The Bastard Son (Winds of Change Book 2) (24 page)

“The matter was a misunderstanding,” General Durham interrupted. “You were under the wrong impression if you thought you were under arrest for your husband’s views.”

Jane’s eyes alit with rage. She stood, gripping hold of the table. “I was mistaken, General? Tell me how I will be received now? Please clarify for me! I am only a simpleton!”

“In war, Mrs. Meador, decisions have to be made. Not all are pleasant…most aren’t. Your arrest was an attempt to get your husband to turn himself in. No more.”

Colonel Leckie placed his hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It wasn’t my intention. I wanted you to be aware of Katy’s presence.”

She wouldn’t be swayed from her attention on the general. “So, what you are telling me is that I was only a pawn! To be simply discarded if he didn’t make his appearance. Don’t pretend to me that you didn’t have intention to hang my person! Joseph wouldn’t have reacted in the manner he did if he thought otherwise. You have his blood on your hands, General.”

“It is evident you have no knowledge—”

“No? The knowledge I have is that I suffered under your orders. I am confused to what I had done to deserve such punishment. Do you know what I think? I think it is because in your eyes I defied you. You have no heart. What happened to it? When did you lose it?”

“Jane, why don’t you go—” Molly tried to direct her away from the table. Colonel Leckie, also, stood, but she pushed him back. She wasn’t finished.

“No, he needs to understand the ramifications of his decisions,” she turned to Durham. “It is the British attitude, General, that will destroy any chance you have of winning this war. In this I know, for my grandfather would have stayed a loyal servant to the King. You rode into the South hoping to upsurge such loyalty, but instead you squelched any chance you had.”

“You blame England for the barbarian acts you Carolinians have enacted upon yourselves?” He laughed. “You feel no responsibility for any of them?”

“In that, you allowed such acts to continue…yes! Your troops themselves have done unspeakable acts without any respect for the people or the land! I heard that one of your most honored—the devil himself, Tarleton—dug up the grave of a Patriot and made his family look upon it and then preceded to burn down their home. The man had been dead for six weeks!”

“I can counter with as many examples of Rebel atrocities. This is a pointless conversation, Mistress Meador.” General Durham stood. “All has been arranged. It may be to my advantage if you discuss this thoroughly with your husband. We will depart soon.”

The man in front of her had intimidated her in the past, frightened her beyond reason, but not this day. “Dismiss me, General. It changes nothing. Your arrogant attitude spells your defeat, not mine.”

She breathed out heavily. Jane had exerted more energy than she knew she had. She couldn’t abide being in the same room. Suddenly, a hand gripped upon her arm gently. Jane turned, but it wasn’t Molly who had hold of her.

Looking down on her with the semblance of a smile, Sumner pulled her to his side. “I am ready, General. We will wait outside.”

Sumner ushered her out the door without another word. The weather was cool, but the moon hung high and full in the sky. Jane caught a glimpse of the last of the Rebel militia riding out of sight.

She didn’t dare look at Sumner. What had she done? Would he be upset with her outburst? Had she harmed his intention?

“I hope you don’t mind, but we don’t have a carriage. You will ride with me. I don’t want you riding by yourself,” he said and turned her to face him. “We will say our goodbyes to Hugh and Molly in a moment.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Know well, Mistress Meador, I love you greatly.”

The ride had been long and most trying upon General Durham’s patience. Sumner insisted on taking the ride at a slow gingerly pace for Jane’s sake. He told the General to continue on and he would follow soon enough, but the General insisted they return together.

General Durham had given Sumner a reprieve. In return, Sumner promised to help Durham settle the dreadful business with William Peyton. Durham, though, had every intention to contain Sumner’s presence while in Charles Town.

Every instinct in Sumner screamed to be wary of the man, but Durham had given his word. Sumner would hold to it for he himself wanted this settled. His own honor was at stake and revenge against William Peyton.

Peyton had been arrested. Sumner was certain that Randa would soon distance herself from her husband. Still, Durham wanted more information…information that only Peyton could supply. Durham wanted a man connected to
The Prolusion
affair, a man known as Georgie Boy.

For Molly and Hugh, Sumner would be eternally grateful. Upon their departure, Sumner had promised Molly he would try to see if he could move her into Elm Bluff as housekeeper. Jane’s face lit up on the suggestion. It was one of the many issues he would deal with in the few days he had, but his main concern lay within his arms—convincing Jane she had to leave.

Molly had cautioned Sumner. “She is trying desperately to be what you want her to be, but she will break down. I hope only she does so while you are there. She’s afraid about the babe.”

“I care only about her. If she loses it, we can—”

“But she does, Sumner. She has lost everything but you and your son,” Molly said gently. “Jane has within her the force to survive as long as she knows you are there in the end. She has Caleb whom she loves dearly. Let her know everything you feel before you leave. It will give her strength.”

He reined in his horse and smiled. Elm Bluff faced him. He nudged Jane. Her eyes opened and she beamed at him. No matter if it was only for a few days, it was good to be home.

* * * *

The sun set over the horizon. On the veranda, Sumner stood admiring the sight. His heart swelled as he watched his son ran rampant around the garden playing with Roscoe. Mary would have been so proud of her boy.

Sumner had hidden Caleb up the river at the Samson’s farm. He had known the family since his youth. Caleb blended in well with Samson’s twelve young ones. Israel stayed with Caleb and Roscoe.

Jane told him that Caleb talked continually about his father. She said that in Caleb’s eyes none could compare to him, but when Sumner was with his son, it was the reverse. When he rode into the farm with Colonel Leckie, Caleb was the first to greet them, despite Israel running behind him urging caution.

“Is Mother home?” Caleb asked, before Sumner could dismount. No sooner had Sumner nodded, than Caleb said, “I want to go home.”

Jane stood at the entrance on their return. Sumner grimaced. Had he not given her specific instructions to go to bed? Riding closer, he recognized she had taken pains with her appearance, having bathed and changed. She had never looked so beautiful.

Caleb squirmed impatiently and wiggled down as soon as the horse halted. He ran into Jane’s waiting arms. The need quickly satisfied as soon as he had wrapped his arms around her and made certain she was whole. Jane kissed him and hugged him tightly. Shortly, he ran off, content everything was as it was supposed to be.

“I thought I told you to stay in bed until the doctor or midwife can see to you,” Sumner reprimanded her lightly. “Do I have to put you into bed myself?”

Flushed, a lovely smile emerged. “I didn’t want Caleb to be concerned.”

“Come, and I will walk you up.”

“Can I not stay down for a moment? Katy has prepared refreshments. I don’t want to offend,” Jane said softly. Sumner watched her. Her hand unconsciously went to her stomach. She leaned over to him. “I believe she wants to talk with you. She seems greatly troubled and with everything Careen has told me in the short time I have returned, I can tell you I am worried.

“I promise I will retire afterwards. I feel better…I do. I have become quite selfish and want to spend as much time with you as possible.”

“I will not argue with you on that.” His hand gently caressed her face. “Your color does seem to have improved.”

“I had the most delightful bath,” she said. “I feel clean again. I never thought I would.”

“It would do me good to have one as well,” he said, relenting. He wrapped his arm about her waist. “Come, let us make this quick. Where has Caleb run off to?”

“I’m certain Roscoe went to see his mother. After that, I’m afraid to guess,” she confessed. “But Careen won’t let them out of her sight.”

Sumner stepped into the drawing room with Jane by his side. The room had changed and not much to his liking. There was little he could do about it until after the war…confident that it would be his.

Katy seemed uncomfortable…withdrawn, not at all the Katy he remembered. She met his gaze with a slight smile, but it altered to a frown when Colonel Leckie walked into the room. Nor did it change when he sat next to her.

“I can’t tell you, Sumner, the relief I felt upon the news that you both were safe. Reluctantly, I will have to admit I had feared the worst,” Katy said, pouring a cup of tea. “And to be honest,” she turned to Jane, “it should be you pouring. I don’t wish to overstep.”

“Nonsense.” Jane smiled at her. “I find myself tired and enjoy being waited upon. Are you not my best of friends?”

Katy’s lips moved upward in a semblance of a smile. “I have heard it said.”

Sumner sat back. Jane did have the look as if she was enjoying herself. She seemed to be upon a mission of her own with her manner toward Katy. He wondered briefly what his wife was attempting to do.

To Sumner’s delight, General Durham had retired back to Charles Town. He hoped Durham kept his distance, for the General’s mere presence seemed to disturb Jane beyond measure.

He watched Jane while she sat in conversation, engaged and laughing. It was good to hear her laugh. His patience was worn with the realization that all he wanted was to be back within his home with her by his side. It would not be soon.

Even with Bloody Benny dead, the war still raged. There were other raiders…other dangers. Henry had sent most of his family to England. To have any peace of mind, Sumner would have to separate his family by the width of the Atlantic Ocean. He had to write Cathryn.

“Don’t you believe it is best if you rest now, Jane?” Sumner asked a short time later. Her eyes met his. She wouldn’t be able to deny the need. “Pray, excuse us. I want to see that my wife finds her bed.”

“Sumner...” Katy stood with them. She walked with them to the door. “Do you suppose you could find time for me? It doesn’t have to be at this minute…before you meet with General Durham?”

“Of course, Katy.” His arm rounded Jane. “Let me see her to bed. I’ll be back down.”

Ascending the stairs, Jane whispered to Sumner, “I hope Katy will be looked after. Careen said she overheard a huge disagreement between General Durham and Colonel Leckie.” She looked up at Sumner. “You didn’t tell me that Colonel Leckie and his men helped in my escape, Sumner.”

“It won’t serve the colonel well for that information to become common knowledge, Jane. It is enough I know and now you do.”

“For that, I will always be grateful,” she said softly. “But it is Katy that concerns me. Careen said that the colonel has taken her as his mistress. That he has placed her here as such! Sumner, we can’t have that.”

“My dear wife, first, it is not our concern. Second, I am not back in charge of my own home. I’m on reprieve only. I agree that…”

“No, it’s isn’t that I’m worried upon how it looks…” She paused. “It is in a way, but not for me. Careen says that Katy has nowhere to turn. Her family has all but turned their backs on her with her coming forward as she did. Careen says that her family has always shown favoritism toward Randa. They are maintaining the British are falsifying evidence against this William Peyton.”

“I’m certain it is the reason she wants to talk with me.”

“I can’t sit back without some plan to help her, Sumner. Shouldn’t the colonel marry her?”

Sumner stepped on the landing and halted. “Jane,” he asserted. “I can’t tell another to marry!”

“I have thought upon it all and have come to the conclusion it is the best solution. You can see they are in love with each other. The British seem to take openly their mistresses, for upon my only dance I attended it was common knowledge that Randa was the general’s. If the colonel understood that Katy couldn’t live that way…”

“Jane, I would give the world to you if I could, but this isn’t something that concerns us. We can give to Katy our support and not abandon her, but no more.”

Her manner deflated somewhat, but he could still see she was determined. Sumner shook his head. If it diverted her attention away from her own problems, what would it matter?

“I believe I owe her, Sumner,” Jane said stubbornly.

He chose not to say more, but followed her to their room. He looked down the hall and memories resurged. It was as if Sumner could see his mother standing in the shadows. Oh, how he had missed her. She had been a strong woman to have raised him as she had.

The house held his past—his father, his mother, Cathryn, and Mary. A sudden, melancholy swept through him. All were gone from here, and he doubted if Cathryn would ever return.

Jane’s hand squeezed his, bringing him back to the present. He smiled at her, his wife and future. He had Caleb and, in that moment he had to acknowledge the child that was growing within the women he loved beyond all else.

Sumner pulled back the covers for Jane. He wasn’t leaving until he had her squarely in bed. He helped her unbutton the back of her dress. God, he wished he could lay with her now, but Katy waited for him…Caleb had to be seen to…then there was worry about Jane’s health.

He watched her pull the nightgown about her and climb into the high bed. Sumner leaned down and kissed her lightly. She clasped her arms around his neck…the kiss deepened.

“Jane, we can’t…” he said.

Reluctantly, she released her hold, but a smile stayed upon her lips.

“I will be waiting for you.”

He would return.

* * * *

Watching Caleb from the window, Sumner waited for Katy. He had talked to Careen and arranged for the boy’s care for the night.

“It’ll be hard, Master Sumner,” Careen said. “He liked to sleep in the Misses’ room. Listen to him talk. He’ll tell ya. He protects her.”

“I will tell him that I will do so this night,” Sumner said. He thought he would take Caleb to his mother’s grave in the morning before General Durham arrived. Caleb needed to know about her. How much she’d loved him. He wanted to visit the graves himself. “I will spend more time with him tomorrow.”

“Hate to see ya leave again, Master Sumner,” Careen said freely. “Ain’t the same without ya.”

“I hate to leave also,” he answered in an honest manner.

The breeze picked up slightly. With the days shortening, winter would not be far away. By then he hoped Jane and Caleb would be safely in England.

“Thank you, Sumner,” Katy said, entering the room. “I don’t mean to keep you from your family long.”

He turned slightly so he still kept an eye upon his son. Sumner didn’t mean to stare, but he noticed her puffy, reddened eyes. “It isn’t too much to ask, Katy. I realize what you have done and what it has cost you.”

“It was the right thing to do.” She took a deep breath. “But, you must have heard that my actions have alienated my family.”

“I am sorry, truly, but if honest, I’m not surprised. Anything we can do for you, we will, Katy.”

“I was wondering…I wouldn’t ask if I had another acceptable option…” Her gaze lowered. “I have heard you are sending Jane and Caleb across to Cathryn. Do you think Jane could use a companion of sorts? I don’t know if I can stay…” She stopped. She could say no more.

Sumner said nothing for a moment. Jane’s words echoed in his mind. She had been right, but unlike Jane, Sumner understood they could only offer her help. “Is that what you want? You want to leave? Surely, Katy, it isn’t as bad….”

“I can’t face anyone now. I don’t want your sympathy. It’s hard not to have anyone to turn to. Rebekah isn’t here. If she was, I could go to her.”

“What if I talked to your parents? With everything that Randa’s put them through, you would think they would show you sympathy. You have helped many…Rebekah, Jane, myself.”

“I can’t talk of it, Sumner. I only need to know that you will let me do so. I would help Jane with Caleb on the voyage. I have heard that Jane is with child. I am certain she will need to rest without worrying about Caleb.” She looked away from him. “But I will understand if you don’t want Jane associated with me. I don’t want to embarrass you or your family.”

“Don’t talk in that manner,” he said. “We owe you, Katy, and will never turn our backs on you.”

He walked beside her and said in a low voice, “Others have faltered as you believe you have, Katy. They haven’t run away. In these times, I can give you several examples, your sister included.”