Read Online Elizabeth Meyette by Loves Spirit - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Loves Spirit
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continued marching through Virginia, but it was becoming more difficult for them with most of their support at sea. The squadron searching for Jonathon realized they were on a wild goose chase and returned to the area around Brentwood Plantation.
• • •
Joanna was walking in the garden with William, who was just beginning to teeter with unsteady steps. An early morning rain had freshened the plants and left shallow puddles that she deftly navigated. The toddler lurched along, gripping his mother’s fingers and beaming with glee, his giggles merging with her laughter as it wafted on the afternoon breeze. Stumbling and recovering, Will made his way between the neat hedgerows delighted with his own progress. Joanna’s heart swelled with joy as she beheld her miracle child, born healthy and happy after several miscarriages and the loss of an infant. As she guided him back in the direction of the manor, she heard the pounding of horses’ hooves approaching. Stopping to look, she automatically picked up a protesting and wiggling Will holding him closer at the sight of scarlet uniforms. She hastened toward the manor noting that Emily was rising from her seat on the veranda. Gripped by fear for Jonathon’s safety, Joanna’s legs wobbled beneath her as unsteady as Will’s had just been.
The riders slowed their pace to a trot as they neared the manor, and Joanna joined Emily to meet them. Relief rushed over both women as they recognized Captain Michael Dennings in the lead. Although an officer in the British army, Michael had proven to be an ally a few months earlier when Emily, fending off an attempted rape, had seriously injured another British officer, Captain Arthur Walters, almost killing him. In danger of being arrested and possibly hanged, Emily was saved when Michael stepped in and forced Walters to drop the charges. Michael and Emily had grown up together in London, and eventually Michael had proposed allowing Emily an opportunity to remain in London rather than sail to Virginia with Jonathon. Already falling in love with Jonathon, Emily had refused Michael’s proposal not knowing she had broken his heart. His miraculous appearance when Emily was in desperate need, gave the women hope that again he would help their cause. They found each other’s hand and gave a squeeze in mutual support and optimism. The troops halted in front of them.
“Good morning, Mrs. Brentwood,” Michael said formally. Emily knew that she must not reveal the friendship they shared at the risk of endangering both Jonathon and Michael.
“Captain Dennings,” she nodded. “Do you have news of my husband?”
“We have been unable to locate him, and have once again returned to advise you to surrender him for your own safety,” he said curtly.
Emily remained silent for she knew she would be unconvincing if she attempted to lie about her knowledge of his whereabouts. Sensing her reluctance, Joanna replied.
“We have no knowledge of my brother’s whereabouts,” she said honestly, for indeed, she herself had no knowledge of his location.
Michael dismounted, handing his horse’s reins to a soldier. With his back to his men, he stood before Emily looking into her eyes, cautiously choosing his words.
“Mrs. Brentwood, I assure you we will be scouring Brentwood land in search of your husband. When we find him, and we will find him, he will be returned to Norfolk to hang as a traitor to the king.” His words were callous and cold; his eyes held a contradictory kindness and warning. Emily understood and silently thanked him for his caveat. Gratitude flashed for an instant in her eyes, and he understood, and then she spat her words loud enough for all of his men to hear.
“Captain Dennings, you will never find my husband. He is not foolish enough to remain in this area, or perhaps even in Virginia. You may search all you wish, but it will be in vain.”
Snapping a smart salute, Michael turned and mounted his horse. He looked down at
• • •
Joanna was walking in the garden with William, who was just beginning to teeter with unsteady steps. An early morning rain had freshened the plants and left shallow puddles that she deftly navigated. The toddler lurched along, gripping his mother’s fingers and beaming with glee, his giggles merging with her laughter as it wafted on the afternoon breeze. Stumbling and recovering, Will made his way between the neat hedgerows delighted with his own progress. Joanna’s heart swelled with joy as she beheld her miracle child, born healthy and happy after several miscarriages and the loss of an infant. As she guided him back in the direction of the manor, she heard the pounding of horses’ hooves approaching. Stopping to look, she automatically picked up a protesting and wiggling Will holding him closer at the sight of scarlet uniforms. She hastened toward the manor noting that Emily was rising from her seat on the veranda. Gripped by fear for Jonathon’s safety, Joanna’s legs wobbled beneath her as unsteady as Will’s had just been.
The riders slowed their pace to a trot as they neared the manor, and Joanna joined Emily to meet them. Relief rushed over both women as they recognized Captain Michael Dennings in the lead. Although an officer in the British army, Michael had proven to be an ally a few months earlier when Emily, fending off an attempted rape, had seriously injured another British officer, Captain Arthur Walters, almost killing him. In danger of being arrested and possibly hanged, Emily was saved when Michael stepped in and forced Walters to drop the charges. Michael and Emily had grown up together in London, and eventually Michael had proposed allowing Emily an opportunity to remain in London rather than sail to Virginia with Jonathon. Already falling in love with Jonathon, Emily had refused Michael’s proposal not knowing she had broken his heart. His miraculous appearance when Emily was in desperate need, gave the women hope that again he would help their cause. They found each other’s hand and gave a squeeze in mutual support and optimism. The troops halted in front of them.
“Good morning, Mrs. Brentwood,” Michael said formally. Emily knew that she must not reveal the friendship they shared at the risk of endangering both Jonathon and Michael.
“Captain Dennings,” she nodded. “Do you have news of my husband?”
“We have been unable to locate him, and have once again returned to advise you to surrender him for your own safety,” he said curtly.
Emily remained silent for she knew she would be unconvincing if she attempted to lie about her knowledge of his whereabouts. Sensing her reluctance, Joanna replied.
“We have no knowledge of my brother’s whereabouts,” she said honestly, for indeed, she herself had no knowledge of his location.
Michael dismounted, handing his horse’s reins to a soldier. With his back to his men, he stood before Emily looking into her eyes, cautiously choosing his words.
“Mrs. Brentwood, I assure you we will be scouring Brentwood land in search of your husband. When we find him, and we will find him, he will be returned to Norfolk to hang as a traitor to the king.” His words were callous and cold; his eyes held a contradictory kindness and warning. Emily understood and silently thanked him for his caveat. Gratitude flashed for an instant in her eyes, and he understood, and then she spat her words loud enough for all of his men to hear.
“Captain Dennings, you will never find my husband. He is not foolish enough to remain in this area, or perhaps even in Virginia. You may search all you wish, but it will be in vain.”
Snapping a smart salute, Michael turned and mounted his horse. He looked down at
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