by Lora Thomas
Liberty’s Deception
By Lora Thomas
Copyright 2016 Lora Perkins
Kindle Edition
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This is a word of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Table of Contents
Warning
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
About The Author
Warning:
This book contains some scenes of domestic violence.
Reader discretion is advised.
Domestic violence is a crime. No one—women, men or children—should be abused in any fashion or form. We are all children of God and should be treated with the love and kindness He knows we deserve.
Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or www.thehotline.org, your local police department, or 9-1-1.
Chapter One
Anna Channing looked across the ballroom at her father. He was engrossed in a discussion with Major Stevenson’s assistant, William Merck. She wrinkled her nose at the thought of Mr. Merck. He was a vile man. He was as broad as he was tall and constantly sweating. The powdered wig on his head had turned a bluish color from age and the ringlets on the sides were in desperate need of repair. She watched as he nodded his head and his saggy jowls flopped up and down with the movement. Pulling out a handkerchief, he placed it under his enormous hawklike nose and breathed inward. He nodded again and then looked her way. His cold eyes locked onto her. Anna’s stomach churned at the sight of the man.
“Anna?” the woman beside her said.
Anna looked at her friend, Eleanor. “Hmm?”
“I said isn’t this grand? There are so many eligible men here! Surely, we can find a husband!”
“Oh, Eleanor. How can you possibly be thinking of marriage when we are at war? The king is sending all available soldiers to the colonies. And if you haven’t noticed, the majority of the men here are wearing soldier uniforms.”
“But it makes it so romantic,” Eleanor said, clasping her hands together as a dreamlike expression crossed her face.
“There is nothing romantic about death or your husband coming home missing a limb. Or worse yet, they could be like Lady Worthington’s husband. That poor man, he has not been mentally apt since his return.”
“Why do you insist on destroying my fantasies?” Eleanor complained thrusting her lower lip out in a pout, as her hands dropped back down to her side.
“Because your fantasies are destructive from the beginning. Besides, who wants to marry a soldier? I would prefer a more stable, loyal, faithful relationship with a…a—”
“You know you are describing a dog, don’t you?”
Both women looked at each other and laughed.
“Oh, Eleanor. I do enjoy our conversations. I just wish we could have them more often. You really should come visit me.”
“You know my parents abhor London. If it wasn’t for this blasted war, we would not be here now. But the king insists on having these little soirees to keep the morale up. Besides, my family is not overly fond of you or your father.”
“Is it because we are from the colonies?”
“That is the only reason,” Eleanor declared as she flipped open her lace fan. Waving the white fan back and forth in front of her face, she continued, “Are you certain you want to go back after we win the war? I mean, what could you possibly find intriguing about such a traitorous, violent country?”
“Eleanor,” Anna scolded. “That is your father talking.”
“Well, it is true. I have heard the stories General Gage has spoken of. Such blatant disrespect of authority. People fighting in the streets, ambushing our soldiers and mocking our grand King George. Those savages should all be hanged for treason!”
“My mother was from North Carolina and my great-uncle is part of those ‘traitorous savages,’ so I will ask you to refrain from insulting my family.”
Eleanor grabbed Anna by the arm and ushered her to the window.
“Shush, Anna. If the men in this room heard such talk, they would hang you for treason. Do you want that?”
Anna took a frustrated sigh and looked at her friend. “It is not treason if you are fighting for what you believe is right. Besides, my father owns land in North Carolina. My mother is buried there. I cannot help it if I feel an obligation to defend my home and its residents.”
“Anna,” Eleanor scolded again. “I will ask you again—please do not speak in such a manner. You must think of your safety. Now, no more talk of war.”
“What would you like to discuss?” Anna asked as she crinkled her nose. Suddenly her face opened. “Oh, I know! The arrangements of your make-believe husband’s funeral.”
“What?”
“You want to marry a soldier. Death finds those who seek it.”
“What are you now, a soothsayer?”
“No. Just a realist.”
“You put on a brave, rebellious front, when in truth it is only to me. I dare say you would not act in such an emboldened manner to your father.”
“True. But you are my friend and understand the plight we women face. Being the property of our father until we are auctioned off to increase our family’s station in life.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Laugh all you want, Elle, but it’s the truth. We are horses being traded for breeding purposes. Our feelings are not taken into account.”
“Well, if I were you, I would keep my thoughts to myself for here comes your father.”
Groaning, Anna closed her eyes. She was not allowed one minute’s peace without her father or one of his hired thugs tracking her down. He watched her more carefully than a banker watched his gold. Oh, how she longed for just one day without being watched or followed. She was amazed that he didn’t have guards in her bath water to make sure she would not try to escape when the water was
thrown out.
Her father, Henry Channing, was a strict man. In his opinion, women were ornaments to decorate a man’s arm. A trophy to be seen and not heard. Women were not to look men in the eye. They were to obediently follow a man’s orders and not question them or ask why. And he enforced his rules with an iron fist. His tyrannical rule was how her mother died.
The corner of Anna’s mouth twitched as she remembered her mother, Joanna. She was a free-spirited woman but a very well-to-do and attractive woman—which caused the men to overlook her unorthodox nature. She was of average height with blond hair and blue eyes. Joanna had a natural hour-glass figure with a slim waist and large breasts. She was the envy of every woman and had many suitors pursuing her. But her attractiveness was not what Henry found appealing—it was her wealth.
Henry was an ambitious man. He was looking to increase his standing in the king’s eyes. But having no assets or lands to speak of made his dream near impossible. So he hid his nature and wooed Joanna, duping her and her family into thinking he was better off than he was. However, she was being courted by several more suitable, influential and well-off men. Henry knew his time was running short, for another man was frequently visiting Joanna. So he got her drunk and seduced her in her own bed. The next day, they were found and forced to marry. Shortly after their marriage, Joanna’s parents died in a mysterious house fire. So being an only child, all their lands and fortune went to their only child’s husband. Once Henry had his hands on her vast wealth and lands, his true nature came forth. For in his eyes, women were lower than dogs. He lived by his own twisted version of the Old Testament where women were to submit themselves to their husbands. However, he neglected to read the passage where it stated that they were to love their wives like they love their own body—or maybe he chose to simply ignore that. Whichever the case was, he would beat her mercilessly. And for this reason, she could never carry a child. The only reason Anna was born was because her father had left the country just before she announced she was expecting. He traveled to England and did not return until well after Anna’s birth.
After her birth, Joanna and Henry built a large home. He said he did not want to hear the noise from a crying child that he had not intended to have. Joanna and Anna stayed on the opposite side of the home. When Anna was eight, Henry insisted that Joanna move back into the same room as him. Anna could hear her parents fight day and night. She had tried to intervene, but she was quickly put in her place by Henry’s heavy hand. Never had she experienced such pain. When he finished, her left eye was swollen shut, three of her baby teeth were broken and she could hardly stand. After that, whenever she heard her parents begin to argue she would climb out the window and down the oak tree beside the house. She would hide in the barn until dawn. The last time she did this was when her mother died. When she came back from the barn, she found her mother’s lifeless, beaten body lying at the bottom of the stairs. Three months later Anna and her father left for England.
As Anna studied the man who was her father, she questioned whether or not they were actually related. She had heard the rumor of her mother taking a lover during Henry’s yearlong absence. Could it be possible that she was an illegitimate child? There was not an ounce of resemblance between Anna and her father. She was of average height for a woman with blond hair and blue eyes. On the other hand, Henry was a stubby overweight man. He had no hair to speak of, not that anyone would notice under the mahogany-colored wig he sported. His eyes were amber and full of hatred and were shadowed by bushy red brows. They resembled large wooly worms attached to his forehead. The red brows made his amber eyes resemble old urine, giving him a demented look. She watched as he rubbed his straight pointy nose.
As Henry approached his daughter, a sneer crossed his thin lips. “Are you ready to leave, Daughter?”
“I am at your bidding, Father,” Anna said, diverting her eyes to the ground as she curtsied.
Henry extended his arm to his daughter. She timidly placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Good evening, Lady Eleanor,” Henry said as he escorted his daughter out of the home.
Anna entered the carriage with her father. She could sense something was amiss. He was not behaving normally. His feet rested in the seat beside her. From the corner of her eyes she watched as he placed his arms behind his head and smiled. A shiver ran down Anna’s spine. Whenever Henry gave this look, something terrible was planned.
The pair rode in silence to their townhome. Anna looked out the window of the carriage and watched as the homes drifted by. Despite the tension between her home and England, she could not help but marvel at the beauty of this country and the homes. The architecture was magnificent. Each home appeared to have come out of a painting. The hypnotic sway of the coach along with rhythmic sounds of the horse’s hooves caused Anna’s mind to wander back to a time before her mother’s death. Of her family and friends that she left behind when she was forced to travel to England.
Henry was fiercely loyal to King George. He hoped to prove his allegiance to the king and one day be granted a seat in Parliament. When her father heard of the tension building in Boston between the colonies and England and of the incident with the tea, he gathered what little intelligence about the colonies he could and fled the country. He took his knowledge to the crown and gained favor with King George. Henry was assigned to a covert advisory committee to help plan the colonial invasion.
The driver’s voice halting the horse brought Anna out of her daydream. Henry assisted Anna out of the carriage and escorted her into the home.
As Henry slipped the cloak off Anna’s shoulders, he said, “Please go to my study, Daughter, I have something I need to tell you.”
“Yes, Father,” she replied and did as ordered.
Upon entering the study, she stood by the chair awaiting her father’s permission to be seated. He motioned to the chair. She sat down and adjusted her yellow ball gown. She did not speak for it was forbidden for her to speak without being spoken to first.
“You are probably wondering what I wish to discuss,” Henry said.
“I admit, I am curious,” Anna answered, her eyes fixated on the floor.
“Did you happen to notice Major Stevenson this evening?”
“No, I did not. But I hear that he is a remarkable man.”
“Indeed he is. And fortunately for you, he noticed you and has taken interest.”
“I am honored that he would find me appealing.”
“As you should. You look too much like your mother. That piss-colored hair of yours and those evil blue eyes.” Henry rounded his desk and sat down. Crossing his hands over his chest, he leaned back in his chair. “After much discussion with Mr. Merck and Major Stevenson, I have brokered a deal with them that would benefit us all.”
Taking a nervous breath, Anna blinked rapidly. “I am happy to hear of this, Father.”
“Good. The Crown was questioning my loyalty. There is a vicious rumor going about that you are sympathetic to the colonial cause. To help prove my allegiance to king and country, I have arranged for you to wed Major Stevenson.”
Anna’s eyes shot upward to her father. Her mouth dropped open. “You did what?!” No sooner had the words left her mouth than she realized her error. She quickly diverted her eyes back to the floor. “Please forgive my outburst, Father. I just was not expecting such…a great honor to be bestowed upon me.”
A tight-lipped smirk crossed Henry’s face. He stood and walked over to his daughter. Anna could hear her heart pounding in her head, resembling a drummer’s call-to-arms. She felt her father’s hand run along her jaw. She braced herself for what was coming. The back of his hand connected with her mouth with such force that she was knocked to the floor. She did not attempt to stand, for she knew if she did, he would just strike her again.
“Remember your place, Anna. For Major Stevenson will not be as tolerant of your outbursts as I. You will marry in a week’s time. Afterwards, you will travel with your husband to North Carolina. I sugges
t you ready your belongings immediately.” Henry turned and left the room.
Anna righted herself. Pulling a handkerchief out of her bodice, she dabbed her bleeding lip. Standing, she brushed the imaginary wrinkles from her gown and left the study, proceeding to her chambers. As she entered, her servant, Sarah, raced to her. When Sarah noticed her mistress’s injuries, her hand went to her mouth.
“Oh, Miss Anna,” she whispered.
“I’m fine, Sarah. Please help me ready for bed.”
“Yes, Miss Anna,” the Scottish servant replied, the concern in her voice evident.
Sarah loosened the laces on the back of the ball gown and it fell to the floor. As she was hanging the dress up, Anna sat down at the dressing table and removed the tall, white powdered wig. She placed the wig upon its stand and flipped her head upside down, rubbing her hands through her long, blond-hair. Anna winced as she righted her head. Her hand protectively went towards her injured lip.
Sarah pulled a clean shift out of the wardrobe and walked over to Anna. She could sense something was troubling her mistress.
“What vexes you, Mistress?”
A disheartened sigh escaped her as she turned to Sarah but said nothing. She dropped her shift to the floor and grabbed the clean one out of Sarah’s hand. She pulled the garment over her head and walked to the bed. Turning to face the maid, she sank to the bed.
“I am to wed Major Stevenson.”
A crestfallen look crossed Sarah’s face. “Ye can’t be serious?”
With tears running down her cheeks, Anna replied, “I have been auctioned off to the highest bidder. I am now a brood mare to that boorish Major.” Her voice quivered. “I marry in seven days. In the morning, please ready my belongings.”
