.
Luck was with him, all the soldiers seemed to be outside waiting. Good! He leaned down and followed his friend.
Quietly, Sumner made his way through the tunnel into the basement of the old house. Walking up the stairs, he waited until Israel signaled him and then entered the kitchen, keeping low from the window.
The door to the adjoining room remained open. Israel had arranged for Donia, Widow Hanson’s housekeeper, to stay at the main house for the night. Crawling across the floor to the vacant room, Sumner stood back up to his full height.
Adrenaline ran through his blood, for only feet outside the house soldiers searched for him. If they came inside the house, there would be no escape, but he was willing to take the chance to see Jane.
The quaint room sat in darkness. Impatience played on his nerves. Why did he not go upstairs and tell her himself? No…it was too dangerous. Then a sudden fear developed within him. What if she wanted him no more? What if she couldn’t take the mess he had thrown her into?
A light patter upon the wooden floor made him turn. Standing in the doorway was the one he had dreamed of since he had left her weeks earlier. Her face flushed, but glowed with a smile that brightened the dark room. Before her next breath, he had her in his arms.
Neither said a word, but responded to each other’s touch. With reluctance, he broke from her, but held tight to her hand.
“Come. Let us go where we can talk without fear of being found,” he whispered, pointing to the hall floor. “Under the rug is a hatch. I will go and lift it.”
Israel stood guard at the door and gestured to Sumner it was safe. Easing over carefully, Sumner held the hatch up while Jane tentatively descended into the hidden cellar. He followed. Firmly, he shut the hatch and listened for Israel to cover it with the rug and table. A slight boot kick from above signaled all clear.
Sumner straightened himself to full height at the bottom of the steps. He found Jane staring at him in disbelief. Her eyes sparkled, giving light to the dark, dank cellar. The small lantern in the corner cast its glow toward the tunnel outside, but suddenly he had no desire to move from the spot they stood.
He had told himself it would be enough to see her…talk to her. Now, though, it changed. His senses dictated by a need to have her. Foolish. Outside, British sentries patrolled. Though, he reasoned, Israel guarded the door. He had his beloved in his arms…his very desirable wife.
His yearning overwhelmed his good sense. He wheeled her into an embrace, pushing her back against the damp wall. Those beautiful eyes looked back at him and reflected her own need. She kissed him.
His lips locked upon hers with an urgency understood by both. A dark primal instinct ignited. His hands ran over her body. Pushing back the edge of her bodice, he freed her round, perfect breasts. Instantly, his mouth clamped on her breast. His hands pulled up her skirt as he opened his pants and lifted her on his hardened arousal. He felt her as he had never before. He wanted her, needed her…no matter the risk or consequence.
Her gasps only served to encourage the onslaught on her body. Her dampness told she wanted this as his hot pressure thrusted into her. She responded with her own feral desire for the stolen moment. Her lips placed wild kisses along his shoulder and neck; clawing grips on his back.
Desperate now, he thrust deeper. A small whimpering sound of need escaped her. In defiance of the bounds placed upon them, he filled her. Tremors quaked and spread like wildfire with the power of their passion beckoning them onward.
She grasped him like a mad woman. The rhythm of their bodies spun into ecstasy, higher and higher, spiraling into a world of answered pleasure and need.
Neither moved and remained joined, holding onto the moment for every blessed second allowed. Finally, he pushed her disheveled hair off her face and whispered, “I love you, Jane Meador.”
He watched her smile at the use of her name, the name he had given to her. Unable to find her voice, she mouthed the words. “I love you.”
They stood there in silence, afraid, perchance, that all would change. His hand ran through her hair. They didn’t have much time. He had so much to say, and he couldn’t as they were now.
“Dress and we will talk,” he whispered in her ear.
She nodded and slowly withdrew from his arms. He pulled his pants up, but his eyes remained upon her. She glanced up and smiled. He helped her straighten out her gown.
Taking her hand, he led her to the tunnel leading away from the house. They exited into the woods. Looking back over their shoulders, they watched the British soldiers patrolling the grounds around the house.
“Come,” he said. He had no desire to be seen.
The silence continued until they came to a clearing. Then, Sumner turned her to him and once more had her in his embrace.
“God, I have missed you, woman.” He ran his hand tenderly over her face and kissed her again. “I have been so worried.
Forgive me for not preparing you better for what you were to face.”
“I am fine as long as I have you.”
“Are you truly? I wanted you within my home because I believed it for the best, but now I wonder it if was the right decision.”
“I have tried, but Elm Bluff is a large plantation. I thought you a simple mountain man. I…” She hesitated. “I don’t do well in society, Sumner. I’m afraid I’m a simple country girl. I hope I haven’t shamed you…”
“Shamed me—never. I have heard you have done most admirably, my brave, courageous wife,” he said, kissing her again. “It is not you. Charles Town has changed. I fear that the British are about to unleash their frustration upon us. It may be that I should send you to England…”
“No,” she said with a firm tone. “This is your home, which now is mine. We won’t run. Caleb loves it so.”
“I saw him this afternoon when you called for him. He’s grown so. I want to see him also, but I’m afraid if it becomes known of my appearance it will make it worse for you.”
“He likes to fish at the river’s edge. Israel takes him often. You might not be able to tell him you are his father, Sumner, but you may find you can see him. He idolizes you so. At times it is the only way to get him to do what I want.”
“He shouldn’t be like that…”
Her smile widened. “He is his father’s son, Sumner.”
“I want you safe, Jane. I wasn’t expecting Bloody Benny to follow you. I’ve heard everything.”
Her eyes broke from his. Sumner reached for her, bringing her face up to his. “I will write to my sister—”
“No,” she responded emphatically. “I won’t run from my home again by the threat of terror. General Durham has ordered him directly to stay away. And then Joseph has—”
His body tensed. “Joseph. Joseph Williamson. Benny’s brother? Is he the one you nursed back to health? The one that helped cut down your family.”
She said nothing, but her chest heaved as if she couldn’t breathe. Breaking her gaze from him, she turned.
He wouldn’t have it. Gripping her arm, he swirled her back to face him. Her eyes told him before her words.
“Yes, it is he.”
Sudden jealousy gripped his soul, edging into his voice. “Who is he to you?”
For an endless moment, she stared at him as if she couldn’t utter words caught in her throat. Finally, she said, “Before the raid, we were to be married.”
He released her…his anger grew into fury. “Don’t tell me he is the one that brought you here tonight!”
“How…would you know that? But, yes, he sits upon the porch awaiting my return.”
“How could you, Jane…”
“Stop!” she cried. “Don’t look at me in that manner! I haven’t been untrue. I didn’t tell you, because it didn’t matter. I thought I would never see Joseph again. When we were together, my thoughts were on you. I have no feelings for him. All I felt died the day my family was laid into the ground! Do you think I would allow him near me if I had control? Tell me what you want me to do, Sumner, and I will do it. Tell me!”
Sumner wanted to pound something, anything. He walked away from her. All his frustration raged a war inside of him. He turned back to her. Tears flooded her face. She crumbled down onto the ground. His anger dissipated. He sat down beside her and drew her into his arms.
“Don’t…I’m sorry, Jane. It is just…I’m not here. You’re in danger and I fear I can’t protect you in the manner I should. I want you and Caleb safe. Let me send you to my sister’s,” he reasoned. “Only till the war is over. For after I leave, I fear there may be retaliation and if they figure out I had something to do with—”
“No,” she stated emphatically. “I won’t leave. It is hard enough with you not here, but to put an ocean between us…I could not bear it.”
“But you would be safe. I could not bear it if something happens to you.” Tenderly, he pushed her hair out of her face. “And the boy doesn’t need to live in this unrelenting tension.”
“Can we not go with you? Sumner, I don’t need a large house. I want only to be close to you.”
“You can’t, Jane. I wish, too…” He sighed with a heavy heart. “I have to go now. And you have to return. I want no one to suspect. But know I won’t leave without seeing you again. Go with Caleb fishing in the morn and I will be there if at all possible. But, no matter, don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself and Caleb. Know I will find you…I will always find you.”
She nodded. God, he didn’t want to leave her this way. He pulled her up to her feet into his arms. He kissed her with intensity as if there was no tomorrow.
* * * *
Jane walked slowly back upstairs. She looked in on Widow Hanson, who was sleeping soundly as if she had no cares in the world. Then, she walked over to the window.
How her heart sang on Israel’s announcement that Sumner was downstairs waiting for her. Now emptiness filled her.
She would soon return to Elm Bluff. She had a need to see Caleb. Her heart ripped apart upon Sumner’s departure. He was reluctant to send her to England for the same reason she was reluctant to go. It would put a whole ocean between them.
How could she explain to Sumner that he had become her life? Jane needed him more than she had even admitted to herself. She wanted his arms around her. She wanted him to protect her. She wanted him here and that wouldn’t happen soon.
Jane watched the soldiers outside, huddled together and laughing—they were the reason Sumner couldn’t be with her. Their mission intent upon capturing Sumner—to hang him. Sumner had risked everything to see her. If they had caught him…
Moreover, Bloody Benny loomed over the horizon, ready to seek his revenge. No, Sumner was right. As much as she hated to concede it, England would be safer.
She brushed off her dress the best she could and frowned. She had stains on her gown and her hair was a mess.
Looking in Widow Hanson’s mirror, she pulled it back the best she could and pressed her gown down.
One more glance. She nodded. At least, she was presentable. Hoping only no one noticed her puffy reddened eyes, she walked downstairs.
* * * *
Driving the wagon back to Elm Bluff, Joseph said nothing. He had only to look at Jane to know that something was bothering her. Something was different. She was clearly upset. Slowly, the realization dawn upon him.
He didn’t have to ask her what was wrong— he knew.
Pulling the wagon to a halt at the front entrance, he watched her run up the stairs without a word. He made no effort to stop her.
Instead, he went in search of Colonel Leckie. Despite the lateness of the hour, Joseph found him in the study doing his reports.
Raising his head on Joseph’s appearance, Colonel Leckie asked, “Is something the matter?”
“Sumner is here.”
Joseph’s words resonated in the room. Anger filled him. He grabbed hold of the high-back chair in front of him and slung it against the wall with such force it broke.
“I can’t believe we sat outside! Dammit! I should have known.”
“Are you certain?” Alarmed, Colonel Leckie rose and walked around the desk. “How can that be? Did you not check out the entire area and house?”
“Of course, we did, except it didn’t cross my mind at the time. Houses built at that time put in a means to escape in case of an Indian attack. I will bet anything this house has one!”
“You have me confused, Joseph. I don’t understand. If you heard something, saw something why didn’t you…”
“React? Because it didn’t become apparent until Jane came down the stairs. Her dress was crumpled with stains that weren’t there before. Her disheveled hair… But it her eyes that betrayed her! She had been crying.”
“I will send men out to check the area immediately, and I will go see the general personally. He won’t be happy if you’re correct, Joseph. He suspected as much.”
“
If Sumner’s here, I will find him,” Joseph stated as a fact not in question.
Chapter 14
In the morning, Jane awoke to the noise of men shouting. Leaping from bed, fear swept through her. She looked out the window and panicked. British soldiers swarmed the plantation, running about as if searching for something or somebody.
They know. Oh, my God! They know. She reached for her dressing gown.
She glanced over at Caleb and Roscoe. Wide-eyed, Caleb sat straight up.
“What is the matter, Mother?”
She eased down by his side. Calm yourself. Think. They would not be searching so if they had captured him. No, they are looking. She had to find Israel.
“Nothing.” She gently caressed his face. “I want you to be upon your best behavior this day, my little General.”
To her surprise, Caleb reached up and hugged her neck tightly. “I will, Mother. I hear them, too.”
She nodded and kissed the top of his head. “Don’t worry. But I need to see what is going on. I don’t want you around the soldiers this day. Whatever you do, I want you and Roscoe to stay far away from them all. I know you don’t understand, but it’s important. Wait here, both of you, until Careen brings you breakfast.”
“I will.” His little voice sounded so brave.
She glanced back, opening the door. “Stay,” she reminded him and closed the door as she exited. She rushed down the hall. Where was everyone? Careen? Willard? She paused at the top of the stairs.
General Durham in full uniform stood with his back to her in the middle of the foyer. Others mingled around him. Her first thought was to run back to her room and gather Caleb up, but too late. He turned and glared up at her.
“Good morning, Mistress Meador. Pray, come down and join us.”
“I haven’t readied for the day,” she said, nervously pushing her loose hair from her face. Her eyes fell upon Joseph, who stood behind the general.
“It isn’t an issue. Come down the stairs or I will have you brought down.”
Gripping tight to the railing, she immediately understood the situation. Slowly, she eased down the staircase. Summoning all her courage, Jane held her head high.
