“No. For Chris.”
Coming fully awake, his eyes opened wide.
“No. You will stay here with your mother and sister. I forbid you to go.”
Not wanting another fight, Anne kissed him only to placate him. She would fight this battle later, when they knew more information.
She slept peacefully in his arms, loving the feel of him around her, his scent on her skin. Just loving him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“If I had stayed, things would have been easier for her. Your mother was pregnant with you, alone. Her father threatened to disown her. It must have been hell.”
Alex found Jack in the parlor the next morning. He was sitting in one of two high-backed chairs and staring in to the unlit depths of the fireplace. He had such an intense look of concentration that Alex was compelled to ask him what was on his mind. It seemed like Jack had much to report and he couldn't wait to hear it all.
“What did our informant friend have to say?”
Jack looked up quickly and smiled at his old friend. He wasted no time on greetings and jumped right in.
“The man was very cooperative. It seems Barnsley has some secrets. He's running a smuggling operation out of New Orleans. It's hardly anything to worry about, as it doesn't affect us. The bad news is that we haven't connected him to Chris' kidnapping or Phillip's murder. Our man rifled through all of the personal papers he could find. There is also a safe he located but could not get into. But I do not think that anything incriminating would be in his study. It's got to be somewhere else.”
Alex had to agree. Who would put anything that condemning in the most obvious place?
“Anything else?”
Jackson nodded. “He might have located Chris.”
Alex took in a deep breath and his eyes widened. “Where?”
“In a shanty up the river a bit. It is guarded by two men at all hours. A man who
possessed an Irish accent comes and goes. O'Shaunessey is his name. We know he works for Barnsley. Calls him his 'personal bodyguard'”.
“Yes, I know that bastard. We nearly fought once,” Alex spat.
Jack laughed. “You nearly fight with everyone.”
“Not everyone,” Alex defended indignantly.
“Well, almost everyone. There are a rare few you get along with.”
“Just a few. I'm afraid I didn't make very many friends in my life,” Alex agreed.
Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “Alex, Anne wants to come.”
“I know. I told her she absolutely cannot come. Period,” he said with finality.
“She might be of help, Jack. She is more intelligent than you credit her.”
“I know how intelligent she is and that has nothing to do with it. It is her safety that concerns me.”
“Well, you will protect her,” Jack stated the obvious.
“I am protecting her by keeping her here out of danger. She needn't go. We can do this without her.”
“I am just saying that she and Barnsley are friends. She can talk to him and we can't.”
“Are you trying to use my wife,” Alex asked, narrowing his eyes.
“No! I would never do that. I just thing she could talk to him, get him to open up a little. You chatted up the Duchess the other night,” Jack pointed out.
“Bloody hell, Jackson, shut up!”
Alex strode from the room, and thundered through the house right into his bedchamber, nearly breaking down the door.
“Don't use Jack to try and change my mind,” he warned his wife.
Anne looked up from the desk where she was drawing a picture from memory. She was trying to capture the lush beauty of the waterfall and had just about got it when Alex stormed in, demanding an answer from her. She stiffened.
“I didn't. I just want you to see reason.”
“Wife, we have had this conversation before. I told you that you were to stay here. Do not try to convince my friends to turn my view.”
“I wouldn't do that,” she said coldly.
She changed the subject, almost knowing the answer before she asked the question.
“Have you seen Jack? Are we to away?”
Alex snapped back to attention, hunched his shoulders, ran a hand through his hair to calm himself, and sighed.
“Charles, Jack, and I are to away soon. We know where Chris is but no solid evidence of Barnsley's guilt. He has not concretely been connected to Phillip or Chris,” Alex finished.
“That's because he is not guilty and I can help you,” she argued.
“No, you can't. While you are here, you're safe.”
She almost thanked him for stating the obvious, but thought better of it. She was really tired of this argument but refused to give in. She was completely in love with Alex and wanted to help him. He didn't seem to want her around for this important fight. And fighting him now was pointless.
Mistaking her resigned posture he asked softly, “Will you miss me?”
“Yes,” she answered honestly.
“Then love me tonight, for I away at first light tomorrow.”
“What?” She was startled.
“Yes, so cheer up. You can stay here with your mother and sister and catch up with them. I will be back before you even know I'm gone. We think that's best,” he added.
“We?” She raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Yes, we. Charles, Jack, and I.”
“I just love how no one asked me.” Her voice was thick with sarcasm.
“Dammit, Anne, we are tying to keep you alive! You could be a little grateful,” he muttered.
“Well, dammit, Alex, I never said I didn't appreciate your protection, but I wish the three of you would include me in my plans A little fair warning would be nice!”
“Fine. We are sailing at first light tomorrow. You are staying here. There's your fair warning!”
He cut a mocking bow and left, in the same mood as he had come into her room.
Well, that is just great, Anne thought. She never had any say in where she went or what she did. The three of them just planned her life. Just like her mother, Charles, and Alex had done. She would ask them what she should have for breakfast, but she didn't want to alert them to the fact that they didn't plan her meals for her.
Anne decided to return to her drawing. It was all she could do, anyway. She had a lot to think about. Loving someone who didn't return the emotion crushes the soul. She knew that, but she fell in love anyway.
Meanwhile, Alex stormed back into the parlor to find Jack still sitting there.
“We had a chat. She's staying. And how was this your business in the first place? She's my wife.”
“I know she's your wife. I am her friend. I talked to her and she made some good points. Have you even listened to her?”
“Of course I have! She argues like her bloody cousin.”
Alex was fuming. He wanted to spit out a string of expletives at Jack, but knew it wasn't Jack's fault. Jack had obviously analyzed the situation and had come to the most logical conclusion. That knowledge did little to soothe his temper.
“You know I would never tell you what to do where your wife is concerned. I care about her, too. I just think it's worth thinking about,” Jack said and walked from the parlor.
Alex stormed into the library and walked to his desk. Grabbing the whiskey decanter from his desk, he poured a generous glass, threw it down his throat, and repeated. This was not the way to go about keeping a level head but he didn't care. His bloody wife had turned his life upside-down. If he wasn't so much in love with her it would be easier.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Your mother sent me a letter when she was in her seventh month. I rushed to her side as quickly as I could. Above all, I was determined to protect her. I reached her two months later but I could not save her.”
Later that evening, Alex was in his room preparing to depart for New Orleans. Anne was nowhere to be found and he was uneasy about his decision. Determined to
stick to his plan, he alternately packed clothes in his small valise and paced restlessly, finally ending his short trek on the balcony. Another balmy September night had fallen on the island. Very beautiful indeed. But he wasn't thinking about the symphony of tree frogs serenading the weary to sleep. Nor was he dwelling on the soft lap of the water on the shore. He didn't even notice the gentle sway of he palm trees outside his chamber. He didn't even seem to note the brightness of the half-moon in the sky. No, all he could hear was his name on Anne's lips as she cried out during her climax. All he saw was her tongue, torturing and loving his body. The breeze was her whisper and the light was in her eyes. He would miss her, that was true. But her safety was much more important than her nearness. Just a little time to capture Barnsley, save his friend, then he could kiss the girl. The only catch was that he had to stay alive in the process.
Their angry words echoed in his mind and he sighed. Knowing he had to make things right between them before he left, he turned to go find her. He heard a quiet creaking in his room and his head snapped to attention. Anne stood before him, framed in the doorway. She didn't move; standing like a child seeking their parent's permission to enter a room. The sight touched his heart.
“May I?” She asked tentatively.
He nodded curtly, “It's your bedchamber too.”
“I know you don't want me in New Orleans,” she took a deep breath for courage, “but I really want to be there.”
She held up a silencing hand as he tried to interject. “No, wait, I know it's dangerous and I am a little afraid but this is my decision. I need to make decisions for myself. I cannot have my life lived for me.”
“I appreciate your candor, but I cannot risk your life,” he said quietly.
She shrugged, “It is not your life to command.”
“The hell it isn't,” he countered, teeth clenched.
Anne was in no mood to hear Alex's claim on her person. She was tired and angry and didn't know where to direct her frustrations. Sauntering toward her dresser, she breathed deeply and prayed for patience. Unfortunately for Alex, it didn't come and he felt her wrath.
“No, you don't own me. No matter how we came to be married,” Anne answered stubbornly.
“Anne, that was my decision and you agreed. You promised to obey me and you will,” Alex thundered.
“I'm so tired of being under everyone's thumb!”
“You're not under my thumb. You can do what you want, you just can't come with me,” Alex ground out.
Anne turned and threw her hairbrush at him. Her aim was true and she hit him square in the forehead.
“Ow! Dammit!” Alex rubbed his head., growling.
“Ha!” Anne spat.
“You can throw anything you want at me, it will not change the fact that I am going and you are staying,” he said with finality.
“I have tried to wait for you to come to your senses. Apparently, you never will,” Anne spat.
“Nor, it seems, have you,” he baited.
She threw a hair comb at him but he stepped aside in time and it sailed across the room to hit a wall.
Anne was about to argue that her husband was the unreasonable one when they heard a far-off explosion. At first he thought it was cannon fire. Then he saw flames. Lots of flames. He ran back to the balcony, heard screaming. Alex's turned around to see Anne's face mirrored his. They had both gone white as ghosts.
The entire house heard the explosions at the same time. Everyone met in the upstairs hall and ran down the stairs together; Alex and Jack taking the lead. By the time all the women arrived on the porch, the men were gone. They could only stare as flames and smoke appeared everywhere. Oh dear God.
The entire plantation was on fire. It was pure Bedlam. Hundreds of people running around, screaming for help, their homes burning to the ground, their loved ones scattered about. Surprising herself, Anne acted quickly. Motioning to Janey and Ava, Anne quickly alighted the stairs and headed for her bedchamber. Without thought, she grabbed three sets of trousers and shirts. A dress would do them no good right now. They helped each other, looping belts to secure the baggy clothing to themselves, then located their sturdy riding boots. That done, they sprinted back down the stairs, seeking out Mrs. Bainbridge in that moment.
“Mrs. Bainbridge! Mrs. Bainbridge!” Anne called out. She finally located the woman in the basement storeroom, trying to collect buckets.
“Mrs. Bainbridge, thank goodness,” Anne said, now out of breath.
“We want to help, please,” Anne continued.
Mrs. Bainbridge only nodded in approval.
“Quick, Miss Anne, get these buckets to the pump. Get a few of the men together to fill and carry the buckets. They should be able to fight as much of the fire as they can. Then get a group of women together to locate any injured souls. I will bring the medical supplies to you. Above all, we must keep the fire from spreading up here to the main house. We will need a place to tend the wounded,” Mrs. Bainbridge instructed.
Anne nodded and sprang into action. She took the buckets to the pump and pulled together a group of men to fill and carry them to the grist mill. William and Stephen had rescued the horses from the burning stables and had secured them near the main house. They were in front of Anne now, filling the buckets and trying to save the stables.
Shaking her mother out of her sudden stupor, Anne instructed her and Ava's mother to tend to any wounded coming in. Anne spotted Don Francisco and Charles riding past the 'cane fields to inspect the outer reaches of the plantation.
Signaling to Janey and Ava, Anne located the horse she was most familiar with, and jumped on his back, headless of the lack of saddle. She rode astride, her hands in his mane. Finally her country upbringing had counted for something. She rode hard out towards the mill and the workers' huts, racing to locate the wounded. Ava and Janey rode hard on her heals.
Alex watched in amazement as a trio of horses and riders breezed past him as he was helping to put out the fire at the grist mill. He was most astonished to realize it was his wife, cousin, and sister-in-law. He smiled proudly that they had not cowered into a corner, but had jumped in to help solve the problem.
Looking back on his fights with Anne, he remembered she never whined, never complained about trivialities. She was logical, brave, stubborn when she had to be and compromising when the situation called for it. She was grateful for help, never afraid to try something new, and forgiving beyond measure. She also loved with everything she had.
“Alex!” Jack shouted.
Alex looked puzzled as his eyes focused on an angry Jack.
“What?!” Alex yelled back.
“Alex, didn't you hear me? We lost most of the grist mill but the fire is out. We need to go up to the houses to make sure everyone is okay,” Jack hollered. It was so noisy, the only way to hear anyone was to yell.
Alex nodded and the two ran back to the main house to get horses. Alex was pleased to see the stables were, for the most part, intact. On quick glance, he saw that there was a hole in the roof, but the open doors showed no signs of severe inner damage.
Alex and Jack rode out to the sugar mill to find Anne organizing a group to locate any wounded. Alex stared in horror to realize that this portion of the plantation was the hardest hit. Of course it is! This is my livelihood. This is the heart of my home.
Several of his men were working to save the sugar mill. The windmill was gone; no surprise. That would be the first to burn. But it seemed the new stone structure was solid and holding on while the men were fighting just as hard to save it. Alex even spotted the fishermen running around, helping any way they could.
Alex ran to Anne to find out how many were wounded.
“Ten so far. Two with severe burns, the rest mild burns and minor cuts and bruises. I am arranging to transport the severe cases to the main house. We can put them in the bedchambers. Those beds can comfortably hold at least two and the rest we can arrange on the floor with the proper bedding. I have sent Janey and Ava
with several women ahead to prepare the house,” Anne informed Alex. Then she turned to one of the women aiding her.
“Maria, these men will need to go first,” Anne instructed her as she gestured to the group lying in front of her. “The rest we can tend to out here. Janey has some medical supplies with her. She will attend the men with the cuts and Ava will see to the men with minor burns,” Anne explained.
Maria nodded and ran to carry out Anne's instructions, though her husband and son lay dying.
Alex smiled proudly. His Anne had done exactly what he would have done. She was already a great mistress for this plantation.
Anne returned to her task and Alex ran to Jack, who was currently trying to save the sugar mill.
“Can we save her?” Alex asked, nodding toward the mill.
Jack nodded, “Right now we're winning.”
“Good, if you don't need my help, I'm going to check on the huts. I need to assess the damage,” Alex shouted.
Jack just nodded again and Alex sprinted away, up the hill and over the other side to see what was there. What he found turned his stomach over several times. The entire hill was ablaze with fire. The houses were destroyed. As he got closer, he walked into the thick, choking smoke. Ripping off a piece of his shirt, he tied it around his nose and mouth to so he could breathe. It did nothing to help his eyes, though, as they became watery and bleary, decreasing his vision. Pressing on with determination, he was able to locate a few people. Some were already dead; others were so badly wounded, they could not move.
Running back over the hill, Alex located Anne quickly and asked that she come with him. He pulled off his other sleeve and tied it around the lower half of her face. She did not protest, but did look puzzled. Jogging together, they reached the other side of the hill quickly. Anne stared in horror.
“Have you located any wounded?” Anne shouted.
Alex nodded, “And some dead too. We need to get the wounded back to the main house. Get your team together. I will locate more wagons.”
Anne didn't even nod, she just moved, gathering more men and women to tend to the wounded.
They worked feverishly for hours. After the sugar mill fire was dampened out, they discovered little damage. The real loss came in the dead and wounded workers. They had lost so much; their homes, their loved ones. Many still lay dying in the main house. Everyone fought hard to save them, but, in the end, the losses were staggering for their plantation. One-hundred fifty wounded; eighty severely. Of those eighty, sixty-seven died, including women and children; not to mention the others dead on site.
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