Sebastian's face reddened in anger. "Guard your tongue, Liberty. Have a care about defending that man against your own family."
"If that is a threat, Sebastian, I am not impressed. Must I constantly remind you that this is my home? You cannot dictate to me here."
Sebastian frowned, and his eyes closed to slits. "How was Judah cleared? I have heard nothing about it."
Liberty shrugged. "It seems Andrew Jackson himself is responsible for Judah's pardon. You should have been here when Judah arrived last night, Sebastian. He would have told you this himself."
"I suppose he had been staying with my uncle, trying to worm his way back into his good graces?"
"Perhaps."
Bandera moved over to the fire and glanced down at her sleeping mother-in-law, wondering how Alicia could sleep through this conversation. She held her hands out to warm them as she spoke. "I have been telling Sebastian that Judah had the audacity to ask you to marry him. Sebastian agrees with me that it would be impossible for you to accept such an offer. We believe Judah wants only to hurt us through you."
Liberty walked over to the window and untied the sash, so the curtains came together. Gathering her courage, she turned to face them. "You are too late, Bandera. As of last night, I became Madame Judah Slaughter." For proof of her statement, Liberty held out her hand so Bandera and Sebastian could see her ring. "You must both give me your best wishes," she said, smiling sweetly.
Sebastian balled his hands into fists while his eyes took on a wild expression. "I will not have it!" he shouted. "Why was I not consulted on this matter?"
A deep voice spoke up from the doorway. "Because, cousin, it was none of your affair. Liberty did not require your permission."
Liberty felt her heart leap with joy as Judah smiled at her reassuringly. She had never seen him in the garb he now wore. In it, he looked every bit the sea captain in his red ruffled shirt, black britches, and soft, black leather knee boots. He gave her the merest wink before he turned his full attention back to his cousin, Sebastian.
The hatred and distrust that radiated between the two men was heavy in the room. Sebastian's face went from red to white.
"You are a trickster and an upstart, Judah," he said. "You have insinuated yourself into my life once too often, and I demand satisfaction!"
Judah's eyes were cold and deadly as he watched Sebastian. Cautiously he moved over to Liberty and placed his hand on her arm. "I would like nothing better than to oblige you, but unfortunately, I have a matter before me that takes precedence over your challenge. You can address me another day, and I will gladly meet you on the field of honor, Sebastian."
Bandera whirled around to her husband. "You fool. You have been beaten, and you just don't have the intelligence to know it. You have failed in everything you ever set out to do. I do not know why I married you!"
For a moment Judah looked at Bandera, as if seeing her for the first time. Her face was distorted with anger, her lips pulled tightly across her teeth and her eyes bulging. How could he ever have thought her desirable?
Liberty nodded toward the door, knowing Sebastian and Bandera would probably argue for hours. When they were in the hallway, Judah pulled Liberty into his arms. Neither spoke for a few moments as they stared into each other's eyes.
"How long can you stay?" she asked shyly, remembering he had promised her a wedding night.
"I have to leave shortly. Where can we go so we will not be overheard? I would not want what I am about to tell you to reach anyone else's ears."
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
"No, there wasn't time."
"Then come with me into the kitchen while I feed you, and Oralee can stand guard at the door."
"Do you trust Oralee?"
"With my life" —she smiled—" ... or yours."
Once they reached the kitchen, and the formidable Oralee stood on the other side of the door keeping watch, Liberty placed a plate of broiled catfish and sausages before Judah.
She winced as he caught her hand. "Judah, I know it is most unconventional for the master of the house to eat in the kitchen, but this was the only place we could be sure prying ears were not listening."
"I hadn't thought of myself as the master of Briar Oaks," he said thoughtfully. "I consider myself only the master of the Winged Victory."
"As my husband, you are master here, Judah. It is the law."
He smiled devilishly. "I would far rather be your master."
She ducked her head, allowing her golden hair to form a curtain around her face. She was so befuddled by his nearness, that she spoke of the first thing that came to her mind, trying to keep from throwing herself into his arms. "I apologize for the light meal, but you see, we . . . rely on what we raise on Briar Oaks or catch in the river. Food has not been plentiful lately, and there are so many to feed."
He paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. "Are things as bad as that?"
"We manage."
"I will see that you have money immediately," he said, feeling angry with himself for not realizing Liberty's desperate need.
"That is not important just now," she told him, pouring a glass of wine and setting it before him. "You said you had something to discuss with me?"
"Yes. I am in need of a big flat-bottomed pontoon boat. I just came from my grandfather, hoping he could supply me with one, but his is being repaired. He suggested that you might help me out."
"Oui. I have a pontoon boat, and you are welcome to it, but-"
"I cannot tell you why I need it. I cannot even promise to return it. All I can tell you is that it will be used in a good cause."
"It is yours without question." Her eyes sought his. "Will you be in much danger?"
"No more than I can safely avoid." He took a bite of the fish and found it tender and succulent.
Suddenly the sounds of cannon fire ripped through the night, and Liberty's face drained of color. "In heaven's name, what was that?" she cried.
Judah shoved the plate of food aside and stood up. "By, God, it's started!" His eyes blazed with an excitement Liberty did not understand. "There is nothing for you to fear. The noise you heard was just a little lady by the name of Carolina paying her respects to the British."
There was now urgency about Judah's manner as he walked to the window and looked toward the sound of the cannon fire, unable to see anything from his vantage point. "This is going to be a long night, Liberty," he predicted. "All could be won or lost in a matter of days."
"It sounded so near," she said, standing on her tiptoes and trying to see over his shoulder. "I cannot believe the enemy is in Louisiana and men will die tonight. Perhaps even some of my friends will die." Horror registered in her eyes as she stared at her golden-haired husband. "Perhaps even...”
Judah gripped her arm. "I have to leave as soon as possible, Liberty. Three of my crew members are waiting out front for me." His eyes swept her face. "I have something else to ask of you —do you know a good man who is completely trustworthy and who knows the swamps well enough to avoid the British?"
"Are you going to be in danger?" she pressed.
"I live a charmed life." He touched her golden curls. "Do you know anyone who can guide me through the swamps?"
A daring plan had started to form in her mind. If Judah was going to be in danger, then she wanted to be with him. No one knew the swamps better than she. If she offered to guide Judah, he would refuse, but if she were to disguise herself so he wouldn't recognize her . . . She remembered the day she had gone fishing and had dressed like a boy. At first Judah had not recognized her.
"Oui, I know such a person, Judah. He is but a lad, but he knows the swamps better than anyone. He lives here on Briar Oaks and is a true patriot."
"Good. I apologize for imposing on you, but I seem to have no other alternative." He walked across the room. "I will be at the pier making the pontoon ready. Send the lad to me as quickly as possible." With his hand on the doorknob, he faced her. For the briefest moment his
eyes seemed to caress her face. "Until later, Liberty," he said with feeling. "Wait for me to return."
As the sound of cannons echoed across the valley, and flashes of light touched the night sky like a breath of fire, Judah walked toward the river, accompanied by his men.
Liberty hurried up the stairs to the attic, hoping no one had thrown away the trousers she had abandoned after deciding to become a lady for Judah. She opened three trunks and scattered the contents over the dusty floor before she found what she was looking for.
Oralee, on Sebastian's orders, had just brought a bottle of brandy into the salon. She was standing in the doorway, and out of the corner of her eyes, she watched in amazement as a young boy came down the stairs. "I will be right back, M'sieu," she told Sebastian, hurrying after the intruder.
"Damn that Oralee!" Sebastian gritted out, pouring two glasses of brandy and handing one to his mother and the other to his wife. "I have two hysterical women on my hands, and Oralee can't stay to help me."
"Find out what is happening!" Bandera screamed at the top of her voice. "We will all be killed!"
"Not you, my sweet," Sebastian said harshly. "You could always entice the British to bed you instead of cutting your pretty throat."
Oralee slipped into the kitchen and grabbed the intruder by the arm. "Here, boy, what do you think you are — ?" Her eyes rounded in amazement when she recognized Liberty.
"Ma petite, what is the meaning of this?" Her eyes moved over the baggy brown trousers and the ragged coat that had seen better days. Liberty's golden hair had been pinned to the top of her head, and she wore a wide-brimmed gray hat. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you dressed in such a disgraceful manner?"
Liberty raised her finger to her lips. "I haven't time to tell you now, Oralee. I need your help in keeping my secret. If you are asked where I am, say that I have gone to Bend of the River."
"Are you going to Bend of the River?"
"No, Oralee. It is imperative that I help Judah. No one, not even Judah, must know about this. Will you promise to keep my secret?"
The servant nodded, although her eyes were still puzzled. "I will keep your secret, but hurry. I hear M'sieu Sebastian calling me. It would never do if he were to come in here. When will you return?"
Liberty ran for the back door. "I don't know. I have to go," she called over her shoulder.
The cannon fire had ceased, and now gunfire filled the night. As Liberty raced toward the river where Judah was waiting, she could hear Bandera screaming. "We are going to die! It's the end of the world!"
Judah inspected the pontoon boat. It appeared to be seaworthy, and it would be perfect for his needs. With its flat bottom, it could easily maneuver the bayous, yet it was heavy enough to carry his cannons.
"This is a strange boat, Captain," Rojo observed, placing his foot on the deck and watching it rock back and forth. "I hope she don't sink."
"I believe you will find it fits our needs tonight. It is sturdier than it seems. This boat was built to haul crops into New Orleans and bring back supplies on the return trip." He smiled. "I hope you men are strong, because we are going to have to use the poles to maneuver it downriver and through the swamps. Part of the time we will be going against the current. That will be a new experience for us all."
When Liberty neared the boat, she feared that Judah would discover her deception, so she pulled the hat low over her forehead. She decided to speak only in Acadian French and to disguise her voice. She needn't have worried because Judah was too busy sliding the poles into the side hooks to even notice her. Three men, whom she knew were members of Judah's crew on the Winged Victory, were lashing barrels to the boat with ropes.
Judah spoke to her without looking up. "If you are our guide, look lively and step on board." He turned to the others and said authoritatively. "After we leave here, I want no man to speak unless necessary, because sound carries on the water. You, lad. Stand by me to navigate. I want to avoid the main river as much as possible."
Liberty pulled the warm coat about her neck and balanced herself in the front of the boat, while Judah and the other men plied the long poles to the water and moved the boat into the current. With her knowledge of the bayous and river forks, Liberty soon guided them to a little-known waterway that was almost hidden with underbrush.
An eerie quietness hung over the swamp. Only occasional gunfire could be heard in the distance as they poled through a narrow part of the bayou, where only two men were needed to maneuver the pontoon.
A sudden break in the clouds revealed ghostly cypress trees. Against the southern sky, there appeared flashes of lights and sporadic gunfire came to their ears. Judah's voice was no more than a whisper when he spoke. "I want to be out of these swamps before morning. Is that possible, lad?"
"Oui, it sounds like the gunfire is coming from around the Chalmette Plantation. I know a route that will take us past the fighting, M'sieu."
"Good," he said, straining his eyes in the darkness, wondering how this lad could see well enough to know where they were going with not even the stars to guide him.
When, several hours later, the boat pulled out of the swamps and onto the Mississippi, leaving the sound of fighting far behind, Judah clapped the boy on the back. "Well, done, lad. Unfortunately, the real test will be on the return journey."
"Can I ask where we are going, M'sieu?" Liberty questioned. "I need to know in case there is a shorter route to reach our destination."
"Our objective is straight ahead, lad. We are headed for my ship, the Winged Victory. You will not be needed for now. I would suggest you try to get some sleep."
Silence descended as the boat moved with the swift current. The stars disappeared behind a thick blanket of fog, and a light rain started to fall. It was cold. Liberty pulled her hat over her face to ward off the rain. She was glad she had come with Judah. No one, with the exception of herself and Zippora, knew about the hidden bayou she had guided them through tonight.
Liberty sank down and rested her head against her knees. For two nights she had not slept. Now, with the rain coming down, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. She was aware that one of the men placed his cloak about her shoulders, and she knew it was Judah.
Liberty did not know how long she slept, but she was jarred awake when the boat hit against something solid. Sleepily, she opened her eyes and realized they had reached their destination, because a huge ship loomed out of the fog.
The sound of scurrying feet could be heard as men moved across the deck of the Winged Victory, and someone called out. "Who goes there? Identify yourself, or get blown out of the water!"
"It's the captain, you fool," Rojo answered. "Throw down the ladder."
Helpful hands grasped Liberty, and she was aided up the rope ladder. She was fully awake now, and staring in awe about the ship. The crew snapped to attention and waited for their captain to speak. In the dim torchlight, Liberty did not miss the respect evident on the faces of the men. She was seeing a side of Judah that she had never seen before. He belongs to the sea, she thought. He was born to it.
Judah was now in command, and he spoke with the voice of authority. "Philippe, have several men detach the twenty-four pounders and load them onto the flat boat. Haste is most important."
"Aye, aye, Captain," the first mate replied. No questions were asked as the crew of the Winged Victory hurried to carry out their captain's orders.
Judah moved over to Liberty and nodded to the galley. "Go below and tell the cook I said he was to feed you and find some dry clothes for you." Judah smiled encouragingly. "You did well tonight, lad. I regret that you will have little time to rest. Were you frightened?"
"No, M'sieu."
"Good, lad. But I can almost assure you that the return journey will be far more hazardous. You are young, and if you do not wish to continue, I will understand."
"With you I am not afraid, M'sieu."
"Go below now. There is no reason for you to stand out in the rain."
L
iberty nodded, taking care to keep the hat pulled over her forehead. She wanted to ask Judah how long it had been since he had slept. He had pushed harder and done more than all the others. She saw the weariness in his eyes, and she wished she could take him in her arms and soothe him. Instead she moved toward the companionway, guessing that was where she would find the galley.
Liberty was hunched over the table, fast asleep, when a heavy hand fell on her shoulder. "Come alive, lad. The captain will be wanting you. It's time to leave."
Liberty looked sleepily up at the man who was Judah's first mate. "How long have I been sleeping?" she asked. Seeing that her hat had fallen off while she had slept, she met the man's eyes, and saw shock written on his face. Suddenly her face turned red, for she realized her hair had tumbled down.
"What in the hell is this?" Philippe asked, grabbing her hand and jerking her to her feet. "The captain does not know you are a girl!"
Her eyes begged him for understanding. "Please, M'sieu, do not tell Judah. I implore you to keep my secret. I had to disguise myself or he would never have allowed me to come with him, and he needed someone to guide him through the swamps."
Slowly Philippe's eyes lit up with understanding. "You are Liberty," he stated with growing assurance. "You are the captain's little wife!"
"Oui, but will you keep my secret, please, Monsieur? I am the only one who can help Judah."
Philippe smiled and handed Liberty her hat. "I never could say no to a beautiful woman. I think I should warn you, however, that all hell's gong to break out when the captain learns about this, Madame. He will find out, you know. You can't fool him for very long."
"Perhaps, but I have to chance it," she said, twisting her hair and securing it with pins, then setting the hat firmly on her head.
Philippe chuckled as he helped her poke a stray curl beneath the hat. "I can see you are going to liven up the captain's life considerably. It's easy to see why he married you. Beauty cannot be disguised."
"You have the eyes and mouth of a Frenchman, Monsieur." On an impulse, Liberty reached up and kissed Philippe on the cheek. "Thank you for being such a gentleman, and thank you for keeping my secret."
Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Page 28