'Is this an opening speech, Mr Calthorpe?' the earl inquired. 'I do not believe Mr Barker has closed his case as yet.'
'I am endeavouring to save the time of this court,' Calthorpe said. 'It is a well known fact, my lord, that the real Richard Hilton was betrothed to be married before his disappearance, to a Miss Ellen Taggart. That lady is now the wife of Mr Anthony Hilton. Now, my lord, who should better know a man, whatever his present appearance, than a woman to whom he was for four years engaged to be married? I am prepared to produce Mrs Hilton in this court to testify that that man is not Richard Hilton. And further, my lord, it is also a well known fact that the late Richard Hilton perpetrated a criminal assault upon a young lady in Kingston, the night before his disappearance. Now my lord, surely that young lady would be able to remember the identity of her assailant, a man who locked her in a hotel bedroom and brutally raped her. My lord, I am prepared to produce that young lady in this court, also to swear that the Claimant is not Richard Hilton. My lord, I most earnestly entreat that unless my learned friend can offer evidence as conclusive in character as this, that this civil case be dismissed immediately, and that criminal proceedings be instituted against the Claimant.'
The earl stared at him for some seconds, and then at Dick.
But clearly his faith in him had suffered considerably. Particularly was he obviously thinking that no matter what view he might have, the jury would certainly find for Tony. And there was nothing to be done, now. He had gambled and lost. It would only have worked had the earl been determined enough to ride over the legal objections in his determination to discover the truth. And there was nothing he could do. He had not felt so helpless for a very long time.
'Hm,' said the earl. 'Hm. Mr Barker?'
Barker stood up, licked his lips. He also knew the case was lost.
'My lord . . .'
'My lord,' said a quiet voice from the very rear of the room. 'The Claimant may well possess a witness of superior value to those listed by Mr Calthorpe.'
'Eh? Eh?' Belmore peered at the speaker.
Dick turned, as did Tony, both as if plucked by a long rope. Alone of everyone in the court, they had equally recognized the voice. Previously seated amidst the veiled women at the back of the room, the speaker had now thrown back the gauze covering her face to reveal herself as Suzanne Hilton.
17
The Incendiary
'Mother?' Dick exclaimed, in total consternation. 'Mother?' Tony cried, no less astounded. 'What? What?' cried the earl.
'You do not know me, my lord.' Suzanne wore black, and stood with the aid of a stick. Dick realized she was seventy years old. But her voice had not changed. 'My husband and I left Jamaica some forty years ago. But I am Suzanne Hilton, wife of Matthew Hilton, sister of Robert Hilton, and mother of Anthony and Richard Hilton.'
'My God,' the earl cried. The court burst into noise, and people scrambled on their chairs the better to see. Suzanne smiled at them all. Her hair was now entirely white, and there were lines on her face and neck. But that marvellous bone structure was also unchanged.
'Mother.' Tony left his seat and ran to the back of the court to take her hand. 'Why did you not inform me you were coming?'
Suzanne freed herself. 'I thought it best.'
'But . . . how long have you been in the island?'
'Two days.'
'Two days? And not a word?'
'Again, I thought it best.' She had reached the front rows, stood beside Dick. 'Well, sir, have you nothing to say?'
Dick could only stare at her; dimly he heard the earl's gavel calling for order. 'I supposed you had rejected me,' he said at last. 'Did you not receive my letter?'
'Had I not, I would not be here now.' She walked past them, into the well of the court.
The earl continued to bang with his gavel. 'Order. Order. I will have the court cleared.' He leaned over his desk. 'Suzanne Hilton? By God. Madam, I hope you will allow me to entertain you, at a more suitable moment. But you see us here . . .' He remembered why she was there at all. 'Will you identify that man as your son?'
'If you will allow me a few minutes alone with him, my lord, I will either identify him or swear that he is not my son.'
'Aye, well, there it is. Court will adjourn for fifteen minutes.' He glared at the jury, only now subsiding into quiet. 'You'll accompany me, Mrs Hilton. And you as well, Mr Hilton.'
He was addressing Dick, but Tony hurried forward. 'Am I not entitled to speak with my mother?'
'By all means accompany us, Tony,' Suzanne said.
'Mr Hilton.' Barker leaned out of his seat. 'This is make or break.'
'Aye,' Dick said. 'But she is my mother, Mr Barker.' He followed the earl into the judge's chamber at the rear of the court.
'I will leave you now, madam,' Belmore said. 'To speak with these gentlemen.'
He went outside, and the door closed.
'Well,' Tony said, loudly, 'thank God you are here, Mama, to put an end to this farce. The man's an impostor, some white nigger who fought with Christophe, took the name of Warner, and now has the effrontery . . .'
'Be quiet, Tony,' Suzanne said, softly. She held Dick's arm, peered into his face. 'My God,' she said. 'What did they do to you?'
'It was a fall from a cliff, Mama. But you . . .' 'Mama?' she asked. 'Have you the right to use that word to me?'
'But . . . my letter? The handwriting . . .' 'Bore very little resemblance to the last letter I had from Richard Hilton, a long time ago.' 'The events I described . . .'
'Could easily have been learned.'
'I cannot imagine why you troubled to undertake such a long and dangerous journey,' Tony remarked.
'Perhaps a mother never actually believes her son can be dead,' Suzanne said. 'Perhaps she must dream, always, that he will come back to her.'
'Aye,' Tony said. 'I can understand that, Mama. And I can understand how deep must be the disappointment at the end. But this blackguard shall pay for it, you have my word.'
Suzanne continued to look at Dick. 'Are you a blackguard?'
'Mama, I . . .' He took a step forward, checked himself. She waited, for some sign to convince her, and he could think of nothing, to do or to say.
'Yes?' she asked, her voice soft.
He stared into her eyes, as she stared into his. His hands closed on her shoulders, and she was in his arms, fingers tight on his back, cheek pressed against his.
'Blackguard,' Tony bellowed. 'By God, I'll . . .'
'Be quiet, Tony,' Suzanne said. 'Oh, Dick, Dick, if you knew how long I have waited to hold you in my arms, with what hopes and with what fears I landed from that ship.'
'If only you had told us you were here.'
'Why?' She removed her hat, and sat down. 'To be badgered, or bullied, or worse.'
'Mama . . .' Tony began.
‘I have been receiving letters from Tony, for the past sixteen years,' she said. 'Relating his successes, and your failures, Dick. I supposed you dead, on his hearsay. Why did you not write?'
'With a face like this? Oh, I got used to it. But by then I had become caught up in Christophe's dreams of empire, his perpetual war. I was indeed no longer Matt Hilton's son, Mama.'
'But always Suzanne Hilton's son,' she said. 'Robert Hilton's nephew. I never doubted that when you found your way, you would be a Hilton.'
'You mean you accept his story?' Tony demanded.
'I said, I would end this farce. I travelled with Morrison on the Green Knight, swore him to secrecy. I have lodged, privily, and watched and listened, and heard, how you attempted to have your brother murdered, Tony.'
'Murdered? My brother? Why . . .'
'Because he is your brother. I have watched him and his wife, from the window of my room. He may not look like Dick, he may not talk like Dick, but he most certainly walks like Dick, as his gestures are Dick's.' She smiled at him. 'As he married the woman Dick would have married. She is very beautiful, Dick. I look forward to meeting her.' She got up again.
&nb
sp; 'You . . . you will betray me,' Tony cried.
'Betray you, Tony. I have come to rescue you from the consequences of your own iniquity. It is now my duty to intercede with Dick on your behalf.'
'Intercede?' he shouted.
'You'll have an annuity,' Dick said. 'Provided you leave Jamaica.'
'Annuity? Leave Jamaica? You think this business will be as simply settled as that?'
'It can be, if you are sensible,' Suzanne said. 'Dick is being more than generous.'
'You'll not have Hilltop,' Tony said.
'I shall come out tomorrow,' Dick said. 'You'll have time to pack.'
'You?' Tony demanded. 'The planters will not stand for it.' 'They'll obey the law.'
'Damn the law. That law was made in England. You are an Abolitionist, a nigger lover. Well, we have finished with those. We are on the verge of declaring our independence. Aye, then we'll make our own laws. You attempt to set foot on Hilltop, and you'll spark a revolution.'
'Why, you . . .' Dick reached for him, and Tony reached for the door.
'Dick.' Suzanne's voice was sharp. 'I'll not have you fighting, when I am seeing you for the first time in twenty years. I had hoped this matter could be happily resolved. I still hope it will be. Tony is upset. That is entirely reasonable. You'll pack your things, Tony, and prepare to leave Hilltop. But when Dick and his wife, and I, come out tomorrow, we will lunch together, and be friends.'
Tony stared at her for a moment, glanced at Dick, then turned and left the room, banging the door behind him.
'We must. . .' Dick attempted to follow, but his mother held his arm.
'Dick. Let him go. And let me hold you, just for a moment. Your letter . . .' She clung to him, her head on his chest. 'I had always supposed you alive, and known that it was nothing more than a mother's prayer.' Her head went back, to allow her to look at him. 'Your letter all but gave us both a seizure.'
'Papa?'
'Is better than for years. The election has rejuvenated him. Even if he could not take part himself, he knows a Whig victory is his victory. Grey is dedicated to reform, and a reformed House of Commons means Abolition. He is proud of you, Dick.'
'For becoming a soldier?'
'For being his son. For returning to Jamaica. You said in your letter it was to emancipate your slaves. Do you mean that, Dick?'
'Aye. But it will not be an easy matter.'
'Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. And you will have me to help you. If you knew how I have longed to help you, Dick, how I have longed to make myself known to you, as I watched you walking yesterday afternoon, with that lovely woman, and those splendid children. My grandchildren, Dick.'
He kissed her forehead. 'And you shall see them in minutes. But we had best return.'
For noise was again bubbling out of the courtroom. He opened the door for her, and the shouts slowly died as they re-entered the room. The earl was already there, waiting at his desk. The jury looked thunderstruck. Calthorpe and Reynolds looked as if they had seen a ghost. Barker and Harris were plainly delighted.
The earl banged his gavel. 'Order. Order. This is but a formality, Mistress Hilton, as Mr Anthony Hilton has seen fit to leave the court. Will you take the box?'
Suzanne climbed the curved staircase, took the oath in a quiet, clear voice. The courtroom had fallen so silent it was possible to hear people breathing.
'Mr Barker?' the earl invited.
Barker rose. 'Will you state your name, please.'
'Suzanne Hilton.'
'Have you ever seen the Claimant before in your life, Mrs Hilton?'
Suzanne smiled at Dick. 'He is my son.'
A great sigh swept through the court room.
'Thank you, Mrs Hilton. Your witness, Mr Calthorpe.'
Calthorpe stood up. 'I have no questions, my lord.' He licked his lips. 'My client accepts that he was mistaken, and that the Claimant is indeed his brother, the rightful owner of Plantation Hiltop.'
Now the noise burst forth. No one had expected it to be set out in quite those terms. 'Blackguard,' shouted one of the jury at Calthorpe. 'You were not so instructed,' cried another. 'Mr Hilton.' Harris shook hands.
'My thanks,' Dick said. 'And to you, Barker. You may be sure of my gratitude.'
'Mr Hilton.' Reynolds hesitated. 'I did what I had to do. I sent you Harris.'
'Indeed you did, Mr Reynolds. I'll not bear a grudge.' He descended into the well to meet his mother as she came down the stairs. The earl also descended.
'Congratulations, Mr Hilton. You'll dine with me. Indeed you will. I have long wanted to meet your charming wife again. She is not in court?'
'She is at the hotel with our children. We thought it best. My lord, I would like to see the Reverend Strong.'
'Good heavens, I had quite forgot the fellow. Oh, indeed. You must set him free, if only to legalize his position.' The earl waved at his provost marshal. 'You'll descend to the cells and get the reverend up here.'
The marshal nodded, and hurried for the stairs.
'Just look at them go,' Suzanne said, watching the planters file out. The jury had not waited to be dismissed, but were also leaving, muttering at each other.
'A stiff-necked lot,' Belmore grumbled. 'And you may depend upon it, they will be putting their heads together to see what can be done. Oh, there is more than a spark of treason hidden in that gang. But we shall be ready for them, eh? And now, Mrs Hilton, Mr Hilton, if you'll excuse me . . .' He frowned at the provost marshal, reappearing in the room.
'Well?'
'He is gone, my lord.'
'Gone?' Dick shouted.
'Well, sir, he was sent out to Hilltop.'
'By whose orders?'
'By Mr Hilton's orders, sir. Mr Anthony Hilton. You'll understand, sir, when it was done Mr Hilton was still the Hilton, and well, I'm afraid Connor the cell-man is a follower of the plantocracy.'
'The devil,' Dick said. ‘I must get a horse.'
'No,' Suzanne said. 'You will fight. I did not come out here to have either of you kill the other. My lord, my son Tony has defied a court order.'
'By God, madam, you are quite right. I'll send the military, indeed I will. You may rest assured, Mr Hilton, the man will be returned here by this very night, or your brother will likely find himself occupying the same cell. Oh, indeed.'
Suzanne squeezed Dick's arm. 'So you may rest easy. And take me to meet your wife and children.'
The Earl of Belmore rose to his feet, raised his glass. 'Ladies and gentlemen. I give you Richard Hilton, of Hilltop.' The company stood. 'Richard Hilton, of Hilltop.'
Dick felt his eyes fill with tears as he looked at them, at his mother, on his right, at Cartarette on his left, at the earl, at the garrison commander, Colonel Barraclough, at the various other government officials, and their wives, at John Mortlake, and at Mr and Mrs John Harris, and Timothy Barker. He supposed it was a unique occasion, when two black men and a black woman dined at Government House.
'For I tell you this,' Belmore said. 'My interest in this affair is far from being merely that of judge, as Mr Hilton well knows, and understands. Hilltop, I would like to think, has returned to sanity. And where Hilltop leads, the rest of Jamaica must surely follow. Who knows, ladies and gentlemen, an end to the disputes, to the wrangling, and even to the downright treason of the last five years may be in sight.'
He sat down, and Dick rose in turn. 'I thank you all,' he said. 'For your support, for your congratulations. And my lord, you may sleep easy tonight. Hilltop has indeed returned to sanity, and if it is possible to accomplish, Hilltop will now set an example which we hope will be followed by all who have the welfare of Jamaica, and of Jamaicans . . .' He paused to bow to the two black men, 'at heart.'
Suzanne squeezed his hand. 'Matt will be proud of you, Dick, in every way.'
'Aye.' He sat down. 'I wish I could rest as easy as I invite you to.'
'If Hilltop is indeed twenty miles outside of Kingston,' Cartarette pointed out, 'the soldiers cannot possib
ly return before midnight, supposing they ride like the wind.'
For the colonel had not let them go until three, when the heat had started to leave the sun. But Josh had been sent out at eleven.
'I know that,' Dick agreed. 'Yet it rests heavy on my mind. It is not only Josh. It is Judith Gale as well.'
'Now, Dick,' Suzanne protested. 'By all accounts . . .'
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