Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) (28 page)

“Is he not the most perfect baby?”

“And
you’re fine?” Giles asked and reached instinctively out to touch the babe’s small fist. With a head full of dark hair, the red faced infant looked content in his mother’s arms.

Hannah turned her face upward toward Giles and reached to hold his hand. “Giles, I don’t believe I have ever been this happy. Thank you.”

Happy tears welled up; a few fell from her eyes.

Giles wiped them away.

She took the small bundle, wrapped tightly and placed him into Giles’  arms. Uncomfortable at first, Giles looked down upon the small one.

“Cradle his head. Yes, like that,” Hannah softly said. “Giles, I know I wouldn’t have my son now if not for you. And although in blood he’s not yours, you have given him life. You asked me what I wanted. It was hard to answer, for I was confused, but right now here with you, I couldn’t be any more content. That’s what I want, but I want you to feel the same. I want to be a real family. Is that too much to ask?”

“No, it’s not,” Giles uttered. His eyes stared down at the baby, who had wrapped his small fist around Giles’  finger. “I want that, too.”

Hannah hesitated and then tentatively said, “I have been thinking of a name. If you don’t want it, I quite understand, but I want him to be ours.”

Giles looked back at her and smiled as his eyebrow shot up. “I’m listening.”

“What of Seth Daniel?”

Giles narrowed his eyes and his smile faded.

“I’m sorry. It was just a thought. Another is fine,” Hannah murmured. Her spirit dampened. “Martha had said….”

“It was my father’s,” Giles finished for her. He leaned over with the babe in his arms and kissed her. “Seth Daniel is a fine name for my son.” 

* * * *

Captain Thomas Elliott sat upon his horse and watched through his eyepiece. His horse panted, but Tom drew him back in. For the last week, he had observed the young Cooper family. Captain Andre had requested a report on Hannah’s condition. Tom would have to report his findings with reluctance. There could be no hiding the child was born alive.

He had well stayed his distance, not wanting to put her on guard. The Americans had to know that the British would keep an eye upon her. He would have to conclude they were content to have her where she was.

Tom could remember little of the night of Hannah’s abduction. He had tried as he lay recovering from the stabbing. Guilt plagued him, for he had ignored Reverend Brown’s warning. Perhaps Hannah was correct that the British were arrogant, for he had never fathomed a surprise attack as had been enacted.

He stared through the eyepiece once more. Hannah stood within the doorway of the inn as her husband rode up. She held the little one in her arms. Tom sighed. She seemed content now as he had never seen before.

He doubted she would ever again be a threat against the crown with all she had gone through, but the damage had been done. He well suspected that Marcus had known what she was capable of, but he, himself, had pieced together bits and pieces.

As he had lain within the confinements of his recovery, he had replayed the weeks at her grandfather’s. The memory of her conversations, her manipulation of all around her, knowing now of her connection to the dressmaker, she must have sent some vital information to him through the fittings she herself had recommended. What, he didn’t know. And didn’t know how she would have obtained such, unless that night she visited her cousin.

She had sneaked out of the house seemingly undetected, but Tom had followed her. He had watched her enter her cousin’s house. He had waited to detain her when she tried to escape; hoping to catch her link at that time, but Hannah had surprised him and returned to her grandfather’s. He had assumed at that time she had just visited her cousin.

Tom realized he had underestimated her as many before him, but in his opinion, the British had underestimated the Americans as a whole. Then he thought back to her return which had saved him. She wasn’t heartless, only passionate for her cause. He had thought long and hard about the situation, but had told no one of his suspicions.

Infant mortality was high among the first year. His commanders would sit back and observe Hannah closely. If the child survived, he supposed then Captain Andre would inform Marcus. But Marcus was a proud man and Tom could never see him leaving his son here once he knew of his existence.

And there was still a war to
contend with. General William Howe had been replaced by General Henry Clinton. General Clinton would not sit back as General Howe had done at times. Tom had heard the rumblings of a Southern campaign. He expected to receive his orders upon his return to New York. Marcus, he imagined would be part of the campaign for he had understood that he had been promoted to General. If that was the case, then he suspected that Andre would move into the head of intelligence for General Clinton.

Tom knew well that Clinton and Marcus didn’t see eye to eye often, but knowing Marcus as well as he did, Marcus would be out to make a statement in his new position. If it was like he deduced, he assumed Marcus would make him his right hand man. The British had to make a stand quickly, for the rebellion had well gotten out of hand.

Tom sat quietly upon his mount watching the large figure of a man descend off his horse. He walked over to Hannah, smiling broadly. He glanced down at the infant and back at Hannah.

Her husband was well taken with her; that was obvious. And the gathering of information about Giles Cooper was he was neutral within the war, leaning toward the British. He would conclude that Hannah wouldn’t be going anywhere and, more importantly, would be doing no more harm. The child was safe.

Tom folded the eyepiece back. There was nothing more to do here. He bridled his horse back toward the road and with a kick galloped down the road. He had a war to attend.

THE END

T
HE CRY FOR FREE
DOM by Jerri Hines

Book One Winds of Betrayal

A rousing family saga for the fight for America's independence. Follow Hannah and Jonathan Corbett path to Freedom!

The winds of change brews over the colonies. Tension against the crown is mounting daily. In Williamsburg, the rebellion burns strong in the hearts of two siblings, Jonathan and Hannah Corbett. Spirited and headstrong, Hannah finds herself thrust in the middle of a conspiracy when her father receives a strange package from Philadelphia. Jonathan, a physician for the Continental Army, is torn between duty and family. With war looming on the horizon, the siblings soon discover there is a high price to be paid for the cry for freedom.

Excerpt

The saga continues…

EMBRACE OF THE ENEMY

Book Two of the Winds of Betrayal Series

In the midst of the struggle of America's bid for independence, Hannah Corbett makes a fateful decision, descending into a world of deceit. Spurred by revenge, she heads to New York, setting in motion a dangerous game for which there is no return. Searching desperately for the man who betrayed her family, she faces the cold and brutal reality of the life of a spy. Caught in a web of lies, living with betrayal, she is trapped. She has nowhere to turn except to a man it would be treasonous to love, setting duty and desire at war. Her heart is ripped apart when she must choose between the man who risks his career and life to protect her and the only thing that has remained constant in her life...her belief in her cause.

KISS OF DECEIT 
by Jerri Hines

Book Three, Winds of Betrayal Series

Previously Published as Ruse of Love

The tides of war have shifted. When all eyes turn south, Doctor Jonathan Corbett finds himself once more thrust into the war’s turmoil. On assignment from General Washington, the dashing doctor discovers his mission has taken him straight into a conflict where the British are not the only ones to be feared.

Rebekah Morse has no time to contemplate the exploding war around her. Caught up as a pawn in a deadly conspiracy, she finds her only hope lies with her old friend, but things have changed since they last saw each other.

Yet destiny has not intervened in their lives without cause. Rebekah’s strength, courage, and breathtaking sensuality sets within Jonathan a desire he swore never to feel again. When Rebekah’s life is threatened, Jonathan is determined to save the stubborn woman whether she wants to be saved or not. Now Jonathan and Rebekah must face the perilous threat together—only to discover a passion they never imagined...

Excerpt

The rain began again. The storm brewing on the horizon burst forth on the streets of Charles Town. Rebekah was getting soaked standing outside the Meeting Street Inn. The choice seemed so simple a short while ago. She made it without a second thought: a very practical solution to a number of issues.

Nervousness swept over her, a sense that there would be no coming back from this step across the threshold. Try as she might, she couldn’t get Katy’s pleas out of her head.

“You can’t seriously be considering this. Rebekah, he’s a madman. He kidnapped you and…and…” Katy’s hand waved toward her stomach. “I don’t mean to be so brutal, but Rebekah, my dearest friend, he’s a murderer! He…he will kill you this time.”

“You don’t understand, Katy. He’ll do me no harm. I’m not sure he will go. I’m not sure of anything except I have to leave. I have to protect everyone. Over in France, I will have a chance to live a life without fear. If he gives up his life here…if Rory wants a hope of a life again with his child away from the killing and loss…then I will consider it once I get to my destination. I have to get away.”

“We have only just met this Mademoiselle Fontaine, Rebekah. I beg you…Go to this friend of yours. Dr. Corbett, please. He will help you. I know, Ernie says…”

Rebekah took her friend’s hand in hers. “I can’t do this to him or anyone. I wish everything was different, but it’s not.”

She cast one last troubled glance at her dearest friend and turned back toward the door. She couldn’t explain to Katy what she herself couldn’t understand. One note from Rory called her away from the people who loved her, but it was for that reason she had to leave. She put all in danger. She felt it.

If she could only leave and go away from anyone who knew her, she could raise her child safe away from this madness. Rebekah thought back to the casual meeting with Mademoiselle Fontaine at Katy’s home, a friend of Randa. Rebekah found Mademoiselle Fontaine the most interesting of women, elegant and refined. The woman talked of the court of King Louis and the world allowed in France. To Rebekah it seemed she was heaven sent.

Had she not begged Rory to go away with her and start anew? Was not France the perfect place for this? She decided well before the arrival of this woman to leave. She had no choice, especially with Jonathan’s appearance.
 
Oh, why had they seemed fit to play on Jonathan’s sense of honor? Jonathan of all people!
 She could not face him.

Rebekah didn’t remember how the subject arose, but in honesty when Mademoiselle Fontaine talked of a new life, Rebekah wasn’t surprised to hear her say that Rory sent her to deliver a message, a message only Rory would have known to send.

The hurt of his betrayal stung deep, but in her mind, she had little choice. She needed to leave, immediately…without delay…for everyone’s sake. She reasoned she would start her new life away from all the danger, betrayal, and lies. She would have her child. If Rory chose to follow, she would forgive him. For no matter his actions, no matter the words uttered about him, she refused to believe he meant her or his own child harm. She loved him.
Didn’t she?
 She had given herself to him so freely and now they had a child set to come into this world.

She shook her head. She needed to ignore the doubts swelling in her. It was too late to do anything other than to meet with Mademoiselle Fontaine as planned. Soon she would be on board ship to France. With any luck, she would be settled into the chateau well before the birth of her child in September. She sighed heavily and pulled her hood over her head.

By the harbor, the inn itself was respectable. Many passengers on board ships arriving and departing stayed in these walls. Ignoring the stares from the patrons for entering unattended, she lowered her gaze and entered. She walked straight away from the stairs, following the instructions she memorized.

She needed only to reach Mademoiselle. She stood at the top of the stairs and hesitated. Looking back over her shoulder, she walked toward her destination. Suddenly, she heard voices before she turned the corner. The voices rose louder. She felt a faint trickling of uneasiness, but she pushed it aside. Easing ever so quietly, she pressed against the wall, glancing around the bend before turning down the hall.

Halting in her tracks, Rebekah stiffened. Tobias was there and had gripped Mademoiselle Fontaine by her arm, pushing the woman back against the wall.