Fortune's Flames (32 page)

“What product do you seek, Mademoiselle James?” Antoine asked, aware she had given the beginning of the correct code, but he was being cautious because this deed was dangerous and involved high stakes.

Maren prayed that Peter Thomas’s clues were the right ones. “I have heard of a special soap which is blended and sold only here, Monsieur Gallier. I believe it is called Maiden Fair. Do you have it?”

Antoine smiled and nodded. “It is crated and ready to be shipped. Have you brought men to help you transport it to your ship?”

“We have five waiting outside. Is that sufficient?” she inquired.

Antoine became serious. “Is your crew totally loyal, mademoiselle?”

“Each one was selected by Captain Hawk for this vital task.”

Gallier eased into English so Jared could join the
conversation. “I will have the crates loaded onto wagons, and your men can deliver them to your ship. My drivers will go along to return the wagons. Would you care to inspect your purchase?”

Jared smiled and shook his head. “It won’t be necessary. We know how important this shipment is to both sides. As we speak, the British are attacking Washington and other major ports. We need to sail immediately so we can trade the soap for supplies and deliver them.”

“Sacrebleu!”
the slender Frenchman cursed. “These British dogs dare much, Capitaine Hawk. But together we will defeat them.”

“That’s a promise, Monsieur Gallier.” Jared lied out of necessity.

The three chatted about their wars with Britain while the loading was being done, and when Kip returned to the office and said everything was ready, Jared shook hands with Antoine Gallier and thanked him.

Maren removed the exquisite necklace and held it out to their contact. As she did so, Antoine grasped her hand and curled her fingers over it. “Keep it to wear around your beautiful throat, Mademoiselle James,” he said. “I am sure its past owner would agree that a heroine as ravishing as you must be rewarded. I have also sent along a crate of my very best soap for your use.”

Maren smiled radiantly and thanked him, but she kept the necklace only because she knew its sale would buy more supplies for her people.

The Americans then hurriedly returned to the ship and prepared to sail with the late tide. The gold was uncrated and concealed beneath the inner planking of the orlop deck, its weight distributed evenly to allow for the ship’s smooth handling. The crates were stored elsewhere for later use.

As the moon climbed higher, the
Sea Mist
sailed through the Mediterranean toward the Strait of Gibraltar. Jared was eager to get back into the Atlantic Ocean where he could maneuver his ship better in case of trouble. He knew the additional weight she carried would slow his progress, and he could not allow the British, or any pirate or privateer, to take it from him. He had to remain on alert, ready to flee if peril approached.

Until he was certain the British had attacked Washington, he would sail in that direction. If his foes were in that area and he used a British flag, perhaps with cunning and boldness he could slip past the blockade and get the gold to land. After that, he would put Maren ashore in Savannah and then go after his foes.

The next week, on Saturday, Eric James arrived in Marseilles to make an infuriating discovery. He told the irate Gallier that the woman with Captain Hawk was not his cousin. He said she was a British spy who had stolen the necklace from Maren and had then hired Captain Hawk, who was now working for his own profit, to assist her in the clever theft. He swore
to the man he could overtake them and would get back the gold.

“Make certain his treachery is exposed to your President and he is hanged,” Antoine Gallier insisted.

“Do not worry, Monsieur Gallier, I will slay them myself,” Eric vowed, and as soon as the tide permitted, he sailed in pursuit, assuming Jared would head first for Savannah to make certain of his wife’s safety.

The
Sea Mist’s
luck was challenged on September the seventh. “She keeps coming, Jared,” Kip informed his captain as he eyed the ship behind them. “She may only be heading in the same direction we are, but she’s steadily closing the distance between us.”

“As soon as you can make out her flag, hoist a matching one.” Jared turned to Davy Douglas, his steersman, and ordered, “Give her a southward head, Davy. Let’s see if our pursuer changes course too.”

She did, and two hours later the ship was still gaining on them. Jared ordered, “Davy, give me a quarter turn to starboard.” He shouted to his crew to “press more canvas.”

“Wind be backing us, Cap’n,” Harry Epps shouted as the sails were filled to capacity by nature’s energy.

For a while, the
Sea Mist
increased the space between the two ships, until the one in pursuit also turned the helm to starboard and trailed them again.

“Simon, Harry, get the guns primed and the crew alert. I think she wants to tangle with us. We’ll try to outrun her. If we can’t, we’ll turn and fight.”

“She’s sleek and swift, Jared,” Kip remarked worriedly.

“Can you make out her firepower?” Jared inquired.

Kip stared into the eyeglass and replied, “About the same as us. Damnation,” he swore suddenly. “She’s pulled an old trick, Jared; there’s another ship in her shadow. They’re spreading now to overtake us from both sides. With this weight, we’ll never…” Kip quieted, as there was no need to further outline their plight.

Both men frowned simultaneously. “Get the crew ready, Kip. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Kip knew Jared was going below to speak with his wife, and he began to pass along orders to prepare for battle.

Jared entered the cabin and approached Maren, who was repairing some of his garments. She knew from his expression that there was trouble, and she waited tensely for his explanation.

He gave it hastily because the attackers were swiftly overtaking them; then he embraced her and said, “Whatever you hear or see, stay in the cabin, love. I’ll try to get us out of this.”

Maren regretted that he had to be concerned for her at a time such as this, and she did not waste precious
preparation time by asking questions. She tried to relax him. “Don’t worry about Captain Hawk’s wench. I know you’ll do your best to save us. I love you.”

The two ships dogged them until the next morning. But that day the sun did not appear. Dark clouds were piled above them, the winds blew with a mighty force, and turbulent waves beat against the ship’s hull. As the swells rapidly grew in height and power, the ship was carried with them. Up and down and side to side she rolled, until Maren feared she was going to be sick.

The crew had taken turns catching naps, but Jared had slept little. The ship, the crew, his wife, and the cargo were his responsibilities. He could not bear the thought of those aboard falling into enemy hands, so he kept his eyes on the storm and on his persistent foes. He didn’t know which menace he’d rather battle.

But the choice wasn’t his. With terrible violence, the squall broke before noon. “Batten down!” The command was shouted at the last minute, for the battle with the two ships could not take place in the storm.

For the remainder of the day, all three ships were at the mercy of the elements. They were tossed to and fro like tiny toys. Jared had ridden out many storms, but this was one of the worst he’d seen. The crew worked diligently and desperately to save the ship and their lives.

When the storm finally broke, no enemy ship was
in sight. No doubt the tempest had driven the vessels in different directions. Until darkness fell, the crew continued to labor beneath lessening winds and pouring rain. Loosened cargo and equipment were secured and repaired, as were breaks in the railings. Sails were checked and mended. Broken rigging was replaced. Decks were scrubbed with freshly fallen water, and companionways were mopped. Men were checked for injuries, and those needing care were tended.

Jared, who worked with his men, was delighted to find no major damage to the masts. Patrick “Patty” Brennan shifted between cooking and doctoring, and, in rotation, the men took breaks for quick meals. Harry Epps and Simon Carter cleaned, checked, and readied the guns, and when most of the work was completed and night provided some cover, the crew took turns catching some sleep and finishing the chores. Lookouts were posted on all sides of the ship to watch for attackers, or to spot a ship adrift.

When Jared was relieved by Kip, he went below. Maren was lying on the bed, fully clothed. Her pale face and faint smile said she had weathered the turbulent storm, but not without problems. She was sipping the hot tea which Jacob Tarver had brought to the cabin.

Jared sat down carefully beside her. He eyed her from head to foot; then his gaze locked with hers. “How are you doing, love?” he asked tenderly, stroking her cheek.

“Fine now, Captain Hawk, but you have taken me on a tempestuous trip,” she jested. She set the cup aside, then nestled into his arms. She always felt so loved, so protected in his strong embrace.

“When I came down earlier to change into dry clothes, you were asleep so I didn’t disturb you.” As he stretched out on the bed and drew her into his comforting embrace, he sighed wearily, allowing his tension to subside and his fatigue to take command of him.

Maren knew he was exhausted. It was very late, and he had been under an enormous strain for the past two days. She lay quietly in his arms, and when she realized he was asleep, she gazed into his compelling face, thankful that they were all alive and still free. She started to rise to put out the lantern, but feared awakening him. Placing her arm across his chest, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

A few days later, in New York, Plattsburgh was viciously attacked by the British, who were resoundingly defeated in what would be called one of the greatest battles during the War of 1812. The American fleet, under Commodore Thomas Mac-Donough, sent the British fleeing into Canada after achieving a decisive victory over them. But British warships had left Halifax and had landed forces in Maine at Eastport, Machias, Castine, and Bangor. A large part of the Maine coast was now occupied.

On September fourteenth, with Washington in
partial ruins, the British Army laid siege on Baltimore. Defended by Fort McHenry and numerous American patriots, that city repulsed the invading force, and it was during this battle that Francis Scott Key, a prisoner on a British warship, wrote what was to become the national anthem of the United States.

During the preceding summer, most of the fighting had taken place on the Great Lakes and along the eastern seacoast. Then it was learned that the British were attempting to lure the New England states back into the empire, and some disgruntled or greedy Americans were favorable to the idea. Indeed, Massachusetts was soon to call for a convention to be held in Connecticut to vote on secession.

And that fall, American frigates were dispatched to major cities to defend them against the British strategy Barton Hughes had revealed to Jared and Maren.

The
Sea Mist
was only a few days off the eastern coast when she made contact with another American ship, an extremely fast and agile sloop of war which was stoutly built and heavily armed. As the vessels rode side by side in the tranquil water, Jared went aboard to gather news. The naval vessel had recently visited several ports, and the commodore was well informed on the progress of the war, so Jared learned what had occurred since he’d been in Washington in June.

After explaining his self-appointed mission to France, Jared decided it was best to turn half of the gold over to the naval officer. He had some of his crew recrate it and transfer it aboard the warship. That way, if anything happened to the
Sea Mist,
not all of the gold would be lost. The commodore was delighted by Jared’s victory and his trust. He vowed to use the gold to obtain supplies for their country, and to do that with dispatch.

Since Jared could not get to Washington, the sloop’s commander suggested he unload the remaining gold at Charleston, where several naval ships were docked. Then, after taking his wife to Savannah, Jared could rejoin the American forces as a privateer gathering supplies.

In less than a week, the
Sea Mist
had put into Charleston, had sailed, and had dropped anchor at Savannah. Although a few ships had been sighted en route, none had approached them. As quickly as possible, supplies were purchased and loaded, and the ship was readied to sail at dawn the next day.

Maren’s packing was done when Jared came for her. He drew her to him and rested his cheek atop her head. “I hate to leave you, love, but we must defeat those Brits. I’ll take you to Shady Rest and get you settled, but I can’t spend the night with you. I must be back on the ship before midnight in case the weather changes and we’re forced to sail early.”

He lifted her chin and gazed into her sad eyes. “I think it’s best to let everyone there know you’re Mrs. Jared Morgan. That will make it easier for you to
deal with Willa. You will stand up to her, won’t you?”

Maren was too concerned about her husband’s departure to concentrate on Willa Barns Morgan. “I’ll try to keep peace until your return, but I’ll remember what you told me about her. Please be careful, Jared.”

“I will, love. Let’s go meet a she-devil,” he said with a scowl.

Maren was impressed by her first view of Shady Rest Plantation, and she realized that it deserved its name. The main house, slave quarters, blacksmith shed, smokehouses, gardens, stockyards, fowl pens, stables, and barns were all shaded by moss-draped live oaks, elegant magnolias, sweeping willows, and a variety of other trees. A narrow road led straight to the main house which was spanned by porches that ran the entire length of the first and second floors. These were supported by many Grecian-style columns. The mansion was painted white with green trim and was in excellent condition. Areas were fenced off, and the grounds were enlivened by flowering bushes. Near one barn stood a huge stack of firewood and several chopping blocks, and in the distance were fruit trees and several small ponds.

After leaving the main road, they had ridden for several miles, flanked on both sides by cotton fields which stretched nearly as far as the eye could see. Clearly this sprawling plantation was self-sufficient
and well managed. Even without cotton and rice exports, it could survive many years of war. Maren now understood why Willa Barns Morgan refused to leave this Georgian paradise.