by Jerri Hines
“Jonathan, I, too, question, but we can’t react because of association. I can assure you we did extensive research before we made a move. The damage Gannon inflicted will take time to repair and as you know, some can’t be repaired,” Dr. Jenkins agreed. “It’s extremely unfortunate he caught wind of the trap and escaped. I hear now he’s in New York. I have never wanted to hang someone so badly.”
“Oh, my God. New York! No!” Jonathan’s face dropped in dismay. “I need to see Lanson, immediately!”
* * * *
The silver service gleamed and then suddenly distorted, reflecting a face entering the sitting room. Jonathan glanced from the reflection in the bulge of the pot to the man; Peter Lanson stood before him. He had expected it to have been Catherine, who had promised to leave the bedroom this morning and to join him with William.
“Dr. Jenkins informed me you requested my presence,” Lanson said solemnly. He looked tired, but they both did, but not particularly happy to be here either. “And I’m here.”
“You don’t look as though you care to be,” Jonathan said. “You have nothing to add to what I’ve learned? Much has happened since last we met.”
“I’m not going to be able to tell you anything you want to hear,” Lanson shrugged. “I realize, Jonathan, much has happened, but to us all. At least you have your wife and child. Besides, the network has every intention of taking care of you for all your family has done. I have done everything within my power, but it won’t be enough for you.”
“Don’t play me for a fool!” Jonathan exploded upon the response. “I ask for nothing. I, too, am doing all I can for the cause. I feel I have no control over my life or my family’s lives and I need to regain that control. Starting with Hannah.”
Lanson stared at him without flinching. “Jonathan, she understood before she left what lay ahead of her. In her mind she searched for an answer, which she found, but along the way, Jonathan, with the foundation she laid out, I’m afraid she won’t be removed at the moment.”
“Why the hell not?” Jonathan colored.
“You have no idea what we’re up against. In reality there is no indication she is in immediate danger. She walks freely among them, Jonathan, within their own social group,” Lanson said straight forth. “From her contact she has become a vital link. I don’t think she would want it broken. If there is ever an indication of suspicion, I give you my word I will remove her personally.”
“Your word be damned! We both know if she is discovered you won’t have the time to rescue her. Punishment is swift for a spy. By God, Lanson. Get her out! I don’t need an additional worry. I don’t want to lose another,” Jonathan covered his face with two hands. Calming, he clasped his hands together in front of his lips in thought.
“Do you not know I know my sister well? She would be more than willing, I’m sure, to lay down her life for the cause. She believes so fervently and passionate, but I’m not willing to allow her to do so, Lanson. I don’t know what else I need to say. Do you not yourself feel it’s improper to leave her such?”
Lanson shook his head. “I told you before, Jonathan, I wouldn’t be able to make you happy today.”
“Tell me this much. Have you told her about Gabriel? He didn’t waste any time being reassigned to Philadelphia. I hear he is to marry Deborah Reynolds. Did you tell her this was her payment for her services?” Jonathan glared at Lanson. “I don’t think so. It is evident that you bribed Gabriel. If she was so willing, you wouldn’t have resorted to bribery. Is she still loyal to him, believing he’s waiting for her?”
Lanson remained silent. Jonathan stood. “I know that your job isn’t easy, Lanson. It’s not a life I could live, but by God, is it your mission to destroy my entire family?”
Lanson shook his head again. “I didn’t say I felt good about the situation. But know this, Jonathan, she is an essential part. We can’t afford to lose her at the moment.”
“What about Hannah?” Jonathan shot back.
“We can’t consider our personal cost at this time, Jonathan.”
“What is your personal cost, Lanson? What are you going to lose?” Jonathan asked coolly. “Now Gannon’s in New York. Do you not believe he poses a threat to Hannah? Enough is enough?”
Jonathan had gained no ground when Catherine appeared in the doorway holding William. He hadn’t long with his family. He had not the patience. His last words he spoke laid his intentions.
“I have to return to my unit by the end of March. When I return again, my sister better be safe within my house for your sake also.”
* * * *
Jonathan tried to reason with his wife, but she seemed confused on the issue of her father’s betrayal. Catherine cried lost in a world of her own. Befuddled, she wanted her father back. She seemed confident that Jonathan could arrange it.
Jonathan shook his head. Catherine had no concept that if he could get hold of the man, he would strangle the life out of him himself.
The days of his leave dwindled down and Catherine was becoming more of an issue. He couldn’t leave her alone, but he didn’t fully trust Stephen and saw only one choice.
Little William supplied Jonathan with determination. Watching his son, he had regained his passion for the fight. He fought for the future of his son. The small one crawled along the floor, laughing hysterically when he tickled him. He wrapped his tiny arms so readily around the father he loved. His small eyes brightened upon his father’s entrance into the room with his hands waving to be picked up.
Jonathan saw within his son the look of his mother, although little William had his eyes. William had his mother’s laugh. Jonathan wished desperately to hear that laugh once more.
Jonathan debated and finally decided to invite Lydia. He couldn’t leave William without someone he trusted fully. He had been in correspondence with her and understood she had much to deal with herself. He wrote he would understand her reluctance to do so. He waited for her reply, but none came by letter. Instead, a knock came upon his door a couple of weeks later. Lydia herself appeared on his doorstep, prepared to care for his family.
Chapter Four
Hannah was disturbed beyond measure. Since the British occupation, Marcus Durham had become a frequent visitor to the Clay’s mansion. Without question, his attention was directed on her. Having been left alone in New York without a contact hadn’t been easy. She knew well she walked on dangerous ground and Marcus only added to the pressure upon her.
She had been cut off from Tepper. He remained in a holding prison where the British continued their questioning of him. In that she knew, but not much more. The British had held several suspected of being loyal to the Patriot cause.
She had chosen to take one day at a time. She had no choice. In an odd way, she looked forward to Marcus’s visits. He was attentive to her in a way no one else could be, for he had known her before the raid…when she was a different person.
Hannah sensed his desire to find out why she stayed within New York and she enjoyed the challenge. In a sense, she liked the thrill of the game…a game where she made the rules. Yet disturbing in the way she felt at times he could read her mind and seemed to know her every thought.
Marcus socialized within her grandfather’s circle in which Alexander Clay as of late had included Hannah. With ease Hannah smiled and danced with the British and Loyalists. To her dismay on her every turn she found Marcus by her side, which left her little opportunity to obtain the information she so desired.
Susanna had questioned Marcus’ attentions, but Hannah understood he suspected she was here for more than a visit with her sick grandmother. She had made up her mind she wouldn’t be intimidated by his presence. Though she would wager his attention toward her had been an attempt to do so. She would never allow him to come between her and her objective.
Marcus seemed to take great pleasure in taunting her. She would never confess even to herself the flutter in her heart when he danced with her or held her hand in his. Nor would she ever a
cknowledge the way he looked upon her in a manner which took her back to their first meeting when his arms wrapped around her or his lips upon hers… No, she reprimanded herself harshly. How could she feel so with poor Gabriel out fighting for their cause?
She had a mission. She would take solace in the fact her grandfather’s manner toward her had eased greatly. His excitement with the appearance of the British within New York set his mood high. And at the moment, he gave little thought to her for her grandmother seemed content.
An unseasonably warm early November morning found Hannah in her grandmother’s garden. Having risen early, she had in mind to plant tulip bulbs outside her grandmother’s window. She wanted it to be a surprise for her grandmother in the spring. With the emergence of flowers that had bloomed beautifully, Hannah was confident her grandmother’s spirits would lift as it would her own.
A memory of her home in Williamsburg surged within her. Briefly, she wondered how her home looked now. Her heart pained. With her manner in dealing with that pain, she pushed it all back within her. She refused herself the remembrance. She had a mission. She had no time to grieve or her heart would rip apart.
“Hannah.”
She looked up from the ground she sat. Marcus stood in front of her. He wasn’t dressed as a British officer. Instead, he was dressed as she had first seen him. Was he going out again to deceive others into betraying their cause?
Marcus smiled at her, a charming, disarming smile. Giving her no time to contemplate his visit, he extended his hand to her. She pulled her gloves off and accepted accepting his assistance more than a little suspicious of his intent. With ease, he pulled her up to him…much too close. She wanted to back away, but he held firm. His eyes fixed upon hers.
“I was looking for you. I didn’t mean to catch you off guard, but wanted a minute of your time. I felt certain you would be up and about.”
She dusted her skirt off and pushed back her unruly hair. “You are up early, Marcus. You will have to excuse my appearance. I wasn’t expecting anyone to call at this time of the morning. I do hope you will forgive me, but I’m in the midst of planting bulbs. Grandmother loves flowers. I was hoping for blooms in the spring for her. I know she will so enjoy them.”
He didn’t say a word to her ramblings, but wiped her face where a streak of dirt lay. His hand lingered longer than it should. She glanced up at him only to find him staring deep into her eyes. She wanted desperately to turn from his gaze, but she dare not show a sign of weakness. Yet she could not contain her heart beating rapidly.
“You’ve a purpose to this visit, Marcus?” she asked, finding her voice. “Or do you want to see Grandfather? I’m sure he’s within his study.”
“No, it’s you I wanted to see,” he answered under his breath. Suddenly, his hands went securely around her waist.
“Marcus,” she protested. Her hands pushed against his chest. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I find that I must once more depart. And I have only one question for you Hannah. Are you going to be here on my return?” He drew her closer. “I wonder. I wonder if you will remember what it is like to have my arms around you as they are now. I wonder if you will dream of me while I’m gone.”
“Please release me, you arrogant man!” she pleaded. “Someone will see.”
“That’s no answer,” he whispered. She wanted to be able to jerk away and run…run far away from him, but she found herself helpless as he pushed her back against the wall of the house. “You’re a strange one, Hannah Corbett. Why are you really here?”
“I have told you, my grandmother,” she murmured, finding it difficult to find her words. “Is that so hard to believe?”
He held her gently, but firmly. “I know what you told me, Hannah. How you wanted to leave before the invasion and would do so now. It’s just…I imagine if you really wanted to leave, you would do so. And now I find it hard to leave you. I can imagine all sorts of trouble you could find yourself in.”
“I don’t believe it’s your concern, Marcus. I wish you well in your journey.” Her tone held no trace of the emotion raging within her. She twisted, but his grip only tightened. He pulled her to him.
Her protests drowned as his lips came down hard upon hers. She could feel a fire within him as his mouth claimed hers. And then to her horror she found herself responding to him. Her hands, which once pushed against him, trying to resist, opened freely and she pulled him to her. Her body betrayed her mind, melting into his…his touch, his kiss. His mouth kissed her cheeks, her neck, and back up to her lips again.
She couldn’t breathe. Her chest heaving, she finally broke away. Ashamed she responded so; she found she had no words. Oh what was she going to say that her body had so willfully denied with his touch. He caressed her cheek again.
“You make it hard to leave, Hannah Corbett.” Lowering his head to hers, his lips touched hers delicately. He whispered against her lips, “This I promise you. I have restrained myself. If you are here upon my return, I will do so no more. I give you fair warning. I want you.”
He kissed her again, ravishing her mouth until she surrendered to the moment. He kissed her neck, her pulse and caressed down the front of her bodice. Shocked overwhelmed her when she felt his hand boldly cup her breast. Then abruptly, he stopped. “You made me almost lose my head, my love. Remember my words.”
He kissed her once more. Then without another word, he departed. She could do nothing but stare after him with an open mouth.
Finally, Hannah turned to discover Susanna standing in the garden in her night dress. She looked quite distressed.
“Oh, Hannah,” she cried. Her face was drawn and distraught. “I saw. I should have told you before.”
“Told me what?” Hannah asked, puzzled by her cousin’s reaction, trying desperately not to betray her emotions. Her cousin grabbed her hand.
“Come back to my room and we will talk,” she answered. Hannah shook her head.
“No, tell me now,” Hannah stubbornly refused.
Susanna hesitated momentarily. “Hannah, Marcus…” she sighed and breathed deeply. “Marcus is married.”
“Married?” Shock vibrated through her. Hannah heard herself ask. “Then why would he act in that manner? Why would no one tell me?”
Susanna looked at her. “Come we’ll talk.”
In a fog, Hannah followed Susanna back to her room and closed her door tightly. “Remember when I told you he had lived down the street. He lived here with his family, his wife and child. If I remember correctly she was with child when she left. I met her on a few occasions. Haughty, I feel she felt the colonies beneath her. For if I’m not mistaken, she’s a daughter of a duke of some sort. She bragged about returning to their estate in England, away from the wilds of the colonies. From what I gather he’s the second son to an earl himself.”
Hannah sat and listened to her cousin’s words. Comprehension of what her cousin said slowly sank in. “I appreciate your frankness, Cousin, but don’t concern yourself. He’s leaving and I assure you I’ll stay as far from him as possible upon his return if I’m still here. He’s playing with me.”
Susanna gave her a quick nod, a half-fearful look in her eyes lingered. “Hannah, with what you’re doing, it would be for the best. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you. I should have said something before because I’ve seen his fascination with you. I have heard that men in his position marry for position, but love…”
“No, don’t say that,” Hannah shook her head. “It’s not a fascination, Susanna. He’s trying to intimidate me. That is all. He knew of me before the raid. I don’t believe he feels I’m as helpless I pretend.” Hannah reached over and squeezed Susanna’s hand.
Susanna shook her head. “I hope you’re right. With your Gabriel leaving you, I couldn’t blame you if…:
Hannah stood. Her voice quivered. “Gabriel hasn’t abandoned me. Obviously, he was detained and couldn’t…” She paused for in truth she couldn’t understand why he
had left her here. “I’ll take heed, I promise. I won’t trust anyone. Clearly, they all look down upon us. To play me so…as if I’m no better than a common whore. No, cousin. I won’t be treated such, not without reason.”
“Take care with that reason, Hannah,” Susanna answered.
* * * *
Hannah steamed over Marcus's behavior. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. How dare he! But in reality, should she had expected less? Hadn’t she a job to do? Wasn’t he a distraction? His departure alleviated a pressure she hadn't comprehended existed until he was no longer in the scene. Her inability to find and free Tepper, which had long been her most pressing problem since the occupation, disintegrated upon the reappearance of Lieutenant Fletcher and his confirmation Tepper was being held at the Sugar House.
“Oh, Hannah,” Camilla exclaimed as she ran into her grandmother's bedroom, quite flustered. “I know you have been in the most irritated mood lately, but I believe I have solved your problem and mine. I have run into Sergeant Wright. You must remember him at our last dinner party. Tall with the handsomest of eyes.”
Hannah placed her finger over her lips to quiet her cousin. Her enthusiasm overflowed, but their grandmother had only moments before fallen asleep. Her grandmother hadn't been doing well as of late. Her energy level seemed to have diminished considerably. Hannah motioned for her cousin to follow her to the far corner of the room.
“Now, Camilla,” Hannah said softly. “What do you have planned?”
“Sergeant Wright wants to escort us to the Lewis's for their dinner party. He has a friend who desires to meet you, a Lieutenant Simon Fletcher. He said he met you here one morning. Is it not perfect? I've met him. Quite handsome, I might add. Not comparable to my Sergeant Wright, but quite presentable,” Camilla eagerly watched for Hannah's reaction.
Hannah winced. She had no desire to attend the Lewis's party and had planned to beg off with the health of her grandmother. She shook her head slightly.