“I’m willing to bet we could march out the way we came in.However, knowing you might be cautious, I arranged for another method of escape.”Jean chuckled.
“Maybe you need to think again,” Jonathan said, “Because the rope is too short.”
“That’s why we have a wagon full of hay below to break our fall.You’ll have to scramble out of the way quickly because we’ll be right behind you,” Jean said.He slapped Jonathan on the back then watched as Jonathan climbed up on the ledge and squeezed through the small opening.
“Here goes,” Jonathan said, looking back at Jean.
“If you break anything, be sure to shout,” Jean told him.“And then Dominic and I will go out the way we came.”
“You’re all heart ol’ boy,” Jonathan laughed before shoving off the ledge.He lowered himself, climbing down the wall with the rope before letting go and falling the rest of the way.
Jean heard a soft thud, followed by an oath.He looked at Dominic.“See?Nothing to it.Let’s go.”
Jean and Pierre followed, landing safely in the hay.They scrambled to the horses being held by one of the men.
“Who’s the bloke with the hat?I don’t recognize him,” Jonathan asked as he grabbed the reins and swung up into the saddle.
Jean nudged his horse with his knees and smiled.“My friend, you’ve been in prison much too long.That is Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth?”Jonathan trotted up alongside Jean.“What the devil is she doing here?”
“She insisted.”Jean shrugged.“You know women.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Jonathan said.“I’ll deal with her later.Let’s find Lee’s ship.”
“We have already thought of that,” Jean said, urging his horse forward.“Lee has already sailed.”
Upon seeing Jonathan’s frown, Jean added, “Don’t worry.With our sloop, we can catch his heavy frigate, but we’ll have to hurry.Just think.We’ll be chasing the English, and the English will be chasing us.”Jean’s laughter was a full-hearted sound.“I knew if I found you, you’d contribute to our excitement.”He kneed his horse into a full gallop.
Elizabeth and Jonathan didn’t speak as they dashed toward Briercliff.She wasn’t sure what was running through Jonathan’s head, but she had a feeling it was revenge against Lee.
They traveled all night, only stopping to rest the horses.It was late the next day when they finally arrived at their destination.
Elizabeth could barely hold onto her horse, she was so tired, but they needed fresh horses to go on to St.Ives, and she needed to see Dawson.She wasn’t going to hide her baby any longer.It was time to tell Jonathan the truth.
Elizabeth dismounted, energized by thoughts of seeing her son.She hurried toward the house.“I can have the cooks prepare some food for the journey,” she told Jean and Jonathan.
Jean stayed behind to issue orders to his men while Elizabeth and Jonathan climbed the front steps of Briercliff.As soon as they opened the door and Elizabeth called out, Annie, looking agitated, rushed out into the foyer.Elizabeth wondered while Giles wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“Thank God ye’ve returned.”Annie grabbed Elizabeth by the arm.“’Tis awful.Simply awful,” Annie cried frantically, tears glistening in her eyes.“ ’Tis Master Dawson.”
“What’s wrong?”Elizabeth tried to push past Annie to see to her son.She’d never seen the woman so distraught.Annie had always been the steady one.She was the one who held everyone else together.
“I—I canna believe it happened,” Annie wailed, wringing her hands.“No one was here to stop him.Derek is at St Ives, and Giles tried but was struck down.He’s in bed now.”
“What’s wrong?Is he hurt?”Then she realized what Annie had said, and a wave of apprehension coursed through her.“Prevent what, Annie?”Elizabeth asked anxiously.“Where are Tiffany and Dawson?”
“Dawson?”Jonathan questioned.“That’s the second time I’ve heard you mention that name.And I don’t think you are referring to my father.”
Because of Annie’s state of distress, Elizabeth brushed Jonathan aside.She had to find out what was upsetting Annie.Elizabeth’s heart raced and she began to get an uneasy feeling.It was impossible to steady her erratic pulse.“What is it, Annie?What is it?”
Jonathan grabbed Annie by the arm and turned her to him.“Has anyone hurt you?And who struck Giles?I’ll speak with them immediately,” Jonathan said.
Annie didn’t answer.Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked to clear them.Finally, she looked away from Jonathan and reached into her pocket.
Producing a small piece of paper, she handed it to Elizabeth.
In the background, Elizabeth heard the door open, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jean coming toward them.But she couldn’t leave until she found out what had happened.And where was Dawson?
