by Jerri Hines
“Hide,” Cathryn said and looked into Juriah’s eyes. There was so much she wanted to say, but now she had no time.
Slowly, Cathryn walked out the front door to greet their guests.
* * * *
Cathryn raised the pistol and aimed. Suddenly, she was knocked down. The pistol dropped onto the porch. She rose on her knees. She tasted blood in her mouth from the blow.
“Shame on you, Lady Tinsley. Do you take me for a fool? I did not return unprepared.”
Renton’s eyes were cold blue ice. He kicked up his left foot on his saddle and rested his elbow on his knee. He appeared quite pleased with himself. It terrified Cathryn.
“There is nothing for you here, Monsieur.”
“You think not?” Renton considered her with a furrowed brow. “Save us the trouble of dismantling your home. Call your children down.”
“You are not as prepared as you implied,” she sneered. “It would be an impossibility to call my children. They are in England.”
He swept his hat from his head and brushed aside his hair. He chuckled, “You are not much of a liar, my lady. Pray forgive me if I do not trust you. I will have a look for myself.”
He looked back over his shoulder and motioned to his men. “Do what you need.”
Immediately, they dismounted and brushed by Cathryn. She crawled to her feet, only to be pushed back toward Renton. She straightened herself.
“Tear up my home, Monsieur. You will find nothing. My children are gone. The Brits tricked me and took my babies. They won! They won and have my children. So do what you will, for I care not!”
“Oh, you will care. I assure you.” Renton dismounted and walked up the steps. He caught her arm roughly and brought her up against him. “You do not mind if I keep you company while my men search.”
“I hate you,” she uttered between clenched teeth. She twisted against his hold. “You are no more than a coward threatening women and children. Wait until Sumner returns…you are a dead man.”
“At one point we all die, but I assure you my death will not be by the hand of your brother,” he jeered with a look of blatant amusement on his face. “Did I not inform you that we have already seen to your brother? Oh, do not worry. He’s not dead…yet, only tied up at the stables. I have plans for the man. I want him to see the destruction of Elm Bluff. I want him to get a good…good look before he enjoys a slow…and painful death.”
“You are a monster.” Cathryn’s face betrayed her loathing.
“I have been called worse.” He smiled smugly. “For you, my lady, I have special plans. I have always considered myself a patient man. I knew when I helped you escape England that there was more to your story…and that it would pay well. Only you interfered with my last attempt and it cost me.”
“Forgive me if I feel no sorrow for your loss.”
“You should and it might go easier on you.” He laughed derisively. “It will be remedied shortly. My pain will be revenged. Your brother will pay dearly. He has hunted me since the last time we met. I lost half my men. He caught me once. Cut half my ear off before I got away. It was the reason I took pains to ensure you were here…as well as his wife and mother.”
Heavy footsteps exited the house. Cathryn turned to see one of Renton’s ruffians. “Found the two women. Ain’t no children.”
“Look harder!” Renton demanded, tightening his grip on Cathryn’s arm. “You know what to do with the ladies.”
“No! No! Monsieur, I will do what you want, but please do not harm them. They are innocent,” Cathryn cried in a desperate appeal.
A screamed intruded within the night air…Mary’s. Cathryn steeled herself, but terrified wails…frantic cries resounded around her. Tears spilled down her cheeks unheeded. She could hear the savage attack and agonizing pleas for their lives.
She fought against Renton’s hold. She clawed and pushed. He drew back and slapped her across the face.
“Damn you!” he snarled.
Dazed, she felt his guttural breathing against her neck. He yanked her down the steps and lifted her up onto his horse. He mounted beside her.
“It is tempting to seek my revenge upon you.” He smirked. “But your fate does not lie in my hands.”
“What do you mean?” Her voice quivered. She had long since passed containing her fear.
His gaze met hers. She understood. Unharmed only until the fiend who inflicted this horror upon her family had her in his grasp. Then she would not be spared. Who would be so evil?
“It means I have been paid to deliver you unharmed.
Mr. Peyton wants you for himself…all to himself.”
Unable to find her voice, she finally stuttered, “William…William planned this?”
“He awaits you as we speak.” Renton laughed…a venomous laugh that sent a shiver down her spine.
Feeling helpless in her plight, she listened to the growls from hell coming out of the house in despair. Renton reined his horse to the left. Thoughts blared in her mind. I’ll never see my babies again. William is a madman…The fiend is destroying my family…Sumner…Mary…Juriah… Show no fear…fight!
A sense of urgency compelled her. She jerked away from her assailant and wildly slung herself downward. She felt a hand grab her hair and pull her back, but gravity worked with her determination. Renton fell onto the ground, releasing his hold of her hair.
Scrambling to her feet, she ran. At the edge of her awareness, a pounding, constant and sure, resonated around her. Shouts emerged in the darkness…then men on horseback…soldiers…red-coated uniforms…
She spun around and her heart stilled…she saw him. Mad with rage, Jake thrust his saber on one side of his horse then the other. He reined in his sweat-covered horse, sword raised high in his hand.
She had no time to contemplate his appearance. Renton caught her from behind, sending her sprawling on the ground. On her stomach, she pushed up with both hands. A shadow covered her; she turned and a reflection blinded for a moment. A knife gleamed at her in the moonlight; Renton’s eyes widened.
“You have made a grave mistake,” Renton said under his breath. He stabbed at her. From horseback a form lunged and knocked the culprit backwards. Renton’s face grimaced in pain.
In response, Cathryn recoiled to the giant oak. Her hand over her mouth, she was too stunned to run. Her gaze fixed on the man she loved fighting to save her.
Jake drew a knife from his belt. He shifted it to his right hand and sidestepped Renton’s crazed assault. Surefooted, Jake spun around and slashed at Renton, slicing his left arm.
A French curse exploded. Pain flashed across his face. The sounds told them the British had the raiders on the run. In moments, Renton stood alone. Sweating profusely, he glanced over at his horse, escape evident in his mind. Renton flung himself at Jake, knife in hand.
Cathryn watched Jake dodge the assault and maneuver himself in front of Renton. The French man hacked chaotically. Not one slice hit its mark. In a desperate attempt, Renton lunged.
Jake fell down onto one knee and rammed his knife into Renton’s chest. He thrust deeper and deeper until Renton staggered. Jake stepped back. Renton collapsed face down.
Jake stood with his bloody knife in hand. It was over. Raiders littered the ground, dead or wounded. Few escaped justice.
Cathryn cried and rushed toward Jake. He opened his arms and held her tight against him. She wept.
She buried her face into his shoulder unable to look upon the death around her. Jake had rescued her, but he had come too late to save them all. She felt his arm tightened around her.
“Major,” a voice said. “We took no casualties, but there are victims.”
Oh, no…no…no. Cathryn released Jake. Her legs buckled beneath her. “Juriah…Mary…”
Jake lifted her in his arms. “I need to get you out of here.”
“I can’t leave. I have to see…”
“I would not recommend it, Major.”
Cathryn glanced up at the Britis
h soldier, Lieutenant Leckie. He gave her a sympathetic look. There were more officers surrounding them.
“Cathryn…Cathryn!” Sumner yelled. He pushed the men back, who held him up. “Dammit, let go of me. I have to get to my family.”
She watched her brother struggle to walk, limping forward. Blood covered his ripped shirt…his pants. His eye swollen, his face was battered, but he refused any assistance.
Jake looked over at Leckie, who shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry, Meador, but no one in the house survived.”
Sumner crumbled to the ground, uttering Mary’s name. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Cathryn fell down beside him in a futile gesture of comfort…there was none…until a baby’s cry disturbed the solemn air.
Sumner whispered, “Caleb.”
Cathryn rose with her brother. Walking out from the woods, Maddy led Marmie out with the baby in her arms.
Sumner stood as Caleb was laid in his arms.
“Master Sumner, he was so good…nary a sound he made. I just sang to him lowly so as not to cause ’em to come after us…I tried.”
“You did good.” Sumner’s voice cracked.
“Cathryn, we need to ride. We will be discovered.”
She shook her head. “I can’t leave…Sumner…Caleb.”
“Yes, you can and must.” Sumner looked into his sister’s eyes; then at Jake. “Your life is not here. He came.”
Cathryn choked back her tears. Her chest heaved with the heaviest of loss. “There is one thing more, Sumner…it was William who was behind this raid. Renton said William paid him.”
Sumner stared at her. Comprehension hit him hard.
His dark eyes darkened to black. “I’m going to kill him.”
She had no intent of talking him out of his conviction. Pressing her lips tightly together, she was gathering the courage to walk away from her home. She hesitated.
“Take her,” Sumner gestured to Jake. “She won’t go unless you make her.”
Jake gently guided her to his horse and helped her up. He mounted behind her. Sumner halted them.
“Sister, you remember the day in the governor’s room when you discovered your friend’s letters. I did not tell you everything. The governor talked to me of the contents. The major asked permission for your hand. The governor was pleased. It had been his intent when he picked the major to escort you to England. You had his blessing.”
She nodded. Emotions overwhelmed her. Jake’s arm wrapped tight around her. They rode away from Elm Bluff.
Chapter Twenty
Startled, Cathryn woke in darkness, confused and scared. Jake reached around her and pulled her into his shoulder. With her head upon her husband’s chest, she wept; he soothed her fears.
The moment they arrived in Savannah, Jake wasted no time in taking the first opportunity to marry.
“When we return to England if you want a ceremony, I’ll give it to you, but don’t expect me to wait that long.”
There was no hesitation. She wanted nothing more than to be his wife. They married quietly in the Presbyterian Church with Lieutenant Leckie and the reverend’s wife as witnesses.
So much had to be sorted through, but it would take time. At the moment, though, she sought refuge from the world in Jake’s arms.
“You would have gone with them if you had come,” Jake explained as she lay beside him. “The ship had been set to return. We couldn’t wait. You can be mad with me, Cathryn, but I had to look after the twins. You weren’t here and I was having a devil of a time convincing General Clinton to return for you.
“Communication with General Clinton has been difficult. When his orders came to send the children back to England, I did not object for I felt it was for the best. They will be safe within England until we can return.”
“To whom were they sent, Jake?” Her fear expressed for the first time. “Please tell me you did not send them to His Grace.”
“You may not be happy with the situation,” he said in a serious tone. “I considered sending them to Mother’s, but I could not do that to the duchess. Her Grace has been heartbroken. She, too, has been through much. She had nothing to do with all that happened, Cathryn. They are with the duchess.”
“His Grace?”
“I’m certain he will be amongst them,” Jake confessed. “Do not look at me in that manner. Philip and Lucy will be well looked after and above all safe, Cathryn. Isn’t that most important? Besides, I wish I could be there when little Lucy explains to His Grace why Philip is called Philip instead of Charles, like she did to General Durham.”
“She never did!” Cathryn exclaimed. “Oh, what did she say?”
“That her mother promised her father, for she loved him dearly, to name her babes the names he wanted for his dear children. But even though she named Philip, Charles Philip, she couldn’t bring herself to call him such, since the man he was named after was such an abomination! She even said the word to perfection with your accent, my darling.”
Cathryn bit her lip so as not to laugh. She could picture it within her mind.
“She is a charmer much like her father,” he added. “They are beautiful children, Cathryn. I have only one request.”
“Anything.”
“That we make some of our own.”
* * * *
Jake avoided the most difficult issues, at least for a time. General Marcus Durham requested a meeting with Cathryn upon her recovery from the incident. Cathryn discovered General Durham wasn’t a patient man, for his deemed recovery period lasted no more than a day. Jake tried to postpone the visit.
“You need time to recuperate before meeting with the General. You are too thin by far. You look like you haven’t eaten and you will be blown away if the wind is too strong,” he admonished her as he brought a tray of breakfast. “You have been upset.”
She didn’t deny his words. “My babies were gone, Jake. I didn’t hear back from anyone despite Lieutenant Leckie’s promise to come back for me. Do you not think I wanted to come? I would never have sent my precious children if I did not. I waited for six months for word,” she drew in a breath, “My babies…”
“You thought I sent them back without considering your wishes, or did you believe I had stolen them?” He paused for a moment. “Oh, Cathryn, how could you—”
“How would you feel, Jake? Did I not send them? If I didn’t trust you, I would have never—” She began to cry…again.
“Don’t,” he said, setting the tray on the table beside the bed. He pulled her to her feet. Looking straight into her eyes, he went on, “There is no need. My thoughts have been constantly upon how to retrieve you. Now you are here…with me.”
He leaned down and kissed her, silencing her fears, at least for the moment.
* * * *
“Lady Tinsley, do come in. Please have a seat,” General Marcus Durham acknowledged Cathryn as she walked into his office.
Headquarters for the British commander was a large colonial house situated on the outskirts of Savannah. The room was open with a wide window where sunlight streamed in from the February morning. General Durham stood as Jake lead Cathryn over to a seat across from the General’s desk. Jake took a place standing behind her.
“It’s Pennington, now, General.” Cathryn smiled up at Jake, who had hold of her hand.
“Ah, you wasted no time, Major. Good for you. Congratulations. In times such as these I don’t suppose any of us need to waste time. I know I hate to waste time.” General Durham took a seat. He studied Cathryn for a moment. “I had the good fortune to have met your children, beautiful and utterly delightful. You must be so proud. Of course, you understood the necessity of returning them to England.”
“General Durham,” Cathryn tilted her head with a slight turn, “I hate to correct you, but they have never been to England. They were born in the colonies.”
“I stand corrected,” General Durham answered. Silence ensued for a time before he began again. “You have led a quite eventful life, Lady Penning
ton. I understand you are from this area.”
“Yes, General,” Cathryn acknowledged. “I was born in Antigua and raised in Charles Town. My father you may know was Governor of Antigua for a time. My father served proudly in His Majesty’s army.”
“I hate to be so direct, Lady Pennington, but you understand that time is of the essence,” General Durham said. “Are you still loyal to the Crown? Why would you have returned to have your children here?”
Irritation grew within Cathryn that Jake could well see. He squeezed her hand, but she drew it back. “My reasons were personal, General.”
“That became political,” General shot back. “Are you aware that there have been serious allegations leveled against you?”
“I’m not exactly certain of what you speak. I understand that my relative wants my money.” She glanced up at Jake, questioning. “I have never done anything against the crown. Nor would I! I had my children at my home, Elm Bluff, outside of Charles Town for one reason, General. I wanted to go home. I had only just lost my husband and his father found no favor with me. At first he threatened to annul my marriage and in the next breath threatened to take my child away from me. I had no one in England to turn to, General. I was so homesick that I did the only thing I could think of. I went home.”
“But you had no family there anymore, Lady Pennington,” he countered, pushing her.
“I have family, General. I have my brother.”
“See now, we are getting somewhere. Your brother would have had to have been born out of wedlock, for I understand you are the only surviving child of your father’s.”
Cathryn swallowed. “Yes, General, I suppose you are correct in your assumption, but my father thought highly of him, as do I.”
“You realize I know of whom we speak, Sumner Meador, who has long been a thorn in our side, my lady. So that is my question. How can you be loyal to the crown and support one such as he?”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t have to ponder her answer. “General, I’m well aware of the privilege I was born with. Sumner wasn’t. Even though my father thought highly of him, I inherited all of my father’s possessions. Sumner has never once been resentful of my place. He protected me and my children without question. But he believes the words of the patriots and is striving for thus, to go beyond his birth place, General. That is why I believe he chose the patriot side.”