Chapter 19 #2
“I see we’ll have to do this the hard way.
” Jean sighed as they stepped through the door, pushing the turnkey ahead of him, and then closing the door quietly behind them.
“We tried being civil,” Jean reminded Stanley.
“Now we will try reason.” Jean drew out his knife and ran his thumb over the razor-sharp edge. “Do you see this knife, my friend?”
The man nodded the best he could with Dominic’s arm still around this neck.
“If you don’t get the keys and take us to Jonathan Hird immediately and very quietly, I guarantee I will cut out your tongue. Then you will never be able to call out again,” Jean said, his tone menacing. Jean peered at the guard, his nose mere inches away. “Do you understand?”
Stanley nodded.
“Good.” Jean grinned, his teeth white in the darkness. That’s what he liked—complete cooperation. “Dominic, you may release him now that we’ve come to a gentleman’s agreement.”
Stanley’s eyes were large with fear as he reached for the large ring of keys hanging on a big wooden peg. “Follow me,” he said, his eyes flickering with fear.
Dominic and Jean flanked Stanley to make certain the fool wasn’t stupid enough to try to alert the guard—or worse, to run.
Fortunately, since it was late, they didn’t run into any other guards on their way.
Dominic had placed the coil of rope over his shoulder to make sure his hands were free to handle his dagger.
Stanley’s hands shook as he fumbled with the key ring. Finally, he selected the correct brass key and unlocked the cell door. He tried to step aside, but Dominic shoved Stanley through the door.
Jonathan jumped to his feet.
“Ye ain’t goin’ to kill—” Stanley never finished his sentence. Jean hit him on the head with the butt of his pistol and the man slumped, senseless, to the floor.
“The man talked too much,” Jean said, dusting off his hands. “We’ll not have to worry about him alerting anyone for a while.” Jean stepped over the sprawled body and tucked the gun back into his waistband. “Now let’s get out of here.”
“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” Jonathan said as he started for the open door.
Jean wagged his finger and shook his head. “Now, let’s take a look at those bars.” He examined them critically. “Ah, you have done well.”
They tugged on one of the steel bars until the mortar finally gave way. Then they chipped away at the other bar while Dominic dragged Stanley over to the side, gagged him, and tied him up to give them a little more time once they had escaped.
Jonathan tossed the rope through the window and looked down. “The rope is too short, and it’s a long drop. But it’s by far too risky to try walking through the front door. You were lucky enough coming in that way.”
“I’m willing to bet we could march out the way we came in. However, knowing you might be cautious, I arranged for another method of escape.” Jean chuckled.
“Maybe you need to think again,” Jonathan said, “Because the rope is too short.”
“That’s why we have a wagon full of hay below to break our fall. You’ll have to scramble out of the way quickly because we’ll be right behind you,” Jean said. He slapped Jonathan on the back then watched as Jonathan climbed up on the ledge and squeezed through the small opening.
“Here goes,” Jonathan said, looking back at Jean.
“If you break anything, be sure to shout,” Jean told him. “And then Dominic and I will go out the way we came.”
“You’re all heart ol’ boy,” Jonathan laughed before shoving off the ledge. He lowered himself, climbing down the wall with the rope before letting go and falling the rest of the way.
Jean heard a soft thud, followed by an oath. He looked at Dominic. “See? Nothing to it. Let’s go.”
Jean and Pierre followed, landing safely in the hay. They scrambled to the horses being held by one of the men.
“Who’s the bloke with the hat? I don’t recognize him,” Jonathan asked as he grabbed the reins and swung up into the saddle.
Jean nudged his horse with his knees and smiled. “My friend, you’ve been in prison much too long. That is Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth?” Jonathan trotted up alongside Jean. “What the devil is she doing here?”
“She insisted.” Jean shrugged. “You know women.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Jonathan said. “I’ll deal with her later. Let’s find Lee’s ship.”
“We have already thought of that,” Jean said, urging his horse forward. “Lee has already sailed.”
Upon seeing Jonathan’s frown, Jean added, “Don’t worry.
With our sloop, we can catch his heavy frigate, but we’ll have to hurry.
Just think. We’ll be chasing the English, and the English will be chasing us.
” Jean’s laughter was a full-hearted sound.
“I knew if I found you, you’d contribute to our excitement.
” He kneed his horse into a full gallop.
Elizabeth and Jonathan didn’t speak as they dashed toward Briercliff. She wasn’t sure what was running through Jonathan’s head, but she had a feeling it was revenge against Lee.
They traveled all night, only stopping to rest the horses. It was late the next day when they finally arrived at their destination.
Elizabeth could barely hold onto her horse, she was so tired, but they needed fresh horses to go on to St. Ives, and she needed to see Dawson. She wasn’t going to hide her baby any longer. It was time to tell Jonathan the truth.
Elizabeth dismounted, energized by thoughts of seeing her son. She hurried toward the house. “I can have the cooks prepare some food for the journey,” she told Jean and Jonathan.
Jean stayed behind to issue orders to his men while Elizabeth and Jonathan climbed the front steps of Briercliff. As soon as they opened the door and Elizabeth called out, Annie, looking agitated, rushed out into the foyer. Elizabeth wondered while Giles wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“Thank God ye’ve returned.” Annie grabbed Elizabeth by the arm. “’Tis awful. Simply awful,” Annie cried frantically, tears glistening in her eyes. “ ’Tis Master Dawson.”
“What’s wrong?” Elizabeth tried to push past Annie to see to her son. She’d never seen the woman so distraught. Annie had always been the steady one. She was the one who held everyone else together.
“I—I canna believe it happened,” Annie wailed, wringing her hands. “No one was here to stop him. Derek is at St Ives, and Giles tried but was struck down. He’s in bed now.”
“What’s wrong? Is he hurt?” Then she realized what Annie had said, and a wave of apprehension coursed through her. “Prevent what, Annie?” Elizabeth asked anxiously. “Where are Tiffany and Dawson?”
“Dawson?” Jonathan questioned. “That’s the second time I’ve heard you mention that name. And I don’t think you are referring to my father.”
Because of Annie’s state of distress, Elizabeth brushed Jonathan aside. She had to find out what was upsetting Annie. Elizabeth’s heart raced and she began to get an uneasy feeling. It was impossible to steady her erratic pulse. “What is it, Annie? What is it?”
Jonathan grabbed Annie by the arm and turned her to him. “Has anyone hurt you? And who struck Giles? I’ll speak with them immediately,” Jonathan said.
Annie didn’t answer. Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked to clear them. Finally, she looked away from Jonathan and reached into her pocket.
Producing a small piece of paper, she handed it to Elizabeth.
In the background, Elizabeth heard the door open, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jean coming toward them. But she couldn’t leave until she found out what had happened. And where was Dawson?
Elizabeth’s hands were shaking as she fumbled to unfold the letter. As she scanned the words, she felt the blood drain rapidly from her head, her knees gave way, and she crumpled to the ground.
“My God,” Jonathan exclaimed. He knelt beside her. She was as white as snow. He shook her head back and forth, but he couldn’t bring her to.
"Mon Dieu! What was in that blasted note?” Jean swore and bent down and retrieved the paper.
Annie was crying as she, too, bent down beside Elizabeth. “My poor lass.”
“Read it aloud,” Jonathan demanded.
“Blast and damnation. It’s a note from Lee to Jonathan.” Jean cleared his throat and began to read.
My life has been hell since I’ve been involved with your infernal family. I am not a man to take defeat lightly!
Revenge is my driving force. You see, I was cheated of my gold by Jewel’s trickery. I will not be cheated again!
I thought I had my revenge against some of you with the trial. But that bitch, Elizabeth, chose to open her mouth, making me an enemy of my own country. So you see I have nothing more to lose.
Now you will pay!
I came for Elizabeth, but instead I found a child and Elizabeth’s best friend. They will do very nicely as hostages.
If you hope to see them alive again, find Lafitte and deliver to me a chest full of gold to the most northern dock of New Orleans. I will wait five days for you to arrive.
It would be a shame to see what the fish would do to a little boy who can’t swim.
Jean crumpled the note. “The bastard will die!”
“Not if I get him first,” Jonathan declared. Jonathan took Elizabeth over to a chair, where he placed her down. Carefully, he pulled her forward until her head was between her legs and she began to struggle. “Wake up, Elizabeth.”
She moaned.
“Who is this Tiffany?” Jean demanded.
“She’s a friend of Elizabeth’s. They grew up together, but she doesn’t have a child,” Jonathan said, shaking his head. “Tiffany is expecting her first baby,” he explained, then looked at Annie. “Who is this child?”
Annie had finally gotten control of herself, but avoided Jonathan’s eyes as she asked Jean, “Can ye find them?”
“Of course,” Lafitte declared, “but we must move quickly.”
Elizabeth finally opened her eyes. “W-what happened?”
“You fainted after reading this note,” Jonathan explained, taking her hand.
“My God, I remember,” she said. “We must go after them.”
Jonathan straightened and looked down at her. “Who is Dawson?”
The moment had finally come to tell Jonathan the truth. “My son.” Elizabeth tried to get to her feet, but her legs would not hold her. “Jean, we must save my child!”
“Son?” Jonathan paused as if he didn’t understand. “You have a son?”
“We will save him, cherie. Let us not linger further. I did not know about your son, but we’ll find him and return him to you.” Jean put his arm around Elizabeth and walked with her to the door. “Where are the fresh horses?”
“They are being saddled at the stables,” Elizabeth said, then twisted away from Jean. “Let me tell Annie goodbye.”
She turned and collided with Jonathan’s broad chest. He reached out and steadied her. “You cannot go, Elizabeth. It will be much too dangerous.”
“I’m not staying behind,” Elizabeth insisted. “Tell him, Jean.”
Jean held up his hand. “I know better than to get in the middle of this squabble. I will wait outside.”
She knew Jonathan wasn’t finished, but he didn’t realize just how determined she could be. Elizabeth brushed past Jonathan and went to Annie. “We will find Dawson and Tiffany. Don’t worry.”
Annie hugged Elizabeth and patted her on the back. “I want ye to be very careful and bring that lad back home.”
Jonathan waited by the door. “I repeat, this is too dangerous. You should stay behind.”
Elizabeth clenched her hands by her side.
Maybe she should appreciate Jonathan’s concern, but at the moment she didn’t.
He wasn’t a mother, so he’d never understand.
And right now he was in her way. “Perhaps it will be dangerous. But I’m going anyway.
And I don’t have the time to argue with you, so get out of my way. ”
“You never told me you had a son,” Jonathan said.
“I know.” She felt her cheeks heat as Jonathan opened the door. “It was ... what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I should think so,” he said as they hurried toward the stable. “One would think it would be a small fact that should have come up in our conversation before now. Like ... who is the father?”
Elizabeth stopped so suddenly that Jonathan nearly ran into her and had to back up a couple of steps. She glared up at him. “Jonathan, we are losing precious time! Look, there is a little boy out there who is helpless and scared. Does it matter who his father is?”
Jonathan started to say something, but stopped. He frowned as her words tumbled through his brain, making him feel very small indeed. He stared at her for a long moment “No, I suppose not.” He started walking again. When Elizabeth didn’t move, he turned and said, “Come, let’s go find your son.”