The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (33 page)

She spun around and her heart stilled…she saw him. Mad with rage, Jake thrust his saber on one side of his horse then the other. He reined in his sweat-covered horse, sword raised high in his hand.

She had no time to contemplate his appearance. Renton caught her from behind, sending her sprawling on the ground. On her stomach, she pushed up with both hands. A shadow covered her; she turned and a reflection blinded for a moment. A knife gleamed at her in the moonlight; Renton’s eyes widened.

“You have made a grave mistake,” Renton said under his breath. He stabbed at her. From horseback a form lunged and knocked the culprit backwards. Renton’s face grimaced in pain.

In response, Cathryn recoiled to the giant oak. Her hand over her mouth, she was too stunned to run. Her gaze fixed on the man she loved fighting to save her.

Jake drew a knife from his belt. He shifted it to his right hand and sidestepped Renton’s crazed assault. Surefooted, Jake spun around and slashed at Renton, slicing his left arm.

A French curse exploded. Pain flashed across his face. The sounds told them the British had the raiders on the run. In moments, Renton stood alone. Sweating profusely, he glanced over at his horse, escape evident in his mind. Renton flung himself at Jake, knife in hand.

Cathryn watched Jake dodge the assault and maneuver himself in front of Renton. The French man hacked chaotically. Not one slice hit its mark. In a desperate attempt, Renton lunged.

Jake fell down onto one knee and rammed his knife into Renton’s chest. He thrust deeper and deeper until Renton staggered. Jake stepped back. Renton collapsed face down.

Jake stood with his bloody knife in hand. It was over. Raiders littered the ground, dead or wounded. Few escaped justice.

Cathryn cried and rushed toward Jake. He opened his arms and held her tight against him. She wept.

She buried her face into his shoulder unable to look upon the death around her. Jake had rescued her, but he had come too late to save them all. She felt his arm tightened around her.

“Major,” a voice said. “We took no casualties, but there are victims.”

Oh, no…no…no. Cathryn released Jake. Her legs buckled beneath her. “Juriah…Mary…”

Jake lifted her in his arms. “I need to get you out of here.”

“I can’t leave. I have to see…”

“I would not recommend it, Major.”

Cathryn glanced up at the British soldier, Lieutenant Leckie. He gave her a sympathetic look. There were more officers surrounding them.

“Cathryn…Cathryn!” Sumner yelled. He pushed the men back, who held him up. “Dammit, let go of me. I have to get to my family.”

She watched her brother struggle to walk, limping forward. Blood covered his ripped shirt…his pants. His eye swollen, his face was battered, but he refused any assistance.

Jake looked over at Leckie, who shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry, Meador, but no one in the house survived.”

Sumner crumbled to the ground, uttering Mary’s name. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Cathryn fell down beside him in a futile gesture of comfort…there was none…until a baby’s cry disturbed the solemn air.

Sumner whispered, “Caleb.”

Cathryn rose with her brother. Walking out from the woods, Maddy led Marmie out with the baby in her arms.

Sumner stood as Caleb was laid in his arms.

“Master Sumner, he was so good…nary a sound he made. I just sang to him lowly so as not to cause ’em to come after us…I tried.”

“You did good.” Sumner’s voice cracked.

“Cathryn, we need to ride. We will be discovered.”

She shook her head. “I can’t leave…Sumner…Caleb.”

“Yes, you can and must.” Sumner looked into his sister’s eyes; then at Jake. “Your life is not here. He came.”

Cathryn choked back her tears. Her chest heaved with the heaviest of loss. “There is one thing more, Sumner…it was William who was behind this raid. Renton said William paid him.”

Sumner stared at her. Comprehension hit him hard.

His dark eyes darkened to black. “I’m going to kill him.”

She had no intent of talking him out of his conviction. Pressing her lips tightly together, she was gathering the courage to walk away from her home. She hesitated.

“Take her,” Sumner gestured to Jake. “She won’t go unless you make her.”

Jake gently guided her to his horse and helped her up. He mounted behind her. Sumner halted them.

“Sister, you remember the day in the governor’s room when you discovered your friend’s letters. I did not tell you everything. The governor talked to me of the contents. The major asked permission for your hand. The governor was pleased. It had been his intent when he picked the major to escort you to England. You had his blessing.”

She nodded. Emotions overwhelmed her. Jake’s arm wrapped tight around her. They rode away from Elm Bluff.

Startled, Cathryn woke in darkness, confused and scared. Jake reached around her and pulled her into his shoulder. With her head upon her husband’s chest, she wept; he soothed her fears.

The moment they arrived in Savannah, Jake wasted no time in taking the first opportunity to marry.

“When we return to England if you want a ceremony, I’ll give it to you, but don’t expect me to wait that long.”

There was no hesitation. She wanted nothing more than to be his wife. They married quietly in the Presbyterian Church with Lieutenant Leckie and the reverend’s wife as witnesses.

So much had to be sorted through, but it would take time. At the moment, though, she sought refuge from the world in Jake’s arms.

“You would have gone with them if you had come,” Jake explained as she lay beside him. “The ship had been set to return. We couldn’t wait. You can be mad with me, Cathryn, but I had to look after the twins. You weren’t here and I was having a devil of a time convincing General Clinton to return for you.

“Communication with General Clinton has been difficult. When his orders came to send the children back to England, I did not object for I felt it was for the best. They will be safe within England until we can return.”

“To whom were they sent, Jake?” Her fear expressed for the first time. “Please tell me you did not send them to His Grace.”

“You may not be happy with the situation,” he said in a serious tone. “I considered sending them to Mother’s, but I could not do that to the duchess. Her Grace has been heartbroken. She, too, has been through much. She had nothing to do with all that happened, Cathryn. They are with the duchess.”

“His Grace?”

“I’m certain he will be amongst them,” Jake confessed. “Do not look at me in that manner. Philip and Lucy will be well looked after and above all safe, Cathryn. Isn’t that most important? Besides, I wish I could be there when little Lucy explains to His Grace why Philip is called Philip instead of Charles, like she did to General Durham.”

“She never did!” Cathryn exclaimed. “Oh, what did she say?”

“That her mother promised her father, for she loved him dearly, to name her babes the names he wanted for his dear children. But even though she named Philip, Charles Philip, she couldn’t bring herself to call him such, since the man he was named after was such an abomination! She even said the word to perfection with your accent, my darling.”

Cathryn bit her lip so as not to laugh. She could picture it within her mind.

“She is a charmer much like her father,” he added. “They are beautiful children, Cathryn. I have only one request.”

“Anything.”

“That we make some of our own.”

* * * *

Jake avoided the most difficult issues, at least for a time. General Marcus Durham requested a meeting with Cathryn upon her recovery from the incident. Cathryn discovered General Durham wasn’t a patient man, for his deemed recovery period lasted no more than a day. Jake tried to postpone the visit.

“You need time to recuperate before meeting with the General. You are too thin by far. You look like you haven’t eaten and you will be blown away if the wind is too strong,” he admonished her as he brought a tray of breakfast. “You have been upset.”

She didn’t deny his words. “My babies were gone, Jake. I didn’t hear back from anyone despite Lieutenant Leckie’s promise to come back for me. Do you not think I wanted to come? I would never have sent my precious children if I did not. I waited for six months for word,” she drew in a breath, “My babies…”

“You thought I sent them back without considering your wishes, or did you believe I had stolen them?” He paused for a moment. “Oh, Cathryn, how could you—”

“How would you feel, Jake? Did I not send them? If I didn’t trust you, I would have never—” She began to cry…again.

“Don’t,” he said, setting the tray on the table beside the bed. He pulled her to her feet. Looking straight into her eyes, he went on, “There is no need. My thoughts have been constantly upon how to retrieve you. Now you are here…with me.”

He leaned down and kissed her, silencing her fears, at least for the moment.

* * * *

“Lady Tinsley, do come in. Please have a seat,” General Marcus Durham acknowledged Cathryn as she walked into his office.

Headquarters for the British commander was a large colonial house situated on the outskirts of Savannah. The room was open with a wide window where sunlight streamed in from the February morning. General Durham stood as Jake lead Cathryn over to a seat across from the General’s desk. Jake took a place standing behind her.

“It’s Pennington, now, General.” Cathryn smiled up at Jake, who had hold of her hand.

“Ah, you wasted no time, Major. Good for you. Congratulations. In times such as these I don’t suppose any of us need to waste time. I know I hate to waste time.” General Durham took a seat. He studied Cathryn for a moment. “I had the good fortune to have met your children, beautiful and utterly delightful. You must be so proud. Of course, you understood the necessity of returning them to England.”

“General Durham,” Cathryn tilted her head with a slight turn, “I hate to correct you, but they have never been to England. They were born in the colonies.”

“I stand corrected,” General Durham answered. Silence ensued for a time before he began again. “You have led a quite eventful life, Lady Pennington. I understand you are from this area.”

“Yes, General,” Cathryn acknowledged. “I was born in Antigua and raised in Charles Town. My father you may know was Governor of Antigua for a time. My father served proudly in His Majesty’s army.”

“I hate to be so direct, Lady Pennington, but you understand that time is of the essence,” General Durham said. “Are you still loyal to the Crown? Why would you have returned to have your children here?”

Irritation grew within Cathryn that Jake could well see. He squeezed her hand, but she drew it back. “My reasons were personal, General.”

“That became political,” General shot back. “Are you aware that there have been serious allegations leveled against you?”

“I’m not exactly certain of what you speak. I understand that my relative wants my money.” She glanced up at Jake, questioning. “I have never done anything against the crown. Nor would I! I had my children at my home, Elm Bluff, outside of Charles Town for one reason, General. I wanted to go home. I had only just lost my husband and his father found no favor with me. At first he threatened to annul my marriage and in the next breath threatened to take my child away from me. I had no one in England to turn to, General. I was so homesick that I did the only thing I could think of. I went home.”

“But you had no family there anymore, Lady Pennington,” he countered, pushing her.

“I have family, General. I have my brother.”

“See now, we are getting somewhere. Your brother would have had to have been born out of wedlock, for I understand you are the only surviving child of your father’s.”

Cathryn swallowed. “Yes, General, I suppose you are correct in your assumption, but my father thought highly of him, as do I.”

“You realize I know of whom we speak, Sumner Meador, who has long been a thorn in our side, my lady. So that is my question. How can you be loyal to the crown and support one such as he?”

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t have to ponder her answer. “General, I’m well aware of the privilege I was born with. Sumner wasn’t. Even though my father thought highly of him, I inherited all of my father’s possessions. Sumner has never once been resentful of my place. He protected me and my children without question. But he believes the words of the patriots and is striving for thus, to go beyond his birth place, General. That is why I believe he chose the patriot side.”

“Did you aid the enemy, Lady Pennington?”

“Did I open up my home to nurse wounded men? Yes, General Durham, I did. And I would do so again without question. They were hurt. I didn’t ask their loyalties before nursing them, but I did know they were patriots.”

General Durham sat back in his chair. Cathryn couldn’t read what he thought, but she held her head high. She had done nothing to be ashamed of. He looked down upon his desk at a paper and then back up at her. “Did you know that papers have been filed to confiscate your property in England for your act?”

“Yes, my solicitor wrote me,” she said simply.

“You could lose everything because of your act of mercy,” he stated plainly and without emotion. “But a piece of information interests me here. Did you know about the grievance before Lieutenant Leckie fell upon your door?”

Cathryn was confused to his question. “I’m not certain why you ask, but yes, I knew.”

“And you gave him help knowing you could lose your British estate?”

“General Durham, I have lived my life trying to do the right thing. I had absolutely no desire to betray my brother. He gave me all he had to protect me, but I felt I had no choice. Maddy sprang the Lieutenant into my bedroom in the dead of night without warning. The Lieutenant asked for my help. I gave him what I could.”

“It says here and I quote: Lady Tinsley hid me and gave me clean dry clothes of her father’s, money if I had need, a fresh horse to ride, and the information I needed not to run into the militia. It sounds like you did more than just help him.”

Cathryn shrugged. She was tired and drained. She looked up at Jake, for she didn’t know what he wanted her to say. He gave her no indication. “Yes, General Durham, I did all that. Was that not what was needed?”

He nodded slightly and wrote down on his paper.

“Look, General Durham, I don’t know what you want. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, but it is what it is. I am who I am and can be no other. I’m tired and weary. I have lost my sister and a dear friend in the raid. I chose to send my children to you and now they are gone across the ocean. What do you want of me?”

The General sighed and stared directly into her eyes. “Do you know that your husband left camp without permission to rescue you? Do you know in so doing he took twenty of my finest men?”

Startled upon the admission, Cathryn glanced up at Jake who stood emotionless. “No,” she uttered. Fear developed inside of her for her husband. She well understood the severity of disobeying.

“So what do you think I should do, Lady Pennington?”

Cathryn stood. Her eyes flamed. “Jake is the finest of men, officers, His Majesty could ask for. I know of no other as he is, honorable and loyal. He would never have done so if he didn’t feel it was necessary.”

“It matters little, my lady. Your husband willfully failed to obey General Clinton’s direct order. An act such as his cannot go unpunished.”

Direct and authoritative, his voice resonated around her. Solemnly, he stood in dismissal. “I have the information sought. Major, walk your wife back to your residence. Then return promptly.”

* * * *

The street bustled with activity, carriages, officers on horseback, and privates on foot, but neither Jake nor Cathryn gave them any notice. He walked in silence; she with a growing awareness of their uncertain future.

Jake quartered in a small brick house only a few streets over from headquarters. It was not a long walk. Jake paused a moment at the steps which led to the entrance. He gave her a reassuring smile, then opened the door for her.

Cathryn wanted nothing more than to throw her arms about her husband…stop him from returning. It would not do. She resided in a home of strangers. She would not succumb to her panic.

He saw her only to the door to the room they shared.

She gripped his arm.

“Why?” she asked.

He ignored her question. “I want you to rest and eat. Do not worry if I’m not back soon.”

She would have none of that. She pressed, “Why? Why would you have done so?”

His eyes softened as he leaned down and softly kissed her lips. “I would have moved heaven and earth to keep my promise. It matters not what happens to me now.”

* * * *

The sun set and darkness fell, but Jake hadn’t returned. He had only dispatched a short note stating only not to worry. It gave her no comfort.

No…no…no! This wasn’t supposed to happen this way. To prove his love he could well lose his rank, his position or, God forbid, his life. No, God, don’t let this happen. She didn’t care for her money, and neither did Jake, for he married her knowing full well she could have nothing. She only wanted Jake and her children!

She could stand it no longer. She hadn’t a plan, only the urge to find Jake. She had to see General Durham once more…to explain it was her fault.

Suddenly a knock on her door disturbed her thoughts. “Lady Pennington, you have a visitor.”

Fear gripped her heart. Descending the stairs, her uncertainty eased. Lieutenant Leckie stood in the doorway with a broad smile.

“Are you certain you don’t want any refreshments?”

Cathryn shifted her position on the settee across from the lieutenant. Despite the lateness of his call, the drawing room was opened for the visitor and a fire prepared. A chill still lay in the air. From the cold or the fear that lived within her, Cathryn wasn’t certain.