Author's Note: Let me apologize for not getting this chapter out sooner, but life is hard and living is harder. I hope to get new chapters out faster, but I have responsibilities and a girlfriend, who prefers me paying attention to her than my writing. I won't stop the story until I am finished or I die, whichever comes first. I hope you enjoy this chapter and treat me kindly, but honestly, in your reviews. Thank you.
Chapter 25: A Knight to Remember or a Wedding and a Near Funeral
Rose's dress was pure white satin and silk with white ostrich feathers and white ermine and lace trim. The wearing of white was a new tradition in Victorian England, when Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding 1840. Since that day the wearing of white has become fashionable particularly among the aristocracy.
The Countess Isles had consented to be her maid of honor and wore a cream colored dress of pure silk with black lace and mink trim and a black satin cape. The Lady Ravenhill had insisted in giving the bride away as her father's representative. The Lady Ravenhill's dress was identical to that of the Countess's in every detail save one.
Hidden cleverly and discretely in several pockets in the cape were seven throwing knives. The veteran fighter would love to have had a pistol or a derringer hidden in one of those pockets, but English Law forbade the carrying of pistols in public. So, the dangerous warrior was going to have to be satisfied with knives.
Three maids were helping the bride to be to get dressed. They were going to be in the service the soon-to-be Lady Rose as a wedding gift from the Countess Isles. The serving maids were deemed unreliable by Bridgette so they were going to have to be sent away and how could common house maids refuse the promotion to being a personal maid to nobility, no matter if that noblewoman be an American or no.
Hugh had to his distaste acquired a valet, who had been one of the butlers. The former butler had also been deemed unreliable, because his father was an Anglican minister and a very conservative one at that. So the son of a clergyman had earned his trip to Texas.
While the bride and groom were getting ready for the wedding ceremony, the maid of honor and father of the bride representative made their way to the Isles Family Chapel to see if there had been any last minute hiccups.
***SE***
The Carmichael brothers slipped into the hallway that lead to the Isles Family Chapel in hopes of seeing their sister, but was instantly aware of how their commong clothing stood out against all the pomp. So they quickly disguised themselves as extra help hired for the wedding.
***SE***
The two intruders watched as guest started to enter the Isles Family Chapel and people took their places to experience the wedding couple's happiness. The brothers had no idea where their sister was being held, but they did know one person who would have that information…the new dressmaker Gwendolyn.
The two siblings acquired trays and started pretending to be servers. Slowly the Carmichael brothers made their way toward their quarry. Several times they had to stop and pretend to be part of the serving staff. However soon they had their target in sight.
Lady Ravenhill was very observant. The experienced hunter's years on the frontier had made her acutely aware of her surroundings. When something was out of place or not just right, the veteran fighter sensed it and would know immediately what action was necessary.
The Countess Isles was also very aware of all the arrangements for the wedding and the proper etiquette for such an event. At the same moment her tall destructive lover was sensing something was wrong, the intelligenthoney blonde noblewoman wondered, 'Why are those men serving hors d'oeuvres before the ceremony?'
Lady Ravenhill asked herself no questions, but moved decisively toward the obvious intruders. However the two brothers were oblivious of her approach as they had reached their objective and whispered into the young designer's ear, "Come witus iffin ye wont to live."
The frightened young woman stared at the two men who held knives and looked very dangerous. So, Gwendolyn started to follow them. However their progress was interrupted by a tall brunette dressed in and evening gown with a flowing cloak. The deadly noblewoman asked, "Why are you gentlemen here? And why are you threatening my dressmaker?"
The older brother snickered, "Ye will do nicer than her. Where be our sister? Iffin ye don't tell me I'll keel ye."
The veteran warrior laughed as she responded with a flying blade that had been retrieved from one of the hidden compartments in her cloak. The knife sailed through the air and sliced through the older sibling's thin leather boot then the through man's foot and then through the sole of the man's boot; penning him to the ground.
The wounded man screamed in agony as the angry American drew two more knives and announced, "My next two knives are going to hit something vital. Now I want you throw away the knives. Gwendolyn be a good girl and get the guards. Now back to my original questions. Who are you and why are you here?"
The wounded man moaned while trying to pull the knife from his foot. The brother held up his hands as he dropped his knife and replied, "We be here to fetch our sister. We knows she's be a prisoner here."
The controlled young noblewoman laughed as she responded, "You're Carmichaels. Well it looks like there is going to a full ship going back to Texas. Your sister is being transported, because she betrayed the Countess's trust.
Now you are going to have to join her. You may help your brother. I'm afraid that would could make him limp permanently. I hope not."
The unwounded brother rushed to help his wounded brother by first removing the knife and then using it to cut the injured man's boot. At that moment, three guards arrived with rifles. The tall American ordered, "Escort Miss Carmichael here to help her brother and then escort them all back to room until I can sort things out after the wedding."
***SE***
None of the guest witnessed the disturbance outside the Isles Family Chapel, where the wedding was being held. However, Maura had seen the entire affair. It was she who dispatched three guards to help the most capable Baroness. Moments after the three guard sent by the Countess, Gwendolyn arrived with two others.
The new pair of guards eased the brothers into a side room, while one of the original three guards fetched a doctor to repair the damage caused by the Baroness's knife. The other two original soldiers quickly hurried to Miss Carmichael's room to bring her to her brothers. The five fighters were being as discrete as possible as not to disturb such a sacred ceremony.
As the doctor worked on the wounded man's foot, the guards bound both men's hands behind their backs. Additionally, the efficient soldiers bound the unwounded man's feet so he couldn't escape even if he were given the chance.
After several minutes the music started in the Isles Family Chapel as Miss Carmichael was escorted into the room to meet her daring brothers. Lillian saw that one of her brother's was wounded and being tended by a doctor and that both were being restrained. So the irate servant demanded, "Why are you restraining my brothers? What is going on and how did Matthew get wounded?"
The unjured brother responded, "We came to fetch ye, but war captured by Lady Ravenhill. We still don't know how the bitch spotted us or why ye ere being held. She said something about sending us to Texas in America ... warever that be."
The loving sister ran to her brothers and threw her arms aroung them, as she explained, "I threatened the Countess with something I knew and she threw me in the dungeon before I could tell someone. I was angry and upset and I said something that should not have been said.
Her Grace think that the air in America would be better for my health. I'm sorry I got you into this. I'll talk to Her Grace and maybe she will send you home to your families. I'll explain how I never told you anything about Her Grace… so you boys can go back to your families."
Turning to the doctor who was treating her brother's wound she asked, "Doctor, how is my brother?"
The young physician turned to look at the lovely sister and answered, "The foot is a bad place to get a knife wound. There are major arteries and blood vessels there and we don't know enough about the antimony and physiology of the area to treat it properly. Most of the study of the human antimony has concentrated on the head and torso. However, the Baroness is good with a blade and obviously avoided the major areas. If he treats the wound properly and avoids any infections, then he should recover well."
Turning to his patient the competent surgeon declared, "However, if you should stay off this foot for at least two weeks or you could end up with a permanent limp or worse."
The wounded patient replied, "But doctor I be a carpenter and iffin I dint do me craft, my family will starve."
The professional young man looked kindly at the man, but could only sigh as he responded, "I'm sorry about your situation. Her Grace may do something to help you, but seeing how you invaded her house and threatened her servants I don't see that as a very likely option."
Turning back to the former dressmaker, the steady young doctor removed a bottle from his bag and ordered as he handed the young woman the bottle, "Keep the wound clean and change the dressing every three hours. Soak the dressing in a solution of a pail of water with two tablespoons of that solution. Be careful not get any on your hands as it is very strong and could burn your skin.
Miss Carmichael, I am sorry about your circumstances. However you brought this on yourself. I know her Grace and she is a kind and thoughtful young woman and the most generous noble I have ever met. You should not have threatened her. Who she loves is her matter, not yours. It is written, 'Judge not lest ye be judged by a stick of equal measure.'
Could your life bear such scrutiny? I know mine could not for there are things we all must do to live in this very unforgiving world."
The auburn haired young woman looked down at the bottle to hide the shame in her face. The former designer knew the stalwart young physician was right about one thing. Countess Isles was the kindest and most generous noble the former aristocrat had ever met.
***SE***
Everyone was in their seats as the organ played a simple and joyous piece by Frederic Chopin. Hugh stood proudly at the altar as he awaited his bride with the dashingly dressed Captain of Her Grace's personal guard at his elbow as his best man. The two men had known each other since Sir Hugh had been hired as the young heiress's personal bodyguard and the Captain had been just a new recruit from the same village in Wales.
Her Grace the Countess Isles stood opposite the two men with a large boutique of flowers awaiting the bride as the young American's maid of honor. It was a happy and sad occasion for the charming noblewoman, though you would never know the sadness in side of her from the look of pure joy on the honey-blonde's face.
Maura knew she would never have such a ceremony or walk down the aisle or have a nervous groom awaiting her arrival, because the love of her life was woman and society didn't allow for individuals of the same sex to marry. Though the kind teenager was happy for her two friends, she was disheartened for herself.
Oh, the generous young woman knew hers would be happy life with her chosen partner, once they moved to the frontier where societal pressures would not intrude on their love affair. However there was something to be said for the ceremony and grandeur of the spectacle of a wedding. Though Jane filled her heart with nothing but joy, their love did have a cost, which the young Countess was more than willing to pay.
Suddenly the music changed to the wedding march and everyone became alert and stood straight and tall. The bride with her stunningly white dress with a twenty foot train, being held gallantly by three twelve year old girls from very prominent families recruited by the Countess for this occasion, entered the Isles Family Chapel escorted by Lady Ravenhill in place of her mismatched pair traveled behind an eight year boy caring a red velvet pillow with two golden rings upon it and Tina, the Countess's ward and heir to the Isles Earldom carrying a large boutique of flowers.
The boy smiled with self importance in his very well tailored black evening suit. His mother, a young Baroness, was equally overcome with pride at how her young son carried himself. The boy was participating as a personal favor to the Countess Isles, which could do much for her husband, who's Barony was experiencing hard times.
It seems the new textile mills in the cities were replacing the small water mills in the English countryside and her husband had depended on the income from those small mills and the cloth woven by hand by his tenants. The Countess had generously agreed to buy his Barony's output for the next five years at a generous price on the agreement that he would use the profits to convert his mills to the production of sugar and his farms to producing sugar beets.
The wily businesswoman had gotten the ring bearer she wanted and a valuable partner in her quest for sugar to produce her rum. Rum was a vital part of the stores of the English fleet. A pint of rum was issued each day to every sailor in the English Navy. English sailors were known to mutiny if a Captain failed to supply the liquid.
The bridal train was followed by three young girls with basket of rose pedals. When they reached the Isles Family Chapel floor they started tossing the red pedals behind the white flowing train. The six year old girl is the daughter of a lat Baron and heir to his estate.
However, her mother is regent and not very good at handling money or property. So the Countess is giving them a generous mortgage on their holdings in order to stabilize their barony with the only string being Her Grace supplies them with a steward to oversee their holdings.
One of the train bearers was a distant cousin to the Queen and the youngest daughter of her family. The Countess arranged a fine marriage with a fifteen year heir to a small Barony in Scotland. Her mother is most grateful and obligated.
Another of the twelve year old girls' father is a baron to a strip of land in Northern Britanny without any natural resources or crop potential. Lady Ravenhill inspected his property many months ago during her first visit and said it would be a fine place to raise cattle.
However the Baron didn't have the money or the credit to buy the breeding stock. Her Grace sent the man a prize bull and ten fine cows to help him get started. In exchange, the strapped nobleman gave her his vote in the House of Lords for the next eight years.
The last of the twelve year old girls was the heiress of a steel manufacturer, who was looking for influence at court. The ambitious man was looking to sell steel to the English fleet to make the new steamships. He needed a way to expand his business and had recently purchased a boiler manufacturing plant in Liverpool. However, he didn't have the capital to continue if he didn't sell some more boilers.
Steamships were a new revelation and were yet to be perfected. However, the savvy ship owner saw them as the wave of the future and was determined to get in on the ground floor of this new industry. Therefore, the bright honey-blonde purchased the factory and started building the new paddlewheelers for use between Great Britain and Europe as well as some combination sailing ships and steamers.
Additionally, the farseeing noblewoman hired two bright engineers to start working on a way to make steamshipping a practical way to go around the world. Imagine not being at the mercy of tides, winds or lack thereof.
Countess Isles looked at the wedding party and guests and saw opportunity. The sharp teenager didn't have many friends and fewer of them in nobility. However, the intelligent businesswoman had plenty of associates and took every opportunity to cultivate new ones. On the other hand it never hurt to have people who were indebted to you. Besides the new Knight of the Bathe needed all the friends in nobility he could get.
***SE***
As the bride and the Lady Ravenhill glided down the aisle with their entourage in tow onlookers could only look in envy at the richness of the event. No expense was spare. No detail was overlooked. It made the guests wonder who this new knight could was.
As the bridal entourage reached the altar, Lady Ravenhill placed Lady Rose's hand into Sir Hugh's and retreated to her seat on the bride's side of the Chapel. The Good Reverend performed an excellent ceremony and after vows and the rings were exchanged the newly wedded couple escaped the Chapel under a hail of rice and old shoes to their carriage which was taking them around the grounds while the guests were hurried to the main ballroom, where the wedding reception was being held.
Sir Hugh helped his new wife into the waiting open carriage before stepping in and taking the seat beside her. The large shy man fumbled for words to express his joy only to be saved by a warm and tender kiss from his blushing bride. The dark giant wasn't a man of action for naught as he caught onto the general meaning of the gestured and returned the kiss with the passion of a dark Welshman.
***SE***
When the happy couple returned everyone greeted them with a cheer as hors d'oeuvres and wine were served liberally, while the wedding dinner was being moved into place in the main dining room. A separate dinner was awaiting the children in the secondary dining room, less wine and caviar and more fruit punch, cake and ice cream, though this delicacy was also available to the adults.
At the call to dinner, all the guests were escorted to their designated seats with Sir Hugh and his bride at the head of the table with the Lady Ravenhill to the right, still acting as father of the bride and the Countess Isles to the left. Seated next to Lady Ravenhill was Hugh's sister, Alice, his only remaining family and next to the Countess was Hugh's best man.
The twenty-one course meal followed in quick succession: a fruit gelatine, a deviled egg , caviar, cold chicken, split pea soup, onion broth, shrimp, sharp cheddar cheese, elbow noodles in garlic butter, orange sobet in rum sauce, roasted quail, wild mushrooms in a white wine sauce, roast beef with onions, green salad, a chocolate éclair, goat cheese on fresh biscuits, rice pudding in orange sauce, chocolate ice cream, glazed roasted mixed nuts, a petit four, and coffee.
After the excellent dinner, the cake was cut and the wedding couple opened their gifts. As each one of the nobles wanted to impress the wealthy and influential Countess, each gift was thoughtful and elaborate. Many of the gifts included a honorarium, which amounted to a little less than twelve thousand pounds. After the gifts were opened the newly married couple were allowed to leave on their wedding trip, which in this case was to Swansea, as the couple was going to America in a couple of days.
The women retired to parlor to drink tea and gossip, while the men retired to the library to drink brandy and talk politics, which amounted to gossip. With the wedding couple firmly away on their wedding trip, it was time to establish the rift between the Lady Martine and the Countess Isles.
***SE***
After the newly wedded couple left the Manor and the women retired to the parlor, Lady Martine asked the Countess, "Your Grace, it was lovely party and I see you managed to cheat another handful of nobles with your money. Why is a Countess buying influence to gather votes in the House of Lords? Are you trying to buy your way to more glory? Isn't an Earldom enough? Do you want to be Duchess or maybe Princess?"
The Countess angrily replied, "You know I am hording votes in order to stop that upstart in France from expanding his influence and plunging us into war like his uncle did."
The equally angry young Baroness shot back, "The Emperor is not an upstart. He was duly elected by the people."
The upset Honey blonde screamed, "He was elected President. He seized dictatorship and made himself Emperor."
The young Baroness yelled, "You don't know him. He is a great man and will bring France back to her former glory and I will become as rich and powerful as you."
The angry Countess grabbed the equally angry Baroness by her arm and pulled her toward the door saying, "Let us take this argument to a more private location."
The furious Baroness pulled her arm away from the Countess's grasp and shouted, "I won't take orders from you any longer. You don't own me. I am the Baroness Martine and I will not be ruled an English upstart."
The Lady Ravenhill intercepted the raging Baroness Martine and pulled her forcefully to the door and out into the hall. The smaller women desperately tried to yank her arm out of the power Texan's grip, but found the hold to be like an iron vise. It actually was causing the slighter former American to grimace and whisper, "Jane, you holding me too tight. It hurts."
Lady Ravenhill lessened her grip and whisper in return, "Sorry, I was getting carried away."
Once in the hallway, the three noblewomen walked upstairs to the Countess's quarters to analyze the success of their endeavor.
***SE***
The three noblewomen entered the Countess's quarters and waited a moment to sense any unwanted attention. There was a secret entrance into the room through a concealed door in one of the Countess's closets. The entrance way was always guarded by one of her most trusted guards. Five guards were assigned to the task.
Realizing this, the honey blonde aristocrat went over to the secret doorway and commanded, "Sergeant go take a break and have some wedding cake. I would like to speak privately with my ward as she is upset by something."
The savvy guard clicked his heels together and stalked off to find some good food and better wine. After the cautious noblewoman was positive the soldier was out of hearing range, she opened, "You were marvelous Melody. I even believed you were serious. You were not serious correct?"
The French noblewoman laughed as she replied, "Of course, not. I'm an American first and we hate men who seize power without the public consent. Besides, Jane would kill me if I crossed you."
The dark Texan smirked as she bobbed her head as indication she caught the joke, but there was truth in the statement. Melody swallowed a bit as she recognized the implied threat. To deflect the conversation, she inquired, "Do you think enough of those shallow hags caught wnough of the signifigance to report the tiff to Louis-Napoleon?"
Maura chuckled as she responded, "Those magpies are chirping to their husbands as we speak. I can guarantee that Louis-Napoleon will have the information with his morning breakfast. Now I want you to slip out during the night, bribe some guards and catch a ship to Castle Martine. Then I want you to use your influence to block port entrance to me."
Jane smiled as she interjected, "I get it. They will think that our young Melody has cut strings with you and is really going over to Louis-Napoleon's side."
A shadow crossed over the young Baroness's face which made her look so young and vulnerable as she asked quietly, "When will I ever get to see you again?"
The brilliant Countess hated to lose contact with her ward that she had grown to love so much, as she replied, "I do not know for sure. Our plan is for all of us to be in Texas in four years. That has not changed. The faster we get all the pieces in place the sooner we can all be together again.
Besides you will not miss me that much as Georgina is going with you. However, you must keep your private life private or everything will be lost. So to answer your question, when we get to Texas."
Jane was sad to see their young charge going off on her own. Was that what it was like being a parent? You watch your child grow and then he or she goes and makes his or her life without you? If that is so then the wild Texan wasn't sure she wanted children. Then she remembered she already had a child, Jeremy. At that moment the wise American made a decision and said, "I'm taking Jeremy with me to Texas. I want my son to learn how to be a man from me and not some hired help. I know we agreed he would be raised to an English gentleman, so he could become the next Baron Ravenhill, but I think I can do a better job of making him a man first and a Baron second."
Maura surprised her beautiful lover by answering, "I agree. I was just thinking how I need to take a hand in raising Tina. First thing I must do is get her to accept her name, Christina. When she is not having lessons, I will have her shadowing me. So she can learn how to do things, the way I did…when I followed him everywhere. In fact I am going to start right now. I understand you both have something you need to do so I will take this time to talk to my daughter."
With that said, Jane left the room with two purposes:
To find a guard and have Jeremy fetched from Ravenhill.
To go and talk to the Carmichaels, so she figures out what to the troublesome family.
Melody left for the docks for the purpose of cutting contact with the adoptive mother. The troubled teenager left with a heavy heart. Maura was the only mother she had ever known. Her real mother died when she was young. If Jane had not found her, she would be a prostitute in his saloon and Father was an s. o. b. and didn't deserve to live.
Now that the lovely blonde was cutting off all contact with her surrogate mother, she found out she was losing her best friend and her mother. When they had discussed the plan, it seemed so simple, but now that the time to implement their plan had arrived the young baroness didn't want to lose her new mother.
Her feet wanted to go back, but her mind knew that was a mistake. If they were going to have any success she had to complete her assignment and though she knew it would take years, she knew it was necessary to their plan.
Moments later, the intelligent former American walked solemnly to her coach and embarked onto it. The bright former Texan now had to be more French than any other Frenchman or Frenchwoman…her life depended on it. Because if at any time anyone in the French government suspected she still was harboring feelings for her former country they would kill her.
After an interminably short ride the lonely teenager arrived at the dock where a familiar face waited for her. Georgina was standing there advising the crew on how to load the Lady's luggage and smiled when she saw her Lady disembark her carriage. They were leaving together; suddenly the smiling noblewoman didn't feel so lonely.
***SE***
Jane had food from the wedding party brought to the Carmichael clan and went to see if the party was continuing as predicted. When the tall Texan entered the parlor where all the women were gathered drinking tea or sherry and eat small cakes and other pastries.
As the dark American scanned the room she spotted Countess Isles making the rounds reassuring all her guests that Lady Martine was in her room resting from the strain of the day. All the while her tender-hearted girlfriend was in anguish over her ward's trip to France and the consequences of it.
Seeing that Her Grace had everything under control the dynamic Italian-American wondered off to interview their prisoners. As the imposing noblewoman entered the holding area, she was accosted by a rambling Lillian Carmichael, pleading her brothers' case, while begging for their release from her knees.
Lady Ravenhill raised her hand to demand silence, while explaining, "You have no idea what damage you have wrought. There is more at stake than whether you expose Countess Isles's sleeping partners. The welfare of Europe and Central America are at stake. In truth the Countess and I would rather not to have to deal with the Carmichaels. However with the stakes as high as they are there is little choice but to deal with you as possible threats. We shall endeavor to be as fair as humanly possible.
To that end you need to answer my questions openly and honestly. We will verify the veracity of your answers. Should any of your answers prove to be false, we will be forced to assume all of your answers are lies and deal with you as liars and criminals. Deal with us fairly and we will insure that you and your families are given what is necessary to make a good living in America.
For instance, we know Lillian is a dressmaker. We plan to give her the equipment, supplies and money to open a dress shop where she wants in Texas. Now, Lillian, introduce me to your brothers."
The young woman knew that her pleads for release were not going to be granted so she rose from her knees, smoothed her dress and said with a bow, "Lady Ravenhill, this is my brother Matthew and the other is my brother Mark. Mark and Matthew, this Lady Ravenhill."
Jane smiled as she responded, "Now that we have that formality out of the way. I would like to have a little honesty between us. For my part I will be honest with you. If I had my druthers, I would take you all to sea and drop you over the side. It would be easier and less likely to come back to haunt us. Frankly I think you are going to be more trouble than you are worth.
It also occurred to me I could take you into hostile Indian country and leave you there to fend for yourselves which would accomplish the same thing. Unfortunately, Countess Isles does not think that will be necessary and finds it a little barbaric. Please believe me when I say her high opinion of me is more valuable to me than all your lives put together.
I've seen a lot of death in my life and I have caused a fair amount of it, so your deaths don't mean a thing to me, but I couldn't live without the Countess's good opinion of me. Now that we got that out of the way it is your turn to be honest with me, bearing in mind I still haven't given up on the first two options.
Matthew, are you married and do you have children?"
The unwounded of the brothers looked to his sister who nodded the encouragement of proper answers. Her comment to her brother was, "Matthew, answer everything truthfully, she will kill you."
Jane smile broadened wickedly as she said, "Now, see Matthew, your sister has been honest with you. She knows of that which I am capable. Now I will not ask again. Are you married and do you have children?"
The terrorized young man squeaked, "Yes, Milady."
He swallowed hard as the intimidating Texan took a deep and exasperated breath and queried evenly, "Is that yes to just married or yes to both married with children."
Lillian quickly interjected, "Milady, he is married and has three wee babes, two boys and a girl."
The grinning noblewoman looked daggers at the former dressmaker and said, "Now, Lillian, let the boys answer for themselves. Otherwise how can I tell they are being truthful with me? I know you are truthful and observant otherwise we wouldn't be here."
The former designer blushed and cowered a bit as she realized the truthfulness of her comments. Her arrogance had gotten her brothers in a terrible situation and she was very eager to get them out of it. So the cowering young woman held her head down, as the frightening American continued, "Now, Mark, are you married and do you have any children?"
The wounded brother was in a bit of pain as he replied, "Why should I teal ye anythin? Ye stabbed me in the foot and lock me sister away."
Jane leaned over and grabbed the young man's foot and answered, "Because I could have stabbed you in your eye just as easily and we would not be having this lovely conversation. Now, I am going to ask you my question again and you are going to give a civil answer or we are going to see if you fair as well with that knife in your eye. Now, are you married and do you have any children?"
The injured Irishman grimaced as he replied, "I be married and I've two lads. My wife be with our third…Milady"
Jane smiled brightly as she exclaimed, "Good, now we are getting somewhere. Lillian, are your parents alive?"
The threatened young woman answered quickly as if she were on a clock, "Yes, Milady."
The terrifying frontierswoman smiled, "Good, you will give instructions to the guards on where to find your families and they will be brought here to live until we sail for Texas. Accommodations will be found for all your kinsmen. Now you will excuse me while I go and say goodbye to our guests."
With that the towering noblewoman rose to her feet with a huge grin until she left the room. The commanding Baroness ordered the guards, "Find quarters for all of them and their families. Make sure none of them has any contact with anyone while they are here. I need to get back to the parlor."
As the dark Indian fighter returned to the women, she muttered to no one in particular, "We are going to need a larger ship."
***SE***
Later that night Countess Isles received word that Melody had sailed to France on a Martine Ship. Everthing was going as planned, but it didn't help the young noblewoman's feeling of abandonment. A tall sleek figure wrapped itself around her naked body and whispered, "You're missing her. I can feel it. Soon you'll be missing me. So why don't we take advantage of our being together while we can. In the near future I am going to be on a crowded ship surrounded by Carmichaels."
Maura smiled as she turned around and faced the sexy brunette who had just whispered in her ear and replied, "Now, that Lillian Carmichael is pretty. She might make your voyage a lot shorter."
The bright Texan took the bait and look to the ceiling with a coy smile and replied, "Hmmm, she could at that."
The honey-blonde noblewoman roared in laughter as she responded, "Jane Rizzoli, I am afraid of many thing concerning you. I am concerned you overestimate your abilities. I am concerned you take too many chances with your life. I am concerned whether one day you will make a mistake and get yourself killed. However I am not concerned with your fidelity."
The confussed American could only ask, "Am I that easy? Do you think I only respond to you?"
The young Countess smiled, "Yes that is precisely what I think. I know this because you were seriously injured and your only concern upon awakening is my reaction. You were more concerned with my welfare than your own and that is another of MY concerns."
Jane unwrapped herself from her lover and folded her arms and replied, "Well, maybe I should play a little harder to get."
The smaller honey-blonde wriggled a hand under the folded arms and caressed a firm round breast while trailing her tongue from the brunette's earlobe to her chin. While continuing to fondle the lovely breast, she whispered, "How hard to get do you want to play?"
Exaspered and excited, the wild Texan grabbed her younger lover and pulled her into an embrace. Then after a long sensual kiss said, "You are a devil and much too sure of yourself."
The nimble noblewoman ran her tongue from her lover's lips, along her neck and onto a stiffening nipple. After a long erotic suckle, the aroused Countess raised her head to say, "No, I am too sure of myself. I am just absolutely sure of you."
***SE***
Hugh and his bride made it to Swansea the following day. The Isles family Manor had been made ready for the young couple and they were given a large suite with a bedroom, louging room and a tiled bath. The staff had poured the copper tub full of hot water and while Hugh made arrangements for the horses, Rose undressed and bathed in a luxury she had known all too seldom in her life.
The young bride had just finished changing into her lace nightgown when a tall leering gentleman entered the room with a whistle as he said, "Now I have seen Venus arise from her bath."
The innocent young woman blushed as she responded, "Hugh, you flatter me too much. Why compared to the Lady and the Countess, I'm plain."
The tall Welshman laughted as he replied, "Now, you are fishing for more compliments. They are beautiful women, but I didn't fall in love with them. I fell in love with you."
A frown invaded their happiness as the glowing bride dimmed as she sank to the floor and tears ran down her face as she said, "You're lying you know. You love them both. I've seen you. You glow when talk about how Lady Ravenhill saved the Queen and how Lady Ravenhill killed the Indians and how Countess Isles saved you when she was just a little girl."
Seriously the newly married gentleman sank to the floor and took his wife's hands and asked, "Are you jealous of the Lady and the Countess?"
Sadly, the young woman looked to the floor and wept, "I guess I am."
With all honestly and earnestness, the giant nobleman replied, "Well, I do love them both. Countess Isles is like a daughter to me and Lady Ravenhill is a comrade in arms and until you have been in battle you can't know what that means. But I can assure you that they are no threat to you. Even if I didn't love you more than any man can love any woman they would be no threat to you."
As she wiped her nose on her sleeve, the kindly man handed her a handkerchief as she asked, "How can I be sure?"
Hugh shook his head as he queried, "Haven't you noticed?"
Rose shook her head from side to side quietly. The big Welshman sighed, "They love each other."
Then all the pieces came together in her head and the new noblewoman smiled her relief, because she had been afraid one of them might steal her husband one day. With the ease of a man's God given strength, Sir Hugh lifted her from the floor and took her to their bridal bedroom to consummate their marriage.
***SE***
Four days was all Jane could spare or tolerate. Had the young Texan stayed any longer she would never have left. Four glorious days of happiness was all the dynamic Baroness could afford herself. In those four days, the tall lanky Texan and the honey-blonde Countess only left their bedrooms, which were connected by a secret passage for meals.
The Countess's excuse was sadness over her fight with her adoptive daughter and the Lady Ravenhill's excuse was she was still recovering from her wounds. In secret they would meet in the Countess's bedroom and share their passions for hours at time, banking them for the days when they would be apart once more.
The newest ship in the Isles fleet, the Lady II, was sporting her new steam engine and boilers with two large paddlewheels amidships. The sleek ship had traditional mast as well as a large boiler supporting a single smoke stack, which turned the paddlewheels. The ship was supplied for the long journey back to Galveston, where Captain Jane Rizzoli had left her Texas Rangers waiting for her return, with coal and rations. The new ship would cut travel time by nearly three weeks.
They had one scheduled stop at Swansea to pick up four more passengers, Sir Hugh, Lady Rose and her two maids. The Carmichaels were boarded a day earlier, so they could more easily be guarded. The family, their possessions and their livestock were all loaded on board the spacious craft. The Countess was adding twenty special marines to guard the prisoners.
The Carmichaels, after the initial shock was wearing off, were excited to be going to American, especially with the promise of new land and a new start for each of them. Matthew was a carpenter and would find a lot of work in Texas. Mark was a mason and the opportunities would be great there as well. The senior Carmichael was a farmer and had raised prized beef before his fortunes had turned.
The only one who was not happy about the trip was Lillian. The former dressmaker's guilt over her family's forced exile was weighing heavily upon her. So much so her sister-in-law Katherine sat down with her to talk the day they first boarded the ship. The very pregnant young woman said, "You've naught to worry bout sister dear. The men folk war haven a tuff go as it war and this'll give'm a new start in a new land. My Mark he ere could get work three days out of eight. We war livin wit ye folks wit no charsh of gettin mo.
This be the Lord's blessin and that be a fact. I jest hope me babe is born in America. So the barn kin be a true American. I knows ye feel shamed, but ye need no, cause the family needed a wee bit of luck and we gots it."
Lillian wished her sister-in-law was right and her arrogance hadn't gotten her entire family in dire straits. After her noble sister left, her father sat beside her and reassured her further, "Lass, you have nothing for which to berate yourself. If there is fault to lie, it lies with merit was I that scuttled our fortune with dreams that were not rightly in my family's best interest.
I lost our lands, our title and our fortune on a pipe dream that no chance of success. Now, we are going to a new land where there is a lot of opportunity. I was talking with one of the sailors who knew Lady Ravenhill from her first voyage and I found out her father and mother were immigrants from Italy.
The man started with nothing and now has one of the largest cattle ranches in America. This sailor told me that the Rizzoli family owns beet farms, sugar mills and shops. I've been told they are among the wealthiest families in Texas. Now, we can do that as well. All we have to do is stick together."
Lillian smiled at her father and responded, "Thank you, Father. I think you are right and maybe our fortunes do not lie in Galveston, but in a new area, where we can build our own town. I think I will talk with Lady Ravenhill and see if such a thing is possible."
The Father patted his daughter's hand and went to be with the rest of his family for their evening meal.
***SE***
Sir Hugh Jamieson watched his new wife as she ordered the packing of their belongings. Actually the former bodyguard turned knight had never had belongings before. Until this trip home the huge Welshman had never owned more than three shirts and pair of trousers, now he had a wardrobe.
The income from his spot of land in Ireland made more in a month than the dark protector made in two years as senior bodyguard for a Countess. It was odd to be making income from land the new knight had never seen. The new aristocrat only had a vague notion of how that income was made.
The Doyles explained it to him, but the most the inexperienced nobleman got from their lectures was that their father Paddy Doyle was managing his interest personally. Hugh and Paddy had always delighted in each other's company over the years. So, the unproven nobleman was comfortable knowing his lands were in excellent hands.
As Hugh watched his lovely bride flit from trunk to trunk inspecting each item as if it were the most precious thing in the Empire, he was suddenly struck by her age. The tall Welshman had no idea of his age, but he did know he was considerably older than his young bride. When the innocent aristocrat thought about his age, he knew he was four years older than his sister.
Alice had seven living children with five others in their graves. The oldest was 15 years old. The aging Welshwoman was seventeen when she was married as a young virgin. That made her 33 years old or thereabouts. Therefore the behemoth of a man was 37 years old. The new nobleman was nearly twice his young wife's age, which saddened him.
Hugh couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to him had Rose not come into his life. Until she had come he hadn't realized how lonely and unfulfilled his life had been. As the uneducated man watched his love, she noticed his attention and gave him her best smile and his heart soared. How could such a small act make a man feel so wonderful?
A year ago, Hugh had been riding the wilds of Texas oblivious of his discontentness and misery and now that he was aware of it, he was frightened by his need for something more than collecting his income and watching his wife pack trunks. The once unambitious bodyguard now had a purpose in life and he knew he was going to take Lady Ravenhill up on her offer to start him off with a cattle ranch. He just didn't know where it would be…yet.
***SE***
Jane slipped out of the bed leaving her naked girlfriend. The experience woodswoman was a ghost as moved about the room gathering her clothes and her belongings. Not wanting a tearful goodbye, after all, the tough Texan had to keep up her reputation and balling at the docks just wouldn't cut it.
So as the silent frontierswoman gathered her belongings, she gathered her lover's clothing as well. The intelligent American knew that the Countess would have another outfit in minutes, but that's all Lady Ravenhill would need to make a hasty and dry exit.
However at the last moment the tender Texan couldn't do it. Jane Rizzoli had cut men's throats without a second thought. The tough Ranger had hung men from a tree after a fair trial. The hardened fighter had laid in a field and shot dozens of Indian warriors as they rode across the plains. What the hard-bitten Texan couldn't do was leave her sleeping honey-blonde girlfriend without a proper farewell.
Therefore, the sentimental American leaned over the sleeping noblewoman and kissed her on the cheek, as she said, "Get up sleepy head. It's time for me to go. You need to get ready, so you can see me off."
The nude Countess stretched her body as much as she could in order to get out the kinks from the night before. The lovely teenager yawned, "You have my clothes, thank you."
The beautiful Countess took her clothes and asked as she started to dress, "Could you get one of my maids to come help me. And thank you for not sneaking out like I knew you wanted to. Do not bother denying it, because I know you well and I know you wanted to sneak out of here so there should not be a scene at the docks. Well, you can stop worrying. I will not cause a scene though you may."
Lady Ravenhill laughed as she went down the hall to attract the attention of one of the servants. Once the Countess was properly dressed Jane entered the room and said, "I don't want to go, but I have responsibilities in Texas. I love you so much, but I believed my whole life that if you didn't do want was right when you consider it, you would regret it for the rest of your life."
Countess Isles closed the door after the maid left and leapt into her lover's arms, while pleading, "Why do we have to wait? I can come with you."
Jane smiled as she asked simply, "What about Melody?"
The principled noblewoman knew she was defeated. There was no way the honey blonde aristocrat was going to leave the girl she had come to think of as her daughter in a difficult position without her guidance. So the beautiful teenager stood on her tiptoes and found her lover's mouth for one final passionate kiss.
***SE***
Lady Ravenhill was still wiping tears from her face when she headed for her cabin aboard Lady II. This was the experienced traveler's first time aboard a steamer, except the couple of times she road one those paddlewheelers on the Mississippi.
The reluctant noblewoman quickly changed from a beautiful aristocratic Lady to a hardened frontierswoman as she changed from her dresses and petticoats to deerskin and cowhide. The tough Texas came out of her cabin wearing a deerskin tunic over cowhide leather pants with soft doeskin moccasins.
When the rough and tumble cowwoman emerged on the deck of the ship, her face was tear free and with a hardened steel scowl. The experienced sea captain had never had the pleasure of meeting the famous Lady Ravenhill and quickly approached her and stated, "Milady, I am Captain Winston Maxon and let me welcome you to my ship. Everything is ready and we are just awaiting permission to leave port."
The cold teenager's face didn't change as she turned her head so her eyes bore into his, as she responded, "You have it."
Not quite understanding what the young aristocrat meant, Captain Maxon queried, "I don't quite understand what you mean, Milady. What do I have?"
Sir Hugh came out from the cabin area and answered the captain's query, by saying, "You have her permission to leave port and buddy-boy, if I were you I'd get my arse moving, because she doesn't like to be kept waiting."
The suddenly nervous seaman tried to hold his ground as he replied, "I am captain of this ship. I have to wait for permission from the harbor master. Until he tells me I can leave port I have to await his pleasure."
Jane was not happy leaving her true love behind one more time and was ready to take out her displeasure on any available target. It might petty and unkind, but life was pettier and most unkind. So, the dangerous noblewoman said evenly and quietly, "You are captain of my ship. I own this ship. Countess Isles gave me this ship as a present and I can throw you overboard and get a new captain or you can leave right now before I forget I'm a noblewoman and have to behave myself and the next time you address me without my proper due, I will kick your arse from bow and stern and back again. Do I make myself clear, Captain Maxon?"
The terrified sea captain did not want to lose his command, but he also wasn't sure of this tall young woman's authority. So, the stodgy captain responded, "How do I know you have such authority? I know this ship is part of the Isles Shipping fleet. What I don't know is if the Countess has given you this as a present."
The big Welshman interjected, "I wouldn't call Lady Ravenhill a liar if I were you. She doesn't have all the patience in the world. I have work directly for the Countess from the time she was very young and I can assure you that anything Lady Ravenhill says is the law as far as Countess Isle is concerned. They are of one mind in these things. Now before you get in anymore trouble I would suggest you do as you have been told."
Not totally convinced, the veteran sea captain waivered, "Well, I don't know you either. I think maybe I should send a messenger to Countess Isles."
Jane looked around and asked, "Who is the first officer of this ship."
A younger version of the captain came forward and announced, "I am the first officer, Lieutenant Lloyd Strom, at you service, milady."
The anxious teenager said, "Good, you are the new captain. Now leave port."
The old captain started to protest when Lady Ravenhill interrupted his plan by ordering, "Hugh, throw this man overboard, please."
Hugh picked up the howling and screaming seaman and tossed him over the side. Lady Ravenhill stopped what she was thinking to query, "I forgot to ask. Can he swim?"
The Lady was reassured by the crew, the former captain could swim. The still upset teenager was happy to hear it was the case.
***SE***
The shortened trip was calm and uneventful. The speed and ability to ignore the winds provided by the new steamship the ability to avoid any trouble with pirates, storms or any other unwanted visitors. The new captain listened inattentively to his owner and followed each of her suggestions to the letter. Sir Hugh figured the man didn't want to thrown overboard.
For their part the Carmichaels gave the crew no trouble and stuck mainly to themselves throughout the trip. Actually Lady Ravenhill and Countess Isles had made it uncomplicated for them. Ample stores had been provided for the clan and they only required interaction with the crew to acquire fresh water and salt water with which to wash.
Lady Ravenhill required the crew to wash at least three times a week and a bath on each Sunday before services which were provided by the Reverend whom she acquired personally for the voyage. Though the tall Texan was a practicing Catholic, she knew that most of the crew was protestant and therefore acted accordingly.
The night before sailing into Galveston, the intelligent brunette called a meeting between the Captain, Sir Hugh and the new aristocrat's new business manager. The bright American could handle her own affairs, but knew that money was a new thing to the cagey former bodyguard. Jane started the meeting, "I called this meeting because I am most pleased with this new ship and its capabilities. Captain I am going to be giving you a letter to take back to Countess Isles. You will be staying in Galveston long enough to take on a full cargo. However, you will also be stopping at New Orleans."
The captain inquired, "Milady, no to question you, why am I stopping at New Orleans? My fresh water stop should be the Bahamas. So why waste time stopping at New Orleans?"
The insightful teenager answered, "Good question…I need you to take a second letter to my representative in New Orleans. I want him to start construction one of these ships immediately. I have plans for this ship in my luggage which you will be taking as well."
Sir Hugh asked, "Seems straight forward to me. Why am I here?"
The tall brunette responded, "Because you are investing in the new ship, which I am planning to be shipping salted and steamed beef to Europe as well as sugar to the West Indies. I plan on using the money from your farm earnings. If you don't want to do it I will do it myself."
The sharp advisor interjected, "This will tie up his full earnings for a year and he will have no income from which to live."
The sharper Texan shook her head as she responded, "Not true. He will have his income from his Ranger pay and from his ranch in Texas. I have already set aside four hundred acres and one hundred and twenty head of prime beef. The twenty head will be steers which he will convert to salted and steamed beef for shipment to Europe. I won't let my friend starve."
The satisfied accountant shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Well you have everything covered, then why am I here?"
With a victory smirk the young American answered, "Good question, you will be going back to Ireland and make Sir Hugh's new lands more profitable without hurting his present income. If you don't have his lands producing twenty percent more in two months, then I am going to fire you hire someone who can do the job."
***SE***
Once in Galveston, Lady Ravenhill's party was greeted by twenty Texas Rangers, eleven of which, she had never seen. As near as Jane could tell several of the older Rangers were called to other trouble spots. Things were not as quiet as they had been when she left
The experienced plainswoman had arranged for four wagons to take the Carmichaels and their belongings to their new home which would be some twelve miles outside Galveston. Jane planned on two days at the new location to get the tenderfoots settled.
Hugh was planning on going to see his new father-in-law and staying there for at least two days. His wife the Lady Rose was going to be staying with her father until such time as the new ranch house could be built.
Two of the younger rancher asked to stay with the Carmichaels in order to show them how to survive in Texas and to take their shot at wooing the attractive Lillian Carmichael. Jane didn't regret the loss of two young Rangers. To tell the truth the tall brunette had been worried about the protection of the families of tenderfoots.
Word came while working on the Carmichael settlement that Apaches were raiding bordertowns. The cautious Ranger leader started her men building a small fort on the Carmichael holdings. The Carmichaels didn't mind because it gave them a place to hold off hostiles from their holdings.
They were a week into building the fort when Captain Rizzoli ordered her Rangers to make ready for an attack on the Apache. From the intelligence her people had gathered, the savvy leader determined the next attack would hit Travers, a small bordertown almost due south of their location.
The experienced warrior's plan was simple. The twenty-two riders would circle west and hit the raiding party on its flank south of the small bordertown. Timing was everything and as with all plans something went wrong.
Comanche scouts had been sent to see if the Apache were raiding into Comanche territory. The column of Texas ranchers encountered the small party and greeted the great warrior Iron Woman and told her the Apache were raiding a Mexican cattle drive almost due south of their present location. The Mexican vaqueros had abandoned their cows and were hold up in a dry stream bed to the northeast of the cattle.
Half the Apache warriors were keeping the vaqueros penned down while their water ran out and they would be forced to desert their cover making them easy targets. The Apache wanted their guns and ammunition.
The confident Ranger leader immediately decided to ignore any borders and gain some manpower by freeing those trapped cowherders. Iron Woman thanked her Comanche brothers and asked, "Will you tell Red Blanket I am back from my travels and will see him soon?"
The tough brave replied, "Red Blanket is dying. When I left he was very sick. Your father and Korsak are with him. He may be dead by now."
Desperately Jane wanted to ride hard to say good bye to her beloved grandfather, but knew too many lives depended on her stopping these raids. Red Blanket would understand most of all, because he taught her much of her creed. So the saddened warrior asked a second favor, "Tell Red Blanket to hold on for a few more days. The minute I have defeated the Apache I will ride to see him, if I have to kill a dozen horse to do it."
The sober Comanche understood what needed to be done as well and did the only thing he could to help. The intelligent brave order one of his three scouts to deliver the messages and turned to the leader he could follow and said, "You will need scout, Iron Woman. My two braves and I will scout for you and we will kill many Apache to ease Red Blanket's spirit. My mother was a Christian, but I was raised Comanche. I do not know who is right, but I know that a man who has done what Red Blanket has done in his life will be welcome whatever is next."
All Jane could do was nod her acceptance of his offer and order, "Take your braves and tell me what my eyes cannot see so I may know what the Apache are doing."
After the scouts left to do their job Jane returned to Hugh and whispered, "Red Blanket is dying. We will ride to his village after we have killed the Apache. We ride until we reach the battlefield. Then we access where the Apache are hiding and then we hit them with everything we have. If we free the Mexican vaqueros we will be able to strike a finishing blow to the Apache. If nothing else we will keep their weapons from Apache hands."
With that said, the warparty headed toward the gunfire.