Author's Note: Per popular request/demand I am going back to my long chapters, but am limiting them to 6k to 10k. Sorry about the delay between chapters. My computer acquired a very nasty little Trojan which made turning on my system impossible. I did lose a quarter of a chapter and had to recover it from memory. So, here's the newest chapter, finally. Hope you enjoy it. As always all comments are welcome.
Chapter 15: Consequences
Lady Constance and her paramour were seated in the noblewoman's sitting room. While Gina was doing needlepoint, Lady Constance read Dickens's latest chapters. Both women were startled from their tasks when Lady Maura burst into the room yelling, "What did you do, Mother?"
The stunned brunette reprimanded, "Young Lady, you do not burst into a Lady's room unannounced, yelling like some street trollop. It's rude."
Not to be put off by her mother's admonishment, the infuriated young noble restarted, "Mother, do not try and divert my attention from my conversation. I will not have it! I know you did something to Jane. If you have harmed her in any way, I will have you and your new family shipped to Botany Bay. I promise you."
The viciousness of the attack had been unexpected as the statuesque brunette rebutted, "Dear, Miss Rizzoli was called home unexpectedly. All I did was to arrange for her transportation for the poor girl. She was very distraught over her mother's illness."
The irritated honey blonde sprung her trap, "Jeremy is still here. I talked with him. Jane would never have left the child behind. So I ask you again, what did you do, Mother?"
Realizing her error, the older noblewoman tried to resurrect her lie, "She asked if we could arrange to send him later as she was in a hurry and would be forced to travel quickly with little consideration of a youngster."
The brilliant honey blonde teen did not believe her mother. Her lover would never want the youngster traveling alone across the wilderness. So Maura responded, "Another lie, Mother. Jane would never let Jeremy travel alone. Now tell me what you did or by God I have you flogged until you tell me everything."
Gina realized that the young noblewoman would not be persuaded by anything but the truth. Lady Constance's lover feared for the older woman, she could see the anger radiating from the smaller slighter teen, but knew at this moment the young woman was capable of executing her threats. So the concern paramour interrupted, "Milady, she is unharmed. She was drugged and put on a ship for America. My… your mother was concerned for your future. You haven't been told but Her Majesty the Queen has sent a request of betrothal into the Royal House. You have the opportunity to become a Princess."
The honey blonde teenager hung her head in despair. Her lover had been drugged and sent to America by her own mother. The appalled daughter retorted, "I anticipated such a proposal days ago. I knew once I started working closely with the Palace and the Prime Minister the scope and power of Isles Shipping would come under scrutiny. At which point, it would occur to the Queen and particularly her husband that that power would be better serve Her Majesty if it were in Royal hands.
Knowing I am a single woman and that my right of inheritance only extends to my remaining so, the Queen rightly wants me to marry into her family rather into some other family where that power would be transferred to my husband. Her Royal Highness wants to control Isles Shipping and Isles Ships through a husband of her choosing.
Mother, I have told you before Jane came here I will never marry. Should I do so I would have to relinquish my control of Isles Shipping and my title to my husband. Can I not get you to understand I will not relinquish my control of my life and my inheritance to anyone?
Were I to marry the Queen's choice of husband he would control Isles Shipping, the ships and my title, thereby giving control of all our ships to Her Majesty. How long do you think they would remain Isles ships before the Queen took possession of them in the name of the Crown? As it is I am going to have to keep Her Majesty from trying to control me and my ships through usage and patriotic fervor. Her Highness will try to bully me into using my ships for Her exclusive gain and use."
Gina heard the young teenager's reasoning and knew the bright honey blonde was correct in her assessment of the situation. However, Constance was not convinced. So the young widow answered, "You are young. You have no idea what you are denying yourself. You will have no children without a husband. What comfort will you have? Can that woman provide you with the warmth and safety of marriage? You will never know the happiness of marriage.
You will grow old and alone. I have your best interest at heart. I wish I could have had the opportunity that you are being presented. I would have embraced a Royal Marriage, so that my children could be in line for the throne. Don't you see what you are giving up?"
Lady Maura looked at Gina and saw the hurt her mother's words had caused. The French nursemaid had surrendered her heart to her mother and yet you hear the bitterness and unhappiness in her mother's speech. So the young noblewoman responded, "Mother, I already have a daughter whom I intend to adopt, much like you did. You had no children from you womb. Does that mean I am not your daughter? I call you Mother because in my heart you are.
And what of Gina, did Father make you as happy as this WOMAN has? Your bitterness over your marriage had tainted your perspective and you have lost sight of what is within your grasp and what could have been. Are Gina and her daughters any less your family because she is a woman and not a man?
You have spent almost all your adult life with her at your side. Does that not mean anything to you? Should Gina have been a man to make you happy? I do not think you have MY best interest at heart, but you own ambitions and living the life you want through me.
Mother I warned you. Pack your things; take Gina and Georgina with you. I am sending you to an abbey outside Bordeaux. You will be able to reflect on your soul and what is really important to you, Mother.
Fight me on this, Mother, and I will send you bound and naked into Botany Bay so help me I will. Gina, you and Georgina are just as guilty. As far as I know, Bridgette was not involved. She may remain if she so wishes.
Gina was shocked at the coldness in the tender young woman's voice. However the concerned mother had a wrong to right as she said, "Georgina was deceived as much as you. She had no idea she was delivering a false message. I told her that Miss Rizzoli left the message with me and had her deliver it. I thought you would trust your childhood friend. I had not counted on your mother's plan being so ill conceived. I was blinded by my love for her and now I see that that love was misplaced.
For all the love that I have given you over the years, could you send me elsewhere? It seems I am not as beloved as I imagined. I gave your mother all my love and my soul and now it seems I was little more than a distraction. I wish not to inconvenience her any further."
Lady Constance was stunned. The older noblewoman loved this Frenchwoman more than she could describe and yet it seemed the woman was abandoning her in her hour of need. So the hurt brunette responded, "Yes, Maura, send her away from me. I need no one who is so disloyal as to abandon me when I am laid low."
The young heiress shook her head in shame, tears rolled down her eyes as she mourned the loss of the image of her mother. The honey blonde teen had idolized her and now she found her mother to be petty and cruel. Hence, Lady Isles replied, "As you will, Mother. Who is it who will grow old alone? Is it I or the woman who shuns all that love her? Gina, I will send you to America. You will go to Jane's home with a letter from me. From there you may do as you will. Your daughters may accompany you or they may stay with me.
I must apologize for my mother. I fear she has lost her way and will regret this day very much. However she must learn this lesson… alone."
***SE***
Jane Rizzoli held a pistol at the back of the captain as he walked up the stairway leading to the quarterdeck. The old seaman had agreed to return to London, however the cautious warrior never trusted a vanquished foe or anyone else for that matter, well she did trust her family and Maura. Jane knew Maura would be distraught over her disappearance and knew Lady Constance had devised some story making her departure necessary.
Captain Smith in actually wasn't totally convinced that returning to London was the correct move. However, the young woman's determination and handgun made it the more prudent move at the moment. When the pair reached the quarterdeck, a prod from the Le Mat reminded the older man who really was in charge at the moment.
The stalwart sea Captain ordered, "Come about, Helmsman. We return to London. Mr. Chantry call all hands to deck. This young woman is Jane Rizzoli and you know we have standing orders to give her any assistance at anytime, no questions asked."
The young officer was well aware of the standing order as were all officers in the Isles fleet. The dashing young man eyed the lovely young American and smiled his most alluring smile, which she faintly returned. Taking this as encouragement, the handsome seaman moved toward the woman with the intent of getting better acquainted. Taking this sudden movement as threatening, the veteran warrior lashed out with her pistol across the back of the Captain's head.
The stunned old man fell to the deck as the younger officer froze in his tracks staring frightenedly at the cocked weapon. The sea Captain stirred slowly as he willed himself to remain conscious. The frightened second officer held up his hands and said, "I war jest gonna introduce meself. I thought cha liked me a bit and I war gonna try and get ta know cha better."
Jane didn't quite understand what the youngster wanted, but she replied, "Get to know me from over there and y'all kin say y'all's howdies from there too."
The young man backed away from the dark Texan two steps before hitting the giant steering wheel while very deliberately keeping his hands in plain view. The older seaman at the wheel kept his eyes on the heading and did his best to avoid making any eye contact with the very dangerous American. Captain Smith managed to get to his hands and feet and after a short rest to force the fog from his brain, the old man was able to stand with very little wobble.
The still groggy sailor looked hard at his young second officer and growled, "Iffin ya do anything like that agin boy, I'll roast ya meself. You hit hard, Missy, but I kin hardly blame ye since we'uns brung ya here in a sack."
Jane felt a little guilty about reacting so quickly, but years of reflects were impossible to assuage and who would want to. In West Texas in 1851, if you hesitate you would wind up dead. There was no room for errors on the plains and the veteran fighter knew that, however she did apologize somewhat, "I'm sorry fer hittin' y'all afore I knowed all the facts, but iffin y'all try me y'all get worse."
***SE***
***SE***
Once the crew was assembled on deck, Jane looked over them and saw one familiar face. Coopersmith Jones. Coopersmith had been a crewman on the ship with which the tough Texan had crossed the Atlantic. He had been in the crow's nest when the crack riflewoman had taken out the pirates. The wise American gave the man her famous Rizzoli smile to let him know the wily young woman remembered him fondly.
Jane called out, "Coopersmith do y'all member me?"
The experienced sailor replied, "Aye, Miss Rizzoli, who could forgit such a shot as ye made agin them pirates. Lads, dat dere lassie shot six helmsmen when dey manned the wheel from eight hundred yards, I twere a foot."
Jane remembered it as being fewer men and closer in, but who was she to argue when it was in her favor not to. Hell by the time it got around the wharf the expert riflewoman had probably sunk the ship with a single ball. The legendary hunter was used to exaggerated tales of her exploits. Her fight with the Kiowa got larger and more bloody with exch telling by Mustang Korsak and Red Blanket.
Jane spared a glance at the Captain who now had confirmation of the tall Texan's identity and now he knew he had to bring her back to London or face the wrath of Lady Isles. It was no secret that the two women were close friends. As for that matter, there were rumors they were more than just friends. Servents do talk.
The veteran fighter saw the look of acceptance in the man's eyes and knew she had won him over to her side. Then addressing the crew the wily American knew had she win them over, "I am Jane Rizzoli. I've been shanghaied onto y'all's ship and wont to go back to London. I got bidness thar. Iffin y'all get me back to London in three days, I'll personally pay every man jack o'ya a double bonus."
The sailors started mumbling to each other with the joy that only money in their pockets can bring. Jane let them enjoy the moment before the tall American continued, "I'm told by y'all's Captain that y'all gonna haveta work hard tagit us back ta London in three days."
Captain Smith interrupted the exchange, "Men, war gonna haveta work day and night to tack back to London. The winds ere agin us. So, I wont my officers to split ya up into two teams. So, ya kin man the lines day and night. Ya'll work fer a watch and eat and sleep fer a watch dat way we kin ave fresh men on the lines at all times. Mr. Smith and Mr. Chantry split 'em up. Mr. Smith ya got the first watch. Gitta work!"
The Captain suggested to Jane, "Miss Rizzoli, will ya join me for a meal?"
Jane smiled, "Shore, I'm so hungry, I could eat a grizzly fur and all. I suggest y'all invite Coopersmith to dinner as well."
The confused seaman asked, "Why would I do that?"
The tall brunette smirked, "Cause when a man saves y'all's life y'all at least owes him a good meal."
The even more confounded sailor questioned, "How did he save my life?"
Chocolate brown eyes looked the man in the eye and responded, "Cause, iffin I'd any doubt y'all believed who I war and brung me back to London, I'd've kilt y'all and took over the dang ship."
The shocked Captain swallowed hard and queried, "Ya'd kilt me? Ain't that a little harsh."
The merciless plainswoman answered, "Mister, war I come from it's damn harsh and iffin y'all ain't harsh too, then they'll bury ya in a shallow grave."
For the first time, the wily sea Captain understood how dangerous this young lady really was.
***SE***
Maura had no idea of what to do. The ship had left port over twelve hours ago and there wasn't another Isles ship in port and wouldn't be for another four days. The brilliant businesswoman had sent Hugh down to her shipping office with orders to find her a ship at whatever cost. All the terrified young noble could do now was wait and hope.
A knock at her study door interrupted her worries, as she answered, "Come in."
Her personal maid, Irene, entered with a curtsy as she said, "Milady, her Ladyship would like a word wit ya iffin ya please."
Maura sighed. Irene was fairly new at her duties and her language needed work, so the patient heiress replied, "Irene, you need to practice your English. You should have said, 'Milady, her Ladyship would like a word with you at your pleasure.' Please repeat properly."
The intimidated girl really couldn't see the difference, but her Lady had given her instructions and she was duty bound to carry them out, "Milady, her Ladyship would like a word WITH YOU at your pleasure."
The honey blonde noblewoman smiled her appreciation at her young maid efforts and responded, "Tell my mother I have no wish to speak with her until she understands her transgression. Tell Bidgette and Georgina I would like to see them."
The gay young woman curtsied as she left the room. No sooner had her maid left the room, her mother burst into the room angrily shouting, "How dare you refuse to speak to your Mother…"
Maura interrupted the tirade by repeating the very words her mother had used only moments earlier, "Mother, you do not burst into a Lady's room unannounced, yelling like some street trollop. It's rude."
Remembering the exchanged the stymied noblewoman responded, "Dearest, please talk to me."
Maura's frustration got the best of her as she replied, "Mother, you have wounded me. I may never forgive you. At this moment I hate the sight of you. I despise the person who stands before me. You drove the very people who loved you from you of your own free will. What you did to me was tragic. What you did to Gina was criminal.
That woman loved you so much she risked her children to please you. I know you do not realize the consequences of your actions today, but a few months in that Convent will allow you come to terms with your actions. Then you may find a way to mend the fences you have destroyed this day.
Now go pack and leave me be for if I see you one more time before you leave for France, then you may find yourself in Botany Bay in a very compromising position."
The stricken mother wanted to answer her child and plead her case, but one look into the suddenly hardened eyes told her that would be an unfortunate error on her part. The saddest part was the lost noblewoman really loved her Gina, but her pride prevented her from begging her forgiveness. So the lonely woman went to find herself in an Abbey in France.
***SE***
Jane stood at the bow and looked over the sea before her wondering if Maura was worried or if her young lover would believe the lies being told her by her mother. The heartsick Texan thought about whether or not she would believe such a tale from her mother's mouth and decided that Maura would believe the lie because a daughter trusts her mother to tell her the truth.
Her only hope was to return to London as fast as she could and hope that nothing happened to Maura in the interim.
***SE***
Hugh came back to the manor with word that he had procured a ship, but that it needed fitting and resupply. It would take a full two days to have it in condition necessary for crossing the dangerous Atlantic Ocean. There was little that young honey blonde could do but wait.
Lady Isles ordered her staff to prepare her luggage for a long voyage. As the agitated noblewoman went about he house issuing instructions on what to do in preparation for the voyage, the grieving heiress encountered her mother with her luggage. The older woman tried to speak, but the angry teenager held up her hand as a warning not to say another word.
***SE***
Two days later, Paddy Doyle arrived in London just in time to hear about the rift between Lady Isles and her mother. The former smuggler was irritated and bewildered as to how this situation had come about. However sources also informed him that Jane Rizzoli was missing and was presumed to have returned to America.
However, Jane Rizzoli was not his problem at the moment and was quite capable of taking care of herself. No…Henri Martine was his problem and that problem needed to be eliminated before the evil man can do his daughter any harm.
Paddy went to the Sea Serpent, a sailor's pub on the East wharf to talk to a couple of his informants in an effort to find Martine. The cagy former smuggler was not convinced his advisory had left England as was supposed. He knew the man had to eliminate his daughter if he was going to maintain control of his Barony in France.
The irony was had the man approached Lady Maura in the beginning before she found out what kind of man he was, the wealthy heiress would probably had renounced her inheritance in France as she was quite content with what she had in England. The size and scope of her financial empire now was quite enough without the complication of a Barony in a country that was an enemy of the Empire.
Paddy found his men at a table awaiting his arrival. The three sailors were ill kept and ill tempered, but were perfect spies for the seedy wharf areas. The wary Irishman noted that one man was missing and asked, "War's Dutchman Pete?"
The oldest of the men answered, "Sorry, Captain, but he war shanghaied by the Navy to man that new frigate at Newgate. He got took by the sweeps. I gots me eye on a new man off the Sea Spray I. He be loyal to Lady Isles cause she brung his maw from the homeland when she took sickly."
The apprehensive spymaster inquired, "I thought the sweeps war a thing of the past, when did dey start agin?"
A second seaman replied, "Sir, dey started the day after Lady Isles bought a ship at twice the price it should gone fer. My guess's the Queen's worried why seeing she already has more ships at sea than the entire English Navy."
The worried father could see Her Majesty's point of view. If Lady Isles were in league with the French, she might be able to disrupt the English Navy by cutting off their supply line. At the moment Isles shipping controlled almost sixty percent of the trade in rum, one of the most vital supplies in the Fleet.
If Her Highness was suspect duplicity by Lady Maura then the Queen could take action by seizing the Isles fleet. For that the Crown would need the English Navy at full strength and in a hurry. The question was why had Lady Isles bought that extra ship? Why didn't she simply wait until one of her ships came into port and use it?
After much reflection, the veteran spy king posed the same questions to his three spies, "Why did Lady Isles buy the ship, isn't there an Isles ship due in port soon?"
The third of his informants responded, "Nobody knows asure, but the rumor's that it's to do with the Rizzoli woman. She's gone missin'?"
The shocked father knew his daughter was infatuated with the Rizzoli girl, but to risk everything to find a missing American was insane. From his information, the Rizzoli girl had gotten a letter from home and went to help her sick mother. Why would Maura be so upset as to risk so much to go after someone simply going home? There was more to this than he was hearing.
So, Doyle determined he had to go to Isles Manor and find out more information. Therefore, the wily spymaster ordered, "I want you men to find Henri Martine. I know he's still in London. Michael, I wontcha to make sure of this recruit of yourn and when ya sure of him ya bring him to me."
Michael replied, "Aye, Captain."
The three spies left with their orders, while Paddy Doyle contemplated his next move. After a few minutes, the crafty former smuggler rose from his seat and flipped a gold sovereign onto the table. As the careful spy king left, he noticed a man in rags for clothes got up from his seat to follow him. Paddy smiled to himself and turned into an alley.
***SE***
Lady Isles was worried. The ship the young heiress had purchased had generated a summons from the Prime Minister. It had been a polite note, but there was no denying that it was a summons and that it had been the Queen's idea.
Now the diminutive noblewoman in her fashionable dress awaited His Honor's presence in the small waiting room at Number 10 Downing St. The intelligent businesswoman knew that his sudden purchase of a ship so soon after her other ships had been used in smuggling arms would cause suspicion. However, the confident young teenager had assumed that her lengths at remedying the situation would have shown her loyalty to the Crown.
On the other hand Isles Shipping was still a luscious prize that the Queen would covet. Therefore the Lady Isles answered the note promptly and arranged this meeting. That Lord Russell was keeping her waiting was not a good sign.
The dapper Lord personally came out to greet the anxious honey blonde teenager. The well tutored young noble curtsied the most respective amount plus a little more and was reward by a bow and a kiss of her outturned hand.
The busy nobleman came right to the point, "Lady Isles, why did you purchase that ship? And most importantly why did you refuse the Queen's proposal?"
Both questions had been anticipated, so the brilliant noblewoman answered, "Lord Minister, I purchased the ship because I needed transportation for personal reasons. It seems my mother engaged in some questionable activities that hurt me deeply. I am provisioning that ship because I have a rescue mission to perform as a result.
It has nothing to do with what is being done by me to protect the Crown and Isles Shipping. As to my refusing Her Highness's proposal on the behalf of her nephew you know the answer. I will not be the puppet of any man. I will maintain control of Isles interest and the title and not lose it to any husband."
Lord Russell had assumed as much and applauded the young woman's thinking. The intelligent teenager was far more able than anyone the Queen choice to take her place. Frankly, the Prime Minister felt it was in the best interest of the Empire that Isle Shipping be run by this very capable young woman. The Lord Minister had said as much to the Queen and would do so again.
So, the accomplished Prime Minister got back to the thing that confused him the most, "Explain to me why you felt it necessary to buy another ship when have two ships making port in the next five days?"
The smart young maiden had no choice but to explain her action so she answered, "Prime Minister my mother drugged Jane Rizzoli and had her put on ship unconscious for America. I'm going to retrieve her. For that I needed a ship in a hurry because every day I sit that ship gets further away;"
Lord Russell nodded his understanding. The observant veteran politician recalled the relationship between the two young women and suddenly knew that Lady Maura was in love with the brash Texan. The Queen could never know this because she would not react in the best interest of the nation. As a result the cagy Minister stopped his questioning because he feared the answers. Lord Russell knew enough to ascertain there was nothing about which to worry.
He would explain matters to the Queen in such a way as to alleviate her fears and guard this important young woman's secret. That Lady Isles's mother could do something so stupid made him angry. The incompetent fool could have ruined the security of maritime shipping in England. That would be a disaster.
Fortunately the woman failed. Now the Lady Maura was going to have to clean up the mess. Now the cagy Prime Minister knew why the Lady Constance had been sent to a convent in France. That action coupled with the ship purchased had spawned all this distrust. Lord Russell was relieved. He would not have relished a confrontation with this brilliant young woman. The Empire would suffer from the confrontation.
***SE***
Jane looked over the water as the bow cut lightly through the water on the conversation that had taken place at the Captain's dinner party the tough Texan's first night on the ship. The Captain had indeed invited Coopersmith Jones, his first and second officer as well as the ship's surgeon, Dr. Hanson Lane, a veterinarian from America. The good doctor had been in Texas during the Mexican War and had treated many war wounded, which made the animal doctor perfect for as a ship's surgeon as most of his patients were from men who had fallen from the sheets or had been too slow with the lines.
Being the first night to sea and that the ship was returning to port there was no reason for the Captain to ration the delicacies he had brought for his personal rations. So his steward served pea soup with fresh bread, roasted chicken and lamb, greens with onions, boiled potatoes and a fresh pudding. Limeade was available as was rum and a fruity wine from Spain.
However the most delightful part of the evening was the conversation. Jane had dressed in one of her favorite dinner gowns to the delight and pleasure of those at the table. The Captain and his officers were in their dress uniforms, which were a requirement for anyone who served as an officer on an Isles ship. Coopersmith wore a borrowed shirt from one of the boson mates and freshly laundered pants. His hair was still damp from its washing though it was neatly combed.
When the common seaman arrived he was very nervous. Common seamen were seldom invited to the Captain's cabin other than to be reprimanded. However it was made clear to older sailor that he was there for dinner at the personal invitation of the Captain himself. The gracious seadog greeted his shipmate with a firm handshake and a frank welcome, "Come in Seaman Jones. It's a delight ta have ya chere. I'm so grateful to ye fer savin' me life. Dinner's da least I kin do."
The confused sailor came in but couldn't for the life of him figure out how he had saved the Captain's life. Dressed in her lovely aqua blue gown the tall Texan sweep in for the rescue as she said, "Yeah, Coopersmith, had y'all spoken up fer me I would've had to keel the Captain and pirate the ship. Y'all saved more than one life today."
The other officers laughed at the obvious pun, well other than Coopersmith, who had seen the efficient killer in action and the Captain who had felt the truth in her earlier statements. The wary old salt responded to the laughter by saying, "She's serious gentlemen. She would keel every man jack of us to get back to London. Let's jest be grateful that ain't nesasorry."
The men stopped laughing as the fashionably dressed young woman held a LeMat pistol in her hand to emphasis the statement. For further emphasis, the experienced warrior cocked the weapon and said, "He ain't jossin' boys I've kilt jest about every livin' creature thar's on God's green Earth and I kin keel every one of y'all iffin I hasta. But I don't does I. So let's eat and enjoy ourselves, cause y'all kaint teal when y'all's time's come. Kinya?"
The men swallowed hard as they eyed the cocked pistol. The Captain burst into laughter at the sight of his wide eyed officers. As the wily American uncocked her pistol and returned it to its hiding place so adeptly that no one saw where it went, Dr. Lane smirked, "Boys, I heared of Jane Rizzoli and her father Big Frank in Texas. She ain't no pilgrim. I heared she kilt twenty Kiowa in a raid on the Comanche."
Jane chuckled, "It war more like sixteen than twenty."
The two young officers rushed to pull out the young lady's chair as she started to sit, which amused the Captain even more. These youngsters were in for a shock as this young teenager would have no interest in either of young rascals. This was a serious woman meant for a serious man. What he didn't know is she had no interest in men at all, except to use as a means to get back to her Maura.
Mr. Smith managed to win the brief contest as he pulled out the chair and the lovely brunette sat gracefully into it. The men then arranged themselves in their seats as fitting of their rank. The Captain at he head of the table. Mr. Smith to his right and Mr. Chantry to his left, next to Mr. Smith sat the good doctor and to Mr. Chantry's right sat Coopersmith. At the other end of the table sat the smiling Jane Rizzoli.
After the soup was served, Mr. Chantry asked, "Ma'am wouldcha have kilt us?"
The younger teenager laughed at the naïve eomment, "I should smile boy. War I come from iffin y'all ain't willin' to keel y'all'd be dead inside a day. I war six when I kilt my first critter. I war ten when I kilt my first man. I've kilt men usin' guns, a bow and arrow, knives and an axe. Why thar ain't a weepon on this Earth I ain't kilt with. Sos to answer y'all's question, damn rat I woulda. I dint axe ta be har y'all brung me."
The gracious Captain replied, "Ma'am had I knowed who ya war, I woulda never been a part of it. I's sorry fer me part and I assure ye it war not me intension to kidnap anybody. We war told ye war gonna go home but'd gotten drunk at ye's gonna away party and passed out."
Now, the dark Texan knew why such a upstanding man like the Captain had taken part in a shanghai. Surely Lady Constance had to have known she would talk to the crew. Clearly the jealous mother had not thought the entire plan through to its conclusion. It was a common mistake of people to only consider the suggest of a plan and not plan for the possibilities of failure.
Mr. Smith questioned her integrity by asking, "How kain a fine young woman like yourself keel anything at all. Yar a likely young woman and it ain't fittin' yar carryin' a gun like that."
The Doctor interrupted, "Ya must understand Mr. Smith in West Texas everybody carries a weapon. Every man, woman and child carries somethin' to protect themselves, cause thar ain't no law out thar to protect 'em, sos they's gotta do it tharselves. Ya kin sitchere and discuss it like thar another way but war she lives thar ain't no other way. I's seen it wit me own eyes and I kin tell ya that she'd keel ya sooner than eat ya."
Mr. Chantry queried, "Shouldn't she have some discretion in her keelin'? I mean ya kaint go around keelin' everybody. It ain't civilized."
Jane reacted by saying, "Mr. Chantry, ain't I civil?"
The confused young man answered, "Watcha mean?"
Jane reiterated, "I mean wat I said. Ain't I civil?"
The youngster tentatively replied, "Shore, ye be civil. We's talkin' rait nicely rat now."
Then Jane asked, "Well, ain't that wat civilized means a person who's civil?"
The Captain laughed, "She's gotcha thar, Boy. Miss Rizzoli, fer me part, I welcome yar honesty. Most gals'll hymn and haw. Ye jest gits rait to the point. Gentlemen, a toast to Miss Rizzoli, 'To Honesty.'"
Every man lifted a glass in salute and replied in unison, "To Honesty."
The girl's conscience asked, 'Are you really being honest or jest manipulative?'
The tough teenager didn't have an answer other than she didn't ask to be here.
***SE***
Red Blanket sat at the table as Big Frank carved the venison joint that the Indian chief had brought as a present. The old warrior had been invited to listen to the words Jane had sent from across the big water. The wily Indian chief missed the dark warrior and welcome to hear her words.
When Red Blanket came with two warriors and a fresh flank of venison, Big Frank welcomed them and ordered his men to prepare a barbecue, which was organized in no time. Angela not wanting any drunken Indians or cowboys for that matter spoiling the evening demanded no alcohol. For the occasion, the prepared housewife brought pitchers of lemonade, orangeade and apple cider.
It was a great party and the reading of Jane's letter made it all the happier until everyone realized how much she was missed.
***SE***
Paddy Doyle came to the back door and was greeted by his daughter's manservant, Hugh, "Mr. Doyle, it's good ta see ya. Things ain't goin' well chere. Lady Maura is beside herself in grief at havinta send her mother away and losing Miss Rizzoli."
The worried father asked, "Where's she now?"
The effective bodyguard responded, "Seeing the Prime Minister."
The now even more concerned father queried, "Then why ain'tcha wit her? Who's guardin' her?"
The equally worried bodyguard replied, "Dint have a choice. The Prime Minister sent a squad of Palace guards to escort Milady. I've got four of me best watchin' th house to make shore nothin' goes wrong."
The disturbed former smuggler ordered, "Hugh come wit me. We's gointa watch our Lady come home safe."
Instantly the two men were out the door.
***SE***
When the young heiress left the Prime Minister, she was greeted by twenty armed men, a mixture of her bodyguards, sailors and others she had never seen before. At the head of the mob were Hugh and her father, the honey blonde noblewoman asked, "Nice to see you, Mr. Doyle. Hugh, who are these men and why are you here?"
Paddy answered for the bewildered bodyguard, "I brought him and these men to make sure you get home. Martine is out there and I just don't trust Palace guard to protect you."
The small noblewoman smiled brightly at the sincere love she felt from her people as she answered, "Well let us get home quickly then."
With her army of guards and a squad of Palace guards, Lady Isles arrived home without an incident.
***SE***
However, the peace of the evening was interrupted by a mob of sailors attacking the front gate of Isles Manor. Her guards were quickly overwhelmed and torch carrying sailors burst through the Lady's gates and tossed their flaming brands through the large windows of the Manor.
Soon the mob was driven away by reinforcements from the house. Servants worked quickly to extinguish the flames. Four of her guards died in the honey blonde teenager's defense and one servant was severely burned. Lady Maura cried for those killed and ordered a pension for all the families.
The normally dossal noblewoman looked at those who had died and vowed Henri Martine's capture when she returned from recovering Jane. Paddy Doyle vowed this would be Henri Martine's final day on Earth. As the Lady went into the Manor House, the old smuggler blended into the shadows as he went to find the evil baron.
***SE***
Lady Isles awoke early to prepare for her voyage to overtake the Sea Sprite III. The ship she had commissioned was a fast brig, a former warship that had been decommissioned and sold as a trading ship some thirty-four years earlier. Her people had spent the last two days making her trim and fit for the voyage across the Atlantic.
Lady Maura's luggage was packed and ready to be delivered to her new home until the honey blonde teenager found her Jane. Hugh had packed as well as he was accompanying the young woman to America. Additionally four other bodyguards would be joining the sixty man crew, all hand-picked by Captain Jones, the Captain of this voyage.
The normal crew for such a ship was fifteen men. However, with such a valuable cargo, Hugh was taking no chances. The eight gun ports per side were fully operational and needed manpower to operate them. As there was no cargo, the men were not overly crowded.
As the afternoon moved slowly forward, Lady Isles boarded her carriage to make the trip to the dock where her brig awaited. After last night's incident, forty veteran seamen accompanied the carriage slowly through the London streets. It was slow progress, however the extra security was worth it. The carriage arrived without an incident.
On the evening tide, Lady Isles was boarding her newest ship in order to catch said tide, when a man cried out ain't that the Sea Sprite III was coming into port. Sure enough at the bow of the ship was her tall Texan with her long curly black hair catching the evening breeze as though those curls were waving to the relieved young woman from afar.