Fields of Fire (37 page)

Hug nodded.

“Take Donnegan to Dublin and take the lads home. Have a carriage prepared for Jalene and a driver waiting. Tell him to leave for Knights’ Head if I’m not back in twenty minutes.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to help?” Hug asked.

“Nay. Off with you.” Taylor turned to leave and swung around again. “Check with White Wylie on your way back.”

“I’ll do it. Farewell.”

“Farewell.”

Taylor walked over to one of the dragoons who was in charge of the supplies cart. He retrieved a small cask of gunpowder and balanced it on his shoulder.

Hug waved to Taylor as he reentered the cottage and made his way to the distillation chamber. First, Taylor carried buckets of water from the adjoining chamber and doused the burning coals of the active still, so there would be no uncontrolled sparks. Next, he started near the un-fired stills and marked a trail of gunpowder in and around them leading out through the opposite side of the chamber entryway and stopped.

He raced back to the cask room to retrieve one of the casks with the Blackwater Distillery markings. Despite the evidence against Donnegan, Taylor wanted to include every detail of his illegal activities.

He rolled the whiskey cask forward while he continued to distribute the gunpowder up the path, stopping just before the cottage entryway. He lit the gunpowder and fled as fast as possible with the cask of whiskey over his shoulder.

Once outside, he placed the cask atop the carriage in the storage compartment and quickly climbed inside the coach. The driver whipped the horse to a start and they took off in a trot away from the cottage.

Jalene, breathing evenly, but still shallowly, rested against the seat opposite him. He moved across to her and gathered her in his arms.

Moments after he was settled in place, an explosion rang through the otherwise silent night. Through the window he observed the horizon in the distance over the distillery. The earth erupted, sending yellow, crimson, and white clouds to illuminate the evening sky. It was done. He gave a final glance to the spectacular display and bordering flax fields of fire.

“Don’t leave me, Jalene,” he whispered, caressing her forehead and hair. “Stay with me.”

He thought she was stirring, but when he studied her carefully, he realized it was his imagination. He sat still, as the carriage rolled along at a steady pace, until his cramped legs grew weary. As he rose to reposition Jalene, she murmured, “I love you, Taylor.”

Taylor sat back down and hugged her tightly to him. “Jalene. Thank God.” He released her somewhat to stare into her face.

Despite the darkness, he saw her eyes briefly flutter open and close again. “Where are we?”

“Ach, sweetness, you’ve made me a happy man. How do you feel?”

“Donnegan forced me to take the powder I intended for him. I thought I was doomed to death and would never see you again. I’m so happy to see you, Taylor.”

Taylor frowned. See him? But her eyes had remained closed. She spoke slowly with no direction to her slurred words.

“Where is Donnegan? How ever did you escape him?” She mumbled into the brocade material of his waistcoat as he held her.

“I’ll tell you later. Right now all I want to do is get you back to Knights’ Head where you’ll be safe.”

“I’m safe already.” She cuddled closer to him and dropped off to sleep.

* * * *

The first object Jalene saw when she blinked her eyes open was Taylor’s mother’s bookcase. Next she saw the poetry book she had shelved before they’d left on their masquerade. How did she come to be at Knights’ Head? How long had she been asleep? Questions came to mind as she recalled the time at the cave and Donnegan. She remembered taking the powder, thinking it would put her to sleep permanently, but she could recall nothing more.

She rolled on the bed from her side to her back and noticed that she no longer wore the midnight blue gown or the matching crescent patch. Instead, she was clothed in a white linen dressing gown with eyelet lace trim across the bodice. Had Taylor undressed her, or Biddy? Now that they appeared safe from Donnegan, did Taylor regret confessing his love to her? She pictured his arms around her, his mouth on her mouth, and his hips pressed into her. Both cold and warmth spread down her arms and spine.

A light tap on the door interrupted her daydreaming. “Come in,” she said, and sat up, covering herself with the bed linens.

The door swung open and Tyrone pranced across the bedchamber up onto the bed. His tail was wagging and he was whining in excitement. She reached to give him a hug and smiled at Taylor, who entered after the beagle.

No longer gaudily dressed in the pinkish shirt, copper waistcoat and bright green breeches, he was as striking as ever, casually garbed in a white linen shirt, dark brown breeches that clung to his hips, and polished riding boots.

“I wouldn’t mind a hug myself,” he said, watching her hold Tyrone to her breasts. He sat down on the bed.

She gave him a shy smile, released Tyrone and opened her arms to him. Instantly, she was wrapped in the warmth and strength of his embrace. She sighed with contentment. Dear Lord, she never wanted to leave this man.

Taylor caressed her hair a moment and gave her a firm squeeze. “Thanks, that was good,” he said and smiled, exposing his dimple.

The desperate events over the past days had offered no occasion for her to feel sensual. She reveled in feeling it once more. She smiled back, ignoring the bed linens that had fallen down to her waist.

He stared into her eyes. Concern was clearly etched on his face. “How are you feeling? Still sleepy? A whole day and night has passed since we left the cave,” he said, watching her closely.

“I’m fine, really. I’ve never felt more rested, but I don’t remember anything after I took the powder. What happened? How did you escape?”

Taylor briefly explained how enraged he became when he saw her unconscious. His fury had enabled him to overcome Donnegan. He told her how Hug had arrived with additional men at the cave entrance in time to haul Donnegan, Nelly, and Henry back to Dublin.

As he talked, she absentmindedly scratched Tyrone, who had finally settled down and was sprawled alongside her hip. “What became of Kyle and the other lads?”

“Several dragoons took the lads back to their families with orders to ensure that a doctor visits regularly until they’re well. Donnegan vowed that their condition was temporary, but time will be the judge whether or not the man spoke truthfully. As for Kyle, he never recognized me, nor Paddy and Isabelle. It broke their hearts to see him behave in this manner, but it also relieved their worst fears that he’d been lost forever. At least now there’s hope, and we’ll do all we can to see him return to good health.”

“It’s all so sad,” she said, staring at Tyrone.

“Aye, but we must think on the bright side,” he said as Biddy burst through the door carrying a tray of food and a short crystal vase filled with a few tea roses. Tyrone leaped to his feet, anticipating part of the meal.

“Get away, you rascal,” Biddy lovingly scolded the beagle. “This is not for the likes of you.” Taylor moved so Biddy could set the tray on Jalene’s lap. Then he sat back down beside her.

“I’m so glad to see you awake and safely home.” Biddy squinted at Jalene. “The black hair color held up well with that ointment.”

Jalene smiled. Biddy was sweet to consider that she was part of Knights’ Head, though she truly wasn’t. “I’m glad to be here, Biddy. Don’t get too attached to this color. I think I like my own sandy color better.”

Biddy put her hands on her hips. “My dear you could wear a milk pail on your head and still be pretty.”

Jalene laughed, and Biddy turned to leave. “Oh, Biddy,” she called to her. “Have I received any messages from White Wylie? He said he would leave word if he heard anything about Wil.”

Biddy walked over to the foot of the bed, but Taylor spoke before she had a chance.

“Hug is planning to check in at White Wylie’s on his return from Dublin,” Taylor informed her. “I’m sure if he’s heard anything, he’ll pass the word along. Keep in mind, he may be detained at the King’s Arms.” He winked at her.

She smiled and allowed herself to blush, recalling her behavior the time she visited the King’s Arms.

Biddy spoke up. “If someone would quit jawing and give me a minute.” She directed her tone towards Taylor before she reached behind her apron, into the pocket of her cotton skirt, and pulled out a letter. “It came from London only yesterday.” She handed it to Jalene.

Jalene hesitantly reached for it. Her heart was pounding. It was definitely Wil’s handwriting. Did she want to hear what he had to say? What if he revealed something far more horrible than what she already knew?

“I’ll leave ye be now,” Biddy said, and left the room.

“Aye.” Taylor stood to do the same.

“Nay. Don’t go,” she tugged on his arm almost knocking the tray off her lap while forcing him to sit back in place. “We’ll read it together.”

“You don’t have to do this, Jalene.”

“Please. I want you here.” She tore the seal on the letter and stopped instantly. “You were right about James. He was involved in smuggling,” she said sadly. “But he was being blackmailed. You heard Donnegan say he threatened to kill Margaret and the twins if James hadn’t cooperated.” She sighed. “He killed James anyway.”

“I know,” Taylor said. “’Tis over, Jalene. I would have done the same as James did if my family’s lives had been at stake.”

“You would have?”

“Aye. Now, let’s read the letter.”

Dear Lord, how she loved the man. She smiled up at him and opened the missive. A worn piece of paper fell from inside. She studied it a moment and handed it to Taylor. She began reading.

My Dearest Jalene,

Forgive me for what could only appear to be the motivation of a coward. When I realized death— our friend Donnegan—was knocking on my door, I had only one choice and that was to flee. It was not a heroic action on my part, but Mr. Wylie assured me you would be under the best of care and protection with Captain Traynor.

My only hope for your forgiveness is to understand that I was truly watching out for your best interests. The enclosed map is the evidence I wished to share with you before this entire episode got out of hand.

One day, while I was tending to business with one of the shipping companies along the quay in Dublin, I had a short wait for the gentleman I needed to see. As I gazed out the window, I had a clear vision of the wharf, and who should appear, but James. He met briefly with some gruff scrubby who handed him a book. James took it, and they both walked off in opposite directions. This scene certainly held my interest, but what prompted me to take action was when a slip of paper fell from the book. James didn’t notice.

I raced out the door and quickly grabbed the fallen sheet. This same seedy character, who had just handed James the book, happened to turn about and hurry towards me. (I think back now, and an accomplice from across the street must have pointed out to him the map on the ground.) If it hadn’t been for several of my peers passing by at the same time, I fear this undesirable would have ripped the paper from my hands and next attacked my throat as well. Fortunately, I managed to escape through the shipping office and depart undetected.

I didn’t truly study the paper until I got home that night. That is when I realized it was a map and that James was involved in smuggling. If you look on the map you’ll see various locations with dates as to when each of the illegal shipments was to take place. All areas were on the northwest coast and marked with the initials BW next to them along with the number of casks. Knowing all your shipments were sent directly to Dublin first and fanned out to establishments on the eastern coast and across the Irish Sea, I knew he was involved in something illegal. I figured since the ruffians on the quay didn’t know me, it was safe to pass this information along to you. Unfortunately, these men worked for Donnegan and would stop at nothing to find me. They finally tracked me to Belleek. Little did I know that Donnegan was searching for you, too. No thanks to me. Had I not asked you to meet me in Dublin, you wouldn’t have needed Captain Traynor’s protection. It was in Belleek that I realized Donnegan was in partnership with James. I send you this letter to plead for forgiveness, but also to leave the map in your hands to do with as you will. I may not have been chums with James, but I never wanted it to end this way for him.

You’re in my thoughts constantly, Jalene. You can obtain my exact whereabouts from my solicitor on Grafton Street in Dublin. Please find it in your heart to reply. If not, at least send word that you are well.

As always, I remain faithfully yours,

Wil

She pursed her lips and stared into Taylor’s handsome face. His expression was sympathetic.

“What will you do with the map, Jalene?” Taylor folded it and handed it back to her.

“As you said, it’s over. I know in my heart James was an honorable man. We’ve proved that, with Donnegan’s capture. I’ll write to Wil and tell him what has happened. The map is yours to use as additional evidence against them.” She handed it back to him.

He kissed her forehead and said, “That won’t be necessary, but I’ll get rid of it just the same.” He tucked it away in his boot and stood. “Eat your breakfast.” He lifted the lid that kept the plate warm. “I asked Biddy to go lightly. Hence, the small mashed potato omelet. You haven’t eaten in almost two days. I don’t want you to get ill from eating too much too soon. Quinn will bring in a bath for you. Afterwards, come downstairs. I have two surprises for you.”

“What are they?”

“Let’s go, Tyrone.”

The beagle instantly came to his heels, yet appeared regretful that he’d not received the tiniest morsel to eat, despite his perfect pose as beggar the entire time.

“Tell me the surprise now,” she urged.

“You’ll see. Remember, the longer it takes you to ready yourself, the longer it will be until you know.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and closed the door behind him.

Chapter 25