by Jo Goodman
Jessa's face was without expression but her pale eyes were flinty and her voice was hard, her words clipped. "Cam, if I see Gideon in that house I promise you I'll know precisely what to do."
The first thing Jessa did when she reached the ground was to strip off her bulky underskirts. Cam politely turned his back while Jessa took them off and tossed them in the carriage. "I'm ready," she said, coming to stand beside him. She looked at him consideringly. "Do you have a cap? A hat? Something to cover your hair."
He shook his head. "But I can pull my jacket over my head a little. What about you?"
"I'll stay behind you as much as possible. You lead the way."
Cam and Jessa cautiously made their way through the trees and then across the open lawn. Cam chose a window on the side of the house rather than the front. He cupped his hands and steadied his legs. "Put your foot in here, ma'am, just like you were going to mount. Then grab the stone ledge with your hands and pull yourself up. Easy though. Don't let anyone inside see you."
Jessa kicked off her shoes and did as Cam instructed. "There's no one here," she whispered. "The candles are almost gutted in their holders. No one's been here for awhile."
Cam gingerly lowered her to the ground again. "What room is it?"
"A library... study. Does it matter?"
"I thought it would help us to know where to look next. The parlor's probably on the other side. We should circle round the back of the house."
Nodding her agreement, Jessa followed the boy. The rear of the house was dark, the kitchen and larder areas deserted. Cam tried the back door in the event they had need of it and found it locked. There was a rose trellis, bare of flowers now, on the north side of the house. Jessa rattled it lightly testing its strength as she and Cam passed it. The lighted windows on the second floor kept drawing her attention.
Cam lifted her to three more windows before their persistence was rewarded. "Hilary's here," she told Cam in hurried whisper. "Can you lift me a little more? That's good. Hold me steady. She's talking."
"Who to?"
"I don't know. Mayhap she's talking to herself. If there's someone else in the room I can't see who it is." Jessa cocked her head and strained to see the areas of the parlor on the periphery of her vision. "It's no good, Cam. I can't see who's with her. Let me down." She stumbled a little and fell against the house as the boy set her on the ground.
Cam grabbed her hand. "Are you all right?"
Jessa waved aside his concern. She eyed the trellis again. "Do you think you can climb that?"
"Sure. It ain't much different than climbing the ropes on the Clarion. Probably easier. Don't know if it will take my weight though. That could be a problem."
"We won't know until you try."
Cam walked to the trellis and tested its sturdiness himself. "Do you really think Booker's here? And Gideon?"
"Yes." Jessa put her foot on one of the lower wooden slats and lifted herself. The trellis creaked a bit but it held her. "Perhaps I should go up."
"It's too dangerous for you," he said. "And you may not be able to raise the window even if you get there."
"What if the window's locked?"
Cam reached in his jacket pocket and brought out a sheath knife. He opened it, grinning slyly, and showed her the shiny blade. "Every sailor's friend," he said. "I can jimmy the latch."
"I'll hold the trellis for you."
Placing the open knife between his teeth, Cam started up the latticework. He was light-footed, as quick and agile as a monkey. When he reached the top he cautiously peered inside the room. It was a bedchamber. A small fire had been laid in the hearth in anticipation of the night turning cold. There was no other light in the room, but even so Cam could see that it was deserted. For now. The window was also locked. Working swiftly he flipped the latch with his knife, snapped it closed and pocketed it Nodding to Jessa that he was going in, Cam opened the window just enough for him to shimmy inside the room.
Once Jessa saw Cam disappear she thought better of her decision to remain on the ground. Cam's climb hadn't looked to be very difficult. Lifting the hem of her gown in one hand, Jessa stepped onto the trellis. Above her she heard Cam close the window and she cursed softly. Now she would never get his attention. The lattice trembled when she reached the halfway point. Holding her gown made it hard to distribute her weight evenly. The strips of wood creaked and shifted beneath her feet. Jessa dropped her gown so she could hold the latticework with both hands. A moment later the trellis began to shake violently and Jessa cried out as she briefly lost her footing.
The shaking stopped as suddenly as it had started and Jessa held herself very still. The unmistakable sound of light applause reached her ears. Startled, Jessa risked a look back at the ground. Ross Booker stood below her, clapping his hands in a bored, insolent manner.
"I did enjoy the view afore ye dropped yer skirts," he said. He stopped clapping and gave the trellis another shake. "Ye better come down. Can't 'ave ye takin' a fall."
There was nowhere for Jessa to go but down. Rushing for the window would solve nothing and it could endanger Cam. Jessa didn't think Booker had been outside very long and he might very well believe she was acting alone. She began her descent, cringing when Ross Booker's large hands rested on either side of her waist and he lifted her to the ground. He held her overlong, laughing huskily when Jessa tried to wriggle away.
"Was someone there?" Hilary called from the front porch. "Mr. Booker? Did you find anyone?"
"I'm comin' directly!" he yelled back. "We have a guest!" He pushed Jessa in the direction of the porch. "This way, Miz McClellan. Ye should 'ave come to the door. Not that ye would 'ave been anymore welcome by that route, but it would 'ave been safer for ye."
Jessa made no reply. She drew herself up sharply, avoiding his touch, and began walking quickly toward the front of the house.
Hilary's shock was real when she saw Jessa. "My God! How did you—"
"Inside, 'ilary," Ross ordered tersely. "Follow 'er, Jessa."
Jessa did as she was told. Hilary led the way into the parlor and Booker slammed the front door angrily before he joined them.
"This is insane," Hilary said, rounding on Booker as soon as he came into the room. Her eyes were blazing.
"You said no one would come here! You said no one would know! You don't think she's alone do you? Noah could be anywhere!"
"Calm yerself. There wasn't anyone with 'er outside. 'Er 'usband wouldn't let her climb the lattice if 'e was 'ere."
Jessa was careful not to show her relief. If Gideon were in the house, Cam would find him. She listened to the exchange between Hilary and Ross, wondering how she might drive a wedge between them.
"You'll have to do something about her," Hilary said impatiently. "I don't want her here."
"What do ye think I should do? Kill 'er?"
Jessa recoiled slightly at the dark look Hilary slanted her.
Hilary's response was a frigid smile. "Why not? Her presence here changes everything. Listen to me, Mr. Booker, this plan of yours is unraveling like the cheapest yarn. I did my part. I made certain Anne Porter invited Noah and his slut to the ball. I even advised her on the date, choosing the evening when I knew Mrs. Harper would be out of the house visiting her sister. You only had to deal with Sally, that miserable boy, and one infant. You never said anything about bringing the child here. That wasn't in our agreement. You told me you were going to take him away and sell him. You said you had found people to buy the brat."
Jessa's relief was so great that she very nearly began to cry. Gideon was alive! Booker was too greedy to kill him!
Ross shook his head slowly from side to side. When he spoke it was to Jessa. "She's makin' it very hard for me not to kill ye. Did ye ever 'ear a body talk so much as this one? Now ye, ye've been too quiet, I 'aven't 'eard a word that 'elps me understand wha's brought ye 'ere in the first place. And ye didn't look surprised to see me when I trapped ye on the trellis. That makes me wonder what ye might 'ave be
en told and who told ye."
Jessa remained mute. She refused to let him know Cam was very much alive. Booker's flat, opaque eyes regarded her coldly. When he rapped out a command for her to sit down she did so, her legs folding under her so quickly that she began to doubt that she could have stood much longer.
"Where's yer 'usband?" Booker demanded.
"I don't know."
"She's lying," Hilary snapped, agitated.
"Be quiet!" Ross ordered. "Sit. Stand. But stop yer damn foot tappin'!" He turned back to Jessa. "Where's yer 'usband?" he asked again.
"I don't know." Jessa thought Booker was going to strike her. One blow from his heavy hands could knock her unconscious. Thinking quickly, she elaborated on her answer. "I really don't know. He left the house as soon as we discovered that Cam was... was dead... and Gideon was gone. I think his intention was to find Miss Bowen."
"Why?" When Jessa only appeared puzzled he explained himself. "What reason did 'e 'ave for suspecting 'ilary?"
Jessa folded her hands in her lap. Her palms were scraped from grabbing the rough window ledges. She found herself welcoming the stinging pain because it reminded her she was still alive. "He's looking for Hilary because of something she said tonight at the ball. She mentioned Adam."
Ross raised his hand but it wasn't Jessa he struck. Hilary had no time to block the unexpected blow. She reeled backward and nearly fell over a footstool. "Ye stupid bitch!" he railed. "Ye stupid, bloody bitch!"
Tears stung Hilary's eyes. She put her palm to her cheek and stared accusingly at Ross. "Don't you ever touch me again! I know what you are, Ross Booker, and I won't hesitate to tell the authorities if you ever lift your hand to me again!"
"Don't threaten me with yer 'igh 'n mighty airs! Ye've been in this from the beginning. Ye could 'ave said something long before now. But ye wanted yer revenge. Well, that's what ye've got. It's yer loose tongue that's brought 'er 'ere and it's only a matter of time before 'er 'usband will come."
Hilary could not be intimidated easily. Though she skirted the stool and took a few more steps back toward the window she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin regally. "Why don't you ask her why she wasn't surprised to see you? And why she's here by herself—if that's true at all."
"Do ye think that matters now? We 'ave to get out of 'ere."
"I'm not going anywhere. Take her! Take the baby! But you're leaving without me! I can handle Noah myself. She's the one you have to worry about."
"Not entirely," he said, oddly calm of a sudden. "Ye shouldn't 'ave threatened me earlier, 'ilary. It goes without sayin' that I'm honor bound to do something about you."
Bile rose in Jessa's throat as Ross Booker advanced on Hilary.
A quarter of a mile from Hilary's home Noah pulled General up short as he rounded the slight curve in the road. Charles followed suit. Dust hadn't even settled on the road surface before Noah was charging forward again, heading directly for the carriage stopped on the edge of the woods.
"This is my carriage," he said when Charles came up beside him. "What the hell is it doing here? If Jessa—"
"Mr. Noah?" The voice came from inside the carriage.
"Cam? Is that you?"
Cam drew back the window curtain and pressed his small face to the glass. "Come around to the door."
Noah dismounted and went to the other side of the carriage. He yanked open the door. The interior of the carriage was dark. He could only vaguely make out Cam's profile. There was, however, no mistaking the soft gurgling cries that came sweetly to his ears. They belonged to Gideon.
Charles heard the cries also. He dismounted and came up behind Noah, peering in the carriage as Noah climbed in.
"Dear God, Cam!" He took Gideon from Cam's arms and cradled the infant in his own. "How—where—" He couldn't finish. Emotion clogged his throat.
"Papa!" Gideon giggled happily, trying to stand on Noah's lap. He waved his arms in an attempt to get them around his father's neck.
Noah hugged him until Gideon squealed in protest. "What are you doing here, Cam? Where did you find Gideon?"
"Please, Mr. Noah," he said urgently. "You can't stay here. You've got to get Miss Jessa. I think they found her."
Noah went very still. "They?"
"Booker and Miss Bowen. Up at the house. Miss Jessa and me went there. We figured it out for ourselves after you left. She was bent on comin' here, Mr. Noah. I couldn't stop her. I had to come along to help."
Cam spoke so quickly that his words were nearly unintelligible to Noah. "Slow down, Cam. Take a breath and tell me more slowly. And more loudly. I want Charles to hear this."
"Miss Jessa saw Miss Bowen in the front parlor. She was talkin' to someone—probably Booker, but we weren't sure then. We couldn't find Gideon in any of the rooms we looked in but Miss Jessa was certain he was here. I climbed the trellis for her and got in the house from an upstairs window. It didn't take me long to find Gideon. He was sleepin' when I came upon him. I think he was tuckered from cryin' but he seemed fine. I thought Miss Jessa would be waitin' for me. I carried Gideon out the same way I came in. When she wasn't there I supposed she'd come back to the carriage. I came here straight away, lookin' for her. It's been too long, Mr. Noah. Miss Jessa's in some kind of trouble. She'd have been here by now."
"All right, Cam," Noah said as gently and calmly as he was able. "Take Gideon and stay with him here. Mr. Bowen and I will go to the house. We'll find Jessa and bring her back as safely as you brought back Gideon. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." He turned to Mr. Bowen who was leaning heavily against one side of the open doorway. "Do you have any doubts now, Charles?" Without waiting for a reply Noah moved to the opening, forcing Charles to step aside or be trampled as Noah jumped down. "We'll leave the horses here. I don't want Booker or Hilary alerted to our presence." He started in the direction of the house. "This has changed things," he told the older man. "Your daughter is more involved than I first thought."
The brisk pace that Noah set winded Charles. "Perhaps this Booker person forced her to keep the child here," he puffed. "You don't have all the facts and you can hardly credit all that boy told you."
"That boy nearly died tonight because of Ross Booker," Noah said curtly. "And he saved my son's life. I trust his word more than I'll ever trust yours. I know what happened to Hilary while you quartered British troops in your home, Charles. She told me. You've earned my contempt. Nothing else." Noah broke into a run as he neared the house. At the porch he paused long enough to take out his pistol.
* * *
Jessa screamed. It was enough to startle Booker. He hesitated a heartbeat, giving Hilary the opportunity to evade him and thwart his advance by placing herself behind a large leather chair. Hilary's eyes darted around the room, searching for a weapon. Her anguished glance rested momentarily on Jessa.
Jessa didn't hesitate. She threw herself at Booker, tackling him from behind. He grunted, cursed, and faltered briefly, then he rid himself of Jessa's grasp by kicking backward, landing a blow squarely between her breasts. Jessa rolled away, gasping for breath. Ross reached for her, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her to her feet. Jessa stumbled and fell into the chair that Hilary was using to protect herself.
"Ye'll be sorry ye did that," Booker said, his black eyes narrowing on Jessa. "If I didn't 'ave a mind to take what ye owe me, I'd kill ye now." He lifted his eyes to Hilary. "Ye be another matter."
"I won't say anything," Hilary promised hurriedly. Her hands gripped the curved back of the chair until the tips of her fingers were white. "You mistook me earlier. Take her and the child. I'll never tell anyone you were here. I'll never admit to knowing you."
Booker laughed shortly. "That's 'ow ye repay 'er?" he asked pointing to Jessa. "She tried to save yer worthless life and ye tell me to do what I like with 'er?"
Jessa was not listening to their exchange. She was making every effort not to appear threatening to Booker. Her hands were clenched together to f
orm a single fist, but she had held it close to her chest in an attitude of prayer. Booker's waist was at the level of her eyes. She couldn't credit what she was thinking and planning.
"I mean it." Hilary said, her eyes pleading. "You said yourself that I was involved since the beginning. I won't say anything to implicate either one of us."
"Why is it that I don't believe ye?" He took a short step forward, standing with his legs slightly apart for balance. With no warning one arm shot out, rising above Jessa's cowering form to grab at Hilary's wrist. Jessa had been waiting, anticipating Booker's movements so that she wouldn't miss her target. She didn't.
Lightening quick, her arms unfolded and she brought her two-handed fist directly between Booker's splayed legs, jamming her fist upward against his groin. It was almost as effective as a knee. Ross howled, released Hilary, and bent over, clutching himself. Jessa leaped from the chair and shoved him, throwing all her slight weight against him. Booker fell victim to the footstool that had caused Hilary to stumble earlier. He thudded to the floor but quickly recovered and scrambled to his hands and knees. Jessa picked up the stool and threw it at his head. It glanced off Booker's shoulder and he started to rise.
"Run, Hilary!" Jessa yelled. "Get out of here!"
Hilary remained frozen behind the chair, too terrified now to respond.
Jessa picked up the stool again and prepared to throw it, raising it over her head as Ross began to straighten. "Hilary! For God's sake! Do something!"
"Back away, Jessa."
It was Noah's voice, calm and devoid of inflection, but it sounded like a tender lullaby to Jessa's ears. She didn't hesitate to obey him, moving swiftly to the far side of the room. Her eyes swept over him, grateful and relieved. "Gideon's here, Noah. Mr. Booker wanted to sell him."
Noah didn't spare a glance for his wife. "Gideon's with Cam in the carriage." He kept his pistol steady, targeting Booker's heaving chest. "Hilary, go to the window," he said.