“My name is Jean Lafitte, beautiful lady.My men might look, how shall I say...a little rough around the edges, and the word ‘gentleman’ does not quite fit them, but, I guarantee, they are the salt of the earth and would lay their lives down to protect one so beautiful as yourself,” Jean said with a wicked smile.
Mrs.Greenow blushed and bowed her head.“I’m sorry if I have offended you, sir.It’s just that you’re dressed in a peculiar manner that I’ve not seen before.I—I didn’t know who you were.”
“Thank you for the compliment.My men are supposed to look frightful, and I can understand that you’ve never seen privateers before,” Jean said, releasing her hand.“Your apology is accepted.”
It was apparent that Jean had quickly won Mrs.Greenow over.
“Please put Mr.Lafitte in Adam’s room and find suitable accommodations for his crew.”
Mrs.Greenow gave all the men a skeptical look, but Elizabeth nodded, showing that she would tolerate no argument.Jean had the woman charmed and, after a moment’s hesitation, she asked no more questions.
Elizabeth retired to her room to freshen up.
When she had changed clothes, she went to Adam’s chamber and rapped quickly on the door.
“Cherie,” Jean greeted with a grin.“You appear troubled.What have we forgotten?”
“Clothes,” Elizabeth stated and swept past Jean.
“Clothes?”
Elizabeth went to the wardrobe.“You must look English when we go to court.”
“I resist that statement.”Jean placed his hands on his hips.“I am but a Frenchman.”
Elizabeth swung around and frowned.“Then you can look like a Frenchman, but not a pirate.How about this?”she asked as she pulled out one of Adam’s jackets.
As she held the jacket out Jean stared at the garment and rubbed his chin.“The color is nice.And the cut isn’t bad.”
Elizabeth shoved the jacket toward him.“Why don’t you try it on?You’re about the same size as Adam.”
Jean finally relented and slipped into the royal blue jacket.“Nice fabric,” he commented as he rubbed his hand down the sleeve.
“It looks good on you.”
“Better than Adam?”
Elizabeth smiled.Jean had some ego.“Much better.”
“Then I shall wear this tomorrow,” he said.“I will even find some appropriate trousers to complement the jacket.”
“I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief when she was on the other side of the door.The next hurdle would be persuading Jean to leave his sword at home.She could just picture him losing his temper and drawing his sword in the courtroom.
The morning of the trial,gray clouds obscured the sun.Expecting rain, they went across the street to get Lord Middlesex.Jeffrey peered doubtfully at Jean and Elizabeth felt obliged to introduce him.
After a moment, Jeffrey escorted them in and presented them to the marquess.Elizabeth made the introduction.“Lord Middlesex, I would like you to meet a very good friend of our family and Earl Longdale’s.This is Monsieur Jean Lafitte.”
“Who?”Jean asked, clearly confused by the name Longdale.
“That is Jonathan’s title,” Elizabeth said to Jean, but looked at the marquess.“Jean is the man Jonathan sailed with.”
“A pleasure,” the marquess said with a nod.“My boy is going to need all the help he can get.I’m not looking forward to today.”He sighed heavily, his voice filled with anguish as he hobbled toward Jean, his gait slow.“I will follow in my own carriage, since I must take that blasted chair.Let us make haste.We must not be late.”
Jean nodded and escorted Elizabeth back to the carriage.They rode down several streets, and in just a few minutes they arrived at the Old Bailey.
Jean helped Elizabeth out of the carriage; they stood to the side to await Jonathan’s father and the barrister.
