THE CRY FOR FREEDOM (Winds of Betrayal) (6 page)

Hannah glared at Gabriel, who only laughed again at her irritation. He, too, seemed to know what was going on. She turned back to her brother, but too late. He had already remounted. He nudged his horse and rode toward Williamsburg.

Hannah reluctantly performed the duties her brother had requested. Once more annoyance surged within her. Ever since Jonathan had returned from Philadelphia, her irritation had grown. Her spirits elevated so high with the expectation of her beloved brother’s, Jonathan, returned home and Gabriel’s. Only to discover her beloved brother had eloped with a stranger. A stranger who had no desire to meet his family.

Jonathan had met with their father and William at length. She had been well kept out of their conversation. She had been left with the women! Pacing, outside the study. Mother Agnes repeatedly reprimanded her.

But her frustration was not only caused by being left in the dark, it was also Gabriel’s behavior. He hadn’t once tried to be alone with her. After her father gave permission, wasn’t the next logical move an announcement?

To even
further exasperate her nerves were Gabriel’s actions this morning. Hadn’t he sent her a note to ride? After taking painstaking efforts not to be discovered exiting the house, who had she found down by the stables? Her brother! 

Approaching the old Kerr’s cabin down by the river, Hannah pulled back the reins to a trot.  Her brother had faith in his sister that she could successfully sneak back into their uncle’s home undetected; a feat she had performed many times previously.

The Kerr’s had left years before to go to the backwoods of Kentucky. Boards hung down which left a hole in the sides of the walls. The yard had overgrown with weeds. The door propped against the frame of the house. The house cried for attention, but it would serve the purpose for today-isolation.

Hannah saw Gabriel standing upon the porch. He smiled at her with a dazzling smile. Gabriel had always been self-assured, confident in his good looks. His eyes sparkled. He jumped off, meeting her far from the cabin’s door. Handing him all she had collected, he placed the supplies on the ground and extended his arms to help her dismount.

She slipped out to the saddle and she descended into his arms. He entrapped her with his embrace, leaned down and kissed her full upon her lips. For a brief moment she responded back, and then withdrew, “Mr. Lanson?”

He drew her back into his arms. “He’s asleep. Must have had an exhausting trip.”

She returned his smile and clasped her arms around his neck. He kissed her again. His lips descended upon her neck and back up to her lips. Catching their breath, Gabriel said, “I have never seen one look so desirable in men’s breeches.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“You, my dear, don’t seem the sort to look for empty compliments,” he responded.

“What sort am I then?” she met his eyes.

“The sort I desire,” he answered.

“Save your fine talk, Gabriel Witherspoon. Where have you been? Father talked with me about you, which gave me great hope. Only to have all dashed, for you have made no effort
toward me. Have you found someone more suitable for your needs?” she sparred back at him.

Momentarily taken back, Gabriel stood silently. Her eyes met his.

“You don’t deny it. Then you don’t want me anymore?” She abruptly turned from him and made her way to the worn cabin’s door. Gabriel grabbed her arm and jerked her back to him.

“I have eyes only for you, Hannah,” he whispered.

“Ah, but your family. Is that it, Gabriel? What do they have problems with? Tell me! I won’t be played with, Gabriel,” she shot back. 

Gabriel didn’t loosen his hold. “You look even more beautiful when you are mad,” he murmured. He took his hand to her face. “Since my return from Europe, I can assure you, my dreams have only been of you. To have found such an enchanting creature that replaced the little shadow that followed her brother and myself.

“Do you ever think I could ever be happy without you within my arms?” he whispered in her ear, pulling her back to him. His hand pushed back her hair from her face. “Do you think I wanted Jonathan to ride this morning?”

“I thought you asked him,” she uttered in a low voice.

“Oh, no, my darling. It seems your brother also wants to stand between us, for which I will talk with him.”  His arm rounded her, tightening around her waist. His hand worked her shirt loose from her pants. Her hand pushed against his chest and gave him pause. His other hand took hers, staring into her eyes. “Trust me, Hannah. You truly know that I love you. I have thought about us constantly. My parents hesitate, your father only reluctantly gave his permission to save you from going to New York, but if we show them of our love for each other.”

A gasp escaped her voice. “What do you want to do?”

“Oh, my innocent, Hannah. I want you,” he said softly. “I want to show you all. I want to love you. Then no one could deny us. I want to make love to you.” His lips came down hard upon hers, demanding. His hand freed her shirt, caressed her bare skin, easing his hand up her body. “We need to find a place where we can be alone, and soon.”

He pulled away only with reluctance as the pounding of horses’ hooves over gravel could be heard. Hannah quickly tucked her shirt back in as she backed away.

“Don’t worry, my love, I will work on a time,” he whispered. Her face flushed, but could say little else. Rounding the bend, her father and brothers rode up.

* * * *

Hannah loved Mount Fairview, her second home, her second family. Her Aunt Claire bore her uncle eleven children, eight surviving infancy. Only four of her cousins still resided at Mount Fairview. And poor Zachary was one of them. Being the closest in age to Hannah, he had been given the inherited responsibility of Hannah’s care while on the plantation, especially now with threats of raids along the riverfront from the British being anticipated.

Already unrest lay throughout the countryside with the rumors of the terror accompanied by Governor Dunmore’s promise of freedom to slaves if they fought alongside the Tories. Hannah did little to alleviate the unrest on the plantation nor did she hide her aggravation of being left behind by Jonathan and Gabriel when they returned to Williamsburg.

Contrary to James, his younger brother, Zachary was a timid sort, not of a hardy disposition and quite the nervous type. Scrawny, lanky in appearance with a strident voice, he had the unfortunate habit of a constant sniffle. Hannah knew well that Zachary was under continual pressure to perform beyond his abilities. But he grinded on her nerves so with his constant lectures while he accompanied her on the long rides she insisted upon going every day.

Hannah, slow down! Hannah, don’t! Hannah, where are you?, Father wouldn’t like that!

In turn, he took the blunt of her unrest! Hannah tried to stop herself, but found Zachary provoked her to such actions.

Over a week had passed since Gabriel had whispered the words of seduction in her ears, promises he seemed ready to abandon with his departure. Her mood hadn’t improved. The first light of the day greeted Hannah on her morning ride. With the dew still upon the grass, Hannah rode through the pasture. She rolled her eyes listening to Zachary whine.

“Father likes for us to stay on the road, Hannah. He doesn’t want us to go down by the river or the Kerr’s old cabin.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t concern yourself, Zachary. Stay on your roads.”

She nudged her horse to a gallop and jumped the fence into the meadow. Reining her horse in, she turned. Zachary sat, still determining which course to take. With her heel into the side of the sorrel, she rode on. She required time to herself.

Time to contemplate all the happenings around her.  She couldn’t ignore that preparations had begun for war. Nor could she ignore that her family would well be in the middle of any hostilities and Gabriel…Gabriel who was ignoring her! She rode harder and further, but still her unpleasant thoughts haunted her. With the wind in her face, she rode on.

Pulling up, she dismounted.  She was near the Kerr’s cabin. With her horse following behind, the reins in her hands, she approached. Her hat had been lost on her ride, causing her hair to fall loose. The cabin looked as if others had been here since the last time she was here. Marks as if someone had pulled a heavy object up to the door marked the porch.

The sounds of hoof beats stopped her investigation. Zachary must have caught up to her. She turned, only the horseman wasn’t her cousin. The man eyed her with a smile appearing on his face. Hannah didn’t know whether to jump back upon her horse or stand her ground, for the one who was heading straight toward her was the business associate of her uncle. Reining in his horse by her side, he dismounted all in one motion.

“This seems to be my lucky day. Here I thought myself lost and have found someone I know. How are you today, Miss Corbett? Hannah, isn’t it?” he said in an engaging manner. “Climbed any more trees lately?”

Ignoring his question, she asked her own. “Pray, what are you doing out this way? I thought you had left.”

He eyed her, making Hannah uncomfortable. “In all honesty we found the necessity of returning earlier than expected, although your uncle isn’t with us this trip. But I had wanted to see you before I departed again. I wanted to ask if you had had time to consider the request of your grandmother’s. I admit I didn’t believe I would get the opportunity, but didn’t mind an early morning ride. As I can see you enjoy the early morning, also.”

“My cousin will be here soon,” Hannah said, irritated.  “I should go look for him. If you will excuse me.”

He placed his hand on her shoulder before she remounted. “Just give me a few moments. Your horse looks as though he could use a few minutes. Been riding him hard, I see.”

Hannah didn’t want to admit he was right, though, the sorrel was sweating profusely. “I was just going to walk him down to the river for a small drink.”

“Then you won’t mind if I join you,” he answered. He gathered the reins of her horse with his and proceeded down a worn path leading to the river banks. “Your grandparents expressed concerns about your upbringing.”

“There has been nothing wrong with my upbringing,” she responded hotly. “If you are talking of the clothing I have on, I was out with my cousin riding. I wasn’t expecting company. They are much more comfortable.”

“Pray, forgive me. I didn’t mean it as an insult. I find you exceedingly charming, I assure you,” he stated as his eyes rove over her body in a manner that made blood rush to her cheeks. “I am finding I am enjoying my morning adventure. Lovely country. I can quite see why you love it so.”

She looked back at him and continued down the path, tracking through the overgrown trail, she walked down to the river’s edge. Marcus stood uncomfortably close behind her. An awkward silence ensued, for she would neither talk nor look at him, choosing instead to stare across the river as her horse drank.

Marcus took his hat off and wiped his brow. “It does warm up rather quickly in Virginia. Doesn’t it?”

Hannah pursed her lips, refusing to reply. He continued gazing over the water. “Have you ever thought of what lies beyond the river? Where it goes? Just to see what is there?”

She didn’t move and continued her gaze out over the water. “No, I’m perfectly content here.”

She took a deep breath and abruptly turned, crashing into him. He caught her. For an instant he stared deep into her eyes. She backed away, uncomfortable, vividly remembering the feeling of being in his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m clumsy. I suppose I’m being rude,” she rambled as she collected herself. “But I don’t know you, Mr. Durham.”

“Please, Marcus,” he interrupted with a grin. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

She pulled her horse back down the trail toward the road. When they reached it, she mounted up. She watched him mounted, too. “Now, Marcus, I really have to find Zachary or he will go to my uncle.”

She studied him. The man was well assured.  He did not look the sort to get lost. Could he be looking for the man that appeared from New York? Would her father think her fanciful? Wouldn’t it be better to err on the side of safety? She offered. “You are welcome to come with me. I can show you the road back to Williamsburg so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. You are welcome to come by for refreshments if you want.”

“Aren’t you in the least interested in your grandparents or cousins?” Marcus changed the subject once more as he followed her, pressing her, irritating her.

“The last time I saw them, Marcus, my grandfather tried to detain me from my father. I remember crying and pleading. My only memory of my grandmother is one of a disturbed woman, who kept calling me by my mother’s name. It’s not a happy memory, and one I wish to forget. You may know my grandfather as a businessman, but I can only picture him telling me I would never see my father again.”

Marcus rode silently for awhile. “People do things at some points because they love you too much. I don’t know the circumstances, but I understand your grandmother loves you very much. How can that be all bad?

“Mistakes happen. I admit I only know your grandfather professionally at best, but I have met your cousins, Susan and Camilla. Lovely girls, both. I believe Camilla and you would get along nicely. I would have to admit that I don’t care for your cousin, George, but all families have a blacksheep, I am sure. Your grandparents did raise your mother.”