The Price of Honor (Canadiana Series Book 1)

by Susanne Matthews

  As the last couple to be called, they led the procession out of the church.

  As soon as they were clear of the doors, Guy hustled them down to the dock where they entered the small boat waiting for them. Beside them, two of the voyageur canoes carried couples heading to Ville-Marie, the couples having chosen to skip the feast, too. These were Guy’s men. Had he enlisted them in his task?

  When the small boat reached L’Érable, Henri and Gerard climbed aboard first. Guy addressed the three of them.

  “I’ve thought about this since I almost lost Izzy, and I’ve decided modesty be damned. I want you to tuck up your dress so that your skirts clear your ankles. It will be much easier to climb the ladder that way. Your safety is more important to me than your modesty. I don’t want anyone else to fall. Izzy, are your shoes secure?”

  Isabelle looked at the deep concern on his face.

  “They are.”

  She stood, pulled her dress up to just below her knees, tucking it into the waistband of the skirt, and let Guy check her shoe ribbons. She didn’t want to take a chance on falling again.

  L’Érable was a much smaller vessel than their previous ship and the ladder much shorter. The deck seemed far more crowded with animals, sailors, and passengers. Guy escorted her and Sophie to the cabin they would share so that the sailors could get the ship moving.

  As soon as the small boat was secure, Isabelle heard the familiar sounds of the ship weighing anchor. Since it was still raining, she and Sophie stayed in their cabin putting their things in order. Each had only the small satchel she’d taken to the palace, but they unpacked nightshifts and brushes. The cabin, smaller than the one Isabelle had shared with Aline, contained two bunks built into the walls on opposite sides. A screen could be drawn between them to afford some measure of privacy. There was a table secured to the wall next to the door and a tiny window across from it. Above the table hung an oil lamp similar to the one on their previous ship. They were sitting in companionable silence knitting when someone knocked on the door.

  “Who is it?” Isabelle called mindful of what had happened the last time someone had knocked unexpectedly on her door.

  “It’s me,” Guy chuckled. “It’s stopped raining and the sun is out. Would you ladies like to come up on deck and see the shoreline? We’re close enough to see both sides of the river, and the scenery is magnificent along here.”

  “I would like that very much,” she said, setting her knitting aside on her bunk, eager to spend time with him.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Isabelle stood at the front of the ship with Guy and the others. The sun glittered on the water, erasing all signs of the earlier gloomy day.

  “It’ll only take us a little more than a day to reach Ville-Marie since, unlike the canoes, we don’t need to stop for meals and such,” Guy said. “We’ll travel as far as Trois Rivières where we’ll deliver cargo. We’ll anchor overnight because the river can be dangerous in the dark, and then go on to Ville-Marie early in the morning. We’ll arrive mid-afternoon. Tomorrow night, you’ll sleep in your own beds.” He gave Isabelle a wink. “Some of us have to wait a few more days.”

  Isabelle’s cheeks heated, as did the rest of her, and Sophie laughed.

  It dawned on her that it was the first time she’d heard her cousin do so in days. So preoccupied was she with her own problems, she hadn’t realized something was bothering her. It could easily be Gerard’s cryptic remark to Talon yesterday morning. If he were going to ask for Sophie’s hand, he should do so before deciding the matter was settled. Since Pierre had died in January, Sophie’s six-month mourning period, the amount of time the colony allowed, would be over soon. She would talk to her cousin once they were alone again. Following Guy’s directions, she turned her gaze to the vista before her.

  The shoreline of the Saint Lawrence River offered an incredible view of pristine forests and rolling fields. Here and there, Huron villages edged the shores on both sides of the waterway. Periodically, Guy pointed out cultivated fields of wheat, oats, and barley in various shades of green, a color box to satisfy the eyes of an artist as well as Talon’s taller hemp plants. There were barns, stables, chicken coops, and farmhouses. The structures were all built along the river with their fields extending behind them.

  “Those are the centimes of the seigneuries. Each estate is divided into a hundred long lots from the river’s edge or further inland from the road separating one estate from another,” Guy explained. “When we join our estates, we’ll manage two hundred of them.

  “Look,” Isabelle cried. “There are mountains to the south. I can see them on the horizon. Is that where Michel and Marie Elise are going?”

  “It is. Michel hopes to plant the colony’s first vineyard at their feet. There are mountains both north and south of Ville-Marie—not as grand as the Alps or the Pyrenees, but beautiful to behold. Those to the north are the Laurentians, named after the Iroquois who occupied the land when Cartier discovered it. They called their village Canada, the name given to this province of New France, but sadly, but the time French explorers returned, they had all vanished. Some believe there was an epidemic, others think they warred with the Mohawk, and those who survived traveled west. This land is larger than you can imagine. France in its entirety could fit in it several times, and we’ve only explored a fraction of it.”

  “That’s so sad,” Isabelle mused. “An entire tribe gone.”

  “Life can be hard here, ma belle, but we’re strong, and we’ll survive.”

  After the wedding meal Guy had ordered, fresh bread and butter, a chicken cassoulet, and a spice cake for dessert, served with warmed maple syrup, Isabelle followed him and the others up on deck to watch the sunset and enjoy a last glass of wine. Days were much longer now, temperatures far warmer than in France, but the sights and smells of this new land fascinated her.

  “Captain, are we in danger?” Isabelle asked, watching the level of preparation made to moor the ship for the night.

  “Not any more than usual,” he answered. “We aren’t in any peril, but we don’t take chances. We’re close to shore and sneaking aboard to steal what we have is tempting to many men both colonist and native alike. Three beautiful white women would be quite a prize.”

  Isabelle shivered. “Then I thank you for your precautions.”

  Soon, she and Guy were the only ones on the deck. They stood in the stern as they’d done at sea. In the distance, they could see lights winking through the trees.

  “Those will be trappers and our friends settling for the night. The larger blazes near the shore are village cooking fires, and if you watch ahead, every now and then you’ll catch a glimpse of some of the farmhouses closer to Trois Rivières, the colony’s second oldest settlement.” He held her in his arms, leaning against his chest. “As we move toward Ville-Marie, we’ll leave Huron villages behind and see Mohawk ones. They prefer longhouses accommodating several families rather than individual abodes. It’ll be good to get home again. There’ll be lots to do,” he whispered in her ear. “After we see to the baggage and cargo and arrange for some of the furnishings to be delivered to the house on Saint Gabriel Street, I’ll divide the animals, so I can leave some with Sophie, and send the others to the estate with my engagés. Finally, I’ll make arrangements for the governor-general’s business.” He paused and looked out over the water. “I’m certain I’m forgetting something,” he teased. “What can it be? Ah yes, now I remember—the wedding, our wedding.” He smiled at her. “Surely that’s the most important thing on my list?” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Afterwards, mon amour, we’ll travel as the voyageurs do.” He looked around to make sure that they were alone. “We have to go to des Courts’ estate as soon as possible. De Courcelle’s afraid that once word reaches France of La Jeunesse’s fate, someone could send another message, possibly by way of those friends in Albany mentioned in the note. We need to get to him first, and to put Talon’s plan into action, I’ll need your help
.”

  Isabelle smiled up at him.

  “Whatever I can do to help, you only need to ask. I can see you’ll be very busy the next few days, but the wedding should take place before you take me off into the wilderness, or else you will ruin my spotless reputation.” She giggled shyly to take the sting out of her words. “While you attend to the animals, I’ll get ready. Maybe Henri can teach me to load and fire a musket. Pierre must have had some at the house. Tell me about this canoe trip we’ll take. Will I dress in buckskin, too?”

  “Women wear tunics. They’re probably far more comfortable than you imagine. You may not want to return to your chemise and petticoats afterward, but having seen you in trousers, there’s a certain appeal to that style of dress, too.” He winked. “Allowing Henri to teach you to fire a musket is an excellent idea. You’re as smart as you are beautiful.” He kissed the back of her neck.

  Shivers traveled down her spine, and she nestled more deeply into his arms.

  “We’ll travel by canoe and sleep under the stars.” Guy’s voice, a soft breeze against her ear, enchanted her.

  “What if it gets cold or it rains?”

  “I’m sure I can find a way to keep you warm, my sweet. If it rains, then we will use a small tent, or sleep under the canoe.” He laughed at the shocked look on her face.

  “What about the Mohawk and the wild animals?”

  “Don’t worry. As much as I’d like to have you all to myself. It’s far too dangerous for the two of us to travel alone. Two of my men, former soldiers, and my best Huron scouts will accompany us. Tomorrow, after we arrive in the settlement, I’ll ask Gerard for that custom-made musket he promised you and hope he can have it ready before we leave.”

  Isabelle chuckled.

  “I’m not certain I’m ready to learn how to prime and fire a musket, but I’ll do my best. I’m glad you won’t be leaving me behind. I never want you to leave me. Promise me that you won’t,” she begged. “I spent more time away from my husband than I did with him.”

  “If I could promise you that, Izzy, I would, but it wouldn’t be a promise I could keep, and I won’t lie to you. Since the regiment has been disbanded, part of my responsibilities as seigneur and former lieutenant is to command the colony’s militia in Ville-Marie. I answer to the governor-general and the intendant. If either one summons me to Quebec, I have to go, but I promise not to stay away any longer than necessary. All the men of the colony must render service to the militia, and though none of us wants it to happen, there may be a time when we’re called upon to fight for our land and our king.”

  Isabelle thought of the conspiracy they’d uncovered and turned in Guy’s arms to lay her head against his shoulder.

  “We won’t give up this land without a fight,” he murmured, pulling her tightly against him.

  “If that’s the best I can hope for, I’ll have to be content. Now, tell me how I can help with Talon’s plan.”

  Guy smiled down at her.

  “Talon petitioned the king to return to France, and yesterday, among the mail carried by the bride ship, he received the news that the king has granted his request. The new intendant, Claude de Boutroue D’Aubigny, will arrive in six or seven weeks, but Talon won’t sail for France until November on the last ship leaving the colony for the year. He himself will carry the documents to the king and Colbert exonerating Pierre. As well, he’ll provide them with whatever additional information we discover. He’ll petition the king and Colbert to change the edict concerning colonization and exploration to allow journeying to the west in an effort to curb English expansion. To get him the information he needs, we’ll travel by voyageur canoe up the Richelieu River to Fort Saint Jean where we’ll send a request to the Sieur des Courts whose lands lie further south. When des Courts agrees to see us, we’ll go to him. Once we’re there, you’ll carry out the next phase of the plan.”

  “What if he refuses to see us?” she asked.

  “Then, we go uninvited.” He smiled. “Des Courts won’t refuse to see the governor-general’s envoy and his new bride.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  His heart beat steadily against her chest, hers almost in tune with it. The sound of wood creaking startled her.

  “What’s that?” She lifted her head off his shoulder.

  “What’s what?”

  “I heard wood creak as if someone had stepped on a board.”

  They listened and the sound came again. Guy chuckled.

  “It’s just the ropes and the ships rigging rubbing against the wood. You’re jumping at shadows.”

  He pulled her head back to his chest, and she felt the rumbling there as he spoke again.

  “I hope you can be as good an actress for me as you were the day you left Caen. Everything depends upon your credibility. You’ll inform des Courts that a woman approached you in Le Havre knowing you were setting sail on L’Aigle Doré and offered you five gold coins to deliver a package for her.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to give him the letter and the maps,” she said, frowning.

  “It’s not the same letter and the maps have been altered to provide false trails and information. This missive was crafted by Talon’s secretary, Monsieur Patoulet. It informs des Courts of Talon’s departure and instructs him to arrange passage on the same ship in order to befriend the intendant and discover what, if anything, he knows about their plans and report to him as soon as he arrives in France. Before des Courts leaves, he’s to meet with the others and appoint someone to take his place during his absence. Finally, he’s ordered to leave his wife and children in the care of family or friends. When the ship arrives in France, Talon will have him followed to the source of the problem. By then, we’ll know who’s involved here, too.”

  “How clever!” she exclaimed. “You’ll be cutting off the head of the snake, and presenting the traitor to the king. If the wife isn’t implicated in her husband’s actions, what’ll happen to her?”

  “By the stipulations of her marriage contract, she’ll retain the lands and titles and will be expected to remarry when she’s either a widow or has been given an annulment by the church. Laval is quite prepared to grant her one. If she is involved, then she and the others we identify will be tried in Quebec and sentenced accordingly. Deportation is the primary punishment for that type of crime, most likely to Guyenne. Either way, the colony will be safe once the plot is publicly exposed.”

  Isabelle kept her voice low. “I only have to give him the letter? What about the maps?”

  “Actually, you’ll give him everything. The items have been placed in a leather tube and sealed—all very official looking. He’ll never suspect a thing.”

  He held her close a few more minutes, then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

  “Come, we need to get below. The wind has shifted, and it’s time you were in bed.”

  He kissed her gently before leading her back to her cabin.

  Isabelle entered and found Sophie asleep. As she prepared for bed, she noticed the ship rocked more than it had earlier. Was it because of the smaller vessel? She hadn’t noticed it up on deck with Guy, but she had been interested in other matters. Judging by the gusts coming through their small window, the wind now came strongly from the west. She shivered and closed the porthole. Hopefully, this wasn’t the start of Guy’s storm.

  Several hours later, thunder woke Isabelle. The flashing lightning showed Sophie awake as well, sitting on her bunk hugging her knees. Where Isabelle was terrified of nature’s fury, Sophie found it beautiful and fascinating.

  “I’d hoped you would sleep through it,” said Sophie. She stood and crossed the cabin to sit on Isabelle’s bed. “A low roll of thunder woke me earlier, and it’s increased steadily, but I’m sure we’re safe.”

  Sophie sat beside her and talked of inconsequential things to keep Isabelle’s thoughts from dwelling on the tempest.

  “My greatest fear is not finding a suitable husband. We both know I can’t return to France
. Can you imagine marrying a man like the one we saw on the dock that first morning or a widower with a small army of children? How would I cope? I’m afraid, as much as I like Gerard, he may have someone else in mind for a bride. Despite what he told Talon, he hasn’t said a word to me, but I won’t give up just yet. He doesn’t realize how rich I am. I never thought to buy a husband, but Sophie, he’s the man I want. He still hasn’t kissed me, but—”

  Her ramblings were cut short by an ear-splitting clap of thunder followed by a crash that shook the cabin, and caused the ship to careen wildly. Isabelle screamed.

  “Surely, the ship can’t survive this pounding,” she whispered, and wished Guy were with her.

  As if in answer to prayer, she heard his voice as he pummelled their door.

  “Sophie, Izzy, open the door.”

  Sophie rushed to do his bidding. He wore only his britches, his hair wet and wild around his face.

  “Quickly, you must leave this cabin. The mizzen mast has fallen, but the rigging is holding it up; otherwise, it would’ve crashed through the roof and crushed you. It doesn’t matter that you’re only in your shifts. It could drop the rest of the way at any moment. Maman and Henri are safe on the other side of the ship. Quickly, follow me. You’ll be safe enough in the forecastle.”

  Isabelle, paralysed with fear, couldn’t move.

  “Guy, you’ll have to help her,” Sophie said, swiftly wrapping her blanket around her cousin’s trembling shoulders. “She’s petrified of thunderstorms; she has been ever since we were children.”

  Tears rolled silently down Isabelle’s cheeks as she shivered. He moved swiftly to the bed lifting Isabelle into his arms.

  “It’s alright, my love. I’ve got you.”

  Because of the pitching of the ship, walking was difficult, and despite all efforts on his part, Guy frequently rammed the walls of the narrow walkway, trying to shield her from the bumps and bruises when he could. At last, they neared the deserted crew quarters.

  Isabelle trembled. No ship could endure this. It was a hundred times worse than anything they had faced at sea.