The Bastard Son (Winds of Change Book 2) (15 page)

* * * *

Jane looked out the window, watching Caleb with Roscoe. The two giggling friends ran toward the stables, no doubt sneaking away from their work for a quick ride. Israel lagged close behind them.

The afternoon had turned to a bright and sunny day. The rain for the last week eased, and the sky cleared of clouds. The adventure of the day before had become a memory.

Sitting down at the desk in the parlor, she pulled out her journal. Unable to write to Sumner, she filled the need by writing each day’s activities. No sooner had she pulled out the quill, she heard rapid footsteps.

Looking up, she found Careen in the doorway. Leaning over, she caught her breath and cried, “Mistress Meador! Mistress Meador! Riders are coming!”

Confused, Jane rose from her chair. “Riders? Careen, what is the matter? Are the soldiers back?”

Violently shaking her head, she uttered, “Raiders.”

The room stilled. Jane felt the color drain from her face. “Raiders?”

“Ridi’ hard up the road!”

With one thought on her mind, Jane bolted toward the front door, down the steps and raced toward the stables. Caleb! She had to get to Caleb!

She made it down past the curing house. The clamor of horses’ hooves overtook her. Hit from behind, she fell. Crawling back up on her knees, she looked up. Terror gripped her. “Bloody Benny!”

“My…my…my…lookin’ what we have here.” Bloody Benny laughed, reining in his mount. Quickly, he dismounted.

Her body trembled, but a voice deep within her calmed her rising panic. She would do Caleb little good if she became panic-stricken. He lay behind the madman…and she had to get to him.

“Come Mistress Meador…you are now Sumner Meador’s wife?” he reached out for her. Despite trying to maneuver out of his way, he laid hold of her arm. Pulling her to him, he said in a low, terrifying voice. “You must have made him plenty happy for him to have done so. I will have to find out for myself.”

Wildly, she wrenched herself side to side, but to no avail. His grip only tightened. “Where are your manners, my dear? One would think you aren’t happy to see an old friend.”

She spat at him. He slapped her with the back of his hand, with enough force that she fell on the ground. She rolled over, away from him. Pushing back on her hands, she prepared to leap up, but he stepped on her gown. He was like a cat teasing its prey before it went in for the kill.

Then, a commotion arose among the raiders. Cries emerged, warning of approaching riders. “Red Coats!”

Sounds blurred as chaos ensued. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the soldiers in bright red uniforms…British soldiers. Unsure whose side they stood, she struggled to her feet, but Bloody Benny would have none of it. He grasped hold of her once more.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Benny asked. “To that little boy? Sumner’s son?” He whispered. “You’re too late.”

She screamed, a loud, piercing scream. Anger overwhelmed her…she lunged at him. She knew nothing except she had to get around him…by whatever means necessary. Surprised, Bloody Benny’s grip slipped.

Freed, Jane ran, racing toward the stables. From behind, a hand grabbed her shoulder and swung her around. She screamed again.

“Jane…Jane, you’re safe,” Colonel Leckie promised. “We are back.”

His words did little to calm her. Fear rose in her eyes as Bloody Benny walked boldly up to them. Colonel Leckie pushed her protectively behind him, greeting the man.

“Benny, what brings you this way? I thought you well understand the order given to you and your men.”

“Out on patrol, Colonel,” Bloody Benny glared at him, none too happy. “My men and horses needed rest and refreshment.”

“You were ordered to keep away from Elm Bluff. I believe it will be best if you now return to Charles Town. I will inform General Durham of your actions.”

“Are you giving me an order, Colonel?”

“Yes. A direct order.” Colonel Leckie stepped toward Benny. “If you don’t obey it immediately, you will answer for the disobedience. The general doesn’t take kindly to being disobeyed. Do you doubt me?”

“I can assure you it was a misunderstanding only. I find it strange, though, that the British protects the scum of the earth,” Bloody Benny said. One of his men led his horse to his side. The next moment, he leaped into the saddle and yelled, “Men, it seems we are not needed here. Mount up.”

“No, Colonel,” Jane cried. “He has Caleb. He told me. Don’t let him go!”

The colonel shook his head and held her back with his arm. His stare stayed upon Bloody Benny, who laughed. He spurred his horse, a trot first and then into a full gallop.

Jane broke from the colonel. Running after the riders, she stumbled and fell. Colonel Leckie ran behind her and helped her up.

Tears flowed unheeded down her cheeks. She cried, “No…no…no! You don’t understand. Caleb…”

She gave pause. Another rider emerged in her vision, riding out from behind the stables. She couldn’t breathe. She felt as though a stone set upon her chest. Caleb!

The young lad sat in front of the rider; Israel and Roscoe followed on foot, but her eyes never left Caleb or the rider who carried him. With Caleb safely in his possession, Joseph Williamson trotted up to Jane.

Joseph handed Caleb to Jane, who wrapped her arms about the boy and smothered him in kisses and tears.

“Mother,” he cried, obviously not realizing the danger that had been faced.

He squirmed away from her arms; she didn’t care…he was safe. Through her tears, she looked up at Joseph. She didn’t know what to say. Her hands still shook. She took Caleb by the hand and walked briskly back to the house. She didn’t look back.

* * * *

Another night had fallen. Jane paced nervously along her bedroom floor, unable to be comforted. Willard had locked herself into her room and swore she was returning to Charles Town at first light. There would be little sleep for another night. Bloody Benny had invaded Elm Bluff.

Colonel Leckie and the British had returned, but everything for Jane had changed. She reprimanded herself greatly for allowing herself to fall into a false sense of security. There was no safety while Bloody Benny was out there…God Almighty! Save us! Bloody Benny openly defied the British. He could not be trusted by any man.

No matter how Colonel Leckie tried to reassure her, she was in no mind to listen. He had brought Joseph to Elm Bluff…Joseph!

Refusing to go downstairs, she had a tray sent up for herself and Caleb, who was quite upset with her. He thought it a grand adventure and hadn’t recognized Joseph as the one that had attacked her the night they ran from Charles Town. For that, she was glad, but she had been sharp with him, which left him confused.

A knock on her door sent Caleb flying to open it, swinging back the door. Colonel Leckie stood outside in the hall.

“Caleb, can I speak to your mother?”

Jane walked to the door. “I’m sorry, Colonel, but I’m not really feeling well.”

“That would not be surprising, but it won’t take long.” Colonel Leckie smiled down at Caleb. “It is not an order, but a request.”

“Please, Mother,” Caleb begged Jane, pulling on her skirt. “I want to go downstairs.”

She sighed, but finally relented. She followed in silence behind Caleb, who skipped happily along the hall. At the stairs, he ran.

“Caleb!” she called.

“Let him go,” Colonel Leckie said. “I will look after him. I wanted you to know that the unit has settled back at Elm Bluff. Moreover, Benny has been placed on warning. He won’t return so bold. Please, wait for me in the drawing room.”

She watched Colonel Leckie chase Caleb down the corridor, certain Caleb was heading to find Roscoe. She walked slowly through the open door and then immediately halted when she caught a reflection of a man in the large mirror.

Turning to leave, he ran forward and blocked her exit. “Please, don’t leave. I have…we need…please. I won’t harm you. Colonel Leckie is a friend. He knows I won’t harm you. I gave him my word I only…”

“Only what, Joseph? I can’t handle more this day.”

“No, listen, Jane, please. There is so much I want to say. I’m sorry. So sorry about…”

“Can you not understand that there is nothing to say I would want to hear?” Jane clutched her hands against her chest. “If it is forgiveness you seek, it won’t come from me. I can’t.”

He moved to her side, his eyes pleading with her. “No? I ask only that you listen, damn it, Jane. Can you not see it was I that saved the little boy? My brother and I had a parting of views. How do you think Colonel Leckie responded as quickly as he did?”

Her anxiety eased ever so slightly. She asked, “What do you want me to say to you, Joseph?”

“I want you only to listen for a moment. I want to tell you how sorry I am for my reaction when I saw you in Charles Town. It was just…damn it, Jane. How could you marry another?”

She made no response, but took a step back.

“No, no,” he said. “I didn’t mean that. Have you no idea what I have been through? I know you blame me for your family. I will confess that I knew that Benny was plotting a raid, but it had nothing to do with you or your family. Benny didn’t even know them. Why would he? Your family was neutral, but, yes, I was there that day.

“I am only human, Jane. I sought revenge for my father. He was innocent as your family was, but it was a band of Patriot raiders who killed him. When the opportunity arose to enact revenge, I took it…but I never thought the violence would spread as it did. I will never forgive myself for not warning your family of the threat. I had no knowledge that Henley wanted Troy out of his way. I had been serving in Georgia, fighting alongside the British. You knew that when you cared for me.

“My thoughts and dreams had only been of you since the day I met you. Waking from my injury I thought I was in heaven when I saw your face. I fell in love with you instantly. My lovely, shy angel. I couldn’t believe my fortune when your grandfather agreed to my proposal. My heart sang. Why on earth would I want to destroy all that I held dear?”

Jane’s expression hardened. “It means nothing now, Joseph. Can you not understand that when I see you, I see my brother, butchered…cut to ribbons? How could you expect me to even consider such?”

“I hope in time you will come to understand. I’m not going to press you now. I have told you I had nothing to do with it. I saved you! I tried to care for you. You disappeared! Can you not understand I searched for you, desperately searched for you? Then I heard you tried to go after my brother!”

“Yes! I did…I discovered he had no knowledge of me. If I meant so much to you, Joseph, how is it that your brother didn’t know about me or my family?”

An awkward silence ensued. Pressing his lips together tightly, he thought for a moment before he spoke. “Because I didn’t want him to taint your innocence or your family’s. I knew he would press to meet them. He would press your brothers to join him. I know my brother well enough. I wanted to keep you to myself.”

Slowly, she shook her head and put her hands up to halt his progress when he reached for her. “Don’t. Please. I will scream if you come near me.”

“Oh, my God, Jane! I can’t take that you are scared of me. I love you. By all! Didn’t today convince you of my feelings? I went against my brother for you, Jane, to save that little boy.”

“You attacked me, Joseph,” she whispered.

“Only because…” he stuttered over his words. “Because…the thought of you being with another…especially Sumner Meador…made me crazed. I’m sorry. I only wanted it to be as it was. I had never pressed you or even kissed you. And to know you…”

“Don’t,” she protested and backed away further from him. “It is you that doesn’t understand, Joseph. It’s over. It was over the day my family was murdered. Nothing will ever bring back what we had…ever! The only thing I know is how I feel…how Sumner helped me feel, Joseph. I love him.”

“I know you think you do. I know the little boy told me that when you sleep you dream and cry out for those that are no longer here. That alone tears into me that you hurt so. But this I ask you, Jane, do you believe your husband has no blood on his hands? Can you live with that?”

“It is not the blood of innocents.” Her voice quivered. She managed to calm herself and said, “Thank you for Caleb. For that I’m grateful, but all else, Joseph, it can never be.”

She turned and rushed out to his echoing words.

“I won’t give up on us, Jane. I can’t.”

Sumner sat in wait on a lone road just outside of Charles Town. Dusk had fallen, leaving the forest in a dark stillness. No sign of his impending rendezvous; his impatience grew. Up ahead hiding in the undergrowth, Elijah whistled. She had come.

Gripping tight to his knife’s handled, his eyes fixed on the lone figure, emerging out of the shadows. Riding closer, the female lifted her cloak’s hood back. His heart sank, recognizing it wasn’t Rebekah…damn!

“Katy Landor,” Sumner said and gave her a small smile. “You are not who I was expecting.”

Katy Landor returned his smile, bright and large even in the dark. He remembered her as an annoying little sister, trying desperately to follow Randa around when he visited. At a time, he had visited her home often. He had been told she was close friends with Rebekah, but he hadn’t sent for her. Where was Rebekah’s man, Jasper?

His face betrayed his thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder, then back at him. “I’m glad it is you that I am meeting. I will confess my nervousness even with Rebekah’s assurance of my safety. I was escorted to the town line by Ralph Deane. If stopped, I was to fend visiting his sick wife. I wasn’t stopped and no one followed.”

“That is good, but you are not who I was expecting.”

“I know,” she acknowledged. “I would not have come unless it was not absolutely a necessity. I will be honest, Sumner, I am scared, but I do this for Rebekah. I fear for her.”

Sumner hadn’t time for this. He asked bluntly, “What do you know of the situation?”

“I know she has lived in hell since the British siege. She puts on a front, but she is dying inside. She smiles, laughs and dances at social events, but her heart was broken the day Jonathan was arrested and threatened with death. I know she bargained with the devil for his life and has paid the price since that day.”

“Do you know why I am here?”

“I hope you are here to take her away.”

“Jonathan has requested I retrieve her. If I don’t soon, he will himself. I don’t think that will be the wisest of moves. Do you?”

“Jonathan is coming for her,” Katy repeated in wistful voice. “Rebekah believes she will never see him again.”

“Rebekah is my mission, Katy. Focus. I was told I was to meet her tonight.”

“It was an impossibility. I don’t know what she has done, but she fears she is being watched. She wanted me to tell you that Eli Smithson was arrested and faces the hangman’s noose. She does not doubt it will loosen his tongue. Others are endangered, also.”

“I know nothing about the others. I came only for Rebekah.”

Sumner didn’t like that the plans had changed, even with one he had known since childhood, but in these times, he had learned well not to trust anyone.

“Come now, Sumner, you sound like you don’t believe me. Do you not think if I had betrayed you the whole of the British force would have already descended upon us? I may not be involved in her venture, but I know Rebekah won’t last much longer. Durham has been upon her every movement. I believe he would have already made a move if not for Jane...”

Sumner’s expression altered. “What do you say? Has anything happened to her?”

“No,” Katy shook her head. “Not yet, but Durham’s attention has turned to her. He tried to get her to stay within Charles Town, Sumner, in hopes of catching you. He believes you will return to her. He expects it. For some reason, I sense you are his target more so than any other.”

“He is right. I do need to see her,” Sumner said, momentarily forgetting everything except his wife. “Have you met Jane? She is in Charles Town?”

“My heart is broken, Sumner. To marry another when I have been waiting.”

“If you were waiting, little Katy, it was not for me.” Sumner eyed her severely.

“True, I jest,” she said. Her smile returned. “I have met your wife. She is indeed lovely. Nervous somewhat, but she has reason. But no, she is no longer in Charles Town. Do you know of the Williamsons?”

Sumner’s face drained of all blood. “Have they harmed her? I sent her here to be protected from their reach...”

“Calm yourself, and I will tell you all I know. She is safe,” Katy went on. “The rumor whispered is that General Durham insisted she make an appearance. The evening was a disaster. William has returned and caused a scene. Bloody Benny made an unexpected appearance and then Jane disappeared, having left on foot.”

Sumner’s eyes hardened at the mention of William’s name, but fear for Jane overwhelmed him at the knowledge Bloody Benny was in Charles Town. With great effort, he held back his escalating temper.

“Damnation…on foot?”

“If you keep interrupting me, Sumner, I will never be able to finish,” Katy reprimanded him. “Only, someone was waiting for her back at the Peterson’s. Don’t.” Her hand went up to stop his question. “I will tell you everything I know, but I don’t know what happened at the Peterson’s. She left Charles Town in the middle of night and escaped with Caleb back to Elm Bluff. I understand she has taken him under her wing admirably and that he is taken with her greatly. But, Sumner, Bloody Benny tried again to come at her and Caleb. She is safe but...”

“I will kill him,” he stated harshly.

“I believe you might have to,” she said with a solemn face. “But, from what I understand, she and Caleb are safe now that the Colonel Leckie is back.” She paused. “The news was good to hear, Sumner, of the victory at King’s Mountain. It has rejuvenated hope.”

He shook his head. “I haven’t time to discuss the war, Katy. How can I get to Rebekah? I need to work quickly, Katy, but I need to see Jane first.”

Katy thought for the moment. “I will have Rebekah visit with me at the Peyton’s house on Bull Street. You can sneak her out easier from there and down to the Ashley. The patrols don’t bother with the house. Randa spends time in the General’s bed,” Katy said tartly and with venom.

“She is his mistress? I thought I heard William had come home,” he said without emotion in his voice. There had been a time when the thought would have gnawed within him. Now, though, he didn’t care, only if it held importance to his mission.

“William came back a poor excuse for a man. He is a drunk,” Katy said with distaste. “He is an embarrassment…both of them. It is as if Randa does not care about anything and William cares less. It would have been different, Sumner, if she had married you or the babe had lived.”

“It was her choice, her decision. It is in the past. I have moved on,” Sumner dismissed the thought.

Katy studied Sumner for a moment. “Yes, I see you have. Randa does also. Not maybe when you married Mary, but I saw it in her when she laid eyes upon Jane. I believe she had held to the thought you still loved her until then, sad but true.”

“It was a long time ago, a lifetime,” Sumner stated. He said nothing about the rumor that Randa had taken Katy’s fiancé, Ernest Sherman, into her bed, also, and that was the reason Katy held her sister in contempt. Ernest had died in a skirmish outside of Georgia a year before the Fall of Charles Town. Sumner’s voice flattened. “My concern lies with my mission—Rebekah. I believe I can make adequate arrangements. How soon can you get her there?”

“Give me a couple of days to arrange it. At the most three days.”

“Then we will set it for three nights from now. What room will you be in?”

“Most of the time when I am there it is the far one at the right side of the house. The second window at the end.”

“Open the curtains and place a lighted lamp in the window after eleven. If it is not there, I will return the next night. Tell Rebekah I will meet her at the back gate at the garden’s end. It is the utmost importance she comes alone and tells no one. Do you have any issues with any of this? You can relay the information?”

“I will do so readily,” Katy promised.

Sumner felt confident in the plan. Effective and simple, but he was also aware that nothing was ever so simple at this moment in time. “Go. My friend will follow you back to ensure your safety.”

She said nothing else, but reined the horse back. Pulling the hood back on her head, she urged the horse back down the quiet lane. He watched until she disappeared out of sight. He saw Elijah emerge from the shadows. Sumner waved, and Elijah took off following Katy.

Sumner rode in the opposite direction and turned south. Elijah knew to meet him at the old Jenkins place. He, also, knew Sumner wouldn’t be readily returning. He was going to see his bride. Devil be damn the man who tried to stop him.

* * * *

A long time had passed since Sumner last stepped foot on the grounds of Elm Bluff. The influx of British soldiers patrolling the grounds told he would not soon walk freely within his home. Now, he hid in the shadows of the trees.

In his view, Jane stepped out of the front door and glanced around the lawn. He watched, mesmerized.
By God, she is more beautiful than I remembered.

“Caleb Jed!”

From the stables, a young boy ran up the path as fast as his legs would carry him, followed by a black child, laughing and giggling. His heart swelled at the sight. Caleb had grown so that he wouldn’t have known him.

He watched as the boy stopped abruptly in front of Jane. He couldn’t make out the words, but from the look of things, Caleb seemed to be trying to talk his way out of trouble of some sort.

“He is much as his father.”

Sumner turned to see Israel walking up beside him. Immediately, he gripped Israel’s shoulder and then clasped his other hand. “It is good to see you friend. You got my signal.”

“Relieved to have seen it,” Israel said. “I wouldn’t let Miss Jane know that I myself had become worried. All has gone well, I hope.”

“It is a start,” Sumner said. His eyes turned back to the house. Jane had retreated back within with Caleb. “I need to see them, Israel.”

“I wouldn’t try to go within the grounds, Master Sumner,” Israel said dryly. “Mistress Meador has been warned they have you in their sights.”

“That is what I have heard, but I haven’t long and I am not going back without seeing her. How is she?”

“I had thought at first, Master Sumner, she was a meek and complaisant woman, but have found she has strength within her. She is comfortable at Elm Bluff, but shies away from people she doesn’t know.”

Sumner grimaced. “I’m afraid I did a rather poor job of explaining my life here at Elm Bluff…but more so I’m afraid I have misjudged much, including her safety.”

“But, Master Sumner, where else would she go? She has a way with your son that no one else has been able to see. She seems comfortable running the household. She is kind,” Israel said, glancing back over his shoulder. “She has already instilled loyalty within all the servants. You would be proud. She was so brave when Bloody Benny descended upon us. She was determined to get to Caleb. She didn’t run away from him, but tried to get around him to get to Caleb.”

“That is the issue. Why is Bloody Benny allowed to inflict terror in these parts? Moreover, I can’t understand why the British supports one such as he? He defies their authority by trying to raid a British occupied home!”

“He walks to the beat of his own drum, Master Sumner. Evil lives within him. It has taken force over his being, but it was his brother that thwarted his plan, Joseph. He informed the British about his plan.”

“Which was to kill my wife and son?”

“I believe it was what was in his mind, but given what I heard he has been warned by the general there, Durham. I hear he is a hard man, but I hear Mistress defied him also when she returned to Elm Bluff.”

“Do I need to send them to England?” Sumner said his thought out loud.

“That I don’t know, Master Sumner. It may be for the best.”

Wincing as if the thought pained him, Sumner shook his head. “I need to think upon it, but now I have a strong need to see my wife. I need to get within my home without detection.”

“In that, I may have a plan, Master Sumner.”

* * * *

Jane finished her meal, but her gaze never left Caleb. He sat in deep conversation with Roscoe. The two had become inseparable. As most nights, she ate with the young ones in the kitchen.

To her dismay, Joseph had taken one of the rooms at Elm Bluff. That alone greatly upset her, but she couldn’t let anyone know how deeply it affected her. It was bad enough he knew.

Why can’t he leave me alone
? Even if she accepted his explanation, it would do little to change her feelings toward him.

Joseph had let his desire for revenge dictate his actions. In turn, her family lost their lives. Though, the guilt she felt for the murders of her family eased somewhat understanding that it wasn’t Joseph that caused the carnage. But she hadn’t lied to him. Any feeling she had for him died the day her family was killed.

Then there was Sumner, whose love had changed her forever. He evoked within her an unconditional love in a way that Joseph never had.

“What are you two planning?” Jane asked, pausing for a moment.

She heard footsteps running down the hall and then a slight knock. Not waiting for a response, Careen entered, whose manner did not invite panic, but obvious exasperation.

“I’m sorry, Mistress Jane, but Moses came up from Widow Hanson’s again. Lordy! She claims once more to have the fever and is calling for you. I tried to tell him you went the other night, and she kept you there until dawn.”