Elizabeth’s hands were shaking as she fumbled to unfold the letter.As she scanned the words, she felt the blood drain rapidly from her head, her knees gave way, and she crumpled to the ground.
“My God,” Jonathan exclaimed.He knelt beside her.She was as white as snow.He shook her head back and forth, but he couldn’t bring her to.
"Mon Dieu!What was in that blasted note?”Jean swore and bent down and retrieved the paper.
Annie was crying as she, too, bent down beside Elizabeth.“My poor lass.”
“Read it aloud,” Jonathan demanded.
“Blast and damnation.It’s a note from Lee to Jonathan.”Jean cleared his throat and began to read.
My life has been hell since I’ve been involved with your infernal family.I am not a man to take defeat lightly!
Revenge is my driving force.You see, I was cheated of my gold by Jewel’s trickery.I will not be cheated again!
I thought I had my revenge against some of you with the trial.But that bitch, Elizabeth, chose to open her mouth, making me an enemy of my own country.So you see I have nothing more to lose.
Now you will pay!
I came for Elizabeth, but instead I found a child and Elizabeth’s best friend.They will do very nicely as hostages.
If you hope to see them alive again, find Lafitte and deliver to me a chest full of gold to the most northern dock of New Orleans.I will wait five days for you to arrive.
It would be a shame to see what the fish would do to a little boy who can’t swim.
Jean crumpled the note.“The bastard will die!”
“Not if I get him first,” Jonathan declared.Jonathan took Elizabeth over to a chair, where he placed her down.Carefully, he pulled her forward until her head was between her legs and she began to struggle.“Wake up, Elizabeth.”
She moaned.
“Who is this Tiffany?”Jean demanded.
“She’s a friend of Elizabeth’s.They grew up together, but she doesn’t have a child,” Jonathan said, shaking his head.“Tiffany is expecting her first baby,” he explained, then looked at Annie.“Who is this child?”
Annie had finally gotten control of herself, but avoided Jonathan’s eyes as she asked Jean, “Can ye find them?”
“Of course,” Lafitte declared, “but we must move quickly.”
Elizabeth finally opened her eyes.“W-what happened?”
“You fainted after reading this note,” Jonathan explained, taking her hand.
“My God, I remember,” she said.“We must go after them.”
Jonathan straightened and looked down at her.“Who is Dawson?”
The moment had finally come to tell Jonathan the truth.“My son.”Elizabeth tried to get to her feet, but her legs would not hold her.“Jean, we must save my child!”
“Son?”Jonathan paused as if he didn’t understand.“You have a son?”
“We will save him,cherie.Let us not linger further.I did not know about your son, but we’ll find him and return him to you.”Jean put his arm around Elizabeth and walked with her to the door.“Where are the fresh horses?”
“They are being saddled at the stables,” Elizabeth said, then twisted away from Jean.“Let me tell Annie goodbye.”
She turned and collided with Jonathan’s broad chest.He reached out and steadied her.“You cannot go, Elizabeth.It will be much too dangerous.”
“I’m not staying behind,” Elizabeth insisted.“Tell him, Jean.”
