Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry (39 page)

Darcy had no doubts that Nathan would sell Jean Michel her papers. It was apparent after their last meeting that he had washed his hands of her completely, and after Jean Michel bought her freedom, they could be married.

They arrived at the fort mid-morning, and Shenanigan practically knocked Darcy over with affection. Jean Michel went straight to his quarters to finish the results of his survey.

He would be meeting with
Lawrence
most of the afternoon presenting his findings, so Darcy decided to rest and take a bath.

It did not feel right being back in Nathan's quarters, but she knew that she would be leaving before the night was over. She collected what few possessions she had and put them on the bed. With the exception of the gown on her back, she elected to return everything else to Nathan.

Darcy made several trips back and forth for bath water, and by the middle of the afternoon she eased herself down into a deliciously soothing bath. She put her head back and let herself daydream about her new life with Jean Michel when suddenly the door opened, and Nathan Lawrence walked into the room.

Darcy sat up, grabbed a towel and pulled it over the top of the tub. The gesture was not lost on Lawrence who entered the room, lighting a pipe. Darcy looked very inviting to him and finding her in this compromising position was very erotic.

"I have been meeting most of the afternoon with Lupe' going over his findings. As usual his work is above reproach, and he said you were a very good assistant." He let out a puff of smoke while Darcy watched him apprehensively. "I trust you were chaste on your journey, my little colleen?"

Darcy hated it when Nathan called her that name, from his lips it sounded condescending. She said nothing and tried to calm herself. This encounter was not what she had expected and neither was Nathan's behavior.

"I've sent my wife back to
Boston
. We had a nice visit, but I found myself preoccupied with thoughts of the private moments you and I have had."

Darcy swallowed hard, fearing what she was about to hear.

Nathan's eyes traveled down her neck and shoulders, and he stated, "I'm going to forgive you for the insults you lavished upon me before you left, and I will attribute it to fears that I did not love you. At the time I was angry and ready to sell your papers, but I have since reconsidered."

Darcy's heart began to pound furiously.
How could this be? Surely Jean Michel would convince him otherwise. She could never return to this man's bed.

Nathan saw the look of dread on Darcy's face and rankled.
So she had no desire to bed him again. What had gone on during the expedition? Well, no matter. She was back now.

Nathan was looking forward to the evening. It seemed to him as if Darcy had been gone for an eternity, and after seeing the heavy, sagging breasts of his wife, he longed to explore her youth again. He walked over and snapped the towel off the top of the tub.

"Don't you ever forget, you belong to me.”

Nathan returned to his office where he and Jean Michel worked into the evening. As the room began to darken, there was a knock at the door. Molly entered to light some candles. Nathan looked up and said, "Don't bother with that, Molly. We are just finishing up. Please set another place for dinner. Certainly you will dine with me this evening, Jean Michel?"

Jean Michel accepted his offer. Nathan held up one of his maps and looked at it carefully. Along the borders Jean Michel had sketched intricate pictures of the plants and flowers indigenous to the survey site, and Nathan said with admiration, "I see you are an artist as well, Lupe'."

Jean Michel shrugged and said simply, "It adds another dimension to the work, nothing more."

Before adjourning to dinner, Nathan unlocked a drawer and pulled out a leather bag. He tossed it on the desk and said, "You will find all of it in there, and an additional bonus as well. I will send the results of the survey to Governor Shirley immediately, and I believe he too will show you some form of gratitude."

Jean Michel picked it up and followed Nathan into dinner. The dining room table was set for two, and Jean Michel was relieved. He did not want Darcy to suffer the humiliation of being discussed as property when he made his proposal to
Lawrence
tonight.

Molly served them ham smothered in gravy and fresh vegetables, and it tasted delectable to Jean Michel. He had not consumed fresh food in weeks, and he ate heartily. As always, Nathan Lawrence was a good host and the wine flowed freely. Their dinner conversation was cordial, and Nathan shared odds and ends of news from
Fort
Lawrence
with Jean Michel. Jean Michel listened politely then said, "I think you should know, Colonel, that we encountered an Abenaki party near the mouth of the
Windsor
River
."

Nathan nodded and wiped his mouth. "I believe that they are gathering for a large-scale assault."

After pouring Jean Michel another glass of wine, Nathan sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "So will you return home now? It is rumored that you have a woman down on the Piscataqua.”

"That is not what I would like to discuss right now,” said Jean Michel. “But there is a matter of business regarding Miss McBride."

Nathan stopped chewing and his eyes narrowed. "Whatever could that be?"

"I would like to purchase her papers," said Jean Michel brusquely.

Nathan cleared his throat trying to curb the wrath that was building inside him. It was apparent now that they had done more than simply survey, and although it angered him it did not surprise him. He had acted impulsively sending Darcy away with this attractive man. He had taken her for granted, and now, after weeks of being celibate,
Lawrence
needed to be satisfied again. During her absence he had found himself preoccupied with thoughts of her. He had been looking forward to tonight immensely, but this news stung him.

"She is not for sale."

Jean Michel frowned. Before the expedition
Lawrence
seemed to have lost interest in Darcy, and now this flat refusal shocked him. "Name your price,
Lawrence
. You know I can pay it."

"I repeat the woman's indentured service is not for sale."

Jean Michel's nostrils flared as his breathing quickened. Struggling to maintain control, he clamped his jaw and looked out the window at the torches flickering on the parade ground. Turning back, he said, "Why? Why will you not part with her? She means nothing to you."

"On the contrary, I care deeply for her."

Jean Michel slammed his hands on the table and said, "If you cared anything about her, you would set her free!"

"The woman has committed a crime,” said
Lawrence
hotly. “I am simply operating within the laws of the Crown. But you are not! You knowingly misused my property!"

"Your property!" Jean Michel snapped. "Don’t talk to me about property and law. You are a thousand miles from the drawing rooms of
London
now,
Lawrence
. You are in the wilderness of the
New World
, and it's time you had a taste of frontier law. We write our own destinies here, and no British dandy is going to tell me what I can or can not do!"

Jean Michel stormed out of
Lawrence
's quarters, slamming the door behind him. He walked briskly across the parade ground, looking for Darcy. He found her waiting for him in front of the officers' quarters. “Darcy, we leave the fort immediately."

Without asking for an explanation, she followed Jean Michel to his room. Slinging his firearm and powder horn over his back, he grabbed her by the wrist and walked in long strides across the parade ground. He wore a dangerous look on his face, and when they approached the gate the guard was so intimidated, he opened up immediately.

The black wilderness yawned before them, as they stepped out of the fort into the night. Darcy felt the thrill of freedom wash over her. For the first time in her life, she answered to no one. From here on she would be with a man from choice, not obligation.

Jean Michel took her hand, and they started for the trees when someone shouted, "Stop in the name of the King!"

The gate of the fort opened, and a flood of soldiers were upon them. They were dragged back inside the fort, across the parade ground to headquarters where Nathan stood with his arms folded on his chest. He looked at Jean Michel and said, "You dare defy me? You have been a party to helping a convict escape, Lupe', and that is a crime punishable by death. You shall be removed to
Boston
in the morning where you will stand trial. Take him to the stockade."

Darcy was stunned. She began to struggle. “Why are you doing this!” she screamed. The soldiers tightened their grip.

“You will see this is all for the best when you settle down,” Nathan said calmly. Turning to the soldiers, he commanded, “Take her to her room and guard her door.”

Moments later, they tossed Darcy into her room and slammed the door. She clutched her forehead.
Why had Nathan changed his mind?
She paced back and forth terrified for Jean Michel.
What could she do? How could she free him?

Gradually, the evening shadows grew long, and Darcy grew hopeless. She wished that the expedition had never happened. By loving her, Jean Michel had inherited all her problems and she may be the cause his death. She would be responsible for the demise of two Lupe' men.

Prior to the survey, the arrangement with Nathan had been tolerable, but now, after experiencing love, she could never go back to the degradation with Nathan. She sat down and buried her face in her hands. At that moment, the door opened, and Nathan stepped into the room. She refused to look at him.

Without saying a word, he took her hand and led her to the front room. He walked over to the cupboard and poured them each a glass of claret. Handing her a glass, he said, "My dear, that man is far too impetuous. He would only hurt you. Believe me, you were only a toy to make the long expedition more tolerable."

Darcy would hear none of it. Nathan rested his elbow on the mantle and rubbed his forehead as if he was weary, "I didn't want to tell you this, but I know that you are ignorant of this fact. Lupe' is engaged to be married to a woman by the name of Elizabeth Campbell of the
Piscataqua
Valley
. I hear she is a woman of breeding and beauty, suitable for a man of wealth and social standing such as Lupe's."

Darcy looked up at Nathan, her eyes wide and said, "I know of this Elizabeth Campbell, but Jean Michel never told me he had money."

"Oh yes, my little colleen," said Nathan nodding his head. "He is one of the richest men in northern
Massachusetts
, and I imagine he will buy his way out of this altercation with me. My point is that a man of his station will never marry an Irish convict."

Darcy shook her head slowly, not wanting to believe it. "No, that's not true."

"My darling Darcy, this infatuation of yours has clouded your judgment. You and I both know that you can bear him no children, and he is obliged to carry on the family name." Nathan walked over and stroked her hair. "My darling, at best you would be his mistress."

As if someone had punched her in the stomach, Darcy felt breathless and weak. “But he loves me,” she murmured.

Nathan looked at her with pity in his eyes. Darcy became confused and began to doubt Jean Michel. In the heat of passion maybe he told her what she wanted to hear, to gain a liaison. Perhaps for two weeks she had been immersed in a dream. She had forgotten who she was. In a mad rush it came back to her; she was nothing more than an Irish peasant who had learned to read, and he was an aristocrat from the Massachusetts Colony.