Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) (20 page)

Rest assured little William is safe. Understandably confused, but he’s such a wonderful happy baby. He’s now walking and can say a few words. I, in honesty, can say I believe he must favor you for he seems to be into everything such as you and Hannah were when you were small.

I promise you I will guard him with my life. Our Mary, God bless her, is with me and she feels the same. Rest upon God’s faith in your loss. My heart is with you,

Your loving sister,    Lydia

* * * *

Officially, upon the 19
th
of August, Major General Horatio Gates took command of the Northern Patriot Army. The British had already started to flounder, and with the  daily the reinforcements the Americans received, Burgoyne became increasingly isolated.

Colonel Daniel Morgan, whom had been paroled in New Jersey after his capture in Canada, and his elite rifle corps., General Benjamin Lincoln, General Benedict Arnold, General Israel Putnam’s New York Highlanders, which included Jonathan’s friend, John Glover, arrived. Glover hunted Jonathan down shortly after his arrival.

Glover expressed his condolences and sympathies. Jonathan shut him down as if a cover surrounded him.

“There is nothing to be said. There’s work to be done,” Jonathan replied.

Glover studied his friend. A definite change had occurred within him. Glover had heard he had worked endlessly since the news, never stopping. Which, from Glover’s point of view wasn’t the worst to do in the circumstances, but it was his attitude which bothered Glover. But in reality there were sad tales all around. No one would escape the effects of the war in one way or another. The price was high and it kept going up.  

Chapter
Ten

Marcus gained confidence with each day that passed. For almost two months since that day, a change had occurred; Hannah was no longer battling him. As if a weight had been lifted from her, she placed her trust in him. Her color returned slowly, and over the days that followed he had to admonish her quite often to stay in bed as her strength recovered. At last, he felt she was completely his, body and soul.

Not that he would fully trust she wouldn’t change her mind. Not until he had her safely in
England. He still had work to complete before they left. Although General Howe’s army had been victorious at Brandywine into Philadelphia and now occupied the city, Marcus had expressed his concerns about the move. He had long felt the necessity to reinforce Burgoyne, but his opinion had fallen on deaf ears, as had other’s attempts to convince Howe.

Communications with Burgoyne had been difficult at best. And the news that had filtered in from Burgoyne worried him. He had made short trips back and forth from
Philadelphia as he would have another this morning. Then hopefully on his return leave with Hannah to his homeland. 

He finished with his dress and walked back over to
the bedside. Hannah propped up with pillows, reached for his hand. “Do you have to go?”

Marcus laughed and sat beside her. “Last trip. I have promised you one more mission.”

He placed his hand lovingly upon her stomach, which over the last few days began to show signs of a life growing inside. “Then on to England. I’ll have to report my findings and then I promise you, I’ll resign my commission. No more games. I’m done. I have every intention to be there when my son is born in my homeland.”

“You are so sure it’s a boy?”

“No doubt, my love,” he said, leaning over to kiss her.

“I’ll miss you, Marcus. I don’t want you to go,” she whispered.

“I have always returned, even when you didn’t want me to,” he replied. His hand ran over her face as if etching it into his memory. She reached for his hand and kissed it. “I love you, Hannah.”

She looked up at him. “I love you, too, Marcus.”

He smiled down upon her for it was the first time she had uttered the words. He kissed her again and left.

* * * *

Hannah grew relentless since Marcus’s departure. Her conscience plagued her. With Marcus by her side he had driven all her doubts away. The need to be with him was greater than her reason. All her logic of her situation disappeared when he had held her in his arms. The past would be behind her. She had done all she could. She had tried so desperately to escape. Even if a desire to protect the network drove her back into the street that fateful night, the fact of the matter was, after all she had done, she had become expendable.

She had been so tired, exhausted. Marcus loved her. Hadn’t he even let Tom inform the Patriots of Gannon’s intent? Marcus had told her that news came back of Catherine’s untimely drowning death, but the baby was safe with
Lydia. The news he had on Jonathan placed him on the front with the Patriot army, but being a medical officer, he felt sure he was safe.

She sat sewing a
baby blanket, a blue one for Marcus was so confident it was a boy. Suddenly, a commotion at the front door disturbed her concentration. She looked out the front window in the early morning light. Reverend Brown stood firmly upon the steps. Tom had shut the front door behind him as he tried to send him off.

She walked to the door and opened it widely. Ignoring Tom, she greeted the Reverend, “Why, Reverend Brown it’s lovely to see you? You must come in, mustn’t he? There’s no need to be rude.”

Tom clenched his jaw and sighed, not wanting to go into details. “Hannah, Marcus would want you to rest.”

“Nonsense,” she smiled at
the Reverend. “Please come in, Reverend.”

The Reverend sidestepped Tom and entered
. Hannah led him to the sitting room. “It’s nice to have company. I haven’t seen many, only Susanna and Camilla. And Camilla has since eloped with Sergeant Wright and has gone to England.”

The Reverend took a seat close to Hannah. Tom walked up directly behind him. The Reverend eyed
him with a frown. Hannah watched the exchange. “Would you like any refreshment?”

“No, Hannah. This isn’t a social call,” he said plainly.

“Then this visit is over,” Tom stated. His hands extended indicating the direction he wanted the Reverend to head.

“Not before I say what I must,” he said to Tom. He breathed deeply with deep concern shone within his eyes. He turned to Hannah. “Child, I’ve heard a lot that has concerned you. I know you have gone through so much, but you need to leave.”

As if a wall emerged between her and the Reverend, she asked coolly, “Why would you say that?”

“For many reasons, child. First,
Colonel Durham is British and married,” Reverend said plainly refusing to look at Tom. “Hannah, you don’t need to settle for this. I have remained neutral within this war and plan to remain so, but I know you and you haven’t. The two of you live within different worlds. You are tired and ill. He’s in no position to offer you what you need.”

“He loves me,” she offered as her only defense.

“Whether or not he loves you, knowing you, you won’t find the happiness you deserve,” he tried to reason.

She shook her head. “No, it does matter. You know as well as I, I tried to go home. I tried but to no avail. The only one that looked after me, cared for me, was Marcus. I know the reasons, but don’t tell me it doesn’t matter. To me personally, it matters,” she said emphatically. “Reverend, I have thought long and hard about my situation. The hours of rest I have accumulated left me plenty of time. I want to do this, need to do this. I’m to have his child.”

Reverend Brown stared at her, obviously not happy with the news he had just heard. He bit his bottom lip. He looked up at Tom and placed his hand up before he even began. “I was asked to come here today to offer you a way home, back to Williamsburg. To your sister, Lydia, your family.”

Tears welled in her eyes. Tom walked around. “The conversation is over. She has made clear her position, please leave.”

She could find no words, but nodded in agreement.

Reverend Brown stood. “Hannah, no one believes you betrayed your cause. Don’t come near me, Tom. You know I don’t take sides, but am concerned with the welfare of all. There is also Gannon. You must realize he has gone underground with one intent to destroy you and the whole of your family. He doesn’t care if you’re within Colonel Durham’s protection or not. He’s gone insane with grief over losing both his children and blames you.”

“Didn’t I warn you, Reverend?” Tom lunged at him and physically pulled him toward the door. “Get out. Get out now!”

“It’s not only Gannon. It’s your grandfather. I don’t know what has happened, but he has you marked, Hannah.” Reverend Brown jerked his arm back. “I’m going, but I have warned you. If you need me, Hannah, you know where I am.”

Tom didn’t let him finish. He pushed him out of the room and out the door, slamming it hard. He turned back around to find Hannah staring at him with fear in her eyes.

“Nothing is going to happen, Hannah. No one would dare make a move against you here. Go lay down. Marcus will be back tomorrow.”

Hannah nodded. She did feel the need to rest. Her legs had weakened. She laid down on the bed. She pulled the covers around her and prayed Marcus would return.

* * * *

Marcus had met more problems than he imagined. General Howe had turned to him, along with the others he hadn’t listened to at the beginning of the campaign. The General had found himself under extreme pressure. The Americans had carried off most of the supplies and food in the city before they evacuated. Trade had virtually stopped because the Rebels had removed the boats and vessels from the Delaware. The cattle and horses had also been taken.

The British were low on supplies because the Americans had the Delaware River blocked at
Fort Mifflin and Mercer. And Marcus didn’t believe Washington’s army would remain dormant. And then there was the issue of Saratoga, which Marcus felt wasn’t being dealt with at all and haunted him. His irritation grew because he didn’t know when he would be able to leave. 

* * * *

A cool night air blew through Hannah’s window. She couldn’t find sleep. She slipped her bare feet down upon the cold floor. She wrapped her robe tight around her. The day’s conversation repeated within her head. Tom, in his usual manner, had been unresponsive to her questions. Her head twisted around to the sound of a loud hollow clatter in the front of the house.  Her room was to the back with no view of the front, but she sensed  danger.

She had no time to respond for her door burst open. An unknown hand grabbed her in the darkness. She screamed. She couldn’t avoid the big hands, the hair-matted hands that reached for her. The foul odor of the man made her choke. She screamed again hoping that Tom would react. The man pulled her down the stairs. She uttered another scream as she saw Tom lying in the foyer in a puddle of his own blood.

“Shut her up!” a skinny dingy man shouted, still holding the bloodied knife.

The one who had hold of her smashed the side of her face with his fist, she fell and struck her temple on the floor. The last she heard was a venomous laugh that sprung forth from the intruder.

* * * *

Hannah woke. Her head hurt terribly. She could feel the sensation of
being in a moving carriage. She heard the clop of hoofs along the stone street. Then suddenly the rhythm of the carriage came to a halt. She fended unconsciousness as the carriage door opened. Hands went around her, pressing the fabric over her breasts.

“After he finishes with this one, I hope he throws her to me. A dollop of pleasure, for sure, eh, Elihu?”

“Ain’t goin’ to nothin’ left, ya’ idiot! Heard Georgie Boy got some big plans for his one!”

The assailant pulled Hannah roughly from the other. He dragged her inside a large deserted warehouse along the wharf’s edge.
Panic seized her. A wave of nausea overcame her. The feeling of being carried came to an abrupt halt as the man flung Hannah down violently against the hard dirt floor.

“No problem, Georgie Boy!”

Hannah opened her eyes. A pair of boots in front of her face kicked dirt into her eyes. She coughed and pulled herself up to her knees. She saw all too clearly the wild intent within her cousin’s eyes. Georgie pulled her up with his pudgy hands by her hair.

“Why cousin, by the look on your face, you don’t seem happy to see me,” he laughed a wild unnatural laugh. “Thought you had seen the last of me. Well, now I will be the last you see of anyone. I can assure you that I always settle the score. You’ll well feel how I settle a score, bitch!”

“George!” a voice came up from behind him shouted the reprimand. “You can have your turn at her. But first things first.”

George let go, sending Hannah downward again. She caught herself with her hands and stared upward toward the figure emerging from the darkness
—Joseph Gannon. He towered over her. He bent down and pulled her to her feet. He chuckled in a terrifying way.

“Even being abruptly taken from you sick bed, you’re a sight. Are you not, Hannah?” he questioned. “I can assure you, you’ll look nothing like yourself when we are done. A lot has happened since we have last met. I have heard rumors. Warming the Colonel’s bed, but don’t even think he’ll be coming riding to save you. I know for a fact he’s safe and sound within
Philadelphia. The arrogant British. I told them all you had done and probably well more. All the Colonel cared about was getting you in bed and you so willingly complied. Didn’t you? Well, I’ll have to see what all his attraction he has been.”