Reluctantly, she dropped down onto the sofa, an arm's length away from Judah, and waited for him to speak.
"Would you feel better if we went to Briar Oaks and spent the night?"
"I . . . no." She licked her dry lips. "That is ... I could go home alone tonight and then . . . tomorrow — "
His voice held a hint of a smile. "No, Liberty. This is our wedding night. Is it too much to expect to spend it with my wife?"
She drew in an apprehensive breath. "I suppose it will be all right, but as I said, I did not come prepared."
He reached for her hand, stood up, and drew her along with him. "I believe there is no problem that cannot be overcome." His arm slipped around her shoulder, and he led her across the room, then down the long hall toward the stairs.
Liberty was almost giddy with excitement. The love she felt for Judah was like a pain in her heart. She stopped on the landing and glanced up at him. "Judah, I am unprepared to be a wife. I know nothing about the duties of a married woman. My mother never talked to me about the relationship between a man and a woman."
Amusement danced in his eyes. "What a good happenstance. I shall just train you myself." Then he sobered. "I remember a sassy little girl who thought man-woman relationships were amusing. Have you changed your mind?"
She raised her chin and met his eyes. "Judah, I thought I knew all the answers then. Now, I do not even know the questions, and I am . . . frightened."
His heart melted at her strangled admission, and he took her cold hand in his, slowly leading her toward his bedroom, which had been hurriedly prepared while the wedding was taking place. "Do you trust me, Liberty?"
"Oui," she said without hesitation.
"I am glad, because I hope never to do anything to cause you to change your mind." They had reached his bedroom, and he raised her hand to his lips while looking deeply into her eyes. "Nothing will happen tonight that you do not want to happen. Do you understand me, Liberty? I want to be so much more to you than just your husband. I want to be your best friend. I believe we were friends from the first night we met, don't you?"
She nodded.
His laughter was soft. "I feel like I am having a brilliant conversation with myself."
By now they were in his room, and he closed the door behind them. A single candle was burning on the bedside table, and a quick glance told Liberty that the bedcovers on the massive bed had been turned down. She vaguely assessed the furnishings, and found it to be a man's room, decorated in creams and browns.
"Well, it would seem my mother thought of everything," Judah said, picking up the pink satin gown and robe that were draped over the foot of the bed. A smile played on his lips as he looked at the provocative gown and then turned back to Liberty. "Do you think this will suffice?"
Liberty was nervously moving about the room, rearranging a vase of flowers, tilting an already straight painting that hung on the wall. She stopped when she came to the heavy cream-colored curtains, and ran her fingers over the material. "Oui, that will do nicely," she whispered through stiff lips.
Judah moved leisurely toward the door. "I believe it is a custom for the bridegroom to allow the bride time to make herself . . . comfortable. Suppose I give you ten minutes?"
Liberty turned her back and gazed out the window. In the far distance she could vaguely see the Mississippi. How much a part of her life that muddy river had been. She had played on its banks, boated on its waters, and eaten fish she had caught there. Tonight, for some reason, she felt like a stranger to the familiar river.
Tonight she was a stranger to herself. She had agreed to marry Judah, knowing he didn't love her. She was leaving herself open for hurt and disappointment. Whatever happened in the future, she had no one to blame but herself.
Liberty moved to the bed and picked up the pink negligee. As she ran her hands down the smooth material, her heart lightened. Her eyes fell on a small leather bag, and she opened it, discovering a brush, comb, and eau de toilette inside. Clean white bath cloths were neatly folded beside a washbasin that was filled with still warm water. Apparently Gabrielle had thought of everything.
Suddenly happiness sung in her heart. For whatever the reason, Judah had married her, and she was his wife. She hummed a French song as she stripped her clothing off and washed her body. Liberty slipped into the satin gown, loving the way it caressed her skin, and knowing she had never had anything half so nice. As she pulled on the matching robe, she pushed her feet into white satin slippers. Then she picked up the brush, released her hair from its confines, and brushed her long curls until they crackled. Liberty declined to use the eau de toilette since she already wore the exotic scent that Zippora had first given her on her fifteenth birthday. Having folded her clothes neatly in a stack, she placed them on a chair, wondering what to do with herself until her husband returned.
The minutes ticked away, and Liberty realized that Judah had been gone for over an hour. She now knew that for her own peace of mind, she would have to explain to him why she had tricked him the night of the masquerade ball. Absently, she sat down on the bed, but quickly changed her mind and moved over to the window.
It was a beautiful night, despite the fact that a slight wind was stirring the leaves on the magnolia trees and it had started to rain. Liberty was trying to decide how best to explain to Judah that things had just gotten out of control the night of the ball. She had not set out to trick him.
She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't hear Judah return, and when his arms went around her waist, she almost jumped out of her skin.
"I am sorry to have been gone for so long. I had a caller."
"Oh?" Liberty clasped her hands together tightly, knowing it was time to tell Judah the truth. "About the night of the masquerade ball, Judah—"
He rested his chin on the top of her head. "Do you know how I first began to suspect it was you the night of the ball?"
"No. I thought I had been clever."
"Not quite. It was that wonderful scent you always wear. It smells like roses and spices on a warm spring morning. I began to question many things the other night. I also realized it was you in Zippora's cabin. Perhaps I knew all along that it was you. I am just not sure."
She whirled around to face him. "You didn't know it was me, Judah. You thought I was Bandera. I remember you called her name."
The soft candlelight made a golden halo around her silken hair. She was his, but there was so much he did not understand about the two of them. How could he explain something to her that he didn't understand himself. "Liberty, you are my wife. Let us put everything that happened before now behind us.”
"I would like to, Judah. I would never have married you if I had not thought that was possible."
He gently cupped her face in his hands, and bent his head, brushing her lips with his.
Desire was on Liberty's lips as she sought his kiss, and passion burned in her veins like a raging fire. She quivered when his arms tightened around her, then he took her mouth in a burning kiss. He untied the sash of the robe and slowly allowed his hands to slide over her satin-clad hips. "I have never had worse timing in my life," he said in a deep voice, bringing her closer to his body.
"I don't know what you mean," she breathed past the loud hammering of her heart.
Holding her away from him, Judah drew in a steadying breath, trying to still his quaking heart. The caller was Etienne Banard. "I have some bad news," he groaned. "Something is about to happen, Andrew Jackson has asked to see me." His turquoise eyes held a look of regret, arid he groaned. "I am sorry, Liberty, but I have to go."
She reached out her hand in fear. "Is there going to be a battle?"
"Yes, and God willing, we shall win. This is our last chance to stop the British. If they are victorious in Louisiana, the war is lost, and you will owe your allegiance to England."
Liberty fought against the panic that rose up to choke her. She would die if anything happened to Judah. She pushed the tumbled hair out of h
er face and met his eyes, knowing her first wifely duty was to let Judah go without recrimination. "Do you need to pack?" she asked in a small voice.
Judah pulled her to him and rested his face against hers, breathing in the sweet scent of her, wanting to take the memory of her into battle with him. "Everything I will need is on board the Winged Victory." His eyes moved over her face. "I travel light when I'm on land."
She reached out a trembling hand and laid it against his cheek. He closed his eyes at her gentle touch. "There is no time to tell you how I really feel, Liberty. Etienne is waiting for me now."
"Then you had better go." She lowered her lashes so he wouldn't see the tears that were gathering in her eyes. "But I would charge you to take the greatest care of yourself, Judah." She clasped his hand, loving him in the very depths of her soul. "Do not take any unnecessary chances."
He smiled. "I seem to live a charmed life." His eyes became serious. "Liberty, Etienne says that English spies are everywhere. I want you to stay here with my mother and grandfather so I will know you are safe."
She shook her head. "I cannot do that, Judah. Do not ask it of me. It is my responsibility to look after the people that depend on me."
Judah wanted to protest, but he knew Liberty could be stubborn when her mind was set on something. "If you will get dressed, Etienne and I will see you safely to Briar Oaks," he declared.
She would have moved away, but he caught her and pulled her back. Laughter lit his eyes as he clasped her to him. "There are three hundred and sixty-five days in the year. You would have thought I could have picked a better day for a wedding, wouldn't you?"
Liberty was too worried about his safety to be amused by his light-heartedness, but she knew he would go off to war, and she would stay at home and weep for him. "I should get dressed now," she said.
Judah released her and crossed the room, knowing if he didn't put some distance between them he would not leave. "I am going to tell my mother what has occurred. I will meet you downstairs. Hurry!"
Etienne quickly kissed Liberty on the cheek, and wished her happiness. Then Judah helped her onto her horse, and they rode away in silence. The ride to Briar Oaks was an unreal one. Everything was too quiet, as if even the elements were waiting for something earth shattering to happen. The three riders traveled speedily and urgently. When they reached Briar Oaks, the morning star was twinkling in the night sky.
While Etienne waited with the horses, Judah walked his new bride into the house to bid her farewell in private. Once inside, he pulled Liberty to him and stared at her for a long moment. "You will have a care for your safety?"
"I will, and you do the same, Judah."
He bent to kiss her tempting lips, knowing it would only make parting all the more difficult. "Don't forget, Liberty, you owe me a wedding night. When this war is over, I promise you, I intend to collect."
Before his lips could touch hers, Liberty whirled away from him and clasped the edge of the hall table so tightly that her knuckles whitened. "I will hold you to that promise," she whispered.
"Will you not kiss your husband good-by?" he asked.
With a broken sob, she ran into his outstretched arms and buried her face against his stiff cloak.
He raised her face and gently kissed away her tears. "Dare I hope that you hold me in some kind of regard, Liberty?"
"You are . . ."—a sob broker her voice—"you have been my best friend for a long time, Judah."
He softly touched her lips with his finger. "Well, that's something anyway." Placing a quick kiss on her mouth, he turned and moved out the door.
Liberty raced to the sitting room and stood at the window, watching Judah mount his horse and ride away without a backward glance. Tears gathered in her eyes and a deep loneliness pressed down on her.
Everything had happened so quickly. Little had she known when she had gotten up that morning that before a new day dawned she would become Judah's wife, though she scarcely felt like a bride. In the back of her mind, a question nagged. Why had Judah decided to marry her? She rested her face against the frayed blue draperies, and watched Judah until he was out of sight. "God keep you safe, my dearest love," she cried to the empty room.
December Twenty-third
Judah and Etienne were among the privileged few who had been called to Andrew Jackson's headquarters.
As he addressed the assembled men, General Jackson raised his voice and pounded his fist on the table, while his eyes spit fire. "The British are advancing along the bayous. Some are in boats, others boldly march along the riverbanks I swear no Englishman, be he private or general, will set foot in New Orleans. We shall hold them back or die trying."
The general looked at each man before he continued. "Gentlemen, this morning, the enemy advanced on Villere Plantation and captured one of our militia detachments, and in doing so, scored a tactical advantage. Furthermore, the British fleet is in a position that suggests a landing."
No one spoke, for each man realized how critical the situation had become. Jackson made a pretense of straightening papers on his desk, and Judah realized he was trying to control his emotions before continuing. "Gentlemen, I propose we hit the enemy tonight! The British are tired and our men are fresh. We will have not only the cover of darkness but also the element of surprise."
Jackson moved across the room and stood at the window, his hands elapsed behind his back. When he turned, there was a grim expression on his face. "Our ship the Carolina is moving into position, and she will let loose a volley against the foe. That will be your signal to attack. This will also give our troops a chance to move into place. I want you all to leave now and assemble your men with great haste. Be prepared to march immediately!"
Silence ensued as each officer took his leave, but when Etienne and Judah were prepared to depart, Jackson nodded for them to remain behind.
When they were alone with him, Jackson handed Etienne a sheet of paper. "You know your friends and neighbors, Etienne. Read this proclamation from the British and tell me if you think any of your fellow Creoles will cooperate with the enemy?"
Etienne read the paper and looked at Judah. "This says that if the Creoles will cooperate and remain quiet, their properties and slaves will be respected."
"What do you think, Etienne?" Jackson pressed.
"I have to be honest with you, sir. There will be those who will not support us in this fight. I pray God, they are few in number."
"Let us hope you are right." As Jackson talked, he was buckling on his saber and making sure his pistol was loaded. "Etienne, I want you to bring your ship up behind the Carolina in case she needs to be reinforced. Can you manage that in so short a time?"
"Yes, sir," Etienne said, coming to attention and delivering a respectful salute. "What about Judah, sir? Does he come with me?"
"I have other plans for him. Report to your ship at once, Etienne."
Judah bowed to Etienne and watched him disappear out the door. Now that he and Jackson were alone, Judah could see the tired lines on the older man's face. For a moment, Jackson seemed to slump, then he drew in a deep breath, stood up straight and tall, and smiled.
"I have something very daring to ask of you, Captain Slaughter. I'm not sure it can be accomplished."
"You have only to ask, sir."
"Etienne tells me that you have several twenty-four pounders aboard the Winged Victory."
"Yes, sir. I have three twenty-four pounders."
"Do you think it would be possible for a man to detach those cannon, put them aboard a smaller vessel that can maneuver in the swamps, and bring them to me?"
Judah looked amazed for a moment, then he grinned. "I don't know if it can be done, sir, but I sure as hell will give it a try."
"Good, good. Find someone who knows the back ways and the swamps. It will have to be someone very clever who can get you past the British without being discovered. I don't have to tell you not to allow those cannons to fall into enemy hands. Should you be in danger of being cap
tured, send the cannons to the bottom of the swamp— is that clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"I don't know much about such things, Judah, but it seems to me that you will need a fairly large flat-bottomed boat to maneuver in the swamps. Do you know where you can get one?"
"Yes, I believe my grandfather has such a boat, sir."
The general smiled widely. "Go to it then, Judah Slaughter. Help me keep the British out of New Orleans."
Judah was moving across the room to the door when the general called out to him. "Etienne tells me that you were just married last night. I understand you deserted your new bride to answer my summons."
Judah paused, one hand on the doorknob, and grinned. "Last night, for a fraction of a second, I did consider mutiny, sir."
Jackson looked grim. "Let's end this war quickly so I can go home to my Rachel, and you can return to your new bride."
17
Liberty had heard Sebastian returning in the early afternoon. He and Bandera had been closeted in their bedroom for hours, no doubt discussing Judah's return and what they should do about it. Liberty was glad she had recovered her note before Bandera could find it when she went downstairs that morning. Liberty dreaded the moment Bandera and Sebastian discovered that she had married Judah.
Thus far Liberty had managed to avoid Bandera, Sebastian, and his mother. Sebastian and Bandera had taken dinner in their room, and Alicia had not come down at all. Now, however, as she entered the salon, she found Bandera and Sebastian sitting on the sofa with their heads together, while Alicia dozed near the fire. When Sebastian saw Liberty, he stood up, frowning as he crossed the room to her.
"I understand that my cousin paid us a visit last night. He must not fancy his life if he is so daring in his exploits."
"You need have no concern for Judah, Sebastian," Liberty told him with the greatest satisfaction. "He has received a full pardon for the false charges that you and my sister lodged against him, and he has no reason to fear for his life."
Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Page 27