Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  He chuckled and moved to the door. "I understand how you feel, but I must insist that you remain here with me. I would not like you to pass on any information to her that might be used against us by the Americans."

  "Zippora hardly has Andrew Jackson's ear," Liberty argued.

  "That may be true, but I'm not sure she hasn't Judah Slaughter's."

  Liberty thought it better not to press the issue. It was enough to know she was not alone and that Zippora had not forgotten her.

  As Colonel Newman spoke to the orderly who stood just outside the door, Liberty went to the bookshelf and pulled out a volume and casually turned the pages. She didn't want the colonel to know how anxious she was to see Zippora. She had a feeling the man was up to something, but she didn't know what it could be.

  When the door opened and Liberty saw that dear face, she dropped the book and ran across the room to be held in Zippora's comforting arms. She had forgotten to act with restraint. "I am so glad to see you," she cried, letting her emotions pour out. "I have never felt so alone."

  "I have been trying to see you all day, but they wouldn't let me. I see you are very pale and have lost weight. Have you been mistreated in any way?"

  "I have not been physically harmed, if that is what you are asking, but I have been confined to my room like a common criminal."

  Zippora turned her yellow eyes on Colonel Newman. "Hey, Anglais, I will take Ma'dame away with me today. It is not seemly for a young lady of delicate upbringing to be confined with so many soldiers in the house."

  Colonel Newman seated himself at the desk, and studied the old woman intently. Picking up the feather pen, he rolled it between his fingers. "I think not . . . Zippora. Mrs. Slaughter will continue her stay with us."

  It went against everything Colonel Newman believed in to say the next words. "I find Mrs. Slaughter a very attractive woman. I have only begun to enjoy her company. Who can say? I may decide to send her to England. I am sure she would make a fitting trade for some of our prisoners." Colonel Newman knew the British government would never hold a woman hostage for any reason. He could only hope that Mrs. Slaughter was unaware of that fact.

  Zippora's yellow eyes took on a strange glow as she stared at the Englishman. "It is a dangerous game you play, Anglais. Ma'dame's husband will never allow that to happen."

  That was what Colonel Newman was counting on. He stood up, eying both women. He placed the pen down and crossed to the door. "Just to show you that I am a gentleman, I will leave the room and allow the two of you to have a few moments of privacy."

  Zippora's eyes followed the man. She frowned and turned to Liberty when he closed the door behind him. "There is something not right here. That man is up to something. Do you know what he is trying to accomplish?"

  "Like you, I know he is up to something. But I cannot yet see what it is. I cannot be of any importance to the British government. I do not even know why he keeps me confined to my room. I begin to think it might have something do with Judah."

  "I believe you could be right, ma petite. The word is out that Judah Slaughter is a hero. He sunk one Anglais ship and captured another. It is even whispered that he captured a high-ranking admiral. I believe this man knows that and plays games with you because he wants something."

  "Oui, but what does he want, Zippora?"

  The old woman chuckled and picked up the pen that had been so conveniently placed at their disposal. "I believe it is intended that you should write your husband a note and I should deliver it to him. However clever the Anglais thinks he is, we will be even more clever."

  Liberty took the pen and smiled at Zippora. "I believe I am beginning to understand too. They want me to beg Judah to come for me, and then they will be waiting for him." She lowered her voice. "I would just hate to disappoint the man —shall I write Judah a note?"

  Liberty had no sooner handed the note to Zippora than the door opened and the colonel entered. He pretended not to see Zippora push the note into the bodice of her gown, but his eyes swept the desk and saw that the pen had been moved. With a self-satisfied smile, he spoke to Liberty.

  "I fear your friend must leave now. As soon as my aide returns, he will escort you back to your bedroom."

  Liberty hugged Zippora, and the old woman whispered in her ear. "Have courage, little one. Judah Slaughter is a clever man. He will find a way to get you out of here."

  When Zippora left, Liberty again experienced the heavy loneliness. She walked over to the window and watched Zippora make her way down to the river. She was aware that the colonel had come up behind her, but she did not acknowledge his presence. He, too, was watching Zippora's departure.

  The old woman untied her skiff and got inside. As the boat caught the current, it disappeared around the bend to be lost from sight.

  Liberty turned to find a gratified smile on Colonel Newman's face. "I trust your little note will bring your husband to the rescue in due time."

  "What makes you think I wrote my husband a note, Colonel?" she asked, pretending innocence.

  The colonel walked to the desk and picked up the pen. "I know you wrote your husband a note, Mrs. Slaughter. It will do you no good to deny it."

  Liberty stalled for time, knowing that each precious moment meant Zippora was farther out of reach of the colonel's men. "What are you implying?" she wanted to know, still playing the part he expected her to play.

  His self-satisfied laugh grated on her ears. "You think me a fool, Mrs. Slaughter, but it is you who are the fool this time. I purposely left the room to allow you time to write your husband a note." His eyes held a hint of superiority. "Did you beg your husband to rescue you?"

  Liberty knew that Zippora was already far beyond the colonel's reach. "You have found me out, Monsieur. I do not know what ever made me think I could fool you."

  He smiled indulgently. "Do not feel too bad, Madame Slaughter. I set a trap for you, and you fell into it. There is no shame in being outwitted by a man of experience."

  "Why did you not try to keep me from getting in touch with my husband, Colonel?"

  "Your husband has been a thorn in our side for some time now. Lately he has become bold in his raids on our ships. When he comes to rescue you, he will be walking into a trap, because we will be waiting for him."

  Laughter danced in Liberty's eyes. "I am sorry to disappoint you, Colonel, but my husband will not be coming for me. You see, he has never been accused of being a fool."

  Colonel Newman watched her closely. "I would be willing to wager he will come."

  "Then you would lose, Monsieur, because my note was not an appeal for help; it was a warning to Judah that you were setting a trap for him and that he must not come anywhere near Briar Oaks."

  Colonel Newman's neck turned red, and the color soon spread to his face. He rushed across the room and called out to his orderly. "Get to the boats and stop the old woman that just left. I want that note she is carrying!"

  Liberty swept past him. "I will just go to my room, Colonel. It has been a most trying day ... for fools."

  He stared after her as she climbed the stairs. By God, she was some woman. She had been aware of what he had been trying to do. Amused laughter met Liberty's ears, and she turned back to see the colonel's eyes dancing with mirth. He gave her a sweeping bow. "You have won the day, Mrs. Slaughter. I pray the American men are not as clever as their women. If so, we are done for."

  Andrew Jackson's camp was buzzing with activity. Men were coming and going as they prepared for battle.

  Zippora had been directed to Judah's tent, and she now waited for him to finish Liberty's note before she spoke. "I do not believe Liberty is being mistreated in any way. She will be fine as long as the Anglais keep Sebastian and Bandera away from her. Liberty tells me that her sister and brother-in-law believe the Anglais will give them Briar Oaks if they win the war."

  Judah's jaw clamped together in anger. "I will not have her remain under that roof one more night. I don't trust Sebastian or Bandera." />
  "I believe the Anglais will protect Liberty. She is too valuable to them to let any harm come to her. I, too, share your concern for her where Bandera and Sebastian are concerned."

  "Damn, I was a fool to let her go back there. I tried to get her to stay with my mother, but she insisted on returning to Briar Oaks."

  "Liberty can be stubborn when she wants her way. I am sure the colonel found that out after I left," Zippora said, smiling.

  A grin touched Judah's lips as he thought of the clever way Liberty and Zippora had dealt with the Englishman. "I would like to have seen the man's face when he learned that you and Liberty tricked him." Suddenly a troubled thought came to him and the smile left his face. "I hope it didn't make him angry enough to punish Liberty."

  "No, he was a gentleman. I read in his eyes that his business was very distasteful to him. However, like you, I believe that the sooner we get Liberty away from Sebastian, the better. He is touched with greed and a thirst for power, and one never knows what he might do."

  Judah glanced down at Liberty's note, folded it, and poked it into his pocket. "Tomorrow night, I will go after her. I believe I can come up with a plan, but I will need your help."

  "I will help you, Judah Slaughter. You have only to tell me what to do."

  "Once again I am indebted to you, Zippora. I do not know what good angel put you in my path, but you have saved my skin more than once."

  Zippora smiled. "The good angel is Liberty." She went out of the tent and Judah followed her. "I will await word from you tomorrow," she told him.

  "I will come for you at sundown."

  He watched her walk away holding herself straight and tall. To some, Zippora might be a frightening figure, but to him she was a guardian angel.

  The night winds blowing through the tree branches caused eerie shadows to dance across the window. Liberty lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Today, as the colonel had talked of Judah's daring adventures, she had realized how little she really knew about the man she had married. She got out of bed and moved to the window, her feet noiseless against the cold floor. Glancing out, she knew there was no way she could escape through the tree now that the branches had been cut back. Judah was out there somewhere and she hoped he would heed her warning and not attempt to rescue her. She did not want to see him end up a prisoner of the English.

  Sebastian lit a cigar and watched the smoke fan out about his head. "I wonder if you have overestimated my sister-in-law, Colonel Newman. Liberty is not as clever as you seem to think she is."

  "I believe it is you who underestimate Mrs. Slaughter. She knew from the beginning that I was playing a game with her today. In underestimating her, I lost the chance to get my hands on her husband."

  "Knowing Judah as I do, I would not discount the possibility that he may yet try to rescue Liberty."

  "I am very aware of that. I have two guards posted below, watching her bedroom window, and no one can get past the men who guard the house."

  "Any word on the war, Colonel? Do you know where Jackson is?"

  Colonel Newman looked at the foppish man who sat across from him. He had little liking for Sebastian Montesquieu, but the Creole had been very useful to him. "It is said that Jackson is held up at a place called Chalmette, getting ready for a hard push. Since the ground is too wet for trenches, the Americans are building mud walls."

  Sebastian laughed scornfully. "Do they think the mud will hold back your armies? I can see you are dealing with imbeciles. It is but a matter of time before you march triumphantly into New Orleans."

  Colonel Newman took a sip of his wine and glanced around the book-lined room. What a showplace it must have been at one time. "How little you know the Americans if you believe that. I admit they have fought several disastrous battles in this war, but that was before General Jackson was put in charge. The man is a genius at strategy." Newman took a puff on his cigar before he continued. "I heard an interesting story about him. It is said that he blames us for the death of his mother and two brothers. What we are facing here is a man with a personal vendetta—that's the most dangerous kind of man."

  Sebastian stubbed out his cigar. "I wonder if you would allow me to see my sister-in-law. My wife is concerned about her, and I would like to report firsthand that she is not suffering from her confinement."

  "It is not my impression that the two sisters have a high regard for one another."

  "As you saw from your visit with her today, Liberty can be willful and strong-minded. Bandera is of a gentler nature, and the two of them often quarrel. But nonetheless, Bandera worries about Liberty."

  Having met both sisters, Colonel Newman favored Liberty's open honesty to her sister's secretiveness. "I will allow your wife to visit her sister tomorrow ... if your wife is still concerned about her welfare." He had been told that Mrs. Montesquieu had not thus far inquired about her sister's well being.

  Sebastian shifted his eyes and stared at the toe of his boot. "But I thought if I could see-"

  "I consider the matter closed," Colonel Newman snapped, rising to his feet. "Since the hour is late, I am sure your sister-in-law is in bed. I suggest we both seek our own beds. In the event that Judah Slaughter comes to rescue his wife, rest assured that we will be ready for him."

  Later, as Sebastian paused at his bedroom door, he glanced down the hall to where the guard was posted at Liberty's door. He thought of her, lying soft and lovely in her bed, and he felt an ache deep inside. Why did she always torment him? He wanted her, and one day he would have her, just as he would one day have Bend of the River.

  Sebastian now knew the one way to get even with Judah was through Liberty. But at the moment, with her under the protection of Colonel Newman, he could not get to her any easier than Judah could…

  21

  January 6, 1814

  For over a week Judah and Zippora had attempted to rescue Liberty, but Briar Oaks had become an armed fortress. Over twenty guards patrolled the grounds, and up to now, it had been impossible for Judah to get close to the house.

  "It's tonight or never, Zippora," Judah whispered, plying the oar to the water. "With this fog, we just may succeed."

  Zippora brought the boat in close to the riverbank, while Judah checked his pistol to make sure it was loaded. "We are fortunate that the mist is so heavy, Judah Slaughter," she whispered. "It will be impossible for the guards to see you, and that will work to your advantage."

  "You are an amazing woman, Zippora. I'm not even sure I can find the house in this mist, yet you were able to find your way down the river."

  Zippora pulled her hood over her head and huddled in the bow of her small boat. "You must have a care when I put you ashore. Keep to the trees on your left, and the path will lead you to Liberty's bedroom. Do you remember which window I told you to look for?"

  Judah was grim-faced. "I hope so. I would sure be out of luck if I ended up in the wrong bedroom."

  The boat bumped against the bank, and Judah shouldered the rope and stepped ashore. He listened for a moment to see if there were any guards nearby. Hearing nothing, he moved up the embankment.

  Zippora followed him to the first tree. "I will wait here for you, M'sieu. You must hurry and return before the mist clears."

  "If I am not back in an hour and a half, it will mean I ran into trouble, and you must leave immediately. Is that understood?"

  "I hear you," she said, feeling the cold mist against her face. "I scouted the area yesterday and discovered there are five guards at the front of the house. They are no more than fifty paces apart, so have a care. There is also a man that walks the pier. It is best to avoid that area completely."

  "Wish me luck," Judah said, staring into the total darkness ahead and wondering if he would be able to find Liberty, let alone rescue her.

  "Luck will be with you. You must use your wits, but you have the courage of a lion, Judah Slaughter."

  His dark cloak swirled out about him as he turned and moved away, soon to be swallowed up by the ee
rie darkness.

  Unable to sleep, Liberty threw the covers back and made her way to the window. It was past midnight and she stared out at a mist so thick she couldn't even see the tree that stood outside her window. Once in a while she would hear the voice of a British sentry calling out to report his position.

  A chill passed through Liberty's body, and she shivered and pulled her shawl about her for warmth. Would this nightmare never end? She was desperate for news of the war, but no one would tell her anything. There had been cannon fire for the past two days, now even that had stopped. Two warring forces had come together, so why was it so silent?

  She was desperately alone. She hadn't seen a friendly face since the Zippora had come to visit. Had everyone forgotten she existed?

  A tear made its way down her cheek. Perhaps it was good to have all this time to think about her marriage to Judah. If he had married her just to get his hands on Bend of the River, it was her own fault. She had gone into marriage knowing that Judah did not love her.

  "Oh, but I do love him so desperately," she cried out, burying her head in her arms and giving in to total melancholy. "I just wish I knew where he was, and if he is safe." Liberty had half-expected Judah to make an attempt to rescue her. In some part of her mind she felt sad because he had not at least tried.

  "Fool," she said to herself. "Didn't you ask him to stay away? Do you want him to be captured?" A tear made a trail down her cheek. "I must really be getting desperate— I am starting to talk to myself."

  Judah carefully placed one booted foot in front of the other, knowing any sound would be magnified in the darkness. He had hardly gone twenty paces when he heard someone coming toward him. Quickly, he flattened himself against a tree trunk and pulled his cape about him.

  The guard paused an arm's-length away from Judah and stood as if listening for something. Judah's senses became alert, and he was prepared to strike in case the man discovered his presence. He gripped the handle of his pistol, and then decided that if he fired his gun, the shot would alert the other guards and his chances of rescuing Liberty would be lost. He would have to take the man on in hand-to-hand combat.