by Sara Orwig
He laughed and kissed her swiftly, then leaned back. “The Spanish are fleeing for Valparaiso. Chacabuco has fallen!”
“So quickly?”
“Yes, in only hours! The last few soldiers are still fighting it out, but it’ll all be over before sundown. San Martín and Bernardo will ride for Santiago!”
“It’s impossible!” Relief filled her and she clung to him, smelling the acrid odor of gunpowder in his clothing. Josh had survived the trek, the battle!
“Because of the false rumors, the Spanish were expecting the battle to come far to the south. They had their strength in the wrong places. Now, all this part of Chile is free! The Spaniards have fled or yielded. They were devastated by our appearance out of the mountains!”
“Thank goodness.”
“Josh!”
They both turned to see a man riding a horse. He raised his pistol and fired it skyward, giving a whoop. “I’ll buy you a hot rum in London a year from now!”
Josh laughed. “And then I’ll buy you one!”
The man galloped away and Lianna smiled at Josh. “So you won him over. That was Lord Paddington, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s a start. I have some friends in London.”
“I’ve gotten to know Celeste Brenthaven well, Josh. You’ll have two staunch friends there.”
He smiled. “We’ll have, Lianna. It’s we—I want to give you everything.”
“I don’t need everything, Josh,” she said, thinking of the new baby, of the uncertainties that lay ahead.
As if it had called them to mind, he said, “Now we’ll go. We’re riding to Santiago.”
She heard the unspoken words and said them aloud: “You intend to find the Marchenos.”
“Yes. The long wait is almost over.”
“Josh—”
“Lianna, I know what I have to do.” He turned his horse. Suddenly he grinned. “Come on. I’m going to give some generals the shock of their lives when they discover a woman has crossed the Andes with them!”
Josh introduced her first to José de San Martín, pulling her hat off her head to let the long black hair down. The general’s dark eyes widened and his breath went out in a hiss as he bowed over her hand, then listened in amazement to Josh’s revelation.
While Josh talked, she studied the man who had liberated so many from tyrannical rule. He looked ashen and ill, his color was pale, yet his dark eyes reflected his intelligence and his jaw was set in determination. Long sideburns graced his cheeks and bushy brows accented his eyes above a prominent nose.
Finally he smiled. “Mrs. Raven, a soldier in my Army of the Andes!” He turned to a grenadier. “Carlos, a flag, please.”
The soldier vanished inside a tent, then emerged with a flag in his hands which he gave to San Martín, who handed it to Lianna. She looked at the square of blue and white. An emblem of the sun, above clasped hands holding a liberty cap, was encircled with a laurel wreath.
“Keep this for your children,” San Martín said. “You have a remarkable husband, and I’m indebted to him for his help.”
Lianna blushed and glanced into eyes that met hers like a touch of emerald fire. “Thank you, sir. I will treasure it and keep it.”
“Now, we go to Santiago,” Josh said. “We return to my ship and to England.”
San Martín laid his hand on Josh’s shoulder. He paused to turn his head and cough, then said, “Gracias, Josh.”
They parted and Josh took Lianna’s arm, lifting her easily onto his horse before he mounted behind her. They had ridden only a few minutes when Fletcher met them, his features set and grim as he kept his gaze on Josh, never once glancing at Lianna.
“There’s a Captain Edwin Stafford searching for you.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know where you can find him. I just know he’s here, and he’s looking for you and your wife.”
Lianna gripped the saddle, suddenly aware Josh’s life might be in danger from Edwin unless she had an opportunity to talk to him first.
“I’m here—he can come find me,” Josh said lightly, and urged the horse forward, turning as soon as they were alone to look at Lianna. “Edwin’s here—do you want to go to him?”
“Of course not.” She shook her head. “I told you, I love you, but I should tell Edwin. I owe him that.”
Josh stood in the saddle and leaned over to pull her up against him and kiss her passionately. When he released her he smiled. “I hope you know your heart fully, but I won’t ask again. Let’s find O’Higgins and be on our way. Stafford will have to hunt us down.”
Unable to locate Bernardo O’Higgins, Josh, Fletcher, Simms, and Lianna rode toward Santiago.
She looked back over her shoulder, aware Edwin was somewhere close at hand, searching for her. Again she prayed she would find him first and tell him of her love for Josh. Along with her fears over Edwin, as they approached Santiago, another fear surfaced. Josh would take his revenge on the Count of Marcheno—and leave Quita a widow unless Armando was the survivor.
When the two-day ride was over, they found the town in celebration. The Spanish officers and soldiers had fled, and the patriots were overjoyed and welcomed the Army of the Andes. Along with the army, Josh and Lianna rode into town, past Santa Lucia Hill, along the boulevard by the Maipo River to the Plaza de Armas and the cabildo. Bells tolled steadily and the red-and-yellows flags of Spain were gone, replaced by the blue-and-white flags of independence.
They gathered with a crowd in front of the cabildo, where San Martín was offered rule as supreme director of Chile. When he declined, a chant began: “O’Higgins! O’Higgins!”
“Our part is done here,” Josh said. “I need to see Madryn,” he stated, but Lianna knew the unspoken words. He also intended to hunt down the Marchenos.
As Josh, Lianna, Fletcher, and Simms left the crowd and wound through the city, they heard someone shout, “Captain Raven!”
Josh reined and turned. “It’s Lucas Sepulveda, Rinaldo’s younger brother!”
Lianna halted as Lucas rode up to shake Josh’s hand. “Viva la libertad! I’ve been with General Salas.”
“Viva la libertad!” Josh answered.
“Come home. Madryn will want to see you. Where’s Rinaldo? I can’t find him.”
“I’m sorry,” Josh said quietly.
Lucas’ eyes widened as he stared at Josh. “What happened?” he asked, his smile vanishing. “I thought the Spaniards gave up without a fight.”
“They did. Rinaldo went down in an avalanche as we were coming over the Andes. I’m sorry,” Josh repeated, and put his hand on Lucas’ shoulder.
Lucas bowed his head, turning his horse. After a moment he looked at Josh as he wiped away his tears. “Will you come see Madryn?”
“Of course.” They rode with him to a small adobe house where Lucas climbed down as stiffly as an aged man and called to his family. Lianna braced for Madryn to receive the news about Rinaldo. Josh helped Lianna down and kept his arm around her waist, holding her close. She was glad for his strength and presence. When Madryn appeared in the door, a smile lighted her features. “Señora!” She saw Lucas and her smile faded.
“Rinaldo?” she whispered as he walked to her to put his arms around her and talk softly to her.
Lianna felt tears come, and Josh pulled her against his chest to hold her.
Lucas’s parents came out and learned the news, and the next hour became a blur of pain to Lianna. Sadness enveloped them all as relatives learned and the news slowly spread to friends.
Lianna was hugged by Rinaldo’s mother, her hand shaken by his father. They had met the night Lianna had left Simms to lead them to Josh’s ship, and a sad welcome was given to Josh and Lianna, as well as to Fletcher and Simms.
As neighbors began to congregate in the small house, Lianna saw Josh talking quietly to Madryn; then he pulled her into his arms and held her while she cried.
Tears dampened Lianna’s cheeks, and she knotted her fists, hating war
and battles and fighting. She crossed the patio and waited until Madryn came to talk to her. A new spurt of tears came to Madryn’s eyes as she moved to hug Lianna.
While Josh went inside the house, Madryn smiled faintly. “Señora, I will have Rinaldo’s child. At least I’ll have a part of him.”
“I know. Rinaldo told me.”
“I pray it is a handsome boy like his father.” Madryn looked at Lianna. “And you also will bear one!” she whispered.
Lianna stared at her in shock. “You guessed!” She looked down. “I don’t look different…”
Madryn smiled, a smile tinged with sadness. “Not there—it’s in your eyes.”
Lianna smiled, then sobered. “Captain Raven doesn’t know yet.”
“Ah, men,” Madryn said as if she were a hundred years old. “I won’t give away your secret.” They were both silent a moment; then Madryn asked, “Do you want a boy or a girl?”
“All I hope is that this baby has Josh’s green eyes.”
Madryn wiped her eyes. “Rinaldo said he wanted a girl, and I want a boy just like…” She broke off to cry, and Lianna patted her shoulder helplessly, knowing there was nothing she could say or do to help.
Later, Madryn took Lianna’s hand to lead her to a bedroom, where she opened a chest and picked up a soft white-and-blue blanket.
“I made this for my baby, but I want you to have it for yours. You’ll remember me and Rinaldo when you use it.”
Lianna took the fleecy blanket and held it to her heart. “Oh, Madryn, it’s lovely, and I’ll always treasure it!”
Someone rapped on the door. “Lianna,” Josh said, “we must go.”
Lianna stood up, folding the blanket and looking around helplessly. “I don’t want Josh to see this now.”
“Put it in your blouse.” Madryn watched as Lianna tucked it into her shirt near her waist, before reaching to retrieve the pistol she had removed from her waistband when she arrived.
“You wear a gun?”
“I did when we came over the Andes, and now I think nothing of it. I’ll return it to Josh soon and wear dresses again.”
The two women looked at each other, and Lianna knew she was parting with one of the closest friends she’d ever had. She reached out to hug Madryn. “I’ll pray for you and the baby. I’m so sorry.” Tears stung her eyes as she turned swiftly to open the door to face Josh’s observant gaze. He leaned against the wall opposite the door, still dressed in a dusty, torn white shirt and black breeches, his sword belt holding a cutlass fastened around his narrow hips. He straightened to take Lianna’s arm. “Ready?”
“Yes,” she answered, handing the pistol to him. “I’m through with this.”
With an arch of his brow, he accepted the pistol and thrust it into his waistband. He pulled Madryn into his arms to hold her a moment while she cried softly against his chest.
“He was very brave. You can tell your child that his father fought to liberate Chile.”
“I would rather have him here with me,” Madryn cried as Josh stroked her hair.
“I know,” he said softly.
Madryn stood on tiptoe to kiss Josh’s cheek. “Thank you. You’re a wonderful man.”
To Lianna’s amazement, Josh blushed. “It’s nothing, Madryn. It’ll be of no use to me.”
Lianna was lost, wondering what they were talking about. Madryn turned to take Lianna’s hand while still holding Josh’s, and put their hands together. “Always,” she whispered, “be thankful you have each other.”
A new wave of tears threatened, but Lianna knew if she cried it wouldn’t help Madryn. Josh gazed at her solemnly while he said, “I will, Madryn,” and Lianna wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him close.
Madryn moved away. She nodded and said, “Adíos,” then closed the bedroom door. Josh took Lianna’s arm, and they told the family farewell.
By now, word had spread and more friends had arrived, so the house was full as they stepped outside.
Lucas caught up with them to shake Josh’s hand. “Sir, how can I thank you enough!”
“Don’t say another word. The land, the money—let it go for Madryn and the child. They deserve it.”
“You’re a generous man.”
Josh said, “I’m sorry about your loss.”
They mounted their horses, and Lianna moved close beside his. “You gave them land?”
He stared straight ahead. “It was nothing, Lianna. I won land and money gambling when I posed as the marqués, but it’s mine. It’s a small gift.”
“Oh, Josh, it’s a wonderful gift!” She squeezed his hand and he reached across the space to hug her.
She turned her head against his shoulder, unable to keep from crying again over Rinaldo. “Josh, I hate it!”
“I know, Lianna,” he said grimly.
After a moment she straightened and rode beside him. Her eyes scanned the crowd, constantly watching for Edwin. She had to talk to him before Josh and he had a confrontation.
When they arrived home, accompanied by Simms and Fletcher, they found the house deserted, the doors standing open.
“Josh!” Fletcher whispered. They turned to see a man slipping out of the shadows across the street. He mounted a horse to ride away swiftly, heading toward the road for Valparaiso and the coast.
“It is no concern of ours.” Josh shrugged, but Lianna had looked into the man’s dark eyes that seemed to carry a silent threat, and she had a foreboding of evil.
Inside the house there was an eerie silence except for a fountain splashing in the courtyard. Their voices had a hollow echo when they spoke. Josh unbuckled his cutlass and placed it on a table, then turned to his men.
“Fletcher, you and Simms divide. See if you can learn if the others have started back to El Feroz or where they are.”
“Aye, captain,” Simms answered.
“Also, Simms, will you see if the carriage is still here. If it is, Lianna can ride in it to Valparaiso.”
“Aye, sir.”
While they talked, Lianna glanced upstairs and longed for a hot tub and a dress. Her hand slipped around her waist to the bulge beneath the left side of her shirt, the blanket, which was warm against her skin. Her attention shifted as Josh returned from the zaguán, where he had walked with Simms. His spurs clanked on the marble floor, and he faced her with his hands on his hips.
“I’m going to the Governor’s Palace. I’ll come back and get you.”
“Josh, please don’t,” she said. “Hasn’t there been enough bloodshed?”
He frowned. “You plead for the Marchenos after what they would have done to you?”
Suddenly a deep voice cut into their conversation. “I’ll save you both the trouble.” With a long-handled pistol pointed at Josh, Francisco Marcheno stepped out of the library doorway to face them.
31
Lianna gasped while Josh stood quietly, looking cool and relaxed, as if it were a social call. “So, you waited for us?”
“Actually, I’ve been hiding here. I didn’t expect you back. Armando, his wife, and Salina are riding for Valparaiso now.”
“Let her go,” Josh said, jerking his head in Lianna’s direction. “She’s as Spanish as you are, and a loyalist.”
While she looked into Francisco’s dark eyes, Josh continued, “She’s Quita Bencaria, a maid from Spain.”
“You’re lying!”
“You heard our conversation before you made your presence known. She’s been my mistress, nothing more.”
Francisco’s brow furrowed; Lianna wanted to fling herself into Josh’s arms, to plead with Marcheno, anything! After all this time, all the dangers, to face death now, when they were ready to sail and she was with child, was unbearable.
“I did hear your conversation.” He glanced at Lianna.
In casual tones Josh said, “Let her live. Take her to Spain with you or the soldiers will imprison her here.” He looked at Lianna. “See, I’ll repay your passion with generosity. Your life lies in my hands
.”
“Not in yours, señor,” Francisco said dryly.
“Then shoot the Spanish wench, but she’s one of your own,” Josh said as if he cared nothing.
Francisco motioned with his gun. “Get away from him.”
Lianna felt icy, yet her mind raced for an opportunity to stop Francisco. She moved away from Josh toward the table where he had so casually laid his cutlass earlier. She knew nothing about using a cutlass, but Josh was quick. If she could give him any chance, he would make the most of it.
“Sir, can I go to Spain with you?” Lianna said as she edged toward the table.
Francisco watched Josh, who moved impatiently. “Stand still! You fooled us all, Don Cristóbal—or do you care to tell me your English name?”
“Joshua Raven.”
“The name Raven…” He shrugged. “How disappointed I am that I can’t take you back to Spain.”
Lianna reached down, her fingers closing over the hilt of the cutlass. With all her strength she yanked it up and flung the weapon at Francisco.
Silver glinted, flying through the air in a high arc. It caught Marcheno’s attention, and he whirled to face it. He squeezed the trigger and there was a deafening blast.
The blade sliced downward to sink into Marcheno’s chest. As it struck, Josh leapt at him, and the two men crashed to the floor. Suddenly Francisco went limp. Josh sat poised above him, grasping the pistol he had wrenched from Francisco’s hand; then slowly he stood up.
Closing her eyes, Lianna swayed, feeling ill. Josh came to put his arm around her shoulders.
“I killed him!” she whispered, stunned at what had happened.
“And if you hadn’t, I would be dead. You just saved my life.”
Someone swore softly, and they turned to see Fletcher standing in the doorway. “Where did he come from?”
“He was hiding in the house,” Josh said.
“The carriage is in front,” Fletcher said, glancing at Lianna. He turned and left them alone.
She shook violently. “I want to go. Now. I don’t want to change clothes, to go upstairs. I can’t bear to look at him, Josh.”
“We’ll go.”
She heard the grimness in his tone and looked up to see a flinty expression on his features as he gazed down the hall toward the outside.