Riverbreeze: Part 3 (23 page)

Jamie came down in record time, his hair mussed from changing so fast and carrying a blanket and both twins’ cloaks from where they had hung them up in the hall. He went over to Evelyn, embraced her fiercely and kissed her soundly before grabbing the muskets, powder and shot and waving to Dolnick to follow him.

Just before Jamie went out the door, he and Robert shared a look, but no words were said. What could they say? Have a good night? Sleep well? Both of them knew damn well that neither one of them would have a good night or sleep well. In fact, Robert doubted that any of them would sleep at all.

The most difficult thing Robert had to do this night was send Elizabeth up to bed with her sister and not with him. They had all shared the pot of milk that Abigail had thoughtfully heated up; Abigail had gone upstairs to Jamie and Evelyn’s bed, Nathan had gone to Abigail’s bed after Robert had told him that he would keep the first watch and now he was alone with his wife and Evelyn.

They looked to him for answers, for comfort and to keep them safe, but they also gave him support. Robert felt strange holding the two of them, one in each arm, especially after that embarrassing situation when he mistook Evelyn for Elizabeth, but they had all gotten over that and this gave them comfort and that was what this was about: comfort and protection and being a family.

“I’m sorry.” He finally said. “I’m sorry our evening was ruined. I’m sorry for making you wear that necklace.”

Elizabeth looked up at him with love in her eyes. “I’m not.” She said. “You didn’t know he would be there. I was the one who should have known! I can’t understand why my dream ended so abruptly. I could have warned us.”

Robert kissed her on the top of the head. “No, you’re not to blame. This just happened. It was bound to happen sometime or another.”

“What are you going to do?” Elizabeth asked, snuggling closer to him.

“I’m going to protect you. I promise I won’t let anything happen to either of you. Jamie and I will protect you. This I promise with all my heart.”

But could he do it? Could he protect them? That worry plagued him all night long after the twins had gone to bed. He stayed up, pacing around the kitchen, thoughts of Wesley swirling around in his brain, driving him furiously mad. And the crow! He wanted to tear into his brother; he wanted to beat him bloody; he wanted to rip off his head. He was back to having thoughts of murder.

Tomorrow morning he would definitely seek out Wesley. He would go to Roger’s first to ask him where he had met Wesley and if he knew where Wesley was staying. He couldn’t allow that cur anywhere near Riverbreeze. He had to find him first.

Chapter Forty-One: The Search Begins

Robert gave up. Sleep was impossible. His mind wouldn’t shut down and Abigail’s cot was too narrow for comfort.

He sat up, bleary-eyed and groggy. All night long questions bombarded his brain. Why was Wesley here in Virginia? What had happened at Brentwood Manor? Had they lost their estate to the Roundheads like so many other royalists? And that scar! When had Wesley gotten that? During an attack? So many questions. Maybe he should have stayed at the party and confronted Wesley instead of running away like he had. But all he had wanted to do that night was get away, get away from his brother as fast as he could. When he had seen him that close to Elizabeth, touching the necklace, all sense had fled his brain.

Finally he decided to search out Wesley and confront him.

He got up, stretched his arms over his head, then bent over to touch his fingers to his toes. That got his heart pumping. Then after pulling on his breeches, doublet and boots, he went to the kitchen. Nathan had moved the table and benches off to one side of the room and was on his hands and knees, wiping the floor down.

“What are you doing?” Robert asked, walking over to the fireplace where Nathan had kept the fire burning all morning. He stood in front of it, warming himself.

“Good morning, sir.” Nathan said politely, standing up. “I needed to keep busy so I wouldn’t fall asleep. I’ve scrubbed the table and benches, Robin’s high chair, the floor in the hallway and now this floor.”

Robert raised his eyebrows at that news. “Well done, Nathan. I thought I heard you moving around, but I never imagined you were cleaning. Thank you.” Robert was really pleased with him and knew Abigail would be especially pleased. He had done the same thing, though, while he was on his watch to keep himself awake. He had cleaned both his and Jamie’s pistols and had done some other cleaning, although not heavy cleaning like Nathan, sweeping the floor and dusting the shelves. He had also gone over his account books and read a little from the Bible.

“You’re welcome, sir.” Nathan said. “Did you sleep well? ‘Tis quite early yet.”

Robert let out a big sigh. “No, I hardly slept at all.” He went to the water barrel and dipped out a ladleful to drink.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Nathan stood anxiously, wringing the rag in his hands.

“What is it?” Robert asked, noticing Nathan’s fidgeting.

“Well, if you do not mind my asking, sir, why would someone leave a strangled crow on your doorstep?”

Robert stood still for a moment, considering what to tell Nathan, but the man did deserve to know the truth. “You don’t know my brother…my
half
-brother.” Robert corrected himself. “Wesley has hated me and Jamie since we were born. His hatred runs very deep and ours does too. He gave us no choice.” He ended on a bitter note.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Nathan said softly.

Robert waved a hand at him in dismissal. “I’ll be right back.” And he stepped outside to relieve himself at one corner of the house without going all the way to the privy. This morning he allowed himself this privilege because—he was loathe to admit it—he was too afraid to walk to the privy alone. He shouldn’t allow Wesley to control him like this; this was his property and he should be able to walk wherever he wanted to without fear, but he couldn’t help the way he felt.
Damn it
!

When he was done he just stood there for a moment, listening and peering into the darkness. Was there anybody out there lurking about? The one who had left the crow? His half-brother? He couldn’t see much even though the clouds had broken up overnight and the half-moon shone brightly in the early morning sky. The stars seemed to be extra brilliant too. A slight breeze rattled bare branches and he shivered in the near-freezing temperatures. Even though it was still cold, the snow had melted since Christmas morning. There wasn’t a patch left anywhere. At least Robin had some fun that morning. Robert hoped that memory would last him through this crisis.

He looked towards the barn and it didn’t seem as if Jamie or Dolnick were awake, although he couldn’t see inside so he didn’t really know. Should he see if Jamie was awake?

Yes, there was no reason for him to remain there now.

He went to the barn, still looking around, feeling as if somebody might jump out at him, but no one did. At the door, he knocked loudly and shouted that it was him. He didn’t want Jamie or Dolnick mistaking him for the enemy and possibly shooting him. If they were as jumpy as he was, that could happen. He didn’t have long to wait before Jamie opened the door.

Jamie looked exhausted, like he had been up all night. Robert didn’t feel so bad now.

“Did you get any sleep last night?” Robert asked him, quite concerned.

Jamie shook his head. “A few minutes here and there.” He answered, scratching the back of his neck under his hair and up the back of his scalp.

“Come back to the house. I think ‘tis safe enough to leave the animals now.”

“I think you’re right. ‘Twas quiet all night. Dolnick, let’s go.”

The three men went back to the house, Robert and Jamie carrying the muskets while Dolnick, looking marginally better than Jamie although still exhausted and disheveled, carried the blankets and cloaks.

Once inside Dolnick went to work starting breakfast while Robert told Jamie his plans to search out Wesley and confront him.

Of course, Jamie wanted to go with him and Robert agreed. They would settle this once and for all.

Once again Dolnick and Nathan would have to guard the house. They were told they could not leave it, other than to tend to the animals, chop wood for the fireplace or fetch water from the well. That was it. They must guard the women and Robin at all times. The servants promised they would keep everyone safe.

After a light breakfast of corn cakes and warmed cider, Robert went upstairs to change into his buckskins.

He tiptoed into the bedchamber, not wanting to wake up Robin or the twins. It wasn’t necessary for them to be up this early and the girls needed their sleep! The dogs saw him approach with his candle and jumped down from where they were curled up at the foot on the bed. He held his breath for a second, hoping the movement wouldn’t awaken his wife. But all stayed quiet. He bent down and patted the dogs. Thankfully they didn’t bark and whine or anything.

He approached the bed then wanting to take a look at his wife before leaving for the day. He held his candle over the slumbering figures, realizing with a surprise that Robin was cuddled in between Elizabeth and her sister.
Thank you, Lily
, he thought to himself, feeling a surge of love for her. How precious they were, Elizabeth and Robin and even Evelyn. If Wesley did anything to harm any one of them, he would kill Wesley. He swore he would.

As quietly as possible he grabbed his buckskins, whispered to the dogs to follow him and they went downstairs. While Nathan took the dogs out, Robert went into the parlor to change, leaving his good suit on Abigail’s bed. After a few more words with Dolnick and Nathan, he and Jamie left for Roger’s house.

At Jamie’s request, the brothers decided to take the horses to Roger’s; Jamie rode Pisador while Robert rode Apollo. The cold morning air revived them somewhat, but they were still weary when they arrived at the Wentworth’s place at the break of dawn. A servant answered the door, surprised at having visitors so early. But he composed himself quickly enough and invited the brothers in. Roger emerged from the kitchen. Obviously he had heard their arrival.

“Robert! Jamie! What are you doing here?” He blurted out. Roger was dressed in some sort of velvet dressing robe, looking quite regal. La-di-dah! Robert thought, although he shouldn’t be surprised.

“Good morning, Roger.” Robert said pleasantly, taking his hat off and hanging it on a peg. He also took off his gloves and shoved them in his belt. He didn’t take offense at Roger’s question. It was awfully early!

Roger stood and stared at them. “Good morning.” He said in return. He turned sheepish, still worried about last night.

Robert chuckled a little. “’Tis all right, Roger. We’re not going to bite your head off.”

“Look.” Roger said, holding out his hands. “I am sorry about last night. I didn’t know Mr. Halcock was your brother. I remember what you told me about him years ago but that didn’t help me to recognize him.”

“Obviously he’s not telling anyone his real name and of course you wouldn’t recognize him. You have never met him before. What I want to know now though is where did you meet him, and did you speak to him about anything in particular?”

Roger let out a sigh. “Come into the kitchen. Have you eaten yet? God, ‘tis rather early for you two to be out!”

The brothers followed Roger into the kitchen where they sat down on ornately carved benches at the matching oak table, opposite each other. Roger sat in his high-backed chair at the head of the table. The Wentworth’s house wasn’t much different from the Bassett’s although they did have a few extra rooms and more elegant furniture. There was a large fire in the hearth; Alice was already cooking breakfast, but Nicole and the children were nowhere to be seen. Obviously they were still sleeping. They didn’t have anything to worry about.

Alice served the brothers pewter plates full of ham and cornbread and bowls of oatmeal porridge with stewed apples and honey. They were also given tankards of cider to drink. Robert didn’t think he was that hungry but when he smelled the ham, he dug right in. Jamie did the same, chewing quickly and appreciatively. Roger had mostly finished his breakfast but he took another square of cornbread to go along with the rest of his cider. He sipped slowly at his cider while he allowed the brothers to eat awhile before telling his story. He also sent Alice out of the room. “Three days ago I had business in Jamestown and I stopped in Crawshay’s Ordinary for lunch. He was there with several other men who had just arrived from Mary land.”