Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) (37 page)

"Yes, sir," Etienne said, coming to attention and deliver
ing a respectful salute. "What about Judah, sir? Does he
come with me?"

"I have other plans for him. Report to your ship at once,
Etienne."

Judah bowed to Etienne and watched him disappear out
the door. Now that he and Jackson were alone, Judah
could see the tired lines on the older man's face. For a
moment, Jackson seemed to slump, then he drew in a deep
breath, stood up straight and tall, and smiled.

"I have something very daring to ask of you, Captain
Slaughter. I'm not sure it can be accomplished."

"You have only to ask, sir."

"Etienne tells me that you have several twenty-four
pounders aboard the
Winged Victory."

"Yes, sir. I have three twenty-four pounders."

"Do you think it would be possible for a man to detach those cannon, put them aboard a smaller vessel that can
maneuver in the swamps, and bring them to me?"

Judah looked amazed for a moment, then he grinned. "I
don't know if it can be done, sir, but I sure as hell will give
it a try."

"Good, good. Find someone who knows the back ways
and the swamps. It will have to be someone very clever
who can get you past the British without being discovered.
I don't have to tell you not to allow those cannons to fall
into enemy hands. Should you be in danger of being
captured, send the cannons to the bottom of the swamp—
is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"I don't know much about such things, Judah, but it
seems to me that you will need a fairly large flat-bottomed boat to maneuver in the swamps. Do you know where you
can get one?"

"Yes, I believe my grandfather has such a boat, sir."

The general smiled widely. "Go to it then, Judah Slaugh
ter. Help me keep the British out of New Orleans."

Judah was moving across the room to the door when the
general called out to him. "Etienne tells me that you were
just married last night. I understand you deserted your new
bride to answer my summons."

Judah paused, one hand on the doorknob, and grinned.
"Last night, for a fraction of a second, I did consider mutiny, sir."

Jackson looked grim. "Let's end this war quickly so I can go home to my Rachel, and you can return to your new bride."

17

Liberty had heard Sebastian returning in the early
afternoon. He and Bandera had been closeted in their
bedroom for hours, no doubt discussing Judah's return and what they should do about it. Liberty was glad she
had recovered her note before Bandera could find it when
she went downstairs that morning. Liberty dreaded the moment Bandera and Sebastian discovered that she had
married Judah.

Thus far Liberty had managed to avoid Bandera, Sebastian, and his mother. Sebastian and Bandera had taken
dinner in their room, and Alicia had not come down at
all. Now, however, as she entered the salon, she found
Bandera and Sebastian sitting on the sofa with their heads
together, while Alicia dozed near the fire. When Sebastian
saw Liberty, he stood up, frowning as he crossed the room to her.

"I understand that my cousin paid us a visit last night.
He must not fancy his life if he is so daring in his exploits."

"You need have no concern for Judah, Sebastian,"
Liberty told him with the greatest satisfaction. "He has
received a full pardon for the false charges that you and my sister lodged against him, and he has no reason to fear for his life."

Sebastian's face reddened in anger. "Guard your
tongue, Liberty. Have a care about defending that man
against your own family."

"If that is a threat, Sebastian, I am not impressed.
Must I constantly remind you that this is my home? You
cannot dictate to me here."

Sebastian frowned, and his eyes closed to slits. "How
was Judah cleared? I have heard nothing about it."

Liberty shrugged. "It seems Andrew Jackson himself is
responsible for Judah's pardon. You should have been
here when Judah arrived last night, Sebastian. He would
have told you this himself."

"I suppose he had been staying with my uncle, trying to
worm his way back into his good graces?"

"Perhaps."

Bandera moved over to the fire and glanced down at
her sleeping mother-in-law, wondering how Alicia could
sleep through this conversation. She held her hands out to
warm them as she spoke. "I have been telling Sebastian
that Judah had the audacity to ask you to marry him.
Sebastian agrees with me that it would be impossible for you to accept such an offer. We believe Judah wants only
to hurt us through you."

Liberty walked over to the window and untied the sash, so the curtains came together. Gathering her courage, she
turned to face them. "You are too late, Bandera. As of
last night, I became Madame Judah Slaughter." For proof
of her statement, Liberty held out her hand so Bandera
and Sebastian could see her ring. "You must both give me
your best wishes," she said, smiling sweetly.

Sebastian balled his hands into fists while his eyes took
on a wild expression. "I will not have it!" he shouted. "Why was I not consulted on this matter?"

A deep voice spoke up from the doorway. "Because,
cousin, it was none of your affair. Liberty did not require
your permission."

Liberty felt her heart leap with joy as Judah smiled at
her reassuringly. She had never seen him in the garb he now wore. In it, he looked every bit the sea captain in his
red ruffled shirt, black britches, and soft, black leather
knee boots. He gave her the merest wink before he turned
his full attention back to his cousin, Sebastian.

The hatred and distrust that radiated between the two
men was heavy in the room. Sebastian's face went from red to white.

"You are a trickster and an upstart, Judah," he said.
"You have insinuated yourself into my life once too often,
and I demand satisfaction!"

Judah's eyes were cold and deadly as he watched Sebas
tian. Cautiously he moved over to Liberty and placed his
hand on her arm. "I would like nothing better than to
oblige you, but unfortunately, I have a matter before me that takes precedence over your challenge. You can address me another day, and I will gladly meet you on the
field of honor, Sebastian."

Bandera whirled around to her husband. "You fool. You have been beaten, and you just don't have the
intelligence to know it. You have failed in everything you
ever set out to do. I do not know why I married you!"

For a moment Judah looked at Bandera, as if seeing
her for the first time. Her face was distorted with anger,
her lips pulled tightly across her teeth and her eyes bulging. How could he ever have thought her desirable?

Liberty nodded toward the door, knowing Sebastian
and Bandera would probably argue for hours. When they were in the hallway, Judah pulled Liberty into his arms. Neither spoke for a few moments as they stared into each
other's eyes.

"How long can you stay?" she asked shyly, remember
ing he had promised her a wedding night.

"I have to leave shortly. Where can we go so we will not
be overheard? I would not want what I am about to tell you to reach anyone else's ears."

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"No, there wasn't time."

"Then come with me into the kitchen while I feed you,
and Oralee can stand guard at the door."

"Do you trust Oralee?"

"With my life" —she smiled—" ... or yours."

Once they reached the kitchen, and the formidable
Oralee stood on the other side of the door keeping watch,
Liberty placed a plate of broiled catfish and sausages before Judah.

She winced as he caught her hand. "Judah, I know it is most unconventional for the master of the house to eat in
the kitchen, but this was the only place we could be sure
prying ears were not listening."

"I hadn't thought of myself as the master of Briar
Oaks," he said thoughtfully. "I consider myself only the
master of the
Winged Victory."

"As my husband, you are master here, Judah. It is the
law."

He smiled devilishly. "I would far rather be your mas
ter."

She ducked her head, allowing her golden hair to form
a curtain around her face. She was so befuddled by his
nearness, that she spoke of the first thing that came to
her mind, trying to keep from throwing herself into his
arms. "I apologize for the light meal, but you see, we . . .
rely on what we raise on Briar Oaks or catch in the river.
Food has not been plentiful lately, and there are so many
to feed."

He paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. "Are things as bad as that?"

"We manage."

"I will see that you have money immediately," he said,
feeling angry with himself for not realizing Liberty's desperate need.

"That is not important just now," she told him, pouring a glass of wine and setting it before him. "You said you
had something to discuss with me?"

"Yes. I am in need of a big flat-bottomed pontoon
boat. I just came from my grandfather, hoping he could
supply me with one, but his is being repaired. He suggested that you might help me out."

"Oui.
I have a pontoon boat, and you are welcome to it, but-"

"I cannot tell you why I need it. I cannot even promise
to return it. All I can tell you is that it will be used in a good cause."

"It is yours without question." Her eyes sought his. "Will you be in much danger?"

"No more than I can safely avoid." He took a bite of the fish and found it tender and succulent.

Suddenly the sounds of cannon fire ripped through the
night, and Liberty's face drained of color. "In heaven's name, what was that?" she cried.

Judah shoved the plate of food aside and stood up.
"By, God, it's started!" His eyes blazed with an excitement
Liberty did not understand. "There is nothing for you to
fear. The noise you heard was just a little lady by the name of
Carolina
paying her respects to the British."

There was now urgency about Judah's manner as he
walked to the window and looked toward the sound of the
cannon fire, unable to see anything from his vantage point. "This is going to be a long night, Liberty," he predicted. "All could be won or lost in a matter of days."

"It sounded so near," she said, standing on her tiptoes
and trying to see over his shoulder. "I cannot believe the
enemy is in Louisiana and men will die tonight. Perhaps
even some of my friends will die." Horror registered in her eyes as she stared at her golden-haired husband. "Perhaps even...”

Judah gripped her arm. "I have to leave as soon as
possible, Liberty. Three of my crew members are waiting
out front for me." His eyes swept her face. "I have
something else to ask of you —do you know a good man
who is completely trustworthy and who knows the swamps well enough to avoid the British?"

"Are you going to be in danger?" she pressed.

"I live a charmed life." He touched her golden curls.
"Do you know anyone who can guide me through the
swamps?"

A daring plan had started to form in her mind. If
Judah was going to be in danger, then she wanted to be
with him. No one knew the swamps better than she. If she offered to guide Judah, he would refuse, but if she
were to disguise herself so he wouldn't recognize her . . .
She remembered the day she had gone fishing and had
dressed like a boy. At first Judah had not recognized her.

"Oui,
I know such a person, Judah. He is but a lad, but he knows the swamps better than anyone. He lives here on Briar Oaks and is a true patriot."

"Good. I apologize for imposing on you, but I seem to have no other alternative." He walked across the room. "I will be at the pier making the pontoon ready. Send the lad
to me as quickly as possible." With his hand on the
doorknob, he faced her. For the briefest moment his eyes
seemed to caress her face. "Until later, Liberty," he said
with feeling. "Wait for me to return."

As the sound of cannons echoed across the valley, and flashes of light touched the night sky like a breath of fire,
Judah walked toward the river, accompanied by his men.

Liberty hurried up the stairs to the attic, hoping no one
had thrown away the trousers she had abandoned after
deciding to become a lady for Judah. She opened three
trunks and scattered the contents over the dusty floor before she found what she was looking for.

Oralee, on Sebastian's orders, had just brought a bottle
of brandy into the salon. She was standing in the door
way, and out of the corner of her eyes, she watched in
amazement as a young boy came down the stairs. "I will
be right back,
M'sieu,"
she told Sebastian, hurrying after the intruder.

"Damn that Oralee!" Sebastian gritted out, pouring two glasses of brandy and handing one to his mother and the
other to his wife. "I have two hysterical women on my
hands, and Oralee can't stay to help me."

"Find out what is happening!" Bandera screamed at the
top of her voice. "We will all be killed!"

"Not you, my sweet," Sebastian said harshly. "You could always entice the British to bed you instead of cutting your pretty throat."

Oralee slipped into the kitchen and grabbed the intruder by the arm. "Here, boy, what do you think you
are — ?" Her eyes rounded in amazement when she recog
nized Liberty.

"Ma petite,
what is the meaning of this?" Her eyes
moved over the baggy brown trousers and the ragged coat
that had seen better days. Liberty's golden hair had been
pinned to the top of her head, and she wore a wide-
brimmed gray hat. "Are you out of your mind? Why are
you dressed in such a disgraceful manner?"

Liberty raised her finger to her lips. "I haven't time to tell you now, Oralee. I need your help in keeping my secret. If you are asked where I am, say that I have gone to Bend of the River."

"Are you going to Bend of the River?"

"No, Oralee. It is imperative that I help Judah. No one, not even Judah, must know about this. Will you promise to keep my secret?"