Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal)

by Jerri Hines

  Even given the circumstances, he nodded politely. “I believe I have knowledge of Miss Corbett. Giles, can we speak? Pray excuse us for a moment.”

  “Have a seat,” Giles helped Hannah to sit down. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  * * * *

  Rupert waited for his friend in the adjoining room. He glanced back over Giles’ shoulder. Hannah sat with her eyes closed. He opened the pouch and glanced over the contents. “My God, Giles do you know what we have? They look as the whole Burgoyne’s plans.”

  “It was the girl, Rupert. She stole them right underneath their own eyes without their knowledge, I take it,” Giles said. “She has taken many a chance. It’s a good thing we’re sending her home.”

  “Do you know who she is, Giles?” Rupert asked, confused.

  “She is my mission. Benjamin sent me to remove her. I’m certain she’s the one Dr. Corbett’s been adamant about. Benjamin promised him and I promised her,” Giles replied. “I don’t know where you’re going with this.”

  The two engrossed within their own conversation didn’t notice Hannah open her eyes. She could sense a problem. She struggled back to her feet.

  “From my understanding, she’s been under Colonel Durham’s protection. He’s not one to mess with, I can assure you,” Rupert said. “The British are looking high and low for her, rummaging all of New York for her. They have already spoken to me about it. And how long has it been?”

  “She saved my life and wants desperately to get out of New York. She stated as much, and I can see it within her eyes,” Giles stubbornly refused. “I gave my word. I’m not going to abandon her.”

  “Listen to reason, Giles,” Rupert shook his head. “The British captured twenty-five patriotic main supporters within the city tonight. They found the plans of burning the harbor. We can’t jeopardize our network we have carefully laid out. After tonight it’ll be all we have. We can’t be caught. Giles, there isn’t an option.”

  Giles shook off his friend since childhood. “You do what you must, but I won’t turn her out in the streets. What are we fighting for if we treat our own like this? You didn’t see her. I would be dead now. And then what would we be protecting?”

  “We need you, Giles. You’re a vital link.”

  “I’ll do both. I know someone just on the outskirts.” The argument was mute. As the two returned to the back room, the door stood slightly ajar and the girl was gone.

  * * * *

  Hannah walked briskly holding her shoulder. Soon, she felt raindrops begin to fall with a wind swirling around her. Hannah fought against the brewing storm. She had to walk as far away from the newspaper as she could. A realization came to Hannah while she labored on, nothing came above the mission. It couldn’t for it to succeed, which it must. The comprehension that her life meant little now to the network swept through her. She was no longer a viable contact. She could do no more damage to the British.

  She took shelter within a doorway. She pulled her good arm around her. The blood had ceased for the most part. The morning light woke her. She didn’t know how long she had slept. She pulled herself up. The rain had stopped. She started to walk again, not knowing where, blindly. She unintentionally bumped into someone. She couldn’t focus her eyes. Her head began to spin. From a distance she heard someone calling her name; she wheeled around toward the sound, red uniforms surrounded her.

  “Hannah,” a familiar voice called to her.

  Her eyes blinked, but her head spun around. She tried to focus. Uttering as she fell into darkness, “Marcus?”

  * * * *

  Rupert Arnett sat behind his desk. The aftermath of the raid on Haym Tepper’s shop had left no doubt of the fury of the British. British justice had been swift and carried out without the benefit of the public eye. Rupert understood Tepper now lay within the hull of the Jersey. True to his convictions, Tepper betrayed none. Rupert sighed. His heart couldn’t take much more after the last week and he was just beginning navigating this spy network.

  With the greatest reluctance, Giles had left the next morning after news came in that Miss Corbett had been found well away from the newspaper. Giles held resentment toward him about the girl. He had only done what he considered his duty, but in truth he hadn’t realized all, if he had at the time…but it couldn’t be undone.

  He read over the morning story. He had to hand it to the British. He was certain they felt confident in their execution of their plan. Taking many from within New York in one sweep, and one of the main players in Tepper, but if they had any indication of losing Burgoyne’s plans they hadn’t given any indication. He had received news this morning from Giles. The network had conveyed only one word—ecstatic, but he well understood. And the person who had been responsible for such, he had handed back to the British.

  Didn’t Benjamin tell him not to trust many? On many occasions he had seen Miss Corbett, smiling, laughing, and flirting. For many, the attention of such a prominent British soldier would have been sought and flaunted, such as Mrs. Loring. Colonel Durham had much in common with General Howe, each having been born to an aristocratic family that held the possession of wealth and power.

  A knock upon his door frame within his office disturbed his train of thought. His young apprentice, Dave, appeared, “Excuse me, Mr. Arnett. There’s a lady, a Mrs. Millbury. She’s requesting to see you and only you. She said it was urgent.”

  “Never refuse a woman. Eh, Dave, my boy, send her in,” Rupert laughed as he motioned with hand to hurry.

  Rupert stood upon the woman’s entrance. She wore mourning, but the black accented her blonde ringlets edging out from her bonnet. Her blue eyes reddened from obvious crying. He motioned for her to sit and offered her his handkerchief, “Please have a seat, Mrs…. Pray excuse me, I’ve forgotten your name.”

  “Susanna Millbury. You may know of my grandfather, Alexander Clay,” she said simply, but plainly. She had his attention. He walked around and shut the door tightly.

  He breathed in deeply, hoping not to give any indication his concern. He shrugged, “I believe I do. What can I help you with, Mrs. Millbury? You are in mourning?”

  “My dear grandmother passed away not long hence,” she stared straight at him.

  “Of course, I’d like to extend my sympathies. I have heard what a wonderful woman she was. I’m sure she’ll be missed,” he said, able to breathe freely once more. “What can I help you with this day?”

  “Mr. Arnett, I wish to dispense with formalities. I can quite assure you I have no desire to be here, but I’m fulfilling a promise,” she said nervously. For the first time he noticed a package she held in her hands. “My cousin, Hannah Corbett, the one you have so hatefully plastered over your paper requested me to do so.”

  With a somber look, Rupert said, “I’m sure Miss Corbett has been through a lot the last few weeks. You must be proud to have such a brave cousin who helped expose a Patriot spy network.”

  She shot him a hard look. “I’m not certain she feels that way, Mr. Arnett.”

  “Have you seen your cousin? I understand she’s been ill?” he asked, as innocently as he could.

  Susanna hesitated. “In honesty, Mr. Arnett, I tried to talk my cousin out of this. To give this information to another, but she made me steadfastly promise to deliver it to you personally. For some reason, she seemed to think it would be better served with you.”

  “Have you read it?” he asked, watching close her expression.

  “No, I have no desire to either. I’m under no illusions about the contents, though, Mr. Arnett,” she said. She handed him over the package. “I know it pertains to my family’s business practices. I only hope it destroys them all.”

  “I’ll see what I can do, Mrs. Millbury. Of course, I can’t promise anything,” he said as he began to glance through the package. Susanna stood to leave. He walked back around to open the door for her. “Now that we have become acquainted, I hope to see you again soon.”

  She didn’t respond and
left without another word. He watched her leave through the front door and went back to the package. He shook his head. My God, there was enough within to see Clay himself within the Jersey, not for treason, but for cheating the British. But that’s not what it was intended to do. No, he realized her intent. And he would make sure the goal was accomplished.

  * * * *

  Marcus stared out his window. He glanced back over his shoulder. He had her back within his bed, but not in the manner he wished. She lay quietly, refusing to let him touch her, hold her, comfort her. Andre’s plan had worked to perfection, until Hannah had realized the deception. A moment of panic ensued within him until the next morning finding her wounded, walking the streets. When he picked her up, she muttered of going home to Virginia. There would be no going back now.

  The capture of the Patriots within the house had been a stroke of good fortune. Andre had immediately released that the information had come from Hannah with two fold benefit: cutting her off from the network that would believe she betrayed, and allowing Marcus to openly return to England with her without suspicion upon her. The problem lay with Hannah accepting her fate.

  He walked back over to the bed. Her eyes closed, but he realized she only feigned sleep to avoid him. The time had come to address the issues. The doctor said her wound had healed sufficiently. He sat upon the bed. He reached over and caressed her cheek.

  “Don’t touch me,” she uttered under her breath. She tried to sit up and squirm out of his reach. “Where’s Susanna?”

  “I sent her home,” he said gently. “She can return when we have settled our differences, Hannah. We have to talk.”

  “We have nothing to talk about,” she cried. Anger flared in her eyes.

  He grabbed her and pulled her up to his face, holding her in such a manner she had no option but to listen to him.

  “I told you before. It was you who didn’t listen to me. I couldn’t live as such. I’m a Patriot and love my country. That is who I am and can be no other. You tricked me and used me. I don’t understand why I’m not on the Jersey as it was promised to me.”

  He didn’t give in to her, countering, “You are a fool, then. Didn’t you understand I offered you a way out? Did I even question you on any of your activities? Don’t you know I knew? I kept telling you. I was only withdrawing you from the situation. You’re an idiot.”

  “A way out you found acceptable, not me. That was the problem. You told me once I was over my head. Well, you were right. Does that make you happy? You were right. I’m only here because I have to be. Do you know what it’s like to be trapped?” She tried to pull back, but being stronger he wouldn’t let go. She pushed at him and tried to wrench herself free.

  “Hannah, don’t you think I know that? There’s no going back now. Your network will believe you betrayed them. They lost many, Hannah. Where would you go now? Our relationship has become common knowledge.” He paused. This was not the direction he wanted the conversation. He wanted only to heal the hurt she had suffered. He gazed into her eyes. “After all I have done, have I not proved I love you.”

  A sudden calming emerged from her. Silence ensued, but she didn’t take her eyes from his. She shook her head. “I told you, Marcus, I had only a moment. That’s all it could be.”

  “I offered you all I have to give.”

  “I gave you all I had to give, Marcus. Can you understand? Do you have any idea how I would feel when you went to your wife and family? It’s easy for me to pretend she doesn’t exist, but she does. I could never be happy with such knowledge. We’re from two different worlds.”

  “I love you, Hannah.” He reached over and cupped her face in his hands.

  “Do you really, Marcus? Or is it the time we are in? Would you feel the same if the war was over and you were back in England?”

  “I don’t believe you,” he said. “I know within your heart you feel the same as I do. Don’t you think I fought against it, also?”

  “You don’t know me,” she shook her head.

  He bent down and kissed her lips gently, lingering upon them. He kissed her again.

  “Please, Marcus, don’t.”

  He kissed her face, her neck. He whispered, “Tell me now, you didn’t miss me. Need me as I need you. Tell me, Hannah.”

  She hesitated and with the hesitation told him what words did not. “I have no right to feel the way I do, Marcus.”

  “Then tell me what we are to do then,” he said, taking a strand of her hair and played with it with his fingers.

  “I should go home. No matter what has happened, they would never turn their backs to me.”

  He withdrew only far enough to see her face. “We would have a problem, Hannah, because I would never allow my child to be raised anywhere other than England.”

  He needed not say anymore. She knew. He let her cry and held her tightly in his arms, comforting her. The doctor had suspected such when she was first brought in with her wound. She couldn’t hold any food down. The news confirmed when he brought in a midwife. Hannah in her state hadn’t responded to much the first few days, but with the news of a pregnancy, he had his advantage.

  “Hannah, you would have to have known the possibility existed,” he rocked her in his arms. “It’s wonderful news. Something good out of all this madness. Oh, my darling, Hannah, I can understand your feelings and moral code you have put yourself under, but how could it be wrong when we love each other?”

  He stroked her hair, content again to have her back within his arms. She turned her face up to his. “What am I to do?”

  He smiled down at her. “Nothing. I promise I will take care of everything. I don’t want you worrying about anything, except feeling better. I don’t want you out of this bed until we ready to leave for England.”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered.

  “Ssh. Didn’t I say I didn’t want you to worry about a thing? All is behind us. I love you and that’s all you should hold to,” he said. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her tighter. Her arm went to his chest as she laid her head upon it. He smiled and was content.

  Chapter Nine

  Major Benjamin Tallmadge sat quietly, waiting in almost total darkness. Lit only by a candle, General George Washington stared down at the papers. He had looked over them several times, thoroughly with each read. His fingers tapped the table over and over again.

  “You feel these are accurate?” General Washington asked, not looking at his officer.

  From his seat, Major Benjamin Tallmadge responded matter of fact. “As far as I can tell. Extremely detailed. Yes, sir.”

  General Washington squeezed his lips tightly together. “This could change my strategy, Benjamin. I have to know how much faith you hold, personally, in this information.”

  Tallmadge looked his commanding officer straight in his eyes. “I believe it to be as it appears. In the past, the girl has given us some of our most important information. Caleb told me that she copied these details straight from General Howe’s courier while the group of them dined. There is absolutely no indication that they suspect we have them. Having already captured two more of their couriers trying to correspond with Burgoyne, the messages sent gave no indication of a change of plan.”

  “This is the same girl that the British congratulated within their papers for betraying us, giving her credit for the fiasco when we lost twenty-five of our main supporters within New York?” General Washington addressed his concern.

  “As I explained before, the girl was tricked,” Tallmadge continued. “Giles felt strongly about the situation, demanding we get her out. Said she was desperate to withdraw from New York. What I can gather from Rupert, he did what he could to prevent exposure. He didn't realize exactly what she has done for the cause.”

  Tallmadge swallowed hard. “To be honest, General, I believe all have sacrificed for this information. We lost Tepper, although I hear he bought his way out and is now heading for France. But every other bit of information we have gathered has
supported these plans.”

  The General nodded and dismissed the Major, leaving himself alone to decide the course he would take.

  With the morning sun, General Washington made his decision. Even though Tallmadge comprehended that General Washington understood Howe's intent to invade Philadelphia and their own army would have to do battle with Howe, over the next few days, Washington deployed reinforcements to the North. He sent his most aggressive officer, Major General Benedict Arnold, another factor in Major General Benjamin Lincoln, and the Virginia riflemen led by Colonel Daniel Morgan, some of his best troops. All prayed the risk would pay off.

  * * * *

  The heat of the late July sun scorched down upon the well-worn road underneath Peter Lanson. His hat brimmed with sweat as it dropped upon his face. With his sleeve of his shirt he brushed it off. It had been had been less than a month since he was last in Philadelphia, but the time seemed longer.

  Last year at this time, Lanson had been part of the pandemonium which had broken loose with the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Words have a powerful effect with motivating men's action and this was no less. With the signing of the Declaration, there would be no turning back; commitment for all to the cause. He had become increasing aware of the toil and blood the Declaration had cost and would continue to cost this new nation to maintain.

  Clangorous peals of the huge bell in the State House tower rang out proclaiming the free and independent States of America, celebrating the announcement of the intentions of the men who had dedicated their lives and those who gave their lives to create such a union. Lanson thought he well comprehended the importance of all he had done and help accomplish, the significance of the information obtained. Then why was he having trouble finding peace within his soul?

  He had received the news that Jonathan had been deployed up North to General Schuyler's army in Albany whom had been playing cat and mouse with General Burgoyne’s army. The haughty Schuyler wasn’t a popular commander of the Northern army and was at constant odds with Congress.