The Sea Hawk (24 page)

"Thank you, Jean. I plan to leave the city soon to begin a new life," Simone said, looking at Julia.

"Go with me tomorrow to speak to Jackson. Then if you still wish to retreat I will not prevent it."

Taking a deep breath, Simone nodded. "Very well. But I can promise nothing."

ACCOMPANIED BY LAFFITE'S friend, Major Latour, Simone and Laffite, along with Edward Livingston, traveled to Jackson's headquarters on Rue de Royale by carriage the following afternoon. Simone was not optimistic they would be received favorably by the American commander as they waited to be seen. Jackson had turned down all previous offers of assistance from Laffite, openly declaring him and his men nothing more than bandits and common criminals. Julia told Simone General Jackson was ill, but continued to assure her the Americans would defeat the British. Her confidence seemed unshakable although Simone didn't know the basis for her lover's beliefs. Nothing Simone had observed convinced her the city could be successfully defended.

An aide to General Jackson escorted the small party into Jackson's office. As they entered the room, Simone saw an old man slowly push his body up from where he was lying on an overstuffed divan. Livingston stepped forward and waited until the emaciated-looking man stood erectly in front of them. Jackson's blue eyes slowly scanned the small group in front of him. "General, may I present
Monsiour
Jean Laffite and Captain Simone Moreau. They have come to offer their services in defending the city of New Orleans from the British."

In a stronger voice than Simone would have thought possible, Jackson replied. "I have already rejected the assistance of these individuals, Mr. Livingston. I do not believe there is anything to be gained by further discussion."

Laffite stepped forward and touched Livingston on the arm before he could reply. "Excuse me,
mon Général
, it is not my intention to grovel before you and beg for the opportunity to be wounded or killed," Laffite began as he stepped closer to the tall American leader. "However, if you will allow me to present my offer once again I am confident we can reach an agreement. Edward, perhaps you would be so kind as to pour us each a glass of brandy to ward off the chill in the air."

Laffite looked around the office at maps and diagrams which hung on the walls. When Livingston handed him a glass of brandy, he drank it down in a single swallow. "Please, have a seat,
Général
," he said. "I have heard you are ill. Please."

Simone accepted a glass from Livingston and watched Jackson closely. When they entered the room he appeared somewhat hostile to their appearance. The look on his face was now one of interest as Laffite spoke. She always found Laffite to be a charming and persuasive man. Perhaps Jean was not turning out to be what Jackson was expecting. Surely he expected a pirate, complete with eye patch and a scarf tied around his head. Now he was no doubt surprised at the well-mannered gentleman standing before him.

"Let us evaluate what is available to defend our city," Laffite said, walking about the room, still gazing at the maps. "The city itself affords some natural protection by virtue of the swamps surrounding it and the river. It would be difficult for an army to simply march into the city other than from the south, here," he said as he pointed to an area which had been cleared for plantations. "As I am sure you are aware,
Général
, the British fleet has already made anchorage near Lake Borgne to the north of the Chandeleur Islands. If I commanded the British troops that are landing, even as we speak, it would merely be a matter of transporting them across Lake Borgne and moving them through the marshes to this point south of the city. What does your naval commander have to stop them?"

"Commodore Patterson had five gunboats defending Lake Borgne, but they were no match for the British gunboats bringing troops across. I have ordered all passages through the swamps along the southern shore of the lake blockaded," Jackson said wearily.

"It is likely the major batteries of British troops will form here, near the Villere plantation. Captain Moreau was detained near that location briefly by an advanced party. Before they can be fully reinforced, we must attack them."

"My men have enough rifles, pistols and cannons, but there is scarcely a flint to be found for the rifles and little gunpowder or ammunition for the cannons."

Chuckling, Laffite said, "If I am not mistaken, sir, many of your cannons were, until recently, my personal property. However, despite that, I am prepared to provide you with an unlimited supply of flints and more gunpowder and ammunition than you will need from my personal stores. Your navy has two ships with excellent firepower."

"Commodore Patterson tells me the most heavily armed corvette, the
Louisiana
, cannot leave the wharf because she does not have enough crewmen to man her sufficiently. Only the sloop-of-war
Carolina
has a crew sufficient for the task."

Looking at Simone, Laffite said, "The members of our crews are all experienced sailors and trained cannoneers. Your troops will need guides to lead them through the swamps. I offer you not only the services of my men and those of Captain Moreau, but the ammunition and gunpowder you need."

"What do you demand as repayment for this generous offer?"

"Captain Moreau and I ask for nothing more than amnesty for ourselves and our men. We also request Letters of Marque allowing us to serve the American government once the safety of New Orleans has been secured."

Jackson rubbed his face with a long thin hand and looked from Laffite to Simone. "Is this arrangement satisfactory to you as well, Madam?"

With a simple nod Simone committed her crews to the service of General Jackson in defending the city. By the time they left Jackson's headquarters Simone was assigned as a gun captain aboard the sloop
Carolina
. Anton would be aboard the newly completed and much larger
Louisiana
. Laffite was named Jackson's aide-de-camp, charged with supervising the defenses into the city from his former headquarters on Barataria Bay to the southwest.

DESPITE THE DANGER gathering outside the city, the citizens of New Orleans tried valiantly to maintain as normal a life as possible. Julia couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so contented. She'd found the love she always wanted. She loved and gave of herself passionately and she knew, without a doubt, she was loved in return. Nothing could dampen her spirits as preparations for the annual Winter Ball continued unabated in the Livingston household. The people of New Orleans, a celebratory holiday notwithstanding, appeared reassured since the arrival of General Jackson. Periodic skirmishes had not reached the city and remained confined to a line ten miles south of the city. She knew the city itself would never be involved in the direct fighting, that Jackson and his makeshift army would be successful in protecting the city and repelling the British, thereby securing the valuable southern port. She knew General Jackson would go on to even greater things, his political future resting on his legend as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans. Her knowledge of what was to come helped her remain calm.

The Livingston household staff spent days preparing the elegant home for the Livingston's annual party. Boughs of evergreens lined the staircases and mantles and the entire house glowed with the spirit of the season. Julia bartered to purchase a small gift for Simone. She hadn't seen Simone in three days due to the preparations on board the
Carolina
. Laffite kept his part of the agreement with Jackson and a steady flow of ammunition and gunpowder to the two warships had begun. When Simone appeared unexpectedly at Julia's bedside late the night before, she had been appropriately welcomed. Julia smiled at the memory. She had never felt so wanton in expressing her feelings before. A smile crossed her lips as she thought about her lover sleeping soundly in their upstairs room.

Julia was preparing a cup of chicory, a substance she was quickly becoming addicted to, when Mrs. Livingston joined her in the kitchen.

"Ah, good morning, Miss Blanchard," Mrs. Livingston greeted her. "Are you looking forward to the party this evening?"

"It sounds delightful. I wish I had something more suitable to wear, but Kitty and I have been mending and cleaning our things."

Mrs. Livingston tilted her head and looked at Julia. "You know," she said as she blew on her coffee to cool it slightly, "I think I might have something that would fit you perfectly. Unfortunately, I have indulged in too many rich foods over the past two or three years and don't have time to have it altered. Once I was a slender little thing such as you. If it fits, you are more than welcome to wear it this evening. It would look wonderful with your hair color and complexion."

"I appreciate the offer, Mrs. Livingston, but I--"

"I would feel slighted, my dear, if you refused my offer. I insist."

BY SEVEN ON the evening of December twenty-second, guests began arriving through the courtyard of the Livingston home. Candles cast pinpoints of light through the gardens and across the wrought iron galleries. Julia was nervous as she looked at her reflection in a standing beveled mirror, turning from side to side. She would never have thought she could wear such a garment and feel comfortable. The material was soft flowing maroon velvet. The center of the dress, which had an alluringly revealing neckline, was a cream, satin-backed material, crisscrossed with gold and black embroidered filigree outlining inset maroon pieces. Black and gold filigree ran around the gown at mid-calf. From there to the floor the gown glittered with black and gold metallic threads in a delicate embroidered pattern.

She adjusted the long sleeves of the gown, pulling a small loop over each middle finger assuring the sleeves remained in place. A crème inset ran the outside length of each sleeve. Satisfied with her appearance, she pulled a crème cashmere shawl embroidered with black, maroon and gold edging around her shoulders, letting it drape over her arms and down her back. She knew Simone would be surprised, but hoped it proved a pleasant one. Although not something Julia would have ordinarily worn in her other life, it made her feel amazingly feminine.

She made her way along the gallery and onto a second floor landing leading to the carved staircase to the main floor. As she paused at the top of the staircase, she saw dozens of guests milling around below her. It was like everything she had read about in history books as a girl. No one would ever believe her.

Laffite sipped from a flute of champagne and brushed the wetness from his mustache with the back of his forefinger with a smile. "Now that Jackson has seen the error in his earlier judgment, I am positive New Orleans will never fall into the hands of the British, Edward. We shall continue with our business as always."

"I hope you are correct in your assessment, Jean," Livingston said. "I can think of nothing more upsetting than having the city overrun with those pompous, overbearing gentlemen."

Laffite was an imposing figure, his height accentuated by his solid black clothing. He prided himself in his appearance and never appeared ruffled, even in a fight. His confidence cast an aura around him that often gave others pause when considering whether to confront the man. His wealth only added to his legend. He was considered quite a catch and frequented the Octoroon Balls and other gatherings, bringing him into contact with numerous attractive young ladies. He had spotted a young woman earlier whom he intended to favor with his attentions. He glanced over the heads of the group around him in an attempt to locate her. As his eyes scanned the guests, he stopped when he saw a woman making her way slowly down the staircase.

"A rare beauty," he said. "I envy your good fortune, Simone."

Simone smiled as she joined Laffite in observing Julia. She stepped away from the group and weaved her way through the other guests, stopping at the foot of the staircase. Julia paused for a moment, taking in the wondrous look of her lover awaiting her. Simone wore tan pants that ended in a split just above her black boots. A solid white shirt inside a white buttoned vest was tied in a large bow at her neck. The dark chocolate waistcoat, which fell to mid-thigh in the back, set off the color of Simone's eyes. The open collar of the waistcoat stood up in the back, ending at the hairline of her short black hair.

As Julia reached the last step, Simone took her hand, turning it over to kiss the palm. Moving a step back, she walked around Julia, taking in the vision before her. "You look magnificent,
ma chère
."

"
Merci, mon amour
," Julia smiled. "I was concerned you might be displeased."

"You are very beautiful, Julia. That you would wear this to please me only makes me desire you more."

Julia ran her eyes down Simone's body, biting her bottom lip in a teasingly coy manner. "And, if I may say so, Captain, you look unbelievably handsome this evening."

Simone slipped her arm around Julia's waist and drew her closer. "Laffite is jealous, you know," she whispered. Glancing at the other guests, she said, "They are all jealous that you are with me."

"I will always be with you, my love," Julia whispered in return, leaning into Simone's embrace.

"And I with you. Would you care for something to drink?"

"Not just yet. But I would love to feel your arms around me in a dance."

Simone laughed as Julia took her arm. "Perhaps later you will dance for me as you did on La Margarita."

"Not unless Esperanza is preparing the drinks. But I do not need anything to encourage me to perform a dance of seduction for you."

As Simone took Julia's hand for the dance, she said, "I may be leaving the festivities early this evening if you continue to tease me."

"I was rather hoping you would." Julia smiled up at the handsome woman. As much as she liked the gown Mrs. Livingston had given her for the evening, it would never compare to what she was certain Simone would give her once it was removed.

Chapter Nineteen