Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal)

by Jerri Hines

  At the moment, though, all he could think about was his bed. He was tired. His first horse, then himself. He unsaddled his mount and tended to him. A light from the fireplace in the drawing room could be seen as he exited the barn. It would be good to be in front of a warm fire.

  Martha must have been expecting him, or a guest had stayed up late. He unsaddled his horse and trudged in from the barn in the snow. He would check in on Hannah. He stomped off the snow and took off his boots. Eager to be in front of the fire, but as he set foot in the room, he caught sight of Hannah, asleep upon on the sofa.

  A letter clutched tightly within her hand. The quilt tucked up to her chin. As he advanced, he saw clearly the tear stains upon the paper she held dearly. He bent down to her.

  “Hannah. Hannah,” he spoke gently, placing his hand upon her shoulder.

  She jumped. A look of fright for a moment was upon her face, then realization. “Oh, Giles, I wasn’t aware you were back.”

  “It’s all right. Can I sit?”

  Hannah as if still half asleep sat up. Giles placed his hand upon her shoulders, moving her into his arms. He hadn’t done so since they had come to Setauket. He missed holding her, touching her, but had no desire to cause unfounded rumors to swirl around the small community. She had enough upon her. The fire had burned down, but Giles didn’t care. Hannah sat silently, but laid her head against his shoulder.

  Stillness descended upon the house. No sound could be heard. “Marry me.”

  Taken by surprise, she sat straight up.

  Giles changed positions and put his hand upon the couch to stand. She shook her head and reached for his hand.

  “No, no. Please, don’t go. I wasn’t expecting you to ask that question. That’s all. Please, don’t leave me.”

  Uncomfortable, he eased downward again.

  Her eyes met his. “Why did you ask?”

  “It was just the moment, I suppose. Watching you, holding you such. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t.…”

  Searching his eyes, she said softly, “Giles, I’m so flattered. I don’t know a better man, but you deserve better. You’ve already done so much for me, given me so much. I have nothing to give you. I have nothing and carry another’s child.”

  “I’m not good with words, Hannah,” Giles said simply. “I have thought about it. You seem content here. If you want a new life and don’t want to go backwards, I would raise the child as mine, but I don’t share what is mine. Your past would be the past.”

  He took a deep breath in. He said honestly for he knew no other way, “Hannah, I would try to make you happy.”

  “Giles, you don’t know me. The things I have done,” her voice faltered. “I couldn’t do that to you.”

  “Why, Hannah, are choosing to blame yourself? To accomplish the things you have done, you had to be a brave and strong woman. Why now are you choosing to pity yourself when another one is going to depend upon you soon?”

  She tried to stand, but couldn’t pull herself up. A grin formed upon Giles’ face. Hannah’s temper flared, “You think this is funny?”

  He nodded as his arms went around her. She fought back unsuccessfully. He turned her face to his. “Hannah, I’m comfortable, but far from rich. I could never keep you in the manner your grandfather did. You act as if I’m a bargain. I assure you I’m not. I’m quite stubborn, overbearing and quick tempered. But I do know what I feel. I look forward to coming home because you are here. There’s a purpose. It feels right. Life is too short to question.”

  Her face softened. He continued. “What do you want, Hannah? What do you feel?”

  She paused. Her eyes stared straight into his. “Giles, I want to be happy again. I seemed to have forgotten how to be. But I know I don’t want to leave you. I don’t know how I would have survived these last months without you. I wouldn’t be here if not for you.”

  Giles placed his finger to her mouth. Shaking his head to quieted her. “Hannah, please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

  “Yes, Giles, I would be honored,” she answered and laid her head back upon his shoulder.

  * * * *

  A constant battle ensued within Hannah. Her conscience gnawed within her. Before receiving Jonathan’s letter, she survived only day to day, not thinking upon the next. But the letter in its form forced the reality of her situation upon her. She turned her attention to the now worn page in her hand.

  I received a brief leave after being victorious in the North and now I’m at home. How different it now sits. The truth of all that has occurred never seemed real until my return. Lydia accepted Lanson as her husband and now watches my son, William, who loves her well. I’m certain that she, too, will send her own letter. My heart overflowed with the news of your recovery. We had feared the worst, although understand you have endured much; I can’t express my joy upon your recovery. I know well the price this war has cost our family.

  The fight renewed once more with my visit home, seeing it well within my child and why we fight. We have endured much, Hannah, but we’ll survive. I wish upon all else to bring you home, but Lanson explained that the situation won’t allow such at this time. I won’t be able to come and retrieve you like I would like, at least until after my enlistment.

  I will be returning to the winter encampment, which I understand Valley Forge has become a place of great suffering. But I have a need to return to my unit. I have no intention of slowing down and will work constantly to establish morale among the men. I’m committed to the end of this conflict.

  Know, dearest sister, I’ll find a place for you after your confinement if you are still unable to return to Virginia. I have a friend from Massachusetts whose family would welcome you until you can make your way back to Virginia. Know even though your inheritance was lost, I’ll compensate until we’re able to finally able to untangle this web that has been thrown around us. Don’t have any worries, I have made clear that any need you have I will finance.

  When they told me they had found you, I felt as though I found hope once more, which is something I haven’t had for a long time. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you.

  You have always been my most beloved sister. Jonathan

  Emptiness encompassed Hannah as she read the letter over and over again. The realization of her situation sank deep into her; she was unmarried, penniless and with child. But as he had when he extricated her from Gannon, Giles again set to rescue her. He had made no big proclamation of love and Hannah wasn’t certain if she even believed in that concept anymore.

  Their wedding was a quiet one. She pushed all issues aside, concentrating solely upon her unborn child and her great need for Giles. She stood beside the man who steadfastly refused for her to be swallowed by her past. She recited her vows staring into his eyes and he took her hands in his.

  Giles placed a simple gold band around her finger as they were declared husband and wife. Hope she had thought lost, resurged within her, along with a peace she had so desperately been searching for since the raid that destroyed her family.

  All she knew she had a strong need for Giles. She leaned upon him as she had never leaned upon anyone. She told herself it was her decisions, her choices that she had to live with. She could mourn a love that should have never been, or fight for the life she had always wanted. And when her dreams came and they often did, she turned and Giles was there.

  * * * *

  Upon receiving the news that it was Hannah’s time, Giles ran from the stables the moment he returned from New York. The sun had lowered in the sky as he had ridden back on his route. Long, quick steps he took up the back stairs of the cream colored, broad two story building with wood siding and a high pitched shingled roof. The sign in front proudly beheld “Cooper’s Tavern.”

  Inside, Giles entered into a central hallway and a steep flight of stairs, which he took in no more than three strides. He caught his breath as he met Martha outside the door. “Elijah sent word it’s time.”

  Martha nodded her head. “It�
�ll be soon.”

  “Can I see her? Is she okay? Just for a moment?” Giles asked, winded.

  Martha shrugged. “I don’t know, Giles. Mrs. Simpson…”

  Giles sidestepped his sister and sneaked through the open crack in the door. Hannah caught sight of Giles and a weak smile crept upon her face, even though the pain. Mrs. Simpson worked feverishly around Hannah. A stout homely looking woman she was, serving as midwife for the community, and there wasn’t a better midwife around. But she gasped upon the sight of Giles.

  “Ain’t no place for a man, Mr. Cooper. Hafta go!” she demanded.

  He waved her off and turned to Hannah. “I want but a moment. I promise, Mrs. Simpson. I just wanted Hannah to know I had returned.”

  “We can see that, Mr. Cooper,” she said steadfastly. Hannah looked up at Giles and squeezed his hand. He reluctantly withdrew. He read in her eyes how she wanted him to stay beside her, but neither was brave enough to face the wrath of Mrs. Simpson.

  “I’ll let you know immediately, Giles,” Martha assured him as she closed the door leaving him alone.

  He paced the hallway, having long since lost track of time, before he decided he didn’t want to be alone. His mind raced with all the possibilities. He had refused to think of anything other than a positive outcome, but now what would he do if something happened to the baby, or Hannah herself? She had endured so much.

  He walked downstairs to the tavern. He found Elijah handling the crowd that they had that night along with Kenny, a young lad Giles had hired a few years back.

  “Any word, yet, Giles?” Elijah asked as Giles walked slowly down the stairs over viewing a flock of British soldiers.

  “None,” Giles spoke plainly, shaking his head.

  “These things take time, Giles. Something we can’t rush,” Elijah said. He handed over ale to a British officer and poured one for Giles, as Giles joined him behind the counter.

  Giles sighed. “A unit coming through tonight?”

  “Transferring out and the new transferring in,” Elijah acknowledged. The crowd sat about the tables. Their faces glistened off the firelight as they drank and talked.

  Giles stared at all around the room, but his thoughts were up the stairs. Interrupting Giles’ thoughts, a British officer walked up to the bar, “Is this your first?”

  Giles smiled and nodded. “That obvious?”

  “Never been there to know the feeling,” the officer said. “Travel too much to settle down.”

  “Being transferred into Setauket?” Giles asked politely.

  The officer shook his head. “Only a few days. Then I’m off to another assignment. Never around one place too long.”

  “Hard road, I’m sure,” Giles kept glancing up toward the stairs.

  “Nothing as bad as being bedridden, I can assure you. I’ll take moving around and being back in action,” he said simply. He studied Giles. A hand clamped down upon the Brit’s back.

  “Captain Elliott, the boys and I would enjoy your company. Even buy you a round.”

  “I couldn’t refuse that, can I? Good luck, old man,” Captain Elliott said and readied to step away from the bar when Martha emerged upon the landing.

  “Giles, Hannah’s asking for you.” Giles bounded up the stairs. He heard Martha behind him announce, “It’s a boy! A healthy boy!”

  Straightway, a loud cheer erupted with Elijah bellowing a round on the house.

  Giles stopped momentarily outside the door. It opened suddenly as Mrs. Simpson made her way out. She carried a bundled up pile of bloodied cloth. “Now, you can go in. I’m going to have me some supper. Great job by all. She’s fine and the babe’s a strong, healthy boy. Strong pair of lungs on him.”

  “A boy? Healthy?” he asked as he couldn’t believe the words.

  Mrs. Simpson smiled. “Believe it’s what I said.” She slipped through the door and grabbed the doorknob to shut it behind her. “I’ll be back to check on everyone.”

  He stared at Hannah, who lay, pale and tired, but beaming. He knelt down beside the bed, but she gestured for him to sit beside her. Her eyes fell upon the newborn infant as if she couldn’t believe what she held.

  “Is he not the most perfect baby?”

  “And you’re fine?” Giles asked and reached instinctively out to touch the babe’s small fist. With a head full of dark hair, the red faced infant looked content in his mother’s arms.

  Hannah turned her face upward toward Giles and reached to hold his hand. “Giles, I don’t believe I have ever been this happy. Thank you.”

  Happy tears welled up; a few fell from her eyes.

  Giles wiped them away.

  She took the small bundle, wrapped tightly and placed him into Giles’ arms. Uncomfortable at first, Giles looked down upon the small one.

  “Cradle his head. Yes, like that,” Hannah softly said. “Giles, I know I wouldn’t have my son now if not for you. And although in blood he’s not yours, you have given him life. You asked me what I wanted. It was hard to answer, for I was confused, but right now here with you, I couldn’t be any more content. That’s what I want, but I want you to feel the same. I want to be a real family. Is that too much to ask?”

  “No, it’s not,” Giles uttered. His eyes stared down at the baby, who had wrapped his small fist around Giles’ finger. “I want that, too.”

  Hannah hesitated and then tentatively said, “I have been thinking of a name. If you don’t want it, I quite understand, but I want him to be ours.”

  Giles looked back at her and smiled as his eyebrow shot up. “I’m listening.”

  “What of Seth Daniel?”

  Giles narrowed his eyes and his smile faded.

  “I’m sorry. It was just a thought. Another is fine,” Hannah murmured. Her spirit dampened. “Martha had said….”

  “It was my father’s,” Giles finished for her. He leaned over with the babe in his arms and kissed her. “Seth Daniel is a fine name for my son.”

  * * * *

  Captain Thomas Elliott sat upon his horse and watched through his eyepiece. His horse panted, but Tom drew him back in. For the last week, he had observed the young Cooper family. Captain Andre had requested a report on Hannah’s condition. Tom would have to report his findings with reluctance. There could be no hiding the child was born alive.

  He had well stayed his distance, not wanting to put her on guard. The Americans had to know that the British would keep an eye upon her. He would have to conclude they were content to have her where she was.

  Tom could remember little of the night of Hannah’s abduction. He had tried as he lay recovering from the stabbing. Guilt plagued him, for he had ignored Reverend Brown’s warning. Perhaps Hannah was correct that the British were arrogant, for he had never fathomed a surprise attack as had been enacted.

  He stared through the eyepiece once more. Hannah stood within the doorway of the inn as her husband rode up. She held the little one in her arms. Tom sighed. She seemed content now as he had never seen before.

  He doubted she would ever again be a threat against the crown with all she had gone through, but the damage had been done. He well suspected that Marcus had known what she was capable of, but he, himself, had pieced together bits and pieces.

  As he had lain within the confinements of his recovery, he had replayed the weeks at her grandfather’s. The memory of her conversations, her manipulation of all around her, knowing now of her connection to the dressmaker, she must have sent some vital information to him through the fittings she herself had recommended. What, he didn’t know. And didn’t know how she would have obtained such, unless that night she visited her cousin.

  She had sneaked out of the house seemingly undetected, but Tom had followed her. He had watched her enter her cousin’s house. He had waited to detain her when she tried to escape; hoping to catch her link at that time, but Hannah had surprised him and returned to her grandfather’s. He had assumed at that time she had just visited her cousin.

  Tom realiz
ed he had underestimated her as many before him, but in his opinion, the British had underestimated the Americans as a whole. Then he thought back to her return which had saved him. She wasn’t heartless, only passionate for her cause. He had thought long and hard about the situation, but had told no one of his suspicions.

  Infant mortality was high among the first year. His commanders would sit back and observe Hannah closely. If the child survived, he supposed then Captain Andre would inform Marcus. But Marcus was a proud man and Tom could never see him leaving his son here once he knew of his existence.

  And there was still a war to contend with. General William Howe had been replaced by General Henry Clinton. General Clinton would not sit back as General Howe had done at times. Tom had heard the rumblings of a Southern campaign. He expected to receive his orders upon his return to New York. Marcus, he imagined would be part of the campaign for he had understood that he had been promoted to General. If that was the case, then he suspected that Andre would move into the head of intelligence for General Clinton.

  Tom knew well that Clinton and Marcus didn’t see eye to eye often, but knowing Marcus as well as he did, Marcus would be out to make a statement in his new position. If it was like he deduced, he assumed Marcus would make him his right hand man. The British had to make a stand quickly, for the rebellion had well gotten out of hand.

  Tom sat quietly upon his mount watching the large figure of a man descend off his horse. He walked over to Hannah, smiling broadly. He glanced down at the infant and back at Hannah.

  Her husband was well taken with her; that was obvious. And the gathering of information about Giles Cooper was he was neutral within the war, leaning toward the British. He would conclude that Hannah wouldn’t be going anywhere and, more importantly, would be doing no more harm. The child was safe.

  Tom folded the eyepiece back. There was nothing more to do here. He bridled his horse back toward the road and with a kick galloped down the road. He had a war to attend.

  THE END

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