Emily reached up and touched his face, tracing the line of his jaw.
“I shall go, Jonathon,” she said finally.
He kissed her forehead. “I shall come for you the moment it is safe, love. I promise.”
“I will live for that day,” she whispered over the lump in her throat.
• • •
It was a mild December day as David, Jonathon, and Mr. Gates strode along the pier toward the Destiny. Hogsheads of tobacco — the lifeblood of many planters — lined the shore, rotting because of British trade policies.
As they approached the ship, a burly sailor called out to them from amid his cronies.
“Captain Brentwood, I see,” he said. “The great sea captain of the Sons of Liberty.”
Jonathon continued walking.
“Ho, sir. I am speaking to you,” the sailor demanded.
Jonathon stopped and turned slowly.
“Well, I have got your attention. A lowly sailor like me,” he jeered. “And what will our cargo be this time, I wonder?”
“If you have something of importance to say to me, please speak,” Jonathon commanded.
“I am just interested in the goings-on of the Sons of Liberty. Just what is your business with them, Brentwood?”
“I believe you already know that,” Jonathon replied.
“But I wonder if the Sons know,” he sneered. “Do the Sons know which side you are on? Do you know, Brentwood?”
“State your business or move on.”
The man approached him, hunched at the shoulders, fists doubled.
“Do the Sons know that you have Tory sympathies, too? You seem to be on both sides of the fence, Brentwood.”
Gates saw the look in Jonathon’s eyes and feared for the obnoxious sailor. But time was pressing, and they had to finish with the ship and return immediately to the Cosgroves’. Realizing this, too, Jonathon restrained himself; David visibly relaxed.
“If you question my loyalty, sir, I invite you to sail with me and inspect my cargo and my actions,” Jonathon snapped, then turned from the man and continued toward the Destiny.
“Yes, Brentwood,” he spat out the name. “You sail for the patriots by day and sleep with a Tory wench at night. Tell me, Brentwood, does she — ”
But the question went unasked for Jonathon swung around and struck him in the jaw, then in the stomach, before he had time to react. The sailor lurched backwards, and Jonathon assisted him with a second blow to the face. He dropped with a heavy thud in the dirt.
The man staggered to his feet with a murderous look on his face. He doubled his fists and came at Jonathon. They circled one another throwing lethal punches. Although the sailor was a burly man, taller than Jonathon by an inch, Jonathon had speed and agility on his side. And the wrath of a man in love whose wife had been insulted.
The sailor’s friends gathered around and cheered on their companion. David was worried about Jonathon, but Gates stood calmly by and watched, almost in amusement. He had seen Jonathon come out the victor with worse odds.
The men continued trading blows, and it was evident that the bigger man was tiring. Jonathon had the advantage now and was making the most of it. One last blow to the head, and the sailor was down in a pool of blood.
His friends gaped in amazement, and all but one quickly dispersed. The one who remained knelt by the unconscious man and tried to rouse him.
Jonathon wiped the blood that trickled into his eye and picked up his hat. Gates looked him over carefully.
“Captain, you have a propensity to start trouble wherever you go,” he said. “You really should curb that.”
“Gates, I shall do my best,” he breathed heavily, still trying to catch his breath.
Gates cleaned up Jonathon’s wounds on board the Destiny and found him a change of clothes.
“It is good that Emily will be away from this, Jonathon,” David said.
“Aye,” Gates agreed.
Jonathon nodded in mute agreement. His heart was heavy at the thought of Emily being so far away. But he was more convinced than ever that it was becoming increasingly dangerous for her to stay.
• • •
The women were shocked at Jonathon’s appearance when the men returned that night. Emily jumped up and flew to him when she saw his injuries.
“Oh, Jonathon!” she cried in horror. In her impatience to see him, she accidentally brushed his tender face. He winced in pain. She held him close, pressing against his bruised ribs. He held her away.
“Love,” he begged. “Please do not care so much. Your concern is terribly painful for me to bear.”
Realizing what she had done, Emily gasped and pulled back.
“I am sorry, love.” She reached out to touch him, and he winced in anticipation. Seeing his look of apprehension, she paused, started again and finally threw up her hands in frustration. “How does one comfort an injured man?” she cried.
“Perhaps from afar, for now, Mrs. Brentwood,” Gates offered, stifling a grin.
“Oh, of course,” she murmured.
Jonathon laughed and put one arm around her shoulders carefully. On tiptoe she tentatively kissed his cheek where there was no mark. Then sitting together on the settee, Emily barely took her worried eyes from her husband.
The men explained the incident at the pier, although they modified it, leaving out the insults to Emily. The women were not reassured by the explanation, and Emily found a deep foreboding overtake her. Again she wanted to refuse to sail to London. She desperately wanted to remain with Jonathon, as if her presence would somehow protect him. She was unaware that it was her presence that caused his injuries that afternoon.
• • •
Parting with David, Joanna, Will, and especially Andrew was difficult for Emily. Their holiday celebration had been a deliberate disregard of the strife in the land. Their gaiety was often forced, but their love for one another and the appreciation of their time together was real.
Emily held little Will one last time as Joanna and David bid Jonathon farewell. Turning to her, they both had tears in their eyes. They embraced her together; no words seemed enough to convey their sorrow at her leaving. Joanna looked into her eyes and smiled through her tears.
“Emily, this is not forever. Soon we shall be taking tea on the veranda at Brentwood Manor again.”
Emily nodded; her throat ached. “Joanna, David, take care. I shall be back as soon as possible.” The words sounded empty to her.
They climbed into the carriage and waved until they were out of sight. Jonathon stood with his arm around Emily’s shoulders. Tears streamed down her face.
They went inside where servants were busy preparing the house to be closed up for the duration of the Cosgroves’ stay in London. Although still weak, Martha was able to supervise the work with Emily’s help. Needing to keep busy, Emily joined her.
They would board the Destiny the next day and set sail the day following. It all seemed unreal to Emily, and she had difficulty staying with her task. But time was pressing, and she forced herself to concentrate.
When Andrew came for supper that night, conversation was not animated as it had been during David and Joanna’s visit. Emily wondered how long it would be before she would see her brother again. She could not eat, but kept staring at her brother as he and Jonathon talked about the voyage. He occasionally caught his sister’s eye and smiled reassuringly. Emily realized that Andrew was not the young boy she had convinced herself he was. He was a strapping young man, as determined and strong-willed as she. The realization sent a mixture of melancholy and relief over her. It was hard to see him grow up, but she knew he would be all right here.
Andrew lingered after supper, finding it difficult to finally say good-bye to his sister and Jonathon. They chatted about light subjec
ts as they sat before the fire in the drawing room. The Cosgroves retired fairly early, and then Jonathon excused himself to finish some work in the study, realizing that Andrew and Emily needed time alone.
“Emily, you have been my strength since Father’s death. I shall miss you and anxiously await your return,” he said.
“Andrew, I do not want to go. Why is Jonathon making me do this?” she cried.
“You know why, Em. It has to be this way right now. It is becoming more and more dangerous for you here.”
“I could go back to the manor. I would be safe there — ”
“No, Em,” he said quietly. “I do not think you would be safe even there now.”
She knew he was right. She sighed in resignation.
“Andrew, you will be careful; promise me?”
“Am I not always?” he asked feigning innocence, and they both laughed.
Finally Andrew had to leave, and he and Emily held each other and cried. Again Emily fought against the sobs that threatened to overtake her. Andrew patted her back gently and let his tears flow. Emily realized that her little brother was no longer a child, as he was the one being strong and comforting her. She was grateful for his strength at that moment, for she had little to offer. Jonathon returned to say good-bye and hugged the boy heartily.
“You will keep things in order until I return. Is that not so, Drew?”
“Aye, aye, sir,” he saluted.
Emily watched him canter down the road and stood, still watching even after he had disappeared. Jonathon coaxed her inside out of the cold night air.
• • •
The next day dawned sunny and breezy for their departure. The carriage and wagon were loaded, and they set out for Yorktown. Emily was amazed at the appearance of the harbor. The hustle that had greeted her on her voyage from England was replaced by cargo silently waiting at the waterfront for ships that would never come to claim it. The merchant ships that crowded the port had been refitted to become vessels of war. They sat lower in the water, weighed down by their added cannon.
The sight of the Destiny brought the conflict home to her more than anything else had. The ship sat deep in the water; it, too, was heavy with cannon.
“Oh, Jonathon.”
He turned and saw the dismay in her face.
“It had to be, Em,” he replied.
He continued scanning the wharf for a burly sailor. He hoped they would be able to board without incident. Then to his right he saw him. He took Emily’s arm and continued walking, his eyes never leaving the man’s. Finally, the burly sailor broke his glare, spat on the ground and walked away.
They boarded the Destiny without any further trouble, and Jonathon sought out Gates.
“I want to set sail as soon as possible,” he told the man. “I do not want to remain here any longer than necessary.”
“Aye, Captain,” Gates answered. “I think that is wise.”
The crew was still loading the ship when night fell, and Jonathon paced the deck nervously. Emily was bewildered by his behavior.
“Jonathon, what is it?” she asked as she fell into step with him.
“I am anxious to be off, love,” he replied.
“What else?”
He leaned against the rail and looked at her.
“Do you know that you are beautiful in the moonlight, Em?” he asked lightly.
“Jonathon, do not patronize me,” she said sternly. “Why are you pacing back and forth like a trapped animal?”
He looked at his wife and knew that it would be foolish to lie. He turned and looked toward the pier.
“The gentleman I had an altercation with recently is most interested in the goings-on of my ship,” he answered.
Emily’s gaze followed his.
“Do you think there will be trouble? Do you think he will try to hurt you again?” she asked anxiously.
“I honestly do not know, love. But if any trouble should break out, you are to go directly below deck,” he said firmly.
“Aye, Captain,” Emily said lightly.
Jonathon breathed a sigh of relief when everything was loaded and they could set sail. He had not planned to sail until morning; however, recalling the look in the sailor’s eye, he decided to cast off and drop anchor just a short distance off shore for the night.
Emily stood at the rail and watched the glowing lights that were just visible on the shore. She would soon leave the Virginia that Jonathon had wanted her to love so much. The Virginia that she had come to love so much.
• • •
Jonathon’s quarters had been redecorated to accommodate Emily’s presence. A double bed replaced the bunk, a change that made it crowded but cozy for them. Jonathon and James had spent a good portion of the evening at Jonathon’s desk poring over maps and documents in order to decide on a strategy for sailing into Norfolk.
The situation there was uneasy. Jonathon had to deliver supplies and communications to the patriots there, but Norfolk had strong Tory support. James had obtained documents that would allow Jonathon to pass unopposed through the town, but tempers were flaring all over, and no place was really safe there anymore.
Emily sat and tried to embroider by the light of a lantern, but her mind was too preoccupied. The men spoke softly at the desk, and the ship rocked gently, and soon she was nodding off. Noting her condition, James finally bade Jonathon good-night and took his leave. Jonathon saw Emily dozing in the chair and went over to her.
“Love,” he said softly. He gently nudged her. “Will you deprive me of your warmth and spend the night so?”
Emily slowly opened her eyes. She sat up and yawned and stretched.
“I am sorry, Jonathon. Did James leave?”
“Yes, Em. And you look like a woman who needs some sleep.”
Emily nodded.
“Of course, I could be convinced of other activity if the speaker were persuasive enough,” she said, smiling seductively.
“Well, let me compose a speech that will capture your heart and encourage you to agree to my idea,” Jonathon said with a roguish gleam in his eyes. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Gently he laid her upon it and eased himself down beside her. He leaned on his elbow on the bed and looked down at her.
“Emily, you are my life,” he said tenderly. He traced her cheek with his finger. His eyes looked into hers and spoke a love that was deep and true.
“Jonathon, I do not want to be parted from you.”
“You will not be, Em. I will carry you in my heart. You will be with me every moment. I will never be without a thought of you in my mind. But I must know that you are safe.”
He leaned down and kissed her eyelids. He moved back, and she opened her eyes and looked into his. They were warm and filled with a smoldering fire. She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from his eye. She ran her fingers through his thick dark hair and pulled him toward herself. Their lips met in a blazing kiss that made her squirm with desire. She pushed against him wanting to melt into one. His arms went around her, and he held her close.
Emily felt almost crazed with desire for Jonathon. Her mouth searched his hungrily as if she could not be satisfied. She pulled his hand to her breast needing to feel its heat against her skin. She worked the buttons on his shirt frantically, pulling it out of his breeches.
Jonathon pulled away and looked down at her, enjoying her enthusiasm. “Apparently my speech worked. Perhaps I missed my calling. I should have been an orator,” he teased.
“Jonathon, this is not the time for more speeches,” Emily sputtered. “I believe what I need now is action.”
“Yes, love,” he tried to say, but she smothered his reply with a kiss.
Emily eagerly assisted Jonathon out of his clothes and quickly doffed her own. They slipped
between the sheets and their passion rose as they explored each other’s body. Emily felt a more intense desire than she ever could remember, and Jonathon held her close as she reached the dizzying heights of her climax. She shuddered against him as wave after wave of pleasure engulfed her.
“Oh, Jonathon,” she moaned.
“I love you, Em. You are so beautiful,” he whispered as she clung to him.
“Hold, me, Jonathon,” she begged. He wrapped her in his arms.
“I am here, love.”
Emily snuggled into his embrace feeling that she could never get close enough. They lay together rocking with the rhythm of the ship. Their passion spent, they fell into a deep sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
• • •
They put out to sea in the morning, planning to take their time heading into Norfolk. It was almost Christmas, but no one on board felt in the holiday spirit. The sky had clouded over, and there was a brisk wind from the northeast. The crew was busy keeping the Destiny on course, and Jonathon was busy checking charts and maps.
Uncomfortable and anxious, Martha spent most of the time in her cabin. Deeply concerned about his wife, James was worried that she might not be able to make the long voyage. Emily spent time with Martha in her cabin each day, but regardless of the weather, Emily found it necessary to stroll the deck for a while, too. She felt restless, not wanting to go, but resigned to the journey if that was what must be.
Travel along the Virginia coast proved difficult and slow with the inclement weather. The ship was tossed about on the waves making it difficult for Emily to walk about at all. She hated being confined below deck, although being with Martha made it easier. When the winds died down, Emily was able to resume her walks.
She could not help but reflect on her last voyage aboard the Destiny. How different things had been then, how different she had been. But one thing was the same — she had not wanted to make that journey either. Both times she was sailing away from the land she loved, from her home. But both times she was with Jonathon and she trusted him. The trip to Virginia had resulted in happiness for her, for she had married Jonathon. She must believe that this trip, too, would end happily. Somehow things would turn out for the best. Perhaps the conflict would be resolved quickly, and she and Jonathon would be reunited in a short time.
Time After Time Page 67