Ram; being the tale of one Ramillies Anstruther, 1704-55 .. (45 page)

Ram had also promised that after three years she could return home for a visit. As she no longer needed the loo guineas for the shop, he begged her to accept them for her own use. When she'd hinted he surely wouldn't want his bride to look like a dowd, he'd even added another loo by selling his jeweled pistols.

Oglethorpe, who'd gladly agreed to give the bride away, suggested the happy pair should spend their first week at Westbrook, his estate outside Godalming in Hampshire, a mere few hours from London.

So they'd been married yesterday at St. James's in Piccadilly, the parish church for both Ram and Oglethorpe. The latter had, in fact, laid his mother to rest there only a month before.

No woman. Ram recalled fondly, had ever looked so beautiful as his bride walking down the aisle on his friend's arm. Afterward, another Georgia trustee, Lord George Carpenter, had generously provided the wedding reception at his house, then ever\'one returned to the Blands', where the usual horseplay followed. The bride was put to bed, her garters and stockings flung among the ribald guests, and Ram, somewhat drunk, thrust in beside her.

Ecod, he now thought contritely, 'twas damnable I was so fuzzed! WTiat passed then? I recall my darling gave me a great glass of brandy and said she'd have one herself to allay her embarrassment. But after? I remember only Mrs. Bland rousing us this morning, saying Oglethorpe's coach had been waiting for an hour. Was I overrough with my sweet? She was most subdued on the journey down.

How to make amends? She loves fripperies and will need many gowns and stuffs. I'll sell my plate to buy 'em. I must keep my guineas

till I can raise a crop on my new acres. I'll not accept trustees' charity and have my wife shamed.

Wife! He'd never thought to have this feeling of responsibility. Carla, Chanda, even Annie, had been fine companions, with whom to share equally. But Lucinda needed protection.

A light tread outside broke into his reverie. He chuckled. She had come back! He peered out into the moon-bathed glade.

"Jamie!"

Jamie? God's name, who's he?

"Jamie, I'm here."

Damme, that's not her voice! Likely it's some cook maid who's come tr}'sting with a local swain. Lucinda had been right not to let him love her here.

The footsteps halted. A moment more and heavier ones approached.

"Molly, is it you?"

The new voice was low but Ram recognized it—Oglethorpe's! Being unmarried, his friend doubtless had many light o' loves. Suppose he brought this one into the summerhouse? Yet, when offering Westbrook, he'd said pressing business would keep him in town.

"Why did you send back my lackey with word to meet you here instead of in the house?" The woman's voice was petulant.

"Because, m'dear Molly, unaware of your coming I've put it at the disposal of a new-married friend," Oglethorpe explained. "Come, sit on the bench. I take it 'tis something grave that brings you from Paris so suddenly? How fare Anne, Fanny and Eleanor?"

"All well, but distressed by your aiding to insult Spain!"

"Insult?" He sounded amused.

"Word's come from Rome. King James deplores this offense against his loyal ally by projecting a new colony in land belonging to Spain. 'Tis not to be borne one of our family's associated in so gross a violation. You must give it up. Anne's furious."

"How aptly she's called Young Fury! Now Mother's gone and Anne herself nears middle life, she'll inherit the title of Old Fury."

"You must insure this colony fails," she insisted. "France no longer aids our poor exile, but I've learnt Spain will once more help him. Jamie, heed me! Our sacred cause depends on it."

"Come, let's walk," he suggested. "I think better on my feet."

"A courier awaits my return. He's to ride posthaste to Rome with \ our answer," she urged, her voice receding.

Oglethorpe, a plotting Jacobite! Ram was stunned. Having lately studied maps and charts of the American provinces, he realized how fearful the Spaniards must be for their Mexican and West Indian possessions. For their great treasure ships must follow the Gulf Stream through the Bahama Channel, and if Britain had harbors along the Georgia coast, privateers could prey on them.

His amazement changed to anger that Oglethorpe had asked him to train the colony's militia. What chance would mere settlers have should Spain send veteran troops against 'em? And, working from within, a trustee could destroy Georgia, even without Spain's aid.

But, cooling, he had to admit he'd not heard "Jamie" agree to the betrayal, though the woman—evidently a sister—had urged him to. No, he must be fair to him, but war}', too. WHiom to consult—Wade? Damme, he was back in Scotland. Well, someone.

Dare I take my bride to face these dangers? These savages they call Indians; they're said to rip off the top of a man's head—scalping, that's the word. Suppose the Dons incite 'em to fall on us? Suppose they strike while I'm away on duty and Lucinda's left unguarded? Must I risk such horrors, with traitors working from within? Yet, she's countr)'-bred, with courage to face odds. Yes, I'll take her, but I'll be most cautious of Master Oglethorpe.

When he was sure the nocturnal conspirators had gone, he stole from the bower and, keeping in the shadows, gained the mansion. As he crept upstairs, remembrance of what he had overheard vanished from his mind. His bride was waiting! He shivered in anticipation.

As far as Richmond the roads had been fair and the ancient coach had stood the strain, even though Peg-Leg was scarcely the driver Williams had been. But now the way was a loblollv of mud, with constant danger of oversetting. A bedraggled Lucinda, Ram suspected, was regretting her insistence on making the trip.

Though only September, it was already chilly. Well, let my lady see her domain and know what bitter cold means; then warm Georgia will attract her. "My love, you shiver." He drew a rug around her. "We climb from now on, but if Rob's arrived safe, we're expected."

"How can folk live in this waste?" she wailed. "Sussex is kindly, even in winter. But this!" She snuggled close and he put an arm around her so that they swayed in unison to the coach's lurchings.

He began worrjing if the 400 guineas Joseph had got by pledging the plate would suffice until he was established in America. He was amazed that women's clothes could be so costly. But how happy she was with all her new finery.

He thought of what Holton had told him about the Oglethorpes. "Rankest Jacobites," the major had called them. "All save James, and he's what he's pleased to call a 'Hanoverian Tory'—against the Ministry but loyal to the Crown. Yet at heart he's probably a Stuart lover like the rest." He had spoken of James's father, Sir Theophilus, who had plotted so dangerously for James 11's return that he risked losing his head, before he'd had a change of heart and given allegiance to King William; of James's mother, "Old Fury," bom Eleanor Wall, and Irish, who'd never changed sides and had often, until her recent death, risked being sent to the Tower for treason.

He had also told of James's sisters, "Young Fury" Anne, Molly, Eleanor and Fanny, who were still the Pretender's most devoted conspirators. Anne was thought to be even something more to him.

Ram, still torn between friendship and suspicion, regretted he had overheard so much or so little outside the summerhouse. Would James betray the colony? The uncertainty was a spur. It would be India all over again; pitting one's wits against treachery.

The coach was nearing Bowes. "Not far now, my love," he told his shivering bride. "Two more miles and we're at the lodge gates."

Suddenly flustered, she took out a mirror and began repairing the ravages. A patch had fallen off and must be substituted; powdered chalk had to be applied without any of it spilling upon her gown.

He watched her admiringly. Egad, if Rob's not given 'em a sparkling picture of her, I'll have his hide!

Then the gates, with Abel bareheaded and bowing welcome to the new mistress. He said Rob had arrived yesterday and that all was ready for the bride.

From the driveway Ram saw his uncle's house was now roofed. Just as well, for if Georgia failed Lucinda might not always welcome living with a host of kin.

"Will they like me?" she cried in sudden panic.

"They'll love you. See, sweet, home lies straight ahead."

Peg-Leg reined in, the big door opened and Will stood on the threshold, with Joan and a blur of faces behind. Then, with kisses, exclamations and handshakes, they were escorted into the dining hall where a fine coal fire blazed. Hot tea was brought—Ram's dish being laced with brandy, as was his right.

Then, thawed out, Lucinda was taken to her room by Joan while Will begged Ram to come with him and see what he would see. So out into a barn, where a wagon stood loaded with heavy shining bars.

"Twenty pigs of t'best lead ye ever did see," Will gloated. "A York dealer's due any day t'buy 'em. We've labored hard, lad, and we'll have another load melted before snow stops work till spring."

Ram admired the metal, listened to how rich they'd all be in time, then was permitted to return inside, where maids were setting the great table. Though he conceded Will's enthusiasm for mining, he was irritated that he hadn't said one word about Lucinda's beauty.

Soon he was in Great-grandfather James's chair and looking down the table's candlelighted length to where his wife sat at the far end, with the rest of the family along either side. How ravishing she looks, how gay her talk! He glanced at Sue, who wore a gown of the silk he'd sent home so long ago, and also the bangles he'd given Gammer. Yes, she and Lucinda do look alike. But she's a simple country soul, and Lucinda has the airs of a fine town lady.

Later, as all sat around the fire, she held them spellbound as she told of the London playhouse and of the grand folk who attended it.

"Ram," came a whisper behind him. "I've something for you alone."

"La, Cousin Susan, what deep secrets are ye exchanging with my husband?" Lucinda called gaily. "I'm most jealous, I vow."

"I—I'll tell ye later," Sue breathed, and moved away.

He smiled indulgently. Tonight was Lucinda's.

When he led her up to the master's chamber, which had once been Gammer's, he felt most sentimental. Here was to be their private world; here, in the same bed where he had crept to Gammer for comfort, their babes would be gotten and born.

She permitted him to unlace her stays, but then, as usual, begged him to leave until she was modestly between the sheets. Obediently he went back down for a glass of Nantes with the menfolk and had to listen to more talk of the mines before he could escape upstairs again. Undressing quickly, he blew out the candle and got in beside his wife.

"Does the old place please you, dearest?" he asked. "They've all taken you to their hearts. A few years abroad, and we'll be rich enough to return here for good."

" 'Tis madness even to go," she said flatly. "Already I see much to be changed here. Forget America, and when your uncle's moved into his house, I'll make this indeed a grand home for you."

He wound one of her tresses around his finger, delighting in its silkiness. "Dearest!" he murmured, drawing her to him.

"Oh! You hurt me!"

"Hurt you, darhng? How?"

"That stupid stone." She touched it. "I'm sure it's left an imprint on my flesh. Do put it away. 'Tis doubtless some heathen talisman and surely not to be worn by a Christian in his own home."

His ardor gave way to bewilderment. Heathen talisman! She'd never objected to it before. And how to tell her it was his secret link with Carla? But he snapped the thin chain and shoved it and the amulet under his pillow, then took his wife in his arms again.

Next day, Ram rode with Will up to the mines. Much had been done since his last visit and now there were huts to house the ore-crushing machines and the smelter that was fueled by coal from an adjacent pit. Twenty men were employed. He was impressed.

On the way back Will confessed that when he had raised the money for Ram he'd also borrowed 2,000 guineas to pay for the improvements. " 'Twill pay in t'end, lad," he promised.

Sue awaited Ram at the house and said Rob had taken Lucinda for a ride around the property. "I'm glad, for what I have fer ye I'd give ye alone." She led him into Hannah's former office. There she handed him two letters. "For you, from Gammer herself. She bade me give you them when—when ye brought home your bride."

The first was addressed: "For Ram's Bride." Nevertheless, he opened it and saw a lock of red-brown hair. Hannah had written:

"Lass, whosoever ye might be. If your bairns is as handsoriie as when I snipped this off his poll ye will be most blessed."

He blinked moistly. Gammer! Therc'd never be another like her.

The other said merely: "Ye Rose captivates ye Heathen Souldier."

"What sense is this?" he wondered. "What rose? What soldier?"

"Sometimes I think she loved a jest more than any, yet there was always sense in her jesting," she said, studying it. "D'ye think she means the red chess piece that was lost? The Black King's a soldier on an elephant. Wouldn't the Red King be too?"

"Ecod, yes! But the rose?"

"Oh, come!" She raced him upstairs, then down the passage into his own bedchamber. "Look!" she pointed. "She had it moved up here when she began ailing, before your return."

Hannah's writing desk.

"See?" She pulled down the leaf. The pigeonholes were supported on either side by a small mahogany column, and in each was inlaid a small rose.

Hands damp with excitement, he pressed the left one; it was solid. But the other! Sue gasped as the tinv ornament moved inward, releasing a catch. He pulled the column free, revealing an aperture in which lay a small paper-wrapped object—the Red King.

He retrieved it and read: "What use is a great glass bauble to me?" Trembling, he twisted the base of the piece and it came free. Ganesha's great eye lay sparkling in his palm. Wealth!

"Sue! Sue!" He caught her up, swung her around and kissed her full lips. "Sue, lass, I'm—"

"La, I scarce thought ye'd dare fondle your doxy in my very chamber!" Lucinda, a picture of injured wifehood, stood in the doorway.