Journey to victory, p.35
Journey to Victory, page 35
“What do you mean?” Christiane’s tone rose, shrill.
“The letter to Will. It takes time to get a letter to and from England. It may take Will some time to find out the truth. We must just be patient.”
Christiane handed back the letter without further comment, but her stormy expression said much.
***
Seven p.m. arrived. Christiane sat at her vanity. She still felt head-achy and slightly sick. How could she eat a meal with him? If she were a man, she would call him out and shoot him. She crumpled another handkerchief. At first she had agreed to dine with him only because Mrs. Washington had insisted. Did Christiane want the Englishman to know how much he upset her, her friend had reasoned. Finally Christiane had decided she wanted to have a chance to tell him exactly what she thought of him. With this in mind, she peered once again into her mother’s jewel chest.
Dolly had dressed her heavy, chestnut hair to perfection. Long curls teased their way down the sides of her neck and onto her bare shoulders. She was wearing her best gown, one of deep brown satin and wide creamy lace. The rubies or the pearls, which? Finally she chose the long rope of white pearls and twisted them into a triplet. She would show him she did not need to accept pearls from him.
Then she added the extravagant matching earbobs. Critically, she looked down into the small mirror. The pearls glowed against her skin, accentuating it and the lace. She rose, and for a moment she tried to imagine herself at Versailles being presented at court as she would have been if she had not fled to America. She would make him regret losing her. That would be her revenge.
Christiane glided down the candlelit hall and staircase. Though it was just seven, stern autumn had already put away the sun for the night. She thought for a moment of her afternoon ride, all the crumpled auburn leaves she had raced over. Another winter coming. This Christmas she would turn twenty-two. The first time she had met the major she had only been fifteen. What a contrast between these two meetings—a rude frontier fort and a gracious dining room on a Virginia estate. She lifted her chin and stepped into the parlor.
John and Sarah Renee sat comfortably, side by side, in front of a large fire. This irritated Christiane immediately, but she pushed the emotion down. There would be no scene. She acknowledged the men as they rose, “Good evening.”
The major held Sarah’s hand and allowed himself to take in all her mother’s loveliness before he spoke, “Good evening, Christiane.”
His familiarity in addressing her by her first name infuriated her, but she only smiled glacially and turned to the lieutenant who stood by the window.
“Good evening, madam,” he said over-politely and bowed over her hand. And though they made the effort of conversation, her eyes never left her daughter, who in turn never left the major’s side.
Mrs. Washington entered and on her heels, Breechy summoned them to dinner. In the little dining room on the main floor the cozy table was set for five. The room was striking with its sea green walls and ornate mantel. John helped Mrs. Washington to her seat. At her request he took the seat to her right and helped Sarah up into the chair next to his. Farnsworth seated Christiane and sat to Mrs. Washington’s left. The meal began.
Christiane ate but did not taste. She nodded and smiled to those who spoke to her, but she did not follow the conversation. How dare he sit there and smile at her? Finally the ordeal ended. The major and lieutenant rose. Little Sarah then went reluctantly with Dolly off to bed.
“I think I will take my wine with me,” Mrs. Washington said and took Farnsworth away with her, much against the usual custom of leaving the men to enjoy the wine alone.
In brittle silence, Christiane and the major moved uncomfortably to Windsor chairs opposite each other near the fireplace. “Why are you here?’ Christiane opened without introduction.
“To find out why you left me.”
“That should have been obvious. I read the general’s letter. Why are you continuing your pose of being unmarried?”
“I am unmarried.”
“Liar.”
He raised one eyebrow. “I am not married. I told you that Mary Ann died before I left for Canada. How did you ever come to such an erroneous conclusion?”
His calm tone grated on her. She frowned deeply.
“That last morning in Philadelphia,” she began, “I prepared to go riding, but I forgot my gloves. So I came upstairs to our room. I went behind the dressing screen to find them. While I was hidden there, Alfred came in with a friend.” She stopped and looked him straight in the eyes. “They were joking about my not knowing about your wife and child in London.” There was complete silence then. “Don’t you have any quick answer, my lord?” she asked in bitter sarcasm.
A look of deep distress had come to the major’s face.
She took it as a sign of guilt. “Did you think you could keep it from me forever? Or did you plan to tell me when the marriage never took place? Or would you have married me falsely and never let me know?” Her voice shook, “What really makes me angry is that you would have let me bring Jean Claude along. You would have let him call you father, knowing it was a lie. How could you have been so selfish?”
He raised his eyes to hers. “Now I begin to understand,” he said slowly.
“The truth cannot be denied.”
“No, but it can be obscured by a lie. I see now that there is no such thing as a harmless lie. For this one has wounded us and our child.”
“You admit it then?” she asked, very near to tears.
“No, I do not. I am unmarried.” He looked at her speculatively. “Why didn’t you come to me and confront me?”
“You were in that meeting.”
“Yes, I remember. But you mean you left on the strength of one idle comment you overheard?” His tone accused her and she hated him for it.
“You have your nerve questioning me,” she declared.
“Answer my question.”
She was stung by his attack. He dared berate her as though she had not loved him. How dare he? “I will answer, but only because I want you to know that you are not fooling me. I could not believe it at first, so I went to Mrs. Loring.”
“Mrs. Loring?” His voice was incredulous.
“Yes. Can you think of anyone else who would know more than that gossip?”
“No, but I would not deem her a reliable source. Why would you?”
“Your attitude is beyond my comprehension. What does it matter who I asked? If you remember, the day was quite unusual. You and Lord Hazelton were both in that meeting and then Lieutenant Hansen, that double agent, that traitor, appeared before my eyes in the yard. I could not stay once I had seen what he was.”
“I remember the day well, Christiane. Why did you flee when you saw Hansen, as you call him? Why didn’t you wait? Didn’t you have enough faith in me to know that I would have protected you no matter what?”
Her mouth gaped in rage as she struggled with herself. She would scream if he persisted in this manner. At last she mastered herself, but in a venomous voice she accused him, “You are married. Why don’t you just admit it instead of trying to put the blame on me? I was willing to turn my back on my ideals, my friends, everything, all for you! I loved you and you used me. Admit it for once and be a man.”
His face was grim. “I am deeply sorry for the pain you have suffered, but I never wished to cause you hurt.”
Trembling, she kept her eyes down and would not look at him.
“Now I will explain what you heard Alfred say. When the Revolution began, I asked for a transfer to a combat post. When I arrived, the army was already in New York. It became apparent as we stayed there that the worthy matrons of the city were husband-hunting among the staff. At the time—as you know—I did not desire the company of women. The usual precautions did not work, however, especially with one family. This mother and daughter were more than persistent. So I had a friend drop the word that I was married with a daughter in London. This did the trick, and it became a popular jest among the officers. Now do you see what I mean about there being no such thing as a harmless lie?”
“I don’t believe you.” She turned her back to him.
“I am not married, Christiane. I have no proof yet, but I am not married. I told you only the truth in Philadelphia.”
“Really, my lord?” She whirled around to face him. “Sarah Renee is my proof that you lied. I did not want to believe at first that you had misrepresented yourself. I left not only to protect myself from suspicion, but also you. How does it look for an English major to be intimate with the companion of the enemy general’s wife? But later when I realized my condition, I had no choice but to acknowledge your treachery. I suppose you have an explanation for how a man unable to father children got me with child?” She dared him with her flashing eyes.
“I can only say that it was a miracle, a once-in-a-lifetime boon from the Divine. And I can only thank Him and you for my daughter.”
“She is my daughter. You have no legal right to her.”
“I will when we marry.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Marry? Why do you persist in this charade? I will never marry you.”
“Yes, you will. I will prove that I am telling you the truth and we will marry.”
“General Washington has already called your bluff.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“The general has written to his friend in London and asked that he find out the truth.” She sneered smugly. “By spring the truth of your falsehood will find you out.”
“Christiane, I am sorry you feel that way. I regret not being with you when you needed me, but you are wrong. My innocence will be proved come spring. And come spring you will marry me. Even if you still despise me as you seem to, you will marry me for Sarah’s sake. And whatever my feelings may be, I will marry you because my only child will not be a bastard, but my legitimate heir.”
Oh, she wished she had her riding crop! How she wished to strike him for his pompous insincerity! She could stand no more and swept from the room. She could hear his footsteps following her and then they stopped. She continued down the hall and up the staircase. The gall of the man.
***
Two more days had passed and it was afternoon. Christiane and Evan strolled near the river. “No, I’m glad you came, Evan. So much has happened in the last few days. I need someone to talk to.”
The river was gray and rusty leaves were falling in abundance around the two of them. Some leaves floated in lazy spirals in the water. Eastham and the rest of the party had left that morning early. Her little girl had cried. Christiane pushed the image from her mind.
“What has happened? And why is it you can’t you talk to Martha?”
“You are very astute. I can’t talk to Mrs. Washington because she doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. Her mind is set.” Normally she would not have confided in Evan, but she needed someone she could trust to talk to. And in light of his proposal, she thought he should know about the major. She took a deep breath. “The Englishman who was here is Sarah’s father.”
“An Englishman, you say?” he replied calmly.
“Doesn’t anything shock you?”
“Very little. I’ve lived long and seen much. It does seem out of character for you though, I must admit.”
“In a way yes and in a way no.”
He lifted his eyebrow at her.
“Would it shock you if I told you that I was raised by my mother, a courtesan of the French court?”
“Not in the slightest. It would explain much about you.”
She didn’t know if she liked this response. “Such as?”
“You are a natural beauty, but your carriage, your speech, even the way you position your hands gives you away. You had, I would suspect, a detailed training in the art of grace.”
“Yes, I did that.” She paused to stir some leaves with her toe.
“Go on,” he prompted.
“Oh, it’s just too unbelievable. I never thought I would see him again. Never. I don’t really understand why he came. He said he wanted to find out why I had left him in Philadelphia—as if he didn’t know!”
“Why did you leave him?”
“A better question would be why did I ever allow myself to become involved with him. I left because he promised me marriage and then I found out that he was already married.”
“Ah.” They walked in silence then.
A gust of wind tugged at their clothing. Then came another. Evan held onto his hat and Christiane wrapped her plaid wool shawl closer around her. “What did you mean about Martha setting her mind?”
“Well, he maintains that he is not married and has not been since his first and only wife died almost ten years ago.”
“And he wants to marry you?”
“That is what he says.”
“You don’t believe him?” he went on.
“Not a bit.”
“But Martha does?”
“Exactly.” She pursed her lips.
“That is interesting. Martha is a very perceptive person. Are you sure he is married?”
“Positive. I tried to explain to her that he is a consummate actor. That he completely deceived me. But she was taken in by the attention he lavished on Sarah. I do not wish to quarrel with her, so I have not.”
“A complex situation.”
“Very,” she agreed.
“How do you intend to expose him?”
“Fortunately the general wrote in his letter to Mrs. Washington that he was writing to his friend Will in London.”
“Ah, yes, Will Fairfax. Just the man to discover the confirmation of guilt or innocence.”
“I hope so. I resent the major’s coming back into my life. I can think of no other motive for doing so other than spite.”
“I don’t know. I would go at least as far as Yorktown to see you again,” he said with a trace of amusement.
She touched his arm. “Evan, I’m glad you said that. It brought something else to mind. Are you still going to Williamsburg next week?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I have received bad news, I’m afraid.”
“What is it?”
“A dear friend of mine, Matilda Main, was widowed at Yorktown.”
“Sad news indeed.”
“Yes, and I am afraid that she is in need. Would you take a few of my jewels and get a fair price for them?”
“Of course.”
“And would you tell me how to arrange a safe way to send funds to her?”
“Yes, of course. I will be seeing my banker and lawyer anyway. As for my jeweler…,” He stopped and took her hand. “May I ask him to design an engagement ring for you?”
She looked up at him and sighed. “Oh, Evan, what am I going to do with you?”
“Marry me.”
“My answer has not changed.” Her tone had softened and she saw that he had sensed it. “In any case,” she went on,” I cannot marry till this latest episode is concluded.”
“When will that be?”
“It could take as long as spring.”
“Then it will be a long winter indeed,” he answered, taking her hand up to kiss it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Once again—with the same desk between them—General Washington and Major Eastham sat, facing each other. “I am glad you came so promptly, Major.”
“Thank you, sir. I have been waiting to hear from you. I take it that you have heard from your friend in London?”
“Yes, I have.” The general held up the letter.
“Well, sir, am I married or not?” John’s blithe tone hid his very real irritation at having his word questioned. “I have been anxious to find out.”
“You are not. All that you told me is true.”
“I am very relieved. Having a wife and a child in London would be a grave trial to me just now.”
“I wonder how Christiane ever got the idea that you were married?”
“We discussed that. I believe she misinterpreted a remark she overheard.” He said it calmly, but her betrayal still jabbed him.
“Ah.” There was a pause. “What are your plans then?” The stern eyes locked onto the major’s face.
“I plan to resign my commission and with your permission return to Mt. Vernon to make Christiane my wife.” Though he seriously doubted she would marry him. But at least he would have the satisfaction of confronting her—forcing her to admit she’d misjudged him. And he would not be denied access to his own child.
Washington did not try to hide his smile. “Good. Good. A wise decision. I have already written you a letter of safe conduct and a letter of explanation to my wife. As a private citizen, you will not need an escort.”
“Thank you, sir, it will be a pleasure to visit your charming wife again. Your estate is truly lovely.”
“Thank you.” The general beamed with pride. “I only wish I could accompany you. Well, I believe that takes care of our business.” He rose to shake hands. “My best wishes to the both of you.” As the major turned to leave, Washington spoke again, “By the way, I just want you to know, the junior officers learned about this matter from Lt. Farnsworth, your escort last fall.”
“Oh?”
“Their sympathy, of course, was with Mrs. Kruger, so they held a competition this winter.”
“A competition?”
“Yes, to decide which one would be the most able to best you in a duel. They believed that you were married or that you would refuse to marry her. They intended to defend her honor.”
“I see.”
“Therefore, if anyone approaches you and tries to challenge you as you leave, inform them of your intentions.”
“I will, sir.”
***
A few days later Major Eastham and Alfred rode slowly down the country road. The spring drizzle had made the ground muddy and hard to travel. Their canvas mackintoshes covered them, but the light rain beaded and dripped from their hats and occasionally down the backs of their necks.
Alfred wished they had spent the day at the cozy inn of this morning, but he knew how anxious his lordship was to reach Mt. Vernon. He felt deeply his own part in causing the misunderstanding that had led the lady to disappear. Lord Eastham had been gracious about it as usual and had excused Alfred’s verbal slip by saying that it was his own fault for lying in the first place. “How much farther, do you think, my lord?” Alfred said before he could stop himself.
