Riverbreeze: Part 3 (24 page)

“Mary land? What was he doing there?” Robert asked, exchanging a surprised look with Jamie. Jamie just shrugged his shoulders, then took another bite of ham.

Roger had his hands wrapped around his tankard. He flipped one over in a gesture of possible disbelief. “He said his estate had been invaded by Roundheads—“

“Shit.” Robert swore under his breath. He exchanged a defeated look with Jamie.

“You know what that means.” Jamie said.

“Yes, that he lost the estate and can’t go back now.”

Roger continued, “He said he left England as fast as he could on a ship headed for Virginia, but it was blown off course and they landed in Mary land. There he met someone else in St. Mary’s City who had a similar interest in traveling to Virginia so they came together. He didn’t say what his business was though.”

“And just like that, you invited him to your party!” Robert said angrily. “Why didn’t his companion come?”

Roger glared back. “I was trying to be nice. The poor man had just lost everything.”

“The poor man!” Robert suddenly stood up, exclaiming scornfully. “What about us?” Robert waved his hand at Jamie and himself. “
We
were the ones who lost everything! And you know what that bastard did? He left a strangled crow on our doorstep last night! The poor man.” He scoffed.

“Rob, sit down.” Jamie said tiredly. Now that he had a full belly and was warmed by the fire, he started to feel lethargic and his eyelids drooped.

Roger’s mouth had dropped open. “A strangled crow?” He gasped. “Is everyone all right?”

“Yes.” Robert said grudgingly. He sat down again, picking at his corn bread. He noticed Jamie across from him having a hard time staying awake. He decided not to say anything. If he fell asleep at the table, Robert would go to Jamestown without him.

“I am so sorry, Rob, Jamie. I had no idea inviting him would cause so much trouble.”

Robert shook his head and lowered his voice. “No, Rog, you are not to blame. I’m sorry we ruined your party last night. How did it go after we left?” He looked at Roger, nodded his head in the direction of Jamie to get Roger to look at him. Jamie had actually put his head down on the table and fallen asleep.

Roger smiled and whispered, “Rough night?”

“Yes.” Robert whispered, looking affectionately at his brother. “He stayed up all night guarding the animals.”

Roger nodded, then he continued, still in a whisper, “To answer your question, he left shortly after you did, but everyone else stayed for dancing afterwards.” Roger added with a slightly guilty look.

Robert reached out to pat his shoulder. “’Tis all right. I wish we could have stayed. The twins were so looking forward to that dancing.” He let out a big sigh. “Well, I think I better get going. Do you mind letting Jamie stay here until he wakes?”

“Do you think you should go alone?”

Robert nodded his head. “I’ll be fine.” Then he smiled suddenly. “I’m bigger than Wesley now. He doesn’t frighten me anymore.” He added, even though he had been scared last night and this morning. But saying that out loud had boosted his confidence. He was bigger than Wesley! He wasn’t a child anymore. He was a grown man who had survived and done well for himself. He was strong and healthy and he was a good fighter. Maybe that wasn’t something to be proud of, but it came in handy!

“Good.” Roger said, giving Robert a pat on his shoulder now.

Together they quietly left the kitchen, leaving Jamie slumped over the table. At the front door, Roger grabbed Robert’s hand. “Take care, Rob. I wish you luck. Hell, I wish I could go with you and help you confront Wesley! But I know you need to do this yourself.”

Robert squeezed Roger’s hand. “Thank you. And thank you for breakfast and for allowing Jamie to stay. When he wakes up, send him home. There’s no need for him to come after me.”

Roger nodded. “I agree. God be with you.”

“Good bye, Roger.” Robert said, grabbed his hat and stepped out the front door.

* * *

Robert rode into Jamestown by way of the road over the isthmus that connected the island to the mainland. The landscape was bleak this time of year, everything brown and dead, the oak trees bare, the fields barren. It hadn’t been a ride for sightseeing, just a time to urge his horse on so he could settle this issue with his brother. Unfortunately, the journey had taken him longer than he had first expected because he had had to wait for the ferry in order to cross the Chickahominy River. Perhaps traveling by horse hadn’t been the best way to go, but it was too late now to worry about that, and if he and Jamie had traveled by boat, he would have stranded Jamie at Roger’s place.

Normally Robert didn’t have much cause to go to Jamestown. Jamestown was mostly a place for transients, new settlers on their way to their plantations, sea captains and their crews, traders coming from ships or from inland Virginia, indentured servants brought in to be sold, and felons in jail. Of course there were some permanent residents although very few in the original fort of Jamestown. Most lived in an area called New Town, surveyed and laid out in 1622 by Surveyor-general William Claiborne. Now there were brick townhouses along the river road and many others along Back Road, including a brick house that had been built by Secretary Richard Kemp, but now belonged to Governor Berkeley. There were several new stores and taverns, and tradesmen like coopers, bricklayers, brewers, carpenters, smiths and shipwrights worked hard to make a decent living. It still wasn’t much like a village in England, but it continued to grow, little by little.

Robert arrived just before church services and the town center was alive with people. He was quite noticeable on his handsome horse and people pointed and waved. He recognized several of them and waved back. It had been over a year since he had been to Jamestown, but only two months or so since seeing them at Tyler’s party.

After receiving directions from a random person he rode to Crawshay’s Ordinary. He dismounted and stood for a few minutes, watching everyone head to church.

He had fond memories of this church. Built of brick around four years ago, he and Kathleen would sit at the back, away from their family so they could steal glances at each other and exchange silly little smiles when no one was watching. How innocent they had been, never imagining how their lives would turn out, never imagining that Kathleen would die so young. He shook his head to clear it.

Unexpectedly Samuel Mathews approached him. He was dressed in his Sunday best. Under a short black wool cape he wore a rich buttercup-yellow doublet and breeches made from satin and quilted in a pattern of flowers and leaves. Robert thought he looked quite out of place for this cold January day, but cheery nevertheless. Mathews clasped Robert’s hand, looking puzzled. “Robert, how are you? Are you coming to our church this morning?”

“No, Sam, I’m not.” Robert answered. He then greeted Mathew’s son who had followed his father and now stood beside him. He wasn’t as fancy as his father but respectable nevertheless. “I’m looking for someone as a matter of fact.”

“Maybe we can help.” He offered magnanimously, placing an arm over his son’s shoulders. “Who are you looking for?”

“My brother…” Robert decided to be honest. “My half-brother, Wesley Bassett.”

Mathew’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought he lived in England. Has he come to Virginia?”

“Unfortunately, yes. He’s been calling himself Halcock. He’s got a large scar down his cheek. Have you heard anything about him?”

“No, I’m sorry I haven’t seen him. I think I would remember someone with a scar or that name.” He turned to his son. “Have you heard any news about any newcomers?”

Samuel Jr. just shook his head. “No, sir.”

“I’m sorry, Robert.” Mathews said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t help you.”

“Thank you, Sam. I’m going to ask at the ordinary. He was seen last there.”

“Good luck.”

And Mathews and his son hurried back to the church to join his wife.

Robert entered the tavern, hoping this wouldn’t be a waste of time. If Mathews hadn’t seen him around Jamestown, maybe Wesley wasn’t staying here.

As soon as he stepped through the door into the dim room of the tavern lit only by the fire and two small windows, the proprietor, a large woman with an ample bosom, exclaimed in a friendly way, “Ah, another sinner! Welcome, stranger. I am Mistress Crawshay. What can I get you this fine Sunday morning? Ale? Cider? Bread and cheese? The cheese is freshly arrived and direct from Cheddar!”

Robert was nearly put off by this exuberant woman. He estimated she was in her early thirties and she was quite plump with a florid complexion. Her clothes were grubby, her course apron frayed and stained and her mobcap dingy, but her blue eyes were merry and her smile was genuine, even though it revealed several missing teeth. He wondered if she were the sole proprietor of this tavern. Perhaps her husband was elsewhere at the moment. It didn’t matter to him; he wouldn’t be here that long anyway. He came here to get information.

He decided he wouldn’t refuse the bread and cheese despite her appearance. He hadn’t had cheese from Cheddar in quite awhile and it might be good. It might also be bad, but he didn’t want to antagonize this woman and the other three patrons in the room, no matter how disreputable they looked. And even if he didn’t eat it he could always bring it home to enjoy later. “All right.” He said, putting on a polite smile. So far he was not impressed with this place. “I will have some of that cheese and a cup of ale, please.” He moved deeper into the room, choosing a table close to the large fireplace. He took off his hat and gloves and laid them on the table off to one side.

“Excellent. I’ll be right back.” The woman said happily, then disappeared through the back door.

He nodded to the three other men in the room and they raised their tankards in greeting. All three were dressed in course linen smocks and he assumed they were sailors from one of the trading ships stopped at Jamestown. They might know about Wesley, but he decided he would wait until he was eating to ask his questions. The men went back to talking amongst themselves.

As he waited for his food, he looked around, noticing how crudely the tavern had been built. Even thought it was fairly new, there were cracks between the clapboards and only two small windows, quite dirty now. Six square scratched-up tables, each surrounded with four stools, filled the room. The wood plank floor was scarred-up, but recently swept. There weren’t any decorations on the walls other than a few sconces. In one back corner was a staircase which led to the second floor, that room was most likely where guests stayed overnight.

The woman returned in short order, quite light on her feet, carrying a tankard in one hand and a wooden trencher with the bread and cheese in the other. “There you are, lovey.” She said, setting them down on the table in front of Robert. Actually the bread and cheese didn’t look too bad. Quite fresh, in fact. He was looking forward to trying it. But the woman moved closer to his side and put her hands on his shoulder and arm in a most familiar way. She maneuvered her bosom a little closer to his face. “Gracious!” She said, kneading his shoulder, “Aren’t you a strong and ‘andsome lad?” She bent down and sniffed his hair. “And ‘e doesn’t smell that bad either!” She exclaimed to the three sailors, then cackled like an old hen.

Robert wanted to gag. He may not have smelled that bad, but she certainly did. He was sure her fetid breath and malodorous body odor could knock over anyone from twenty feet away. Averting his face, he started breathing through his mouth.

“Why are you here, stranger?” One of the sailors asked, rescuing Robert from having to delicately extricate himself from the woman’s pawing hands. He hadn’t expected to have to deal with a flirtatious wagtail.

“Yes, lovey, are you new to Jamestown? I ‘aven’t seen you before.” She said, moving to sit down at Robert’s table. She leaned forward, clearly displaying her prodigious breasts. She even batted her eyelashes at him.

Robert swallowed hard. Thank heavens she had moved away. But now it was hard for him to keep his eyes off of her chest. Those things could smother a man!

“I’m Robert Bassett.” He said. “I live up the river…”

“Ah, a man of property.” She said, approving. “Go on.”

He cleared his throat and took a sip of ale. He was surprised at how good it was. “Very good, mistress.” He said, saluting her with the tankard.

She nodded her head in thanks.

“Anyway, I’m looking for a man.” He noticed the three sailors give each other looks. He knew most men didn’t like to give up information about other men. And the proprietor wouldn’t so easily give up information about her customers.

This didn’t deter him though. Robert continued, “I was told he was seen in this establishment three days ago. I was wondering if he’s staying here. He goes by the name of Halcock and he has a scar on his cheek.”

The woman cackled again. “’alcock!” Her voice got quite low and throaty then as she continued, “I think I would remember a man named ‘alcock.” The way she pronounced the name it came out sounding like “all cock”.

“Susan, you wound me!” One of the sailors said dramatically. He had a face like a bull dog, all flat and hard.

Susan threw him a kiss. “Forgive me, dearie, but your name is Little!” She said mockingly. His two companions roared with laughter.