phantom knights 04 - deceit in delaware

by Amalie Vantana

  Jericho and Mariah had moved to Williamsburg in Virginia, which surprised me more than anything else they had said. I still remembered when we tracked the people who had murdered his parents to Williamsburg, and solved the mystery surrounding who had burned the governor’s palace years before.

  As for Dudley and Hannah, well, one never knew where they were from one moment to the next. They had moved to Boston the last that Bess had heard from them, but she had her suspicions that they had never given up spying. Bess had extended an invitation for them to accompany Bess and Sam to Lutania, but as Dudley put it, he could never look back. Always look forward was his motto.

  After Arnaud’s death, Pierre and Jeanne had moved to France and that was the last that they heard from them.

  Freddy and Charlotte now lived in Philadelphia where they thrived as leaders in society. Bess had offered for them to accompany Sam and Bess as well, but with Freddy’s father being the reason that the princesses had to flee their home, Freddy thought it best if he not return. Especially since Bess’s family was staying in Lutania for a full year.

  When Sam spoke to President Monroe about their plan to visit Lutania, he made Sam a diplomat so that Sam’s position in the government would still be intact when we returned home.

  President James Monroe had been elected for a second term and after the war, and our own battles, America was experiencing an era of peace. Bess admitted that she was almost hesitant to leave, but she had a great motivation to sail for Lutania. Levi’s wedding.

  Bess shed a few tears when she spoke with Elisa and Willem. She later told me that she was amazed at how much they looked like me and Constance. Willem had Constance’s unique eye color and brown hair while Elisa reminded her so much of me that it was startling for her. Elisa had my black hair and blue eyes, and the dimple in her cheek when she smiled.

  They spent some time becoming acquainted before Levi wanted to give them the surprises that we had been planning. The first one was for Sam.

  As I led them down a corridor in the east wing, I told them that I could not claim to have made this myself, but that it was truly from me for it was my big heart that led me to even consider sharing my pride and joy with Sam.

  We reached a pair of doors at the end of the wing and I pushed them open. We entered into a dome that was at least four stories, and every wall was full of books. Sam gasped, and I turned toward him quickly, for I had never heard Sam make that sound.

  “It is the greatest gift that anyone could give, Jack,” Sam said, and Bess smacked his arm.

  He smiled and kissed her cheek before moving forward.

  “You know that it will be difficult to pull him from this room,” Bess said to me.

  “How do you think Constance feels?” Levi quipped from behind us.

  Levi then took Henry and Paul with him to the large stable yard where two ponies were waiting.

  The boys were speechless when Levi told them that they were gifts for them.

  It was not until we entered the grand, massive dining parlor that Bess had a chance to see Arabella, and her appearance startled my sister.

  We had not told them about Arabella’s secret, wanting to surprise them, and we had.

  Bess moved forward with a hand covering her mouth. When she reached Arabella, she curtseyed low, and then rose and gushed over the small bundle tucked snug into the corner of Arabella’s arm. Leo hovered over her chair, a smile covering his face. I did not believe that the man had stopped smiling since the day that he and Arabella married.

  After dinner, Levi announced that there was another surprise so we all made our way onto the terrace that overlooked the gardens.

  Colors began bursting in the sky, and Bess’s sons and my children exclaimed joyfully. They loved fireworks. After the display ended, Bess, Levi and I had some time alone to talk.

  “Why did you never tell me that Arabella married Leo, and that they had a child?” Bess demanded as she sat between us upon the sofa.

  “The council tried for some time to find a match for her,” Levi said quietly as he watched the dancing flames of fire in the large white marble fireplace. “They did not force the issue of marriage before they allowed her to become queen because of what had happened in America, but gave her until she turned five and twenty, which is in a few months’ time. They found her a match and brought him here, for a time.”

  “Where was he from?” Bess asked.

  “Austria. A count or some such title. He didn’t speak a lick of English or Danish so I was not certain what he said,” Levi told her.

  “It was a beneficial union,” I said thoughtfully. I had been made a member of the council and so I had a say in the choosing.

  “You met him then?”

  “Oh, yes,” Levi said with a chuckle. “He came on a visit for Christmastide and quite exciting it was.”

  “What happened?” Bess questioned.

  Levi and I shared an amused glance.

  “Levi and Constance decided to introduce him to the Phantoms. The poor fellow now believes the palace is haunted,” I said before laughing.

  “Tried to stab me he did,” Levi exclaimed.

  “Can you blame the man when he woke to see your frightful face,” I retorted.

  Levi stroked a finger down his face. “This handsome physique, frightful? No such thing. Why, if you do not believe me, ask the maids,” Levi said roguishly.

  I barked out a laugh. “Yes, we all know what they think of you, rogue.”

  Levi placed a hand over his heart and gave me an expression of outraged indignation. “I am the soul of devotion to my darling bride to be.”

  “That is right enough,” I agreed. “But you are a flirt, Levi Martin.”

  Levi grinned impishly, Bess laughed heartily, and I knew that our year together was going to be one of the best of my life.

  ****

  The wedding of Levi and Mary Edith was as grand as a princess could ask for, with the cathedral, where both Mary Edith’s parents and my own were married, swathed in flowers, satin, and candlelight.

  The road that ran from the cathedral to the palace was lined on both sides by the tenants, palace servants, and people who lived in Lutania. My brother wore his regimentals, but it was the soft expression on his face as he committed himself to Mary that made me proud. I would not say that the wild boy was tamed, but rather that he had found the piece of himself that evened him out. Made him whole.

  At the reception, I saw Bess speaking with the former Mrs. Stanton and was introduced to her daughters, Karen and Leah. I heard Bess thank them for all that they had done for the princesses and the queen.

  She knew that it could not have been an easy life, growing up and pretending all the time that they were someone else. Karen, who had been thought to be Arabella, and Bess had a chat about sword fighting of all things. She had been trained, in secret, for years and hoped to be able to have a friendly bout while Bess was staying at the palace. She said that Levi had told her all about Bess’s skill.

  Mid-way through the reception, Bess and I snuck away from the well-wishers and merriment to get some air and some quiet.

  “I want to show your surprise,” I told her, so, together, we walked through the garden, past the orchard, to a hill that overlooked the ocean.

  There were seven large white stones engraved with an image at the top of each and words carved beneath.

  “Are those…?” Moving forward, Bess laid her hand against the carving of a mask. Beneath the image were words that had been spoken at the memorial that we had held in Charleston for our parents and all of those that we had lost.

  Tears began to fall down her face but Bess let them. Bess let them fall into the grass at the base of the stone, watering it. Not with grief, but with remembrance.

  We had made stones for Ben, Henry, Abe, Arnaud, Arthur, and our parents.

  At our mother’s stone, Bess knelt, pressing her fingers against the image of the sun. Mother was the sunshine in the darkness, the cheerful flo
wers at the first burst of spring. She was what life should be; rejoicing, understanding, forgiving, loving, and full of hope.

  Next to Mother was Father. His stone had no image but words. Words that Mother had written upon the last page of her journal, a page that had been stuck to the journal’s back and so I had not found until after her death.

  A life given, a life stripped away, a soul shattered, a future that mattered.

  Neither life nor death shall bind the joy of memories so fine.

  Death’s kiss did find, the man who should always have been mine.

  “Mother wrote that,” I told her as she ran her finger over the words.

  “It is a fine memorial, Jack. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

  Taking her hand, I tucked it around my arm. “Though their lives were taken far too soon, we remember them as they were. Strong, faithful, compassionate, caring, protective. Our family. We honor you, friends, and we will never forget all that you have done for us.”

  At the base of the stones there was a smooth stone placed in the ground. It read, “We are Phantoms. Even when we no longer wear the masks, we will fight. For freedom, for love, and for the right that every man, woman, and child can choose their own path.”

  And we had.

  THE END

  Read on to discover how it all started in The Phantom Knight, a Phantom Beginnings Novella

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you Lord for gracing me with the strength to make it through.

  To Boss, Doc, and Spy,

  Thank you for being the inspiration for the princesses.

  To the Fear Slayers,

  Thank you for all of the support and excitement over my stories. I truly cannot thank you enough for sticking with me through this series.

  To Melly, Karen, and Leah,

  Thank you each for allowing me to use your names in the story and for being such great friends.

  John,

  The last six months have been the hardest of my life, but you were always there to encourage me. You will never know how much I adore you.

  To all of you awesome readers,

  I cannot thank you enough for sticking around during all of the extensions. Finishing this story had truly been a labor of love. From serious health risks, to my mom being diagnosed with cancer in one month and losing her the next, your encouragement is what made finishing this story possible.

  In loving memory of my mom.

  About the Author

  Amalie Vantana wrote her first story at age seven. When her friends were dreaming about being princesses, Amalie was dreaming about being a musketeer. When she’s not writing adventures, she spends her time with her family, exploring historical locations, and searching for adventures to be had. Amalie makes her home in West Virginia with her husband.

  Connect with Amalie:

  Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/Mommyauthor

  Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/AuthorAVantana

  Website:

  http://www.mommyauthor.com/

  Author’s Historical Notes

  When I was in school I came across a story about twin sisters in the seventeenth century who were princesses. Their story had intrigued me, though there was not much known. Their parents had been murdered and they had to flee their country to save their lives. When they were older they led a revolution, regaining their home land. When it came to creating the Phantoms, that story came back to me. I knew that I wanted to take that and create my own version. As I did not remember what country theirs had been, I decided to create my own and Lutania was born.

  As I was traveling through Delaware in search of the perfect place to base my battle, I came across New Castle, Delaware. It is a wonderful town that sits along the river and boasts of much history. While looking across the river, I knew that I wanted to base my battle there.

  I have been asked so many times if there is any truth to the Phantom stories. There are pieces of truth immersed in the fiction, such as Monroe’s guards. I found an account of a group of men called such whose job it was to protect the president. They were not a formal group, and so there were no accounts of their duties, but it made me wonder what was happening to make President James Monroe believe that he needed protection.

  I only touched lightly on the slavery that was such a large part of history, but I did want to add something about the freemen’s society. James Percy Wilson was based on one of the leaders who assisted in gaining freedom for so many of his fellow men. His strength and determination had made me want to create a character to honor his accomplishments, even if it had to be a small role.

  Now to William. I know that many will ask why I did what I did. What will surprise many is the truth that I had his secret planned from the very beginning of this series. Masters of disguise can be found throughout history. Chevalier d'Eon was a spy in the seventeen hundreds in France. He masqueraded as both a man and a woman to the point where few knew which he was until after his death. His abilities with the sword intrigued me. Reading accounts of his life led me to creating William Martin.

  The Phantom Knight

  A Phantom Beginnings Novella

  By

  Amalie Vantana

  CHAPTER 1

  April 1787

  Lutania in the North Sea

  “Draw his cork, Luther!” shouted one of the five angry boys who were surrounding me and Prince Luther, the younger son of King Frederick.

  King Frederick’s grandfather had led a dissolution, breaking free from Denmark to become an independent land. The treaties with Sweden were what aided in retaining our independence.

  “Knock him down.” The boys continued their encouragement to Luther who stood before me as if he wanted to strike me. He knew that he could hit me, and that I would not fight back. He also knew that if I were allowed, he would never be able to touch me. A year his senior did little to dissuade him for we were of the same height.

  Being the son of a farmer often drew much criticism to me because the king had taken a liking to me. He had brought me to the palace when I was seven to be a page for her majesty. I had grown up in the palace with Luther and his elder brother, my closest friend, Eric, the heir apparent.

  When Eric had insisted upon striking a friendship with me, Luther had taken exception. Luther did not believe princes should be friends with the son of a farmer, but Eric was not so formal. Though I tried to maintain a respectful distance, due to his high position, Eric would not allow it. For eight years, Eric and I had been inseparable. Brothers in spirit were what Eric called us, though I knew my station. I knew my duty to the royal family.

  Luther pulled his fist back, and I stiffened myself for the expected strike.

  “Luther!”

  Everyone paused as the crunching of rocks under boots sounded. Luther’s friends turned and ran. Luther sneered at his brother.

  “This does not concern you, Eric.”

  “What happens in my kingdom involves me, brother,” Eric replied calmly. Eric was always calm, where I usually was not.

  The two brothers stared at each other for long moments, and I stood to the side silently watching the exchange. Eric knew that Luther would never challenge him for he held the king’s ear, where Luther was rarely summoned to the king’s chambers. I was summoned more often than Luther, which resulted in our confrontations, like the one this day.

  “You would choose this commoner over your blood,” Luther sneered. For some reason known only to him, he thought sneering and spitting spiteful words made him more of an authority.

  “I choose those who are for the betterment of our people, a lesson that you would do well to grasp, Luther.”

  “That is what you and Fader are for. I am only the lesser son.” Luther turned away and began to follow his friends.

  “You are only lesser in your mind, Luther,” Eric said as calmly as he had spoken throughout their conversation. It never ceased to amaze me that Eric could remain calm in the face of Luthe
r’s animosity, but he always did.

  Luther’s shoulders tensed, but he did not face his brother again.

  Eric said something softly that I could not hear, and then he turned to me, smiling. “Yes?”

  “Grand Hussar Regiment,” I said, though I had yet to truly allow myself to believe such a fortunate occurrence would happen to me.

  “You will be in the palace then,” Eric said joyously as he clapped me on the back. I tried not to stiffen, but I could not stop it. The formality that one such as me, and all of those who served the royal family, owed them demanded that we refrain from seeking a close relationship with them. Something that Eric had tried to change over the last eight years.

  He frowned slightly when I stiffened, but he said nothing. He knew that he could not change me. I was who my father raised me to be. A servant.

  “Come. I believe that the cook has some tortes held over from lunch, and if we make haste, that new maid will be having her meal.” Eric smiled at his suggestion as he began walking toward the palace across the long expanse of green lawn that separated the orchard from the gardens and the large stone palace beyond.

  Laughing, I ran to catch Eric. He and I would not have many such days left to us, for in a fortnight I began my military training, but I would relish whatever time I was given with my one, and only, friend.

  CHAPTER 2

  September 1793

  For six years I worked in the military, serving the king, and making my way up the ranks of soldiers. Favor had shown upon me, for the king requested, when I was seventeen, that I be placed on his guards. The guards who protected the king when inside the palace and out. We went where the king went, searched the rooms that the king would occupy before he arrived, stood guard at the door inside the room and out, and traveled with the king when he visited his lands.