"I would like to see what vegetables and fruit are at the markets," Esperanza said.
Withdrawing coins from a pouch under her tunic, Simone said "Let Joaquin find something special." Turning to Henri, she said, "Archambault, will you accompany Esperanza and Joaquin to the market and assist them?"
"Certainly, Faucon," Henri grinned. "When should we meet you again?"
"Here in two hours should be sufficient." Kissing Esperanza lightly on the cheek and ruffling Joaquin's dark hair, Simone watched the trio make their way along the crowded cypress boardwalk running the length of Decatur between the wharf and Place d'Armes. Turning her attention to the three large buildings across the open expanse of the parade ground, Simone said, "We should make our way to the Cabildo, Mademoiselles."
As they walked along the narrow streets skirting the Place d'Armes, Simone observed everything around them. "Laffite is correct," she said. "This city is worth fighting for."
"The British will attack in force before Christmas," Julia blurted out before she could catch herself.
Simone stopped and stared at Julia. "How can you know such a thing?" she asked suspiciously.
"Oh...well, that seemed to be what Mr. Laffite indicated last night at dinner," Julia said in an attempt to cover her statement.
Julia knew her time with Simone was quickly coming to an end, but as she looked at the beautiful open space in front of her, filled with oak trees and fading blossoms, she knew she wasn't ready to leave without experiencing the city as it once had been.
"I know you are anxious to deliver Miss Longmire and myself to the authorities, but might it be possible to enjoy a beignet and chicory first? I've heard they are quite delicious," Julia said, remembering the traditional deep-fried pastry and rich chicory coffee from her previous trip.
Gazing into Julia's hazel eyes, Simone smiled. "I could not possibly deny the pleasure of such a treat to anyone." Excusing herself, Simone spoke to Anton and Kitty for a moment. Julia looked around while she waited for Simone to return. St. Louis Cathedral without its familiar modern spires looked oddly unfinished.
"We will meet Anton and Mademoiselle Longmire in the alleyway between the Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral in an hour or so," Simone said. Taking Julia by the elbow, she guided her across the open area and onto Rue de Chartres. Despite Julia's frequent stops to look over merchant's wares, they finally reached a charming café on Rue de Bourbon with outdoor seating. As they waited for their pastry and drinks, Simone took a deep breath of the cool morning air. The cobblestone streets still held traces of the heavy dew which covered them at sunrise and small patches of fog rose from the stones as they dried. She smiled at the activity around her. She found it to be an interesting city, one well worth defending.
"What are you thinking about?" Julia asked as a plate and cup were set in front of her.
"What a shame it would be if beignets and French coffee were replaced with crumpets and tea should the British seize this city," Simone replied as she lifted her cup to her lips and inhaled the inviting chicory aroma.
"Have you ever eaten a crumpet, Captain?"
"No, but the name alone is distasteful sounding. Beignet sounds much more alluring, don't you think, Mademoiselle?"
Julia laughed lightly. "I suppose that is true, but then even the worst possible things don't sound quite as bad in French. Fumier sounds much better than manure, for example."
Simone chuckled as she sipped her coffee. She wished there was enough time to learn more about the saucy woman with short reddish hair and sparking hazel eyes. She was certain she could easily lose herself in the eyes alone. As relaxed as she was beginning to feel, she knew she was only delaying the inevitable. Before the morning ended, Julia Blanchard would be gone from her life and she would never see her again.
She watched Julia savor the sweet flavor of the beignet, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and couldn't help but smile at the blonde's obvious delight.
JULIA'S ATTENTION TO her pastry was interrupted by the appearance of an ebony-skinned woman dressed in colorful skirt and blouse. Her skin stood out against the bright yellow blouse. Her ankle-length skirt of patchwork squares matched the patchwork turban wrapped around her braided hair. Huge tinkling earrings dangled from her earlobes, touching her shoulders as she made her way down the street, singing out in a distinctive Caribbean accent, "Sisters, get you chaaarms! De bery best in lucky chaaarms!" Julia giggled at the antics of the woman dancing along the street. The woman saw Julia and walked toward them, pausing just outside the low wrought iron fence surrounding the outdoor seating. Winking at Simone, the woman leaned toward Julia and held out a trinket.
"No, but thank you anyway," Julia smiled.
"Dis one, she has already too much luck, eh?" the woman said to Simone, who merely shrugged and said nothing.
Before they could say more, the woman joined Julia and Simone at their table, motioning to a waiter for a cup of coffee.
"How 'bout dis? For the price of one small coffee, Bernadette tell you what is in de future?" the woman propositioned with a toothy white smile.
Julia laughed out loud before she could stop herself, causing Bernadette to frown, creating a deep crease between her eyebrows. "De cards dey never lie."
Glancing at Simone, Julia saw a crooked smile as Simone lifted the cup to her lips again. Although she already knew more of the future than the woman could begin to imagine, Julia said, "All right. Tell me my future, Bernadette."
Bernadette withdrew a worn deck of cards from somewhere within the folds of her skirt and shuffled them as she watched Simone. Turning her attention back to Julia, Bernadette said, "Take five cards and make them face down." Fanning the cards in her hands, she waited as Julia selected her five cards. Setting the remaining cards to the side, she took Julia's hands and looked into her eyes for a moment before releasing them.
Flipping the first card over, Bernadette revealed an eight of hearts. "Dis card is de card of invitation, but of separation as well. You take a journey dat will make you leave de side of one who is special to you."
"That's a very general prediction, Bernadette. Everyone takes a journey at some time," Julia said, casting a quick glance at Simone.
"Dat true. Maybe other cards dey show de meaning." The second card was the queen of spades. Shifting her dark eyes quickly toward Simone, Bernadette said softly, "Dere be an alluring and tempting dark-haired woman, but you must be cautious."
"Why?" Julia asked.
"Her intentions dey may not be honorable."
Julia slid her eyes from Bernadette to Simone. "Really?" she said with a smile. While it was true Simone had a temper, Julia had never witnessed her do anything dishonorable. As she looked at Simone, Bernadette turned the third card, the three of hearts. "Dis card warns you to be careful. You heart, it may be in danger."
"So far, these are fairly depressing cards," Julia chuckled.
Frowning, Bernadette turned the fourth card. "'Nother heart."
"Is that good?" Julia asked.
"Dey are de cards of love. De nine says your desires, dey come to pass."
"Before or after my journey?" Julia asked, watching Simone.
"Cannot tell you dat," Bernadette shrugged. With a quick turn of her wrist she flipped over the final card. Her eyes widened when she saw it. Standing abruptly she gathered her cards and stuffed them back into the folds of her skirt.
"Wait," Julia said. "What does the last card say?"
"You buy charm for to protect youself," Bernadette said.
"The card told you that?"
Bernadette backed slowly away from the table. "You don' belong here. Card is de death card."
"The death card?" Julia said. "My death?"
"You already dead," Bernadette said, lowering her voice and making the sign of the cross. She turned and virtually ran from the café.
"Well, what did all that mean?" Julia asked, attempting to keep her voice light.
"She's nothing more than a street vender. No one
takes them seriously. We must be going," Simone said as she drained her cup and placed coins on the small round café table.
As they wandered slowly along Rue de Bourbon toward the Cabildo Julia took in everything around her. She read the notices announcing the next event at the Theatre d'Orleans on Rue de Bourbon, wishing she could think of something to say. She didn't believe in fortune-telling, but hoped she would one day see Simone Moreau again.
Chapter Fifteen
GIVING THE NORTHUMBERLAND to Anton had been the final straw. Archambault had worked as hard as any man to prove his loyalty to Faucon. She promised him his own ship, the next one captured. Now she had lied and broken the unspoken pact between them. For what? To move her brother ahead of him, grooming him to take over when she made the decision to step down.
Now he was reduced to playing nursemaid to Simone's bitch and her bastard son. He was beginning to think Simone no longer had what it took to command her crew. They had captured a few ships and were now on this fool's errand against the British, a fight the Americans could not possibly win. And what would be their prize? A piece of paper allowing them to do what they were already doing, accompanied by nothing more than gratitude? His belly and his pockets could not be filled by gratitude.
The more rum he drank the darker his thoughts became. He wasn't getting any younger. He needed to capture enough to live comfortably. If I get rid of Faucon, her bitch and the bastard child, he thought, I can take Le Faucon de Mer and claim Simone's home on Martinique. It would be easy enough for him to seize. No one there other than her horses and cousin to oversee her property. The more he thought about the possibilities, the more he realized how much better off he would be if there were no Faucon.
He overheard Simone arguing with Esperanza more often recently, especially since the English woman was brought on board. Even he could see how Simone acted toward the blonde woman. He would never understand why a woman would seek Simone's company or attentions, but she did draw attractive women to her. Simone was a difficult woman to figure out. Not simply because she enjoyed the company of other women, but because she could be more vicious than any of the men on her crew. He had seen her run an unhappy member of the crew through with her cutlass and slit an enemy's throat without a second thought on more than one occasion. While still a young woman she had murdered Captain Rochat in his own bed.
"May I buy you another?" a man asked as he sidled up next to Archambault.
"You can buy me an entire keg if you wish," Henri chuckled as he gulped down the remainder of his drink. "Join me and stay until your money is gone."
When the man was settled and another round of drinks ordered, he held his hand out to Henri, "You are Henri Archambault, first mate to Simone Moreau, are you not?"
Henri took the offered hand and looked at the man. He was younger than Henri with a ruddy smooth-shaven face set off by a slender nose and thin lips. But it was his eyes Archambault noticed first. They were as black as midnight in color. He could see his own reflection in the blackness as he answered. "I am. And who might you be, Monsiour?"
"I am LaRue," the man said as he took a drink. The man leaned closer to Henri and looked around the tavern. "Join me at a table, my friend."
After paying for a refill, Henri made his way to a far table and sat down heavily. "What is so secret you cannot speak of it?" he asked.
LaRue eyed Archambault cautiously before speaking. "Faucon is causing more problems for the British than she is worth. She takes chances that will eventually lead not only to her destruction, but that of her crew as well."
"Go on," Archambault said as his mouth went dry and he stared at the man.
"The British are preparing to attack the Americans at New Orleans."
"I care nothing about the Americans."
"The British are concerned, and rightly so, that interference from Faucon, Laffite and other privateers will unnecessarily distract them from their goal. The Americans have already stupidly attacked and destroyed Laffite's headquarters on Barataria, but failed to destroy his ships. Despite that betrayal, Laffite is likely to ally himself with the Americans."
"Is there a point to this history lesson, LaRue?"
"If Laffite has convinced Faucon to join him against the British, together they could cause a problem."
Henri chuckled. "I have had quite a bit to drink so you will have to pardon me if I am unsure what you are referring to."
Leaning closer, LaRue said, "The British are offering a goodly reward to anyone who turns Faucon in to them."
"And what would that be? A fast death over a slow one?"
"I was told you could deliver Faucon to the British...for a price," LaRue said, his eyes meeting Archambault's.
Startled, Henri said, "You are suggesting I betray Simone!"
LaRue smiled. "Not directly. Perhaps if she were placed in a position which would result in her capture, no one would be the wiser and you would profit handsomely."
Henri stared at LaRue and swirled rum in his mouth before swallowing. "What do they offer?"
"I can guarantee your own ship and crew and one hundred pounds," LaRue stated.
"Two hundred pounds," Henri said.
"Agreed. When can you bring her here?"
"She is already here. She came into the city this morning, but she would never be stupid enough to simply walk into a trap."
"How many ships?"
"Four in addition to Laffite's five. They are planning to join forces with the Americans on land. Her crews added to Laffite's would total nearly a thousand men."
"But if Faucon were to be lost and you were to replace her, that force could be cut by half."
"If you are planning to capture Faucon, you will have to act quickly before the remainder of her men arrive in the city."
"Do you have a suggestion?"
"Faucon's woman and child are with me now. She would die to free them if they were to be captured." Henri shrugged and motioned to a tavern girl for another drink. "The woman and boy are nearby at the market. I was sent by Faucon to protect them." He gulped his drink and shrugged with a grin. "But I am only one man."
LaRue chuckled. "Excellent, Archambault."
"Where will you take them?"
"The British have a small encampment ten miles south of the city where they await the arrival of reinforcements soon. They have their headquarters nearby on a commandeered plantation. The woman and boy will be there."
Archambault rose from the table. "I will rejoin the woman and boy. Tell your men I must be injured during the struggle to take them. Faucon will not believe my story otherwise." Laughing, he added, "But tell them not to get carried away."
STROLLING DOWN RUE de St. Louis, Simone guided Julia onto Rue de Royale. Three or four blocks ahead Julia saw St. Louis Cathedral rising slightly above the buildings to either side. When they reached the entrance to the alleyway behind the cathedral, Julia saw a familiar full head of red hair halfway down the short block. Venders and merchants were selling goods from small stalls that lined the alleyway, but Julia suddenly lost her desire to inspect their wares. As they came closer, Kitty and Anton appeared to be in the midst of a discussion that left Kitty in tears. Simone approached the couple and spoke to Anton briefly before rejoining Julia.
"Is there a problem?" Julia asked.
"Mademoiselle Longmire is reluctant to leave," Simone answered as she looked around.
"Unless I am mistaken, Kitty is very much attracted to Anton," Julia said.
"So it would seem. It is time," Simone said as she looked in Anton's direction and caught his eye. Nodding in reply, he brought Kitty into an embrace and spoke to her. Julia watched the tender scene and sighed.
"If that is your wish, Captain," she said.
Her eyes blazing, Simone said, "It is not my wish, but I can make no other decision." Taking Julia's arm, she strode purposefully toward Anton, pushing away her own feelings. As they passed Anton and Kitty, the couple fell in behind them through the crowded stalls filled with
contraband goods toward the Cabildo. Simone would be able to think more clearly once she was certain Julia was in safe hands. Placing her hand gently against Julia's lower back, Simone made her way up the two low steps of the old Spanish building housing the new American government.
"Faucon!" a voice called. Simone paused and looked over her shoulder for its source. Finally she spotted Archambault quickly weaving his way through the people strolling on the Place d'Armes. He stopped beneath a large live oak not far from the building and leaned against it to catch his breath. Simone and Anton ran to join him. As soon as Simone saw his bleeding face, she knew something was wrong.
"Archambault, what has happened?" she asked as she examined the deep cut above his right eye.
"I am sorry, Faucon. I only turned away for a moment," Henri gasped.
Sensing the worst, Simone grabbed him by the arms. "Where are Esperanza and Joaquin?" she asked, dreading the answer.
"The British, they have them," Henri answered, lowering his eyes and shaking his head.
"That is not possible," Anton said. "We have seen no evidence the British have entered the city."
"British agents," Henri said. "They are seeking information."
"Esperanza and Joaquin know nothing," Simone said.
"The British know you are here, Faucon. I heard them speaking when they believed I was unconscious."
Anger surged through Simone's body and she grabbed her first mate by the front of his shirt, shoving him forcefully into the tree behind him. "Why did you not stop them?"
Pushing Simone away, Henri retorted, "How do you think I was injured?"
Julia watched the discussion with Archambault from a distance as long as she could stand it. She and Kitty reached the three barely in time to stop Simone from drawing her pistol. "What has happened?" she demanded.
"The British have taken Esperanza and Joaquin," Anton answered.
Looking at the first mate, Julia asked, "Where have they taken them? Do you know?"
Staring angrily at Simone, Henri brought his sleeve up and wiped at the blood that seeped from his wound. "I do not answer to you, English woman," he spat.
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