“I’m sorry, Jean,” Elizabeth apologized.“This is Lady Tiffany DeGray, a dear friend of mine.”She turned to Tiffany.“This is Jean Lafitte.”
Jean smiled and sauntered over to Tiffany.He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.“Mademoiselle, I believe the question was how?”
Tiffany nodded, apparently still unable to speak.
“We’ll simply break him out of the calaboose.I’ve had plenty of experience breaking Pierre, my brother, out of prison.”
“But no one has ever escaped Newgate,” Elizabeth protested.
Jean’s eyes were hooded, like those of a hawk.
“That’s because the English have no imagination.”He turned to Elizabeth.“No offense,cherie.”Jean tilted his head to the side.“Let a Frenchman show them how it is done.”
Elizabeth took a quick, astonished breath.Had Jean really meant every word he said?“But it could be dangerous.”
“Of course, it is dangerous.”Jean smiled like the devil himself.“I wouldn’t want it any other way,cherie.
“Dangerously—the only way to live.”
Chapter 18
Jean and Derek walked to the stable.“Do you think you can rescue Jonathan?”Derek asked.
“Oui, but it will take some planning and a little luck, of course,” Jean boasted and then, upon seeing his first mate, he called, “Dominic!”
When Dominic reached him, Jean started issuing orders.“Go to the ship and tell them to be prepared to sail at a moment’s notice.Check the sails and don’t forget the supplies.”
“I’ll have it done.What else?”Dominic asked.
“Gather five of our best men and then come back here and get horses.I’ll talk to the stableman and make sure the horses are saddled and ready for you.”
“Horses, Jean?”Dominic asked with a frown.“Most of the blokes never been on a horse.”
“If they give you any trouble, remind them that they could spend the rest of their days below deck.A horse is a dumb animal.The men will get the knack,” Jean said and started toward the horses they’d ridden in on.“I’ll ride with Elizabeth to London and you can catch up to us.That way we will not waste any time.”
“Remember, Jean, when you said we’d go see Jonathan and have a little fun?We really didn’t realize how much fun, eh?”Dominic chuckled.
“You are right, my friend.Now, hurry.”
Elizabeth rodewith Jean in the carriage.As they traveled, he told her about Jonathan’s sailing days.She loved hearing how Jonathan had learned to sail, and she really appreciated Jean telling her the things that Jonathan probably never would.
Six hours into their journey, Dominic and his men caught up with them, and they followed behind the carriage on horseback.
Elizabeth had made this trip so many times lately; it seemed to get shorter each time.
Once they were at Trent House, Jean and his men followed her into the foyer, where they were met by Mrs.Greenow, whose eyes had grown large with fright at the sight of Jean and his entourage.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you advance notice that we’d be arriving, but it couldn’t be helped.These gentleman,” Elizabeth swept her hand toward Jean’s men, “will be staying with us while I attend Lord Jonathan’s trial.”
“A trial?I’m sorry.I had not heard,” Mrs.Greenow said.“I hope ’tisn’t serious?”
“I’m afraid it is.It’s the reason for my haste.”
“Where shall I put these gen...men?”Mrs.Greenow couldn’t quite get the word “gentleman” out.And Elizabeth could see why—because of the way they were dressed.She was certain Mrs.Greenow would sleep with a butcher knife under her pillow until the men departed.
Jean bowed and kissed Mrs.Greenow’s hand.
The woman gasped.
