Liberty's Deception

by Lora Thomas

  As Anna made her way to the rose trellis, she hoped that no one would be on watch. She climbed up the trellis undetected and made it to her chambers. She quickly undressed and crawled into bed. The exhilaration of the evening filled her body. She had a lover and it was wonderful. She could still taste him on her lips.

  As she laid her head on the pillow, a thought entered her mind. She had to see him again. But how? When? She would have to find out when Albert would be leaving again. Although he was home tonight, which is why tonight was more exciting. However, a tonic in his evening glass of port helped with the ease of her escape.

  Anna’s mind was racing, recalling the pleasurable sensations that Cameron stirred within her. She loved those feelings, but she loved him more. As the clock struck four, she drifted off to sleep with images of Cameron in her mind.

  Cameron made his way to Chris’s home. As he entered the study, he was surprised to find his brother still awake. Chris gave him a fatherly look.

  “It’s three in the morning, Cameron. What are you doing here this late?”

  Cameron walked to the chair adjacent to his brother and sat down. “I need a place to stay tonight.”

  Christopher’s expression did not change. He watched his brother slouch languidly in the chair. Cameron leaned to the right and placed his hand on his head. Chris knew that stance. He knew something was amiss. “What have you done?”

  “Why must you always think I have done something? Besides, what are you doing up at this hour?”

  “I couldn’t sleep. Some brotherly intuition came over me. I know when something is troubling you,” Chris told his brother. As he observed Cameron, his mouth dropped open. “You bedded her, didn’t you?”

  Cameron’s eyes flew to his brothers, the irritation obvious. Chris ran his hand through his black hair. “Aw, hell, Cameron. Why did you?”

  Cameron did not answer. He stood and walked to the liquor cabinet. How could he answer his brother’s question when he did not know the answer himself? When she had him summoned to Leland, he had planned only on acquiring the information—that was what he tried to tell himself. In truth, he was overjoyed. He wanted to see her, to make certain she was well. But when he found her standing naked under the water, he could not tear his eyes away. If she had screamed at him and told him to leave, he still didn’t think he would have been able. There was something about Anna that he found intriguing, desirable.

  “If Stevenson finds out, he’ll kill her and then draw-and-quarter you. Placing your protruding parts on pikes for the world to see,” Chris warned.

  “I know,” Cameron whispered. He poured himself a whiskey and downed the shot in one swallow.

  “Did you at least get the information she said she had?”

  Cameron’s expression gave away the answer.

  “I take that as a no. So your only accomplishment tonight was bedding the major’s wife. Well, at least if she becomes pregnant, she cannot deny it’s his.”

  Cameron was on Chris in an instant. He pulled his brother from his chair and pressed his back to the wall, gripping Chris’s shirt tightly in his fists. “Do not speak ill about her, Chris.”

  Cameron’s reaction to the comment alarmed Chris. As Chris looked into Cameron’s eyes, his surprise was evident. “You love her.”

  Cameron gave his brother one last press into the wall before he released him. He turned and stormed to the window. His silence was the answer Chris needed.

  “You have been compromised. I will notify Woods. He can reassign you—”

  “I’ll break your jaw if you mention this to anyone.”

  “Do you deny it?”

  “No,” Cameron admitted.

  “Then you cannot keep working this angle.”

  “Like hell I can’t!”

  “Are you certain you love her? I mean, are you sure it’s not just lust? She is a handsome woman. Maybe if you visit The Lair. Duke has some new girls.”

  “No,” Cameron said.

  “Or the lovely Widow—”

  “I said no.”

  “I’m sure she was a good piece. She keeps Stevenson satisfied—”

  Cameron’s fist connected with Chris’s mouth, causing blood to pour. Chris dabbed his mouth, then looked at his brother.

  “You do love her,” Chris said as he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth. Cameron’s gaze stayed fixed on his brother. “What are you going to do, Cam? If you keep seeing her, you put her at risk of her husband’s fury. You put us at risk. You put our mission in jeopardy. Please give her up. Allow me to collect the information she gathers.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “For the first time since Constance’s death, I feel alive. I feel like I have a purpose.”

  “You do have a purpose!”

  Cameron said nothing. He turned his gaze away from his brother.

  “Look, Cameron. She makes you feel alive, I understand that. But are you sure it’s love and not just the challenge of bedding the major’s wife? A new adventure with the danger you so crave added?”

  “I appreciate your council, Christopher, but it is unwanted. I love her and when this blasted war is over, I plan on keeping her here with me.”

  “Even if her husband is still alive?” Chris asked as he walked to his desk.

  Before Cameron could answer, there was a knock on the window. Chris gave his brother a puzzled look and walked over to the window. Glancing out, he spied Sarah.

  “It’s aboot bloody time ye noticed me. I’ve been beating on yer front door for five minutes,” Sarah complained as she crawled into Christopher’s house.

  It was a comical sight watching the Scot climb through the window. Cameron did not offer assistance. She had her upper torso hanging inside and her legs out. Suddenly, her legs went up in the air, causing her skirts to slide up to her backside, exposing her stocking legs and brown boots.

  Christopher rushed to her aid and assisted Sarah inside. “Why are you here?”

  “I have news.”

  “What news?”

  “I ran intae Anna as she was on her way home,” Sarah said, giving Cameron a heated glance. “She gave me the information that she was supposed tae give ye.” She kept her eyes locked onto Cameron.

  “What is it?” Cameron asked as he straightened his posture.

  “Why in the hell is everyone out and about at this hour?” Chris asked as he gestured towards the clock. “Whatever happened to sleep?”

  Sarah ignored the older twin. “Seems there will be an assassination attempt on General Greene. The major has sent a dispatch tae General Clinton tae get his approval. The major plans on having one of his men captured near General Greene’s encampment. The man will be dressed as a British soldier seeking refuge for turning traitor. He is tae report false battle plans tae the General.”

  “The man will be captured. Surrounded by guards. How will he kill Greene?” Cameron asked.

  “He is the distraction. The Colonial army will be focusing on gatherin’ information from this man. Whit they will nae realize is that the man who captured him is actually part of the Queen’s Rangers.”

  Christopher mumbled a faint curse word. He looked frantically at Cameron. “Go! Relay the message!”

  Cameron raced out the door.

  Christopher turned to Sarah. “Thank you for this information. Now you had better return before you are caught.”

  “There is one more thing.”

  “Which is?”

  “While I was speaking with Anna, she reinstated me to my position. I begin tomorrow.”

  “Why did she do that? I thought she dismissed you for your protection.”

  Sarah took a deep breath. “Ah dae nae ken. She said something aboot information but ah really dae nae pay attention. Ah will figure it oot tomorrow.”

  “You didn’t pay attention?”

  She flicked her wrist. “Ah was more worried aboot her well-being.”

  Chris simply shook his head. He had l
earned that even though Sarah loved to talk, when she didn’t want to divulge something, she wouldn’t.

  “Safe passage on your way home.”

  Sarah nodded and left the home. The message had been successfully delivered. She just hoped it wasn’t too late to save Greene’s life and that Anna’s information was sound. The risk Anna took to gather it was great. As Sarah contemplated her friend’s bravery, a thought entered her head. She had become Anna’s maid again, and as Anna had stated, it was a way to pass information while protecting Cameron. But something else was troubling her. Sarah just had to figure out what?

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Get up, Wife!” Albert yelled as he walked into Anna’s bedchambers.

  Anna shot upwards as if controlled by a puppeteer’s string. She blinked rapidly, looking around the room, until her eyes landed on her husband. “Yes?”

  “It’s ten in the morning. Are you planning on sleeping all day? You have a household staff to run, or have you forgotten?” He crossed the room to her with determined strides. “I guess you have since that woman you dismissed is waiting in your sitting room and has been since eight this morning. She said you have reinstated her. Is that correct?”

  Anna rubbed the sleepy haze from her eyes. “Yes.”

  Albert grabbed her face in his hand and pulled her up to him. A faint cry of pain escaped Anna as she was dragged from the bed.

  “Why?” he seethed.

  “I ran into her at Mr. Christopher’s store. She begged me to hear her out. So being the kind person I am, I did.” Anna licked her lips nervously. “It was all a huge misunderstanding. The man was her cousin on her father’s side. She hadn’t seen him in years. It was a family reunion—so to speak.”

  “Is that so?” he questioned with doubt.

  “Yes. I believe her. Once she explained what happened, I felt guilty about dismissing her and asked her to come work for us again.”

  “You should have discussed this with me first, Anna. For I have already taken the liberty to acquire a new lady’s maid for you.”

  “You did what?” Anna asked in surprise, her pulse quickening with fear.

  “You see,” he began as he shoved her away. “Since you are carrying my child, I want to make certain that you do not overexert yourself and miscarry, for I have no desire to bed you again until another child is deemed necessary.”

  “Thank you for thinking of me,” Anna whispered, rubbing her chin.

  “It wasn’t you I was thinking of but only myself. I told you I find your body emaciated. The thought of bedding you is revolting. Peggy will make certain you are well taken care of until the child is born.”

  “The downstairs maid!” Anna exclaimed in shock, her eyes growing wide.

  “You are acquainted with her?”

  “Not as well as you.”

  A snide expression crossed his face at her barb. “Watch yourself, Wife.” He walked to her and picked up a lock of her blond hair. Twirling it in his fingers he spoke, “Those outbursts are noted. You will be punished for them once my child is born.”

  Anna felt her head spin like an eddy in a stream. An image of what was in store for her flashed into her mind, causing her stomach to churn with terror. She grew pale as she looked at him. His smug expression let her know that every minute outburst or small barb she was brave enough to use would be used against her.

  The door opened and Peggy walked in.

  “Help my wife dress, Peggy. Stay with her constantly. Report every action to me this evening. If I like what you have to report, you will be handsomely rewarded.”

  A wanton expression crossed the brunette’s face. “As you wish, Major,” she purred seductively.

  Anna wanted to vomit. The scene before her was worse than any ghost story ever told to her. Her every move, action, and word would be delivered to Albert by his lover. She had no doubt that he planned on rewarding her within earshot of Anna.

  Anna looked to her new lady’s maid. Peggy. She was tall and oddly shaped. Her waist was narrow and she had wide hips. However, her breasts were large. No, large was an understatement. They were huge! It looked like she had two overgrown watermelons shoved down the front of her dress. Anna imagined that Peggy’s height was because of her legs. The waist of her dress was far from the floor. Her upper torso was short but then again maybe it was average. Who could tell with those watermelons. She resembled a frog that had been squeezed too hard in the middle. Her face was thin and framed by thin straight dull brown hair. Her eyes were pretty though—green with flakes of brown—although a little bulbous.

  Peggy smiled at Anna. “Get up and get dressed,” she commanded with hatred.

  “Pardon?” Anna asked with surprise at being spoken too so disrespectfully.

  “You heard me. The major ordered me to assist you, not be nice. So get up and get dressed. I don’t want to spend my entire day in here.”

  “I am your mistress. You will address me with the respect that title deserves.”

  “You ain’t nothing but the major’s colonial whore.”

  “How dare you?!” Anna said as she hopped out of bed and marched over to Peggy. “Apologize.”

  “No.”

  Anna smiled maliciously at Peggy. “Don’t make me have to report your actions to Albert.”

  “Don’t make me have to report yours. You know I can tell him anything and he will believe me.”

  Anna’s face grew red with anger. Damn her! Damn Albert! Damn them all! Peggy was right. That stupid brown-haired bitch had her by the nose. She could make up whatever tale she wanted and Albert would believe her. Anna was now a puppet to a trollop totting watermelons.

  Anna whirled away from Peggy and walked to her wardrobe. She pulled out a turquoise gown and began dressing herself. As she adjusted her shift, she mumbled to herself.

  “What did you say, Mistress?” Peggy needled.

  Anna turned to face the useless maid. Peggy had made herself comfortable in Anna’s bed. She had her back against the headboard and her feet extended out in front of her, crossed at the ankles.

  “I said, it’s a good thing I am independent, because you are as useful as tits on a boar hog.”

  Peggy’s quick intake of breath at the insult cause a smug smile to cross Anna’s face. Anna turned from her new “servant” and pulled her hair up loosely in a black ribbon. She turned and walked out the door. She could hear Peggy call after her. She did not stop but went straight into her study.

  “Mrs. Stevenson!” Sarah said with excitement, thrilled that Anna was here.

  “Sarah,” Anna said in a controlled voice.

  “Mrs. Stevenson, you have to wait on me,” Peggy whined as she walked in behind Anna.

  “Miss Williamson,” Sarah said as she looked at the obnoxious woman. “Why are you here?”

  A haughty look came over Peggy. “I’m Mrs. Stevenson’s new maid and personal assistant.”

  Sarah’s mouth lowered slightly with shock as she looked at Anna.

  “Mr. Stevenson arranged to have Peggy assist me. I have just learned of this arrangement. I am afraid to say that I can no longer use you as my lady’s maid. However, I am in need of a chambermaid—for my room only.” Anna looked over at Peggy with a smug look. Two can play this game. “Peggy is not skilled enough to handle the delicate furnishings in my room. I will leave a list of chores for you to do in the top drawer of my dressing table.”

  Sarah caught the meaning of Anna’s words. Since they would not be able to converse privately, Anna would leave information in the desk drawer for her. It was extremely dangerous, especially if Peggy knew how to read—which Sarah highly doubted. The only thing Peggy knew how to do was to suck a man until his penis was twice its normal size or ride him until he was chaffed to the point that the air would be discomforting.

  “I must object, Mistress. I am to be the only one to assist you,” Peggy arrogantly said.

  Anna waved her hand in a dismissive manner at the new servant.

  “Oh, P
eggy! How naïve you are. You cannot possible tend to me, my clothing, my room, do the mending and dressmaking, or read me poetry. Nor can you tend to my wigs and keep my jewelry highly polished. Do you know the first thing about assisting me in making jams and jellies?” Peggy opened her mouth to speak, but Anna continued, “Polish the buckles on my shoes, keep me supplied in fresh flowers and powders. Oh! I like my shoulders and feet massaged every evening and my scalp every morning. I will need my shifts laundered a specific way. I don’t like them stiff. They need to be soft. After they are washed and dried, you will need to take them and beat them with the stone until they are as soft as a baby’s bottom.”

  “Anything else? Would you like me to chew your food for you, too?” Peggy questioned with hostility.

  “Those are just the things I can think of from the top of my head. But if you find it overly taxing, Sarah will be more than capable of resuming her old position. She had no issue at all with these tasks.”

  “I will need to discuss these requests with your husband.”

  “By all means. I believe he is in his study.”

  “Excuse me, Mistress.” Peggy said. Before she exited the door, she heard Anna call for her and turned back.

  “Please discuss these issues quietly with my husband. I find that I have a headache and don’t want to hear you howling like a bitch in heat.”

  Peggy’s eyes narrowed. “How dare you!”

  “What? State the truth? Please. I am not stupid. I know what you and Albert are doing. But please keep in mind that, although you satisfy his sexual desires, I am still his wife. His authority is mine. So I suggest you remember your place. Understand?”

  Anna watched Peggy leave. She turned to Sarah. She watched as a grin crossed Sarah’s face. Anna giggled. She felt so invigorated at telling Albert’s lover off. It was a small victory on her part. But she was satisfied. Since she dare not ever argue with her husband, she would save her frustrations for his lover. That little thought was a victory in itself.

  “That was marvelous!” Sarah declared. “I hate that woman.”