Angelina's Secret

by Diane Merill Wigginton

  “There,” I said, pointing a finger in the direction I was looking. “Is that sails, Honore?”

  “I don’t see anything,” Genevieve said, squinting her eyes, trying to make out what I was pointing to in the distance.

  Honore pulled out a magnified looking glass from his coat pocket and extended it to the full length. Carefully looking in the directions I had been pointing, he studied a moment then lowered it. “I think you are correct, but maybe…” Putting the glass back up to his eye, his words trailed off.

  “Maybe what? What is it, Honore?” I asked, getting a bit impatient, then looking back out toward the horizon.

  “I still don’t see what you are talking about,” Genevieve insisted.

  Honore lowered the glass then handed it to me. I put the glass up to my eye. “What did you see, Honore?” I prodded again.

  “I think that I see two ships.”

  “Two ships?” I repeated in disbelief. Then I held my breath to steady the glass and my shaking hands. “I think I see them. Wait . . . yes! There are two ships.” I handed the looking glass to Genevieve. “Look out there, just to the right of the tip of the cove.”

  Placing the glass to her eye, Genevieve moved around quickly.

  “You have to move it slower and try to keep your hand steady, or you will never see anything,” Honore instructed her.

  “How long until they are here?” I asked.

  “With the wind at their backs, I would say another two hours if I were a guessing man.”

  “We better walk back then. There is still so much to get done. Will you harness up the horses and wagons and go down to fetch them?” I asked concerned about the long walk up the hill, as my mind began to work in high gear. “Do you think it will be dark by then?”

  “I will take care of everything. You needn’t worry about a thing, but I must insist that you slow down,” Honore urged, concern etching his voice. He firmly grasped my arm as I headed back to the house. “Genevieve, are you coming? Angelina won’t slow down for anyone, so we had better hurry,” he called over his shoulder sounding slightly frustrated while maintaining a good grip on my arm.

  “Yes, oh yes, there is so much to do,” she said, a bit distracted while trying to catch up to us.

  Just shy of three hours later, Honore came rumbling up the path with the first of three wagons loaded with people and luggage. I had been watching from a second story window that overlooked the garden path to the ocean.

  “They are here!” I shouted over the banister as I headed down the staircase. “They are finally here.”

  “Angelina, slow down before you take a spill!” Genevieve scolded as I negotiated the stairs too fast.

  The door opened as I reached the last step, and the group was led in by Honore.

  Throwing my arms around Jonathan’s neck, tears of pure joy spilled from my eyes. “I knew you were coming today, I just knew it.”

  “Let me look at you,” Jonathan said, stepping back from me to look at my large stomach. Giving a high-pitched whistle and raising his eyebrows at the sight of my enlarged middle. “A lot has changed in just a few short months.”

  Sarah hit Jonathan’s arm hard, causing him to flinch. “Jonathan Stewart, don’t you dare! Angie looks absolutely angelic!” Throwing her arms around my neck, Sarah hugged me so tightly as if we had been separated for years.

  “I have missed you so very much,” I whispered in her ear.

  “I have missed being with you too.” Pushing back from me, she also eyed my stomach. “You have simply blossomed since we parted last. Oh, Jonathan, doesn’t she just look beautiful?” Tears glistened in Sarah’s eyes.

  “Yes, darling, my sister simply glows,” Jonathan said, exaggerating his words and rolling his eyes. “You know, of course, that if Sarah could have gotten us here faster by blowing into the sails she would have.” Turning to Genevieve, he extended his hand taking her hand in his. “Lady Deveraux, you are looking splendid. How has it been watching over my little sister these past few months?”

  “Challenging, most challenging at times.” She smiled broadly, then looked at me. “She is very stubborn and never slows down,” Genevieve said, turning back to Jonathan. “But I have been blessed to have her sweet spirit to keep me company.” A sad look came to her eyes which she quickly covered up. “I have enjoyed getting to know my daughter-in-law.”

  Hearing another wagon pull up outside the door, I tried to look around Jonathan. “How many trunks are the two of you traveling with?” I asked as he blocked my view.

  “I may have neglected to tell you about a surprise,” he said, taking a hold of my shoulders pinning me in place.

  “A surprise!” I squealed.

  “Yes, but you are required to close your eyes first,” Jonathan replied with a serious look on his face.

  “Jonathan Edward Allan Stewart, what are you up to?” I asked, looking at Sarah and then Honore.

  “For once don’t be stubborn and just close your eyes,” Honore ordered.

  “Fine! But you are both being ridiculous,” I insisted then obediently closed my eyes.

  Sarah stepped to my left, and Jonathan held my right arm as they moved out of the way. I heard footsteps stop just in front of me. “Well? Can I open my eyes yet?”

  “Yes,” my mother said, reaching out to touch my face with her hand.

  My eyes flew open to see my mother and father standing in front of me. “Oh, Mother, you are here.” I gasped as fresh tears sprang to my eyes again. “Father, I don’t believe it.” Embracing them both together, I cried in their arms as much from the joy of their surprise, but mostly because I had been terribly homesick and had missed them so much.

  “I must say, as a self-proclaimed skeptic I didn’t believe her, but Angelina predicted that we would have guests in this home by the end of the day and here you all are,” Honore said, breaking the awkward moment as I squealed and then cried again. “Remind me never to bet against one of her funny feelings,” he said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to me.

  I sniffed then blew my nose and whipped my eyes. “I am just speechless, truly speechless. I would never have guessed that you were coming as well.”

  “Well, there is always a first time for everything,” Jonathan teased.

  “I have just been told that dinner will be in an hour,” Genevieve announced to everyone.

  “Let me show you to your rooms. We won’t dress for dinner tonight because there is only enough time to freshen up. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you are all here.” Taking my parents by the arm as Sarah and Jonathan followed, I led the way up the stairs and to their rooms.

  Dinner had been delicious, made better by the company and lively conversation. Sarah and Jonathan told us all about their wonderful adventures in Spain and Italy, regaling us with stories that made us laugh at their calamity with too much spicy food.

  Father, Jonathan and Honore discussed shipping business while the rest of us talked about plans for the Christmas celebrations and impending birth.

  After dinner, the men retired to the study to drink port and smoke cigars and further discuss business while the women wondered into the drawing room. Mother and Genevieve sipped on sherry while Sarah and I enjoyed a nice cup of herbal tea. Sarah announced that they were expecting sometime in May.

  “Oh, Sarah, that is just marvelous, I am so happy for you and Jonathan.” I gushed. “I am glad that we will all be together for Christmas. This truly has been such a wonderful surprise.”

  “I already told Jonathan that I would be staying with you until the baby comes, if you will have me,” Sarah informed me.

  “And I will be staying as well,” Mother interrupted. “I have a feeling that you will be in need of my help.”

  “Oh now this is a most wonderful surprise indeed. The only thing that would make this any better would be if I received word that Jude was on his way home as we speak.” Tears of joy and sorrow sprang to my eyes as I turned to Genevieve and
touched her hand.

  “Yes, my dear, that would be a true Christmas miracle,” she replied, dabbing at the corner of her eye with a napkin.

  I shifted uncomfortably as the baby started shifting and kicking. “I swear when he starts moving around in there it’s like an entire team trying to kick the stuffing out of me.” Standing to walk, I shifted my weight around.

  “It is nice to get a preview of what is to come,” Sarah said, shifting her head to examine my large stomach.

  “Don’t worry, my friend, I can’t believe that you will ever be this size, you are much too petite. I am convinced that I am having a boy and that he will come out walking and talking with a full set of teeth,” I said with sarcasm, then pushed on my right side where a foot appeared to be poking out.

  “Is that your baby?” Sarah asked with complete wonder and amazement.

  “I think that is a foot. Do you want to feel?” Taking her hand, I placed it on the same spot.

  “That is unbelievable.” Sarah’s eyes growing wider as she took her other hand to feel my stomach. “May I?” she asked, reaching her hands out before being granted permission.

  “Certainly, it is still amazing to me and it is a daily occurrence,” I laughed.

  “There is nothing like the feeling of life growing inside of you,” Genevieve said, a nostalgic look in her eyes.

  “Why did you only do it once then, if you don’t mind my asking?” Sarah inquired with her hands still on my belly.

  “I had a daughter before Jude, but she didn’t survive more than three days,” Genevieve said then sighed as if she was remembering back. “We tried several times after Jude, but it was not to be, so I just stopped trying.” Taking a sip of her sherry, Genevieve seemed to snap out her melancholy as she straightened her back. “Some people are just luckier than others.”

  “I am so sorry to hear that,” Clarisse said sympathetically.

  “I have made my peace with it.”

  “Well, I am grateful that you have been here to see me through everything. I will be the first to admit that I have been homesick, but what has frustrated me the most is the inability to get any news,” I said, moving over to the tea tray pouring another cup of tea.

  “That reminds me, you needn’t fear coming home because of Darcy Montgomery,” Clarisse said matter of factly.

  “Oh, and why is that?” I asked, caught off guard by her statement as the color drained from my face at the mere mention of his name.

  “He was found hanging from a tree in the park on the east side about six weeks ago. It appeared that he had been held and tortured for several months before being displayed in the park for all to see as if they were sending a message.”

  “What kind of a message?” Sarah inquired.

  “Montgomery actually had a note pinned to his coat when he was found.” Mother recalled with a shiver.

  “Well, what did it say?” I asked, dumbfounded.

  “They printed it in the newspaper, and I will paraphrase because I can’t remember word for word but it said that the secret society did not like being dragged out into the light of day and that Montgomery’s actions were not sanctioned by them,” Mother said, turning her attention back to me. “Your father thinks that the secret society wanted to send a message that they would not tolerate disloyal behavior, and they would take care of their own problematic members.”

  “And what news has there been of my husband in London?” I questioned, looking sideways at my mother, afraid of making direct eye contact in case the news was bad.

  “I have heard nary a whisper about him. I attempted to see him a few times, but the only person allowed past the guards is his father. In fact, when I inquired after Jude I was told they didn’t have a prisoner by that name.” Mother turned to Genevieve with compassion in her eyes. “Your husband assured me that Jude is being treated as well as can be expected.”

  “What does that mean, Mother?” I asked as my insides twisted with concern.

  “It means that he is well and being treated humanely, that is all I know.”

  “Then I will make the journey back to London to petition the king in person. Darcy Montgomery is no longer a threat to me. Please don’t try to talk me out of it, my, mind is made up.”

  “Angelina, everything humanly possible is being done for Jude as we speak. An ocean voyage with rough seas in your condition would be too risky. My main concern now is for you and your unborn child. And it would seem that I have arrived none too soon.” Her eyes traveling to my enlarged belly, she walked over to where I stood uncomfortably.

  “But I still have some time before the baby comes. I have plenty of time to make the journey.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure.” Placing her hands on my stomach, she moved them around pushing here and there. “If I had to guess, you will come early.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said, surprise showing in my eyes.

  “In fact, I would be surprised if you made it to the first week of February.” Dropping her hands she stood upright, giving me that all knowing look she often did. I learned to believe my mother without question because nine times out of ten she was spot on. I couldn’t help being disappointed just the same.

  25

  FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1763;

  DELIVERANCE DAY HAS ARRIVED

  HRISTMAS HAD COME AND GONE with little fanfare and still my husband sat in the royal towers awaiting word of his fate.

  Philippe had sent several letters of the progress that had been made or should I say the stalemate that the two countries found themselves in as they played politics with Jude’s life.

  Genevieve debated for weeks whether or not to make the trip to London and join her husband to personally see to Jude’s welfare. She decided not to go so she could be present for the birth of her first and possibly only grandchild.

  I had grown bigger and more uncomfortable with each passing day and my mood had grown even worse with the bad weather that prevented me from venturing out.

  I found myself sitting in a chair that faced the large picture window overlooking the stormy seas. Rough waves hit the bluffs with such force I could see the spray of ocean water from where I sat. It had been hypnotic and soothing in a way, watching the lights flashing in the distant sky as lightning strikes cascaded into the water. I had been awake for hours plagued by a nagging backache that awakened me sometime in the predawn hours.

  I know that I should have been apprehensive and maybe a bit scared with the impending birth, but I was not. Instead, I felt a calmness wash over me that morning as I awoke knowing all would be made right and that what was meant to be would be. So there I sat, enjoying nature’s light show until the house began to awaken and Anna came in to check on me.

  Walking across the room Anna deposited a tray on the table, startling me from my meditative state. “Are you trying to make yourself ill? It’s like an ice box in here,” she said, closing the window with a resounding thud before turning to me.

  “No, I was warm when I woke earlier. I guess I didn’t realize how cold it had gotten.” I pulled the blanket sitting on the back of the chair tighter around my shoulders.

  “Are you all right? You look peaked.” Anna reached over to touch my forehead then my face.

  “Yes, yes, I am fine. I was just so uncomfortable in the bed. It felt like I was sleeping on rocks,” I said impatiently, then leaning forward I massaged my lower back and cringed at the pain.

  “How long have you had the pain in your back?” Anna seemed to be on high alert all of a sudden.

  “I don’t know, maybe since last night before I went to bed. All I know is it woke me up several times until I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I got out of bed and have been sitting here since.” I tried to stand but was unable to get out of the chair by myself. “Could you give me a hand? I seem to be having trouble finding a comfortable position.”

  Anna leaned down to pull me up and when I stood the pain shot through my back and seemed to radiate in my hips. “Ahhhh.�
��

  “You sit yourself back down and I will call for help.” Anna wasted no time running to the door as she flung it open, catching Maggie by surprise. “Maggie, fetch Lady Stewart and tell her to hurry. Lady Deveraux is in labor and send someone for the doctor straight away. Oh, and alert the cook and let her know that we need hot water and bring extra linens when you come back. James, just the man I needed to see,” Anna yelled to the young man down the hallway. “Bring plenty of wood and build us a fire. Well, off with you now. Don’t stand there with your tongue in your mouth. We are having a baby today and we can’t have it catching a cold the first day,” Anna said, sounding exuberant.

  A few minutes later, my room was alive with people.

  Sarah was the first to come running. “I heard that the baby is coming,” Sarah said, her eager face beaming with excitement. “What do you want me to do first?”

  “I don’t know, I haven’t done this before,” I answered, apprehension starting to set in.

  “Don’t you fear, my lady, we will take good care of you and the little one,” Anna said, trying to reassure me.

  Genevieve was the next to enter the room. “It is too cold in this room. Where is James? Anna, did you send for James yet?” Genevieve called out to Anna in the next room gathering supplies.

  “Don’t worry, Lady Deveraux I have taken care of it and I am sure he will be here shortly,” Anna said as she walked back in the room with her arms full of things she would need.

  Before Anna finished speaking, James arrived with two young men carrying firewood. They quietly delivered the wood, stacking it neatly in the fire box then left. James set about cleaning up the ashes from the day before and starting a new fire.

  Mother entered the room like a general addressing her troops before a battle. “You can put the water down by the fire to stay warm and put those bowls over there next to the bed. Honore, we will need your strong back to help Angelina into bed just as soon as the ladies have prepared it,” Clarisse said, making her way across the room. She never broke stride as she directed everyone.

  “Yes, Madame,” Honore said, standing at attention, looking slightly uncomfortable to be in the room.