Fields of Fire (31 page)

Donnegan was dressed fancily and sported a powdered black wig. Yet, if he seemed of out place, the tavern owner—wearing a heavily powdered wig with sausage curls above the ears and a soiled white apron—was, with his pompous attitude, utterly ridiculous. It was fashionable for the Ascendancy or Protestant gentry to wear wigs, especially when in Dublin, but most country folk did without. If the tavern owner wanted to stand out, he achieved his purpose.

A smile started to form on her lips only to be immediately suppressed by the remembrance of Taylor’s bruising pinch and the danger of their situation. Their lives would be in serious jeopardy if Donnegan discovered who they really were. He’d kill them. That sobering fact coupled with the thought that Taylor would be gone from her forever, prompted her to settle down into her role.

“What if I am selling whiskey?” Taylor began. “What’s it to you? I can peddle to whomever I like.”

“Me boss doesn’t like yer competing with him. These are our customers ye’ve been peddling yer whiskey to,” Henry said, still standing at Donnegan’s side.

“That’s tough luck,” Hug blurted out. “The proprietors didn’t seem to mind.”

“Nay, but I do,” Donnegan said, rubbing his cleft chin. “We’d like you to deal directly with us and then we’ll in turn sell the whiskey to all the taverns along the coast.”

“You’re talking about monopolizing trade in that area.” Taylor waited until the tavern owner served them the ale and food and left. “Why should we agree? What’s in it for us?”

Jalene expected Hug to add noisy comments, but when she glanced at him, his eyelids drooped and he was fighting the urge to nod off. This was not the best of timing for the tea to take its full effect. She hoped Hug would be able to react in their defense, if necessary. Dear Lord, let’s hope the need would never arise.

“I believe you should be more concerned about what’s in it for you if you don’t agree,” Henry answered first.

“That will be enough,” Donnegan quickly admonished Henry, and smiled at Taylor before he continued. “Pay him no mind. If you have whiskey to sell, we’ll make it easier for you to do so and give you a fair price for it. Is that so awful?” He raised his hand to Nelly who grabbed it, and briefly gave it a loving squeeze.

Apparently, Nelly didn’t know about Donnegan’s chasing after other women. Either that—or she didn’t care— Jalene surmised, as she watched Nelly smile at Donnegan before she passed the plate of sliced apples, ham, and bread. Donnegan smiled at her appreciatively.

Whatever interest the man had shown in other women, herself included, it was obvious Nelly was his true love. Yet, underneath this facade, she knew he was a dangerous man. She scarcely breathed, for fear of drawing any attention from Donnegan to herself. She studied Taylor. His expression gave no clue as to how he would respond. He simply chomped into a piece of apple, swallowed, and took a sip of ale. If Taylor agreed, they would turn over the casks, and that would be the end of it. They would have gained no information except that Donnegan worked this part of the coast. If they refused to sell, they’d probably find themselves dead.

“Give us a few moments,” Taylor commanded. “I need to explain to Grandda about this excellent opportunity.” He lowered his voice, cupped his hands loosely on either side of his lips before he whispered to Donnegan, “’Tis the damnedest thing. One moment Grandda will be all fired up like a kiln and the next as content as a pig in slop about to doze off.”

Donnegan’s eyebrows furrowed into a frown when he glanced at Hug, but he nodded in understanding and stood. “He seems more trouble than he’s worth. We’ll be upstairs in one of the rooms. You’ve got ten minutes to decide.” Leaning heavily on his cane, and holding his side with his other hand, he turned to go upstairs. Nelly came to his aid for support, and looped her arm through his. Henry followed.

This was what they’d been waiting for. They had found Donnegan. Taylor waited until the trio were out of sight before he shook Hug’s arm.

“Hug, pay attention,” he ordered.

“I was,” he replied. “But I’m so sleepy. I needed to close my eyes for a second.” He pried his eyes open with his fingers momentarily, and scratched his head through his grey wig.

“Listen to me,” Taylor began. “We have no choice but to agree to sell to him, however, I need to get him to ask me to join his operation, so he can take me to where it’s located. Once I know that, I can come back with reinforcements to put his operation out of commission and put him in gaol.”

“Are you saying that Hug and I are to sit idly by while you go off to parts unknown with Donnegan?” Jalene asked, and quickly added, “If so, I don’t like it. How would we know where you were, or be able to help you?” She used her fingers to comb through her wet hair. “It’s not wise.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. I don’t want you in any more danger than I’ve already put you,” Taylor explained.

“I knew the possible dangers when you agreed to let me tag along. You can’t go alone,” she said, determined to convince him that if he left with Donnegan, so would she.

“Nay,” Taylor answered emphatically. “Follow my lead,” he turned to Hug. “Damn it,” he nudged the man, “Did you hear what I said?”

“Aye, aye, I agree with you,” Hug responded through a yawn.

“Grand. Just grand,” Taylor said sarcastically. “We finally catch up to Donnegan and I have a partner who’s almost asleep and a wench who now thinks she’s my protector.”

“Damn you.” Jalene pushed herself from the table. “We’re supposed to be working together. Hug’s sleepiness is not his fault, and I certainly made no claims to being a martyr, but I think it would behoove you to keep in mind that we’re the only ones who’ll know where you are and who can be of any assistance should you need it.” She paused to scowl at him, and added her own bit of sarcasm, “Not that one as strong and brave as yourself would normally need assistance.” Damn him. She wouldn’t comply with his wishes.

“Point taken,” he answered with little reaction to her words. “You’ll still stay behind.”

She pursed her lips and inwardly cursed his stubbornness. Why couldn’t the man understand that they could help? He need not deal with Donnegan alone.

She was about to confront him further when Donnegan and his entourage trudged down the steps from upstairs. He approached the table and said, “I trust you’ve come to a decision by now.”

“Aye,” Taylor agreed, and motioned for him to take the chair across from him. Nelly and Henry remained standing behind Donnegan. “I’ll sell my whiskey to you, but there’s more where that came from, and I’d like us to become partners.”

“I get all the whiskey I need by making it myself. This is a one-time offer, so that you’ll leave the area in a peaceable manner,” Donnegan said.

“You’re making it illegally?” Taylor half-heartedly meant it as an inquiry for he knew he was. Without waiting for a response, he said, “You can become more wealthy by peddling mine as well. ‘Tis tiresome going from tavern to tavern. If you’d rather your men do it, so be it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain— that is—above and beyond what you distill.” Taylor acted as if he was instantly struck by some enlightening thought. “Yet, how do I know you won’t sell the whiskey and never pay me a farthing?”

“You have my word.”

Jalene had heard Donnegan say the same when they were in Dublin, when Donnegan was bartering with Taylor to set him free. Taylor had said that Donnegan’s word meant naught to him. How would Taylor answer in this situation without angering Donnegan?

“I’m afraid I’m a bit of a skeptic. Seeing is believing to me. Despite the weariness from traveling from tavern to tavern, any number of owners would love to purchase whiskey from me. I’m beginning to wonder why you should be the middleman at all. I’d make more profits selling directly to the taverns,” Taylor said.

“You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” Donnegan said and gulped down a mouthful of ale.

“I see an opportunity here. Surely you can understand that the ultimate goal is to make a profit,” Taylor reasoned.

Jalene sat quietly listening, periodically elbowing Hug so he would stay awake. Taylor apparently was bound and determined to get Donnegan to invite him into his operation, but in her opinion, Donnegan wasn’t interested. Consequently, Jalene was prompted to add her few pence worth.

“Forgive me for interrupting. I know ‘tis not my place to say.” She ringed her arm with Taylor’s and snuggled up against him as a common whore would do, pressing her bosom into his arm. “Couldn’t we discuss this at your establishment? It seems to me that both of your questions may be more easily answered there. In fact, we don’t even know your names.” She lied and smiled coquettishly at Donnegan, but caught the twitch near Taylor’s temple indicating that he was displeased under his calm exterior.

Nelly, who had been as quiet as Jalene, said, “Let’s stick to first names only. I’m Nelly. This is Cory, and this here is Henry.”

Jalene, in turn, told Nelly her name was Jane, and that Hug was Grandda, but introduced Taylor as himself.

“I agree with you, Jane,” Nelly began. “Nothing seems like it’s going to get accomplished at the moment. Why not invite these people to the distillery where we can have dinner and discuss this in more detail?” From behind Donnegan, she bent over and looped both her arms around Donnegan’s neck.

Donnegan’s facial expression told Jalene that he usually catered to Nelly’s wishes. The change in the man around Nelly was incredible.

Donnegan reached for the woman’s hand, kissed it, and said, “Nelly, sweet Nelly. You’re absolutely right. I’m forgetting my manners.”

Nelly kissed him lightly on the cheek in return and stood back up in place behind him.

“If I might say something, Master Cory,” Henry said without waiting for Donnegan’s reply. “Do you think it wise to reveal our location?”

Donnegan stared at Taylor. “I’m sure you can appreciate the fact that we must keep our operation’s location a secret.”

Dear Lord, Jalene thought. He’s going to change his mind. She was surprised when he next spoke.

“Do you have any objections to riding in my personal carriage? It’s equipped with outside window coverings for occasions like this, and you’ll be accompanied by Henry. Of course, I couldn’t allow any weapons either,” Donnegan added.

“Nay. I’m interested in negotiating. Let me make arrangements for the wench and Grandda, and I will join you.”

“Nay,” Nelly and Jalene both spoke at once. They briefly glanced at each other, smiled, and Nelly continued, “We don’t often have company or another woman for me to converse with. Please, Cory love, encourage him to allow her to come, too.”

“It’s not necessary,” Taylor refused.

“I’d like to go,” Jalene said.

“The wench comes, too,” Donnegan ordered.

“Nay,” Taylor said.

“Then we’ll stay here.”

Taylor glanced from Donnegan to Jalene and back to Donnegan. Apparently, he realized he had only one alternative if he wanted to find Donnegan’s operation, for he at last said, “All right,” and shook Hug, “Grandda, Grandda. We’re going now.” Hug forced his eyes open.

Before Taylor continued, Donnegan stopped him. “Your Grandda will have to stay. I have no patience for the whims and fancies of the elderly.”

Jalene saw that Taylor was about to argue and thought better of it.

“How soon do you want to leave?” Taylor asked.

“Henry will retrieve my carriage and hire another for Nelly and myself. That should take a quarter of an hour. When he returns we’ll go.”

“We’ll be ready. I’ll set up Grandda here for the night.”

“I’ll help you.” Jalene stood and reached for Hug. “Come on, let’s get you to a room and bed.”

“Ach, aye. Sounds wonderful,” Hug said, and paused. “Is everything taken care of?”

“Aye. Not to worry. I’ll explain after we get you upstairs,” Taylor answered as he and Jalene guided Hug. “Which room is unoccupied?” Taylor called to the tavern owner when they reached the stairs.

“All except the first nearest the stairs. Otherwise, take yer pick.”

Taylor waved in acknowledgement.

“Thanks to you both. There’s a bed upstairs with my name on it,” Hug said.

Jalene glanced at Taylor as they headed up the staircase. Was he angry with her for interfering with his orders? “Please don’t be upset with me,” she said.

“The decision was made for us, Jalene. Not by you. Obviously Donnegan grants most all of Nelly’s wishes. I don’t like it. It would have been easier if I had only myself to worry about.”

“I appreciate your concern, but ...”

He stopped at the nearest door and turned towards her. Hug was leaning over his shoulder. “It goes beyond concern, Jalene.” His gaze met hers for a moment and moved to the door which stood ajar. He kicked it open.

Jalene wasn’t quite sure what his expression or words meant, but since he wasn’t angry with her, she let it be.

“Now you rest, Hug,” Jalene said as the three passed inside to the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Hug jerked from their grasp. “Bloody hell, Taylor, what do you mean making arrangements without me?”

Jalene’s jaw dropped open in surprise.

“What else could I do? You heard for yourself that the man wasn’t considering my offer until his Nelly interfered.”

“Was this all an act?” Jalene asked in amazement.

“Part of it,” Hug offered. “I was dozing off a little. I heard everything. I realized it might be a good time to pretend I was sleeping, but I have to tell you I’m not pleased with the results,” he turned toward Taylor who had seated himself on the bed.

“Hug, what you did was perfect. Don’t you see? Donnegan will think you’re fast asleep at this inn when in reality you’ll be following us at a safe distance.”

Hug was about to argue when apparently he realized that Taylor was right. “Of course. I was worried about the two of you going with that man, but now I’ll be close behind. Once I see where he’s taken you, I can get help.”

“Exactly. Send word to Colonel Hume and get additional men.”

Hug nodded at Taylor.

Taylor rose from the bed and grabbed Jalene by the elbow. “Donnegan may be suffering from an injury, but he is by no means helpless.”