Virginia gasped at the sight of a gorgeous amethyst pendant encrusted with diamonds. “This is beautiful, Devlin!” she cried.
“I ordered it made for you before I set sail,” he said with a small, pleased smile. “I wanted something to match your eyes.”
“Devlin?” She was clinging to his arms. “This is the best birthday I have ever had. Thank you. Thank you for the necklace and thank you for coming home!”
He hesitated. “I had to come home. Happy birthday, Virginia.”
LATER THAT DAY, VIRGINIAheard hearty male laughter and recognized Devlin’s rich tones. She paused outside of the salon, smiling to herself. Her husband sounded happy, indeed. She was thrilled to hear him laughing with his brothers. She was about to step into the salon when Tyrell spoke.
“And the war?” Tyrell asked. “I’ve heard rumors that we’ll be attacking the entire Chesapeake Bay.”
Virginia stiffened, her smile vanishing, drawing back out of sight. What was this? Until that precise moment she had refused to dwell on the fact that he had just returned from a war with her own country. Since his arrival home, she had not asked him a single detail of his tour of duty and he had not volunteered a single fact. She strained to hear, her heart racing madly with distress and fear.
“I’m afraid I can’t discuss classified matters, Ty.” Devlin’s voice had an odd edge to it. “I just received my new orders, however. The war is escalating.”
Virginia’s heart sank. In the time he had been gone, there had been the news of the defeat of theVixenand some talk of a blockade of the Chesapeake, which was where her own home was located. But that had been all, and it had been convenient to forget the fact that Devlin was in a war being waged against her country and her kin. What did Devlin now mean? And what was the rumor Tyrell referred to? Suddenly she was afraid for Tillie and Frank and everyone at Sweet Briar. But surely the British would not roam about the Virginia countryside, doing battle there! And if he had just received new orders, was he already preparing to leave, when he had only come home yesterday?
She was dismayed, and unconsciously, she touched her belly. What if she was pregnant? They were finally falling in love, they had a future to share. There was simply no place now for a war—any war—in their lives. And especially not one against her homeland.
Virginia hesitated and then darted past the open doors of the salon and into the library. It was late afternoon and the draperies were open, so soft daylight filled the room. But even from the threshold, she could see the papers on his desk.
Her heart lurched, and even knowing that she should not look at a classified document, she hurried to it. The papers there did not interest her, though, and she opened the center drawer. Instantly she found what she was looking for.
Her heart slammed to a stop. Any sense of composure vanished. Trembling, she seized the parchment and read.
Lord Admiral St. John to Sir Captain Devlin O’Neill
Waverly Hall
Greenwich
March 18, 1813
Sir Captain O’Neill,
Pleased be advised of the following. Your orders are to proceed by March 24 to the Chesapeake Bay, where you shall report to Admiral Sir George Cockburn. In conjunction with Admiral Cockburn, you are to destroy any and all American warships, including those in port. You shall destroy all depots suspected of harboring possible American supplies, including those on land, and any farms or factories involved in the government supply effort; you shall all make every effort to effect the utter ruination of the American coastal trade. You are accorded complete discretion as to the means necessary to carry out the above orders; aiding and abetting runaway slaves is highly suggested, especially to guide marines through the American countryside. While efforts are to be made to avoid harmful intercourse with American noncombatants, any suspicion of direct involvement on the part of such American civilians is to be deemed a serious military threat and you are therefore to act accordingly.
The Right Honorable Lord Admiral St. John
The Admiralty
13 Brook Street
West Square
Virginia went into shock.
“Virginia?”
She looked up, trembling, and saw Devlin in the doorway. She flinched, but somehow she managed to return the letter to its original position in the drawer. Her heart now slammed, hurting her terribly.He was to destroy American ships, including those in the harbor. He was to take his marines onto American soil and destroy farms, factories and depots. He was to encourage runaway slaves, using them as spies and guides. Oh, God. These were terrible orders, indeed!
“What are you doing?” he asked, as still as a statue.
She had had no idea of the extent of his orders. How could he participate in such death and destruction when he was married to her? How many American lives would be lost because of his efforts? She swallowed, staring at him. She was chilled to the bone—no, she was chilled to her very soul. “I overheard you and Tyrell,” she said unsteadily.
His gaze sharp, he walked toward her slowly, his face that impersonal mask she had hoped to never again see. His gaze slid over the desk—so did hers. He looked up—so did she. Quietly he said, “Did you read my orders?”
“Yes,” she whispered, wondering if she were ashen. For she felt terribly faint. She swallowed hard and cried, “Don’t go! I need you here! Resign. Resign your commission. Don’t go back to war—I can’t bear it.”
