HF - 03 - The Devil's Own

by Christopher Nicole

  So for the coastguard cutter it was just a matter of sailing, and returning home. Why, he might be a gentleman of leisure, with naught to do but amuse himself. For the harbour was opening ahead of him, and Myers the mate was giving the order to shorten sail preparatory to anchoring. And when he was rowed ashore in his jolly boat there would be no frowns to greet him and no boos, at least from the common folk, while the planters seldom came into town nowadays. Although today he saw Harding, and two others, gathered at the far end of the dock, pinching their lips and glancing at him, but offering no greeting. They hoped for mail.

  Something to tell the Governor. A horse waited for him, and he nodded and smiled as he rode up the street, exchanging a greeting with Barnee, looking out for Abigail and her baby as he passed the warehouse. Sometimes even Astrid Christianssen was there to greet him. But never Dag. Rumour had it he scarcely left his books and his work. An unhappy man. Because his daughter had failed him.

  But she had not failed herself. Once through the town Kit could whip his horse into a gallop, and storm up the hill, under the shady trees, to rein before the gleaming white balconies and verandahs of Government House, against which the brilliant red and green of the hibiscus hedge stood out in sharp contrast.

  She walked on the lawn, towards him, put up her cheek to be kissed. No, indeed, she had not failed herself. The slight air of defensiveness which had used to accompany her like a cloak had gone, aHd forever, he hoped. Now she was proud to be seen by his side, proud to live with him as his mistress.

  'It is good to have you home, dearest,' she said. 'And did the ship behave as you wished?'

  'She is a treasure.' Kit walked towards the house, holding her hand. 'Daniel has done me proud. And how is the great man?'

  'He broods, and writes letters. I think he has missed you, Kit. Certain it is he has asked for you to go up to him the moment you returned.'

  'Then I suppose I had better do so. But he has no other solace?'

  She climbed the wide, shallow steps in front of him. 'Oh, indeed. Mrs Chester comes here quite blatantly now, at least twice a week. I think this island must be so inured to scandal that there is no longer even comment. Not that I should pass judgement. Why, often enough she sits on this verandah with me and enjoys a cup of tea. For are we not two of a kind?'

  'Sweetheart.' He caught her hand again. 'You know I would set that right, if I could. I do not suppose ...'

  For they had heard nothing of Marguerite since her tumultuous exit from the scene of the duel.

  'Rumour, as usual,' she said. 'How now no one is allowed on to Green Grove at all. I believe even a messenger from Goodwood, informing her of her father's death, was turned away.'

  'Philip is dead?'

  She nodded. 'A week ago. I think this is what is upsetting Mr Parke. The funeral was used as an expression of solidarity by the planters. 'Tis said there was not a man of them absent. Which makes the non-appearance of Mrs Hilton the more surprising.'

  'By God,' Kit said. 'He was clearly dying when last we met. But what of Celestine? And my children?'

  'I understand Mrs Warner will sell Goodwood and return to England.'

  'With Tony and Rebecca? By God, they'll not be whisked across the ocean. I shall have to pay her a visit. But it is, as you say, inconceivable that Marguerite did not attend her father's funeral. But then, is anything about Marguerite as it seems? I still cannot understand her behaviour that day on the beach. Had her voice not been so clear and sane I would once again have supposed her to be demented.'

  'Or sorrowful,' Lilian said. 'Believe me, Kit, I often lie awake at night and wonder at the wrong I have done her.'

  'Yet our love had come to an end before I came to you, Lilian,' Kit insisted. 'The affair is now closed. She sought her revenge, most cruelly, and you stood up to her and forced her to admit defeat. And you were right, in everything about her. She admitted how much she had wronged you by her action on the day. Can you not forget that?'

  'No,' Lilian said. 'I cannot forget her so long as she looms so large in your mind.'

  'My mind? Why ...'

  'You should not try to dissemble, Kit,' Lilian said severely. 'It is not in your nature. Green Grove, with its mistress, is too deeply embedded in your heart for either of us ever to overlook it.' She freed her hand as they reached the upper floor. 'You had best go to the Governor.'

  Kit hesitated. But she would do better when she had been given more time. Even now, happiness was something at which she would have to work. And he could do no more than help her, when she wished help. He knocked.

  'Kit? Come in, man. Come in.'

  He opened the door. For his office, Parke had appropriated the best room in the house, intended as an upstairs withdrawing room, wide and high-ceilinged, with glass doors opening on to the upper verandah, and standing wide to allow the breeze to enter. A huge mahogany desk faced the doors, and from his chair the Governor could look out across his lawn at the sea and the harbour. Yet he did not appear contented. A sheet of paper and a quill lay on the desk in front of him, and he played with the silver inkstand.

  'Kit,' he cried. 'Thank God you are back. You've made an arrest?'

  'I have seen but a single ship, and she was out of Bristol. And I even sailed into St Eustatius itself.'

  'Aye.' Parke scowled. 'They know you too well, as they know me.' He got up, paced the room. 'They will make no move. They wait ... do you know, I had supposed it was Warner himself restraining them? God knows I have pushed and prodded and provoked long enough. I had supposed, when their acknowledged leader died, that they would react, and strongly. But by God, they do nothing. Save refuse to grant the necessary supplies. Every day I am assailed with more bills, and every day I possess less funds. By God, this matter must be settled soon or government will become impossible.'

  'I will tell you why they do nothing,' Kit said. 'They are waiting.'

  Parke frowned at him. 'Waiting? For what?' 'A letter from England?'

  'A letter?' Parke glanced at him, and the frown deepened, and then he turned at the knock. 'Come.'

  Jonathan stood there. 'The mail, Your Excellency, begging pardon.'

  Parke seized the leather satchel, glanced at Kit again; his face had paled, very slightly.

  'And begging your pardon again, Your Excellency,' Jonathan said. 'There are some gentlemen waiting to see you.'

  'Gentlemen? What mean you, gentlemen?'

  'Mr Chester, suh. And Mr Harding.'

  'By God.' Parke said. 'He has come to challenge me. After all this while, by God.'

  'I am not sure ...' Kit began, but Parke was already making for the door.

  'You'll second me, Kit,' he threw over his shoulder.

  ‘The guard. Oh, fear not. I shall not waste my time arresting these dogs. I will merely have them thrown from my property.'

  'Your property?' Chester shouted. 'Why, sir, this house and this land is the property of the people of Antigua, and leased by them to the Queen's representative.'

  'Who stands before you. The guard, Kit.'

  Kit moved to the door, but hesitantly. There could be no doubt that each party considered itself to be in the right, and how much more explosive a situation could be reached he did not see.

  'Sir,' Harding said, gaining some control over his anger. 'You refuse to obey the dictates of the English government?'

  'I obey the dictates of the Queen, God bless her, and no other.'

  Kit paused in the doorway. Perhaps the crisis would pass.

  'Then, sir, we shall take our leave,' Chester said. 'We did not come here to brawl with you.'

  'Then begone,' Parke said. 'But be sure you will hear more of this matter.'

  'Indeed, sir, you may count on it.' Harding said. 'As of this moment. Colonel Parke, you have no authority to act as anything but a private person, and we demand that you leave this house and yield up the seals. Think well on this, sir. We shall return tomorrow morning for our answer, and be sure that we shall not come alone.'

&n
bsp; 'What?' Parke roared. 'You'll have some more snivelling dogs at your heels, will you?'

  'Upon receipt of this letter,' Chester said, 'and suspecting your intransigent nature, we despatched messengers to every plantation calling for support. You will see who shall be at our backs, sir.'

  'By God,' Parke said. 'You go too far, sir. You preach revolt.'

  'On the contrary, sir,' Harding insisted. ' 'Tis you who are planning to revolt. Against the known wishes of the government of England. We shall of course make the facts known to the soldiers of the garrison.'

  'By God,' Parke said. 'Never in my life have I heard such treason openly spoken. Well, gentlemen, I give you fair warning. I am a patient man, and as I said, I desire to be generous. You gentlemen hold responsible positions in the community. I leave it to you to return the forces you claim to have raised to their proper stations. For mark my words well, gentlemen, I'll brook no revolution. Should a single armed man attempt to climb that hill out there, be sure I will cut him down.'

  'Sir,' Chester said. 'You mistake the situation. It is we who are magnanimous, and desirous of avoiding bloodshed. I have here a letter dismissing you from your position. For the good of the people of Antigua, I must insist you respond to those instructions. We shall withdraw. But only to grant you sufficient time to make your arrangements. We shall return tomorrow morning, to escort you to the ship which waits in the harbour. Good day to you, sir.' He turned to face Kit. 'It would be safer for you, and yours, Captain Hilton, to accompany the retiring Governor.'

  'By God,' Parke said, half to himself. 'They have played into my hands.'

  Kit returned from the verandah, where he had watched the planters out of sight.

  'Into your hands? I wish I could understand what is going on. What is contained in your letter from the Queen?'

  'From her privy secretary, to be sure,' Parke said. 'Oh, their evil tongues have played their part. There is concern at Whitehall, and I am summoned back to answer certain questions.'

  'But then ...'

  'But your friends still mistake the matter, Kit. I have not been relieved of my position as Governor of the Leewards. There is my strength. I should return, the letter says, with all haste, leaving a deputy to act in my absence. And should I satisfy Her Majesty, well, then, be sure that I shall be returned here in more power than I now possess.'

  'Faith,' Kit said. 'Your waywardness is a mystery to me, Dan. Why did you not let Chester see that letter, and have an end to quarrelling? Why, if they do anything rash, this could well come to bloodshed.'

  'And what else do you think I desire?'

  'You wish them to march on you?'

  'Can you name me an easier way to settle this business?

  Fate has played us well, as she invariably will do, should one but trust her. I see it all. They have their friends in the Privy Council, and the discussion was undoubtedly hot. Thus the planters' friends left the meeting in no doubt that I was about to be dismissed, and sent off their letter to Chester containing that information. But the official letter, written no doubt after due reflection, contains no suggestion of dismissal, at least unless I am convicted of misdemeanours, after my return to Great Britain. So it is that should that rabble down there decide to attempt to remove me by force, they will be guilty of mutiny. Not only will I be obliged to deal with them as I have always wished, but they will have justified my every action since coming here.'

  'By God,' Kit said. 'As I may have said before, Dan, you go about governing people in a strange way.'

  'And as I have told you, often enough, that is the only way they will understand. You'll not desert me?'

  Kit sighed. 'It seems to be the misfortune of my life to stand before lost causes, sword in hand. I'll not desert you, Dan. I think you are wrong. I think you are criminally wrong. But I'll not desert a man who has twice proved the best friend I possess.'

  'I expected nothing less. Well, let us prepare ourselves. Turn out the guard, and make sure every man is provided with sufficient powder and shot. Hunt around the servants and select such of them as can be trusted. Impress upon them that our fate is theirs. And send a horseman down to the garrison to inform Captain Smith of the situation, and tell him I expect him to bring his men to Government House at dawn tomorrow.'

  'Did not Chester say that they had already been informed?'

  'Aye,' Parke said. 'There was a threat of incitement to mutiny if you like. But it matters very little. This house will withstand an assault even from regulars, resolutely defended. We built it for that purpose, Kit. Do you remember? You built it for that purpose.'

  'Aye,' Kit said. 'Resolutely defended.' He went towards the front door, met Lilian coming down the stairs.

  'Kit? What is happening? There was so much shouting, so many angry words ...'

  'And now we are past the stage of words,' he said bitterly. 'Once again it seems that we are to be exposed to the caprice of fate. The Governor has provoked a revolution.'

  14

  The Master of Green Grove

  A sound brought Kit awake. And instantly the full possession of his faculties. No doubt he had slept with half of his mind alert.

  It was close to dawn; the darkness was already lifting, and the sea breeze was chill. His brain went back all those years, to another dawn, at Panama, when Bart Le Grand had shaken him by the shoulder, and led him to where Harry Morgan had stood. He had been afraid on that dawn, too, and once again without cause. It had only been necessary to do, against tremendous odds, to win.

  And certainly Daniel Parke was no more of a rogue than Morgan. But then, was he as much of a man?

  The Governor stood in the doorway. 'Awake?' he asked. 'I hear hooves.'

  Sure enough there was a faint drumming in the distance. And now Lilian also awoke, and lifted her head from Kit's shoulder. 'Kit? What will happen?'

  'I'd give a fortune to know that.' He got out of bed, reached for his clothes, followed the Governor. Parke was already on the verandah, where the sentry waited, and at which Jonathan was dismounting. The Negro panted, and his eyes were bloodshot.

  'They's coming, Your Excellency. They's coming.'

  'Who?' Parke demanded. 'The garrison?'

  'Well, suh, not this minute. The captain down there does be marshalling the men, for sure, but they moving slow.'

  'Yet are they moving. I doubt Chester will oppose such a show of force.'

  'But they coming now,' Jonathan wailed. 'Them planters, suh, and a whole lot of others. Man, they got thousands.'

  'Speak the truth, man,' Kit said. 'It is important.'

  'Well, suh,' Jonathan said, wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. 'They got two, three hundred. I am sure of that.'

  'Armed?'

  'Oh, yes, suh. They got sword and musket, and pike, and thing like that.'

  'By God,' Parke said. 'So it has come to blows after all.' He turned, to find the sergeant of the guard immediately behind him. 'Assemble your men, armed, and with powder and ball, and also load the cannon.'

  The sergeant hesitated. 'With grape, Your Excellency?'

  'Aye,' Parke said. 'That were the way to dissuade that scum.'

  'You cannot be serious,' Kit said. 'Surely ball were the answer, to discourage them without committing more murder than is necessary. We need only hold them pending the arrival of the garrison.'

  'By God, Kit,' Parke said. 'I wish I could roll back the years and have a buccaneer beside me instead of a besotted Quaker. Oh, very well. Load with ball, sergeant, but be sure you have a canister standing by for the second charge. And form your men on the lawn there. Kit, you'll marshal the servants. Arm them and place them upstairs as a second line of defence.' He seized his friend by the shoulder. 'You'll obey my orders, Kit. No backsliding. I'll need your best support.'

  Kit sighed. 'And you shall have it, Dan. Only, I beg of you. let the first move come from them.'

  'You'd not suppose they have made it, by marching on my house?"

  'I'd still counsel forbearan
ce, for as long as possible.'

  'Aye,' Parke said. 'Perhaps I'll forbear from hanging them all. Now make haste, I beg of you. They cannot be far away.'

  And indeed it was possible to hear, swelling up the hill, a confused noise. Kit ran back into the bedroom for his weapons, found Lilian dressed.

  'Kit ...' her voice trembled.

  'What we have always feared has come to pass. Those people