The Beloved Land

by T. Davis Bunn

  “So it is as you thought,” Henri responded once Nicole had translated. “There is no instant victory.”

  “Hardly. But the tides have shifted.”

  “Yet there will be more days and weeks of struggle and suffering.”

  “I am afraid so, sir.” Gordon motioned for the seaman on duty to remove their plates. “Whoever would have thought the mighty British navy would be handed their hat. And by an upstart colonial force.” Gordon shook his head, and Nicole knew his feelings were torn—admiration for the Americans, and a pang for his previous British colleagues.

  During the three weeks of their voyage north, they saw no sign of the British navy. Twice more they came upon colonial forces in attack strength. They were approached and boarded, their papers carefully inspected, and then were sent upon theirway. The wind remained strong and steady, first off their starboard side, then almost directly from the south. Gordon held to a run straight up the American coastline, confident now that the coastal waters were firmly held.

  Nicole used the time to tell Henri and Louise of her years apart. And they talked with her about her brothers and their families, about the Acadia villagers of her childhood.

  She finally brought herself to ask about Jean, who had early captured her heart but whose wildness eventually pushed her away.

  Her father did not answer immediately, but then he said, “He has not come back to the bayou. There are rumors that he is still being held as a traitor. …”

  If he said more, Nicole was not aware of it. She gazed out over the blue Atlantic and remembered the awful deception, the traitor who stole Henri’s sterling name and identity to cloak his double-crossing of both the Americans and the British. …

  “And Jean may indeed come back to us one day,” she said, as if to herself.

  “What has you concerned?”

  Nicole gave a start as she became aware of her father’s words. “Oh, Papa,” she whispered, “you of all have the most to forgive.”

  “Ah, and if so,” he responded, “I have the most blessing to receive after I’ve done so.”

  Alone in the captain’s cabin, Gordon asked, “Why have you been so quiet?”

  “It is difficult to explain.”

  “Try. Please.”

  “I feel as though I am learning to see the whole world anew.”

  “For the child, you mean.”

  “Ourchild.”

  “Yes.”

  “Partly that. But questions I have carried with me all my life are being answered. And in ways that I never expected.”

  Gordon nodded and waited.

  “Questions about my home, my early years …”

  “Yes?”

  “All my life I have never felt as though I belonged. Never had a place that was truly my own.”

  “And now?”

  “It is such a strange thing, how the home I thought I would have is burned to a husk, how the land lies fallow, how the nation is at war. Yet I feel not only settled, but that I belong.” She struggled to put her feelings into words. “But I am discovering it is not the place that makes me feel this way. I believe God has given me the gift of a home that I take with me wherever I go. With you.”

  Chapter 44

  Louise turned from the Boston harbor to stare at the city rising on the rocky shoreline’s other side. “Such a place as this I had never expected to see in all my days.”

  “Some say Boston is America’s grandest city,” Nicole said. “Others, Philadelphia.”

  Henri cast a shrewd eye over his daughter. “I sense you do not share their opinion.”

  “I do not care overmuch for big cities,” Nicole replied, but without rancor. She also looked around her. A midafternoon breeze blew in from the sea, carrying enough coolness to make even the brilliant sunshine feel pleasant. Three ships had arrived on the same incoming tide, doubling the number of vessels in the harbor. Even this number seemed dwarfed by the harbor’s potential. The docks, left empty by the strictures of combat, jutted seaward.

  Gordon mistook her silence for something else. He drew her to one side and murmured, “Is there something that ails you?”

  “No, Gordon, I am fine. I cannot tell you all the emotions I’m feeling.”

  “Tell me, Nicole.”

  “Well, for one, I think I may have felt the baby move.”

  “Has this happened before?”

  “Perhaps, I am not sure.”

  “What else?”

  “I am happy the war seems to be coming to an end, that the colonists—the Americans—may have won their freedom.

  Ourfreedom,” she repeated.

  He studied her face, trying to understand. But then he lifted his head, listening.

  “What is it?”

  She realized that it was not only Gordon but her father who was doing the same. Both of them had turned west.

  Nicole shaded her eyes and squinted against the afternoon sun. A call came high upon the wind, and then a figure, little more than a slender shadow silhouetted against the waning sunlight, ran down the dock toward them.

  Nicole’s cry joined instantly with the first one.

  “Anne!”

  “I still cannot believe it,” said a beaming Pastor Collins as he pushed back to lean his arms on the table after they had shared a simple evening meal together. “Both of Andrew’s daughters—both of them—here at my table at the same time. God is indeed great and good.”

  Anne reached beneath the table to clasp Nicole’s hand. She still could not believe what her eyes were seeing. Nicole was here beside her. Nicole, as full of warmth and acceptance as always. She felt such tremendous relief. She had been so frightened, so confused, even betrayed, when she had received the news about Nicole turning to side with the colonies. She had wondered how she might respond if they should ever meet again. Were they still sisters at heart? Or had they been forced by a world in conflict to an estrangement she did not want?

  When the word had come to the seminary that the ship that had left for New Orleans—the ship on which she knew Nicole and her husband were to be aboard—was arriving in the harbor, Anne hesitated. Part of her wished to run to the dock to greet them, but another part of her feared what this reunion might mean. Nicole had no idea that Anne was in Boston—had likely never heard that they had come over to be with Andrew and Catherine. How would Nicole respond should they meet in such an unexpected way?

  The eager side of Anne had won the momentary battle. She had donned her bonnet and short cape and hurried to the harbor. Her wildly beating heart insisted that it was her sister coming in on the arriving ship. Her sister. Not a member of the colony’s combatants.

  And when she had called Nicole’s name and Nicole had answered with all of the love of former years, Anne had wept with relief. They were sisters still. In spite of the distance, in spite of the war, in spite of the fact that they were now on opposing sides, they were sisters. Nothing—nothing would ever change that fact. Anne could not wait until they could be excused from this table of reunion to get alone for a long, confidential chat. They had so much to say to each other.

  It was Nicole who pushed back from the chatter of the table visitors. “If you will please allow me to excuse myself,” she began, “it has been a very long day and I feel that a bit of rest in my room would be most welcomed.”

  The men at the table rose immediately to their feet, and Gordon reached to take his wife’s arm. His eyes offered his apology for not thinking of her comfort sooner. She turned to him and smiled. “Why don’t you stay and converse. Anne will accompany me to my room.”

  For a moment he looked as though he would argue, but as he caught the message in her eyes he nodded silently. “I will not be late,” he assured her and let her go, Anne at her side.

  “You worked that nicely,” Anne whispered as they left the dining room. “You were always good at getting your desires in a most gracious way.”

  Nicole laughed softly. “If I had to sit there any longer and endure more m
ale talk of war when I was aching to catch up on all your news, I would have burst,” she exclaimed.

  “I felt that way too. Oh, Nicole. I have missed you so terribly.”

  In answer Nicole reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. But she turned the conversation in another direction. “I like your Thomas. He seems most … insightful.”

  “You don’t know the half. He is so wise. So … in tune with God.”

  Then Anne brought her thoughts in check lest she go on and on regarding her husband. “I like Gordon too. He seems so in charge. Military … yet gentle.”

  Nicole smiled. Anne had summed up her husband’s bearing well. “Oh, we have so much to talk about,” she enthused as they reached the small room she shared with her husband. “But first of all I want a thorough report on Mother and Father. And Grandfather Price. How are they? Is Father really as ill as they say?”

  Anne’s face turned serious. She feared that the news she had to share was not all good.

  “The commandant will see you now.”

  Gordon offered Nicole his arm with a wry grin when she paused to adjust the lapel of his best uniform. “Mustn’t keep the general waiting, my dear,” he murmured.

  The commandant approached with hand outstretched. “Well met, sir. Welcome home.”

  Home. The word alone was enough to bring a smile to Nicole’s lips.

  The general gazed at her and said, “I see you are glad to be back, ma’am.”

  “Yes, General. More than I know how to say.”

  “I am most glad to hear it. Our young nation has much need of people such as yourselves.” He ushered them inside, where an adjutant stood poised to pour them tea. The general waited until they were both served before asking, “You have heard the latest news?”

  “So good it is scarcely believable, sir.”

  “Believe it, Captain. Believe it. The British are retreating on land and on sea.”

  “Will the war be over soon, sir?”

  He took a drink from his cup, then dismissed the adjutant with a wave. “Of that we can only guess, ma’am. Guess and hope.”

  “Please, sir. Tell me what you think.”

  “They have offered several propositions to General Washington. All of them are most unacceptable.”

  “But for the British to discuss terms of surrender at all is rather astonishing,” Gordon pointed out.

  “Not surrender, sir. And that is the problem. They continue to see us as colonials. They still hold out the hope that we can be brought back into the British fold, if only the terms are agreed upon by both. And that is where they are wrong. The tides of men and war have gone too far. We seek independence from the Crown. Nothing less will do. Washington has told them that in no uncertain terms.”

  “What will happen?” Nicole asked with sinking heart.

  “A great battle,” the general replied definitely. “This year or next. A telling blow. Perhaps two. We must defeat them soundly. We must send Cornwallis packing with his tail between his legs.”

  Nicole set her cup to one side. She had been so in hopes of a few weeks, a few months, bringing an end to it all. …

  Gordon said, “We come with good news and a request, sir.” “I have already seen the ship’s manifest. A most remarkable haul. And extremely needed. Too much land lies fallow through this planting season. Too many farmers are far from home. Too many, I fear, shall never return.”

  Gordon pushed forward. “It is not merely this shipload, sir. Not at all. We may have established a new supply route that will last through the conflict and beyond.”

  “I say.” The general set his cup aside and leaned forward. “That is good news indeed.”

  Swiftly Gordon described the situation they had found attempting to deal with the New Orleans traders and customs officials. He recounted their journey inland, the initial hostility of the Acadian settlers, and how things gradually altered.

  “You are telling me these Acadian folk will arrange shipments north for the foreseeable future?”

  “It is because of my wife and her family, General. Without them we would have returned empty-handed.”

  “Then I must once again express my heartfelt gratitude.” But the general’s shrewd gaze remained penetrating as he looked at Gordon. “Yes, I am now sufficiently prepared. Tell me the cost.”

  “No direct cost, General. No demands. Only a request.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “My ship,” Gordon continued. “It was entrusted to me by merchants in Southampton. I wish to take her home.”

  “You wish me to give you a vessel captured in wartime?”

  “On the contrary,” Gordon countered. “I am certain the merchants who entrusted me with this vessel shall willingly pay proper compensation for its return.”

  The general inspected them both. “Let me see if I understand this correctly. You are offering me much-needed supplies, throughout the summer and beyond. In repayment, you wish to keep this ship of yours.”

  “Not keep, sir—simply return it to its owners.”

  “Whether you agree to the return of this vessel or not,” Nicole assured him, “we will endeavor to aid you. You have my father’s word.”

  “Henri Robichaud is one of the most honorable men I have ever met, sir,” Gordon added. “You can be certain that if it is humanly possible to deliver supplies, this gentleman will do so.”

  The general rose and crossed to the tall side windows. He stared long out at the sunlit vista, rocking up and down on his toes, his boots creaking with each motion. He clasped his hands together behind his back.

  Without turning around, he declared, “Even assuming that I might relinquish the vessel, I cannot permit you to skipper her back to England. Your services are required here. And the British might not see fit to release you, no matter what offering you bring them. You have declared for their enemy.”

  “I am aware of this,” Gordon admitted.

  The general turned around. “You have thought of a solution?”

  He hesitated, then asked, “Do you have British navy men in the stockade here?”

  The general’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You seek to send your vessel back with prisoners of war at the helm?”

  “You said it yourself, sir. The war will be over soon enough. Demand of them their oath that they shall not engage in conflict, that they shall sail the vessel home and relinquish it to the proper owners.”

  “You would trust them to do so?”

  “They are combatants, sir. Their allegiance is not my own. Not any longer. But I would trust them to adhere to their oath as British officers.”

  “And if there are not enough ready seamen?”

  “They could stop by Halifax,” Gordon replied quickly. “Nova Scotia must have its share of able tars looking for a working passage home. And being a British vessel, they might come and go unhindered.”

  “I see you have thought this through.” The general nodded slowly. “You shall have my answer before dusk.”

  Gordon rose to his feet with Nicole. “Thank you, sir.”

  “One further item.” The general hesitated a long moment, then moved back to his desk. “May I ask if you are a man of faith, Captain?”

  Gordon immediately answered, “That I am, sir. What—?”

  “I have found that a man facing the tides of war needs a strength greater than his own. Still I find myself humbled by the power of the unexpected.” His fingers pushed aside papers until they came upon a small packet of bound envelopes. “As you know, our forces have had several significant victories at sea. The most recent of these only arrived in harbor yesterday evening, a merchant vessel inbound from Portsmouth. Among its papers, well …”

  He untied the binding cord and lifted the top envelope, then reached across the table toward Nicole. “This letter is addressed to you, ma’am. And its very existence I would count as a most astonishing miracle. One so great that I have spent the entire day wondering just what God might wish for me to do, what
great and impossible task that requires such an astonishing miracle as a letter captured at sea and arriving upon my desk the same morning as we are scheduled to meet.”

  Nicole’s heart pounded and her knees felt weak as she looked at her husband. “It is from Uncle Charles,” she said through lips stiff with shock.

  The general went on, “Another letter has arrived this morning. One requesting my aid in supplying a vessel to transport an envoy from General Washington to London. I cannot believe all this is mere coincidence. No, I find myself confronting a hand far wiser and surer than my own.”

  She accepted the letter, staring down at the envelope that bore her name in bold script. She did so hope that it was simply a greeting from her uncle, not more bad news.

  But the general was still speaking. “There were other letters in the packet as well, but …” He sighed. “I don’t suppose there is much chance that they will ever be delivered.” He shook his head as he fingered the letters on his desk. “I wouldn’t know how to ever get them to the addresses shown.”

  It was Gordon who asked the startling question that got Nicole’s full attention. “Excuse me, sir, for my boldness, but does that top envelope say Georgetown?”

  “Georgetown? Yes. That’s not even on our shores. It’s still held by the British. Not much chance …”

  “Perhaps there is, sir. In fact, we hope to be traveling there if arrangements can be made for us to port at Halifax. My wife’s kin are there.”

  The general looked up with widened eyes. “You don’t say. You could take them with you to Georgetown? Do you think there is a way you could find the party addressed?”

  “We could certainly try. It is a small village. It should not be a difficult matter.”

  The general looked both relieved and astounded. “I never supposed that these letters would ever be delivered, circumstances as they are. They are all three meant for Georgetown.”

  He lifted the letters and studied them for a moment. “In fact, it is strange, but it appears they are in the same script as the one your wife is holding.”

  Nicole could scarcely contain herself. She wished to grab the letters from the gentleman’s hands and see for herself.