Author's Notes: Several readers have expressed concern over the reactions of my Jane and Maura. As I have said on numerous occasion this is an alternate reality. As such the main characters are in a much different situation than existed in the Rizzoli/Isles reality on the show. As such their lives are taking a different path. However, I have endeavored to keep the couple's inherent personas. Thank you for all the comments and reviews.
Chapter 18: Four months later
April, 1853, the Kiowa were ready to end the dominance of the Comanche in West Texas. For months, Frank Rizzoli had tried in vain to broker a peace. Even the threat of Jane's return had done nothing to allay their fears.
Two weeks earlier Jane's letter had arrived outlining her plans to bring a lasting peace to the area. Big Frank had already laid the ground work by hiring twenty new hands… all former Texas Rangers and all strong fighters. Mustang Korsak had taken the lead in showing the new men the ropes and was out on the prairie trying to keep both sides from hurting local farmers and ranchers.
Dallas and Fort Worth had boarded up businesses and double the night watches in anticipation of the coming war. Since the United States cavalry left Fort Worth, the protection of the area has fallen to the local militia and levies from the surrounding ranches.
The Rizzoli Ranch now number over sixty riders, which was twice they would normally carry. Since the United States government was picking up part of the bill, the wily Italian was still expanding his small army. From his daughter's hastily written letter it was obvious something big was on the horizon and he wanted to be ahead of it.
Mustang was riding into the ranch house area at the head of twenty former rangers when Big Frank was coming out of the house. The dark Italian had been hoping for some good news when Korsak reported, "Kiowas raided the smoke house of thar tradin' post. I left four men with the men that're already thar, but unless something happens to change things, we're gonna haveto close the place. Janie'd already had this finished. Any idear wan shes acomin' home?"
The worried father just shook his head negatively and replied, "Not since that thar letter I readcha two week agone. Any word from Red Blanket."
It was Korsak's turn to shake his head, as he responded, "And dat bothers me more than anythin'. He ain't talkin' and we go way back."
The two men could only worry and wait.
***SE***
A week later, an elegantly dressed dark haired beauty disembarked from the Frigate Ravenhill in Galveston, Texas accompanied by a huge dark man dress as a butler of sorts. Her blue silk dress with gold and silver trim shone brightly in its alien environment. The dainty young woman opened a matching parasol and strode confidently and gracefully toward a waiting carriage. Several of the ship's crew had disembarked as an escort for the fashionably dressed Lady.
A man working on the dock asked one of the guarding crew members, "Who's she?"
The man whispered in a confidential tone, "Lady Ravenhill."
Soon the town was abuzz with the news, an English Lady was in town and staying at the Hotel. The word was she was leaving by carriage to Austin in the morning.
***SE***
Hugh was unpacking Lady Ravenhill's trunk, as he asked, "Why are we going to Austin and not straight to your ranch."
Jane had argued long and hard with Maura over taking Hugh. The tall Texan didn't feel she needed the protection more than her young lover, but Maura would not hear of it. The Countess knew her girlfriend was headed into a real shooting war, while she would merely be in a Battle of the Ballrooms.
Hugh, too, had been reluctant to leave the young Lady, who had been the only daughter he had ever known, but once the Countess had made it her heartfelt wish, he could not deny her. The Countess Isles had won him over the day she had hidden his indiscretion from her father when just a child.
Now the Welshman's loyalty was with this brash charismatic American, who could and would shot a man for any indiscretion or insult. The tall dark Englishman had seen this dark teenager charge armed men with and without weapons. The dynamic Texan was worthy of leadership.
Hugh was quite familiar with the Lady Ravenhill's mission in Texas and how she was planning on ending the upcoming Indian Wars before they happened. However when they docked in Galveston, the Lady announced she was going to Austin to talk to Governor Bell about reinstating the Texas Rangers.
Even though her title wasn't official in America, the intelligent teenager understood frontiersfolks and how they respected nobility…especially nobility that did an honest day's work. Many of the large ranches in Texas had English nobles as owners or partners. So the Lady Ravenhill planned on using her new title as a strategic weapon to help get the Rangers back.
***SE***
Red Blanket set the ambush well. The Kiowa were chasing a small band of Comanche warriors, who had raided a outlying village of mostly women and children while the men had been out hunting buffalo. The seven elite tribesmen had stolen several horses, women and some younger children. They were now rushing home with their spoils.
The Kiowa men upon returning to their village had found the thefts and were in hot pursuit of the offending Comanche. The Kiowa warriors had sent a couple of messengers to the other tribes to get some help in retaliating against the felonious Comanche.
What the Kiowa didn't know was Red Blanket had orchestrated the entire affair. Comanche from several tribes (as well as his own) had banded together to destroy the Kiowa nation. As the retreating Comanche passed their waiting brethren, they slowed down on the premise of resting their horses. The pursuing Kiowa didn't suspect a trap as they were intent in retrieving their property.
The Kiowa could see the withdrawing Comanche on the horizon and failed to see the Comanche closing off their retreat. As the pursuit top a ridge they saw their dilemma. Before them were a hundred Comanche warriors and behind them was a hundred or so more. On each of their flanks several hundred more were closing in.
The band charge back the way they had came in an attempt to break free of the trap Red Blanket had so skillfully set. Seventy-eight warriors had pursued the Comanche interlopers; five broke free of the trap. Now the pursuers were the pursued. However Red Blanket would not allow them to lose their advantage. He ordered his men not to pursue. The wily old Injun didn't want his men running into the Kiowa from the other villages following the original band.
The savvy old warrior was not going to lose his present advantage. The Kiowa had lost many horses and weapons in the slaughter as well as warriors. Red Blanket knew the war had just started and didn't want a large number of losses. The savvy chief ordered the enemy stripped of everything valuable and left for the buzzards and crows.
The Kiowa had been a thorn in his side his entire life, now his enemy would die.
***SE***
Korsak and his Rangers found the dead Kiowa two days later. Not much remained of the once brave warriors. Buzzards, crows, ravens and other scavengers had taken most of their flesh. The veteran Indian fighter understood the size of this victory and knew what it meant.
Out of respect for the Kiowa dead, he ordered his men to throw what remained into a divot in the ground and cover it with stones. It wasn't much of a cairn, but it was all the wary leader could afford. Sign pointed to a Kiowa raiding party only a day away.
His only option was to protect the ranch. The size of this victory meant desperation and desperation meant carelessness. The experience warrior was going to have to have his men strengthen the ranch and weather the storm that was coming.
***SE***
Lady Ravenhill visited the Governor's office upon arrival in Austin, requesting an immediate audience. Governor Bell had been informed from friends in Galveston of the arrival of a very attractive English noblewoman and was anxious to meet the woman.
An elegantly dressed young woman in a emerald silk dress with gold studs and blue satin trim entered the Governor's office, trailed by a tall dark man dressed in a black broadcloth suit. The man stepped forward and announced, "Governor Bell, I would like to introduce to you Lady Ravenhill."
The lovely young woman extended her hand for the suddenly shy politician to take and kiss gallantly. Peter Hansborough Bell was a man in early forties with a full head of red hair and a red beard. He was a former Texas Ranger and was in his second term. Governor Bell was unmarried and was enamored by the beauty before him.
The courteous young Governor asked, "Would you like to be seated, Milady?"
Jane had had enough of the charade and answered in her native Texas twang, "Why shore, Governor Bell! Let's stop that milady stuff. My name's Jane Rizzoli and I think y'all knows my Paw. My title's only honorary here. I done a couple of favors for Queen Victoria and gave me the title, but it can only be honorary in the States.
Y'all knows my reputation I'm shore and maybe y'all knows why's I'ma cheer. President Pierce wants to stop the Kiowa and Comanche from warrin'. I plan on doin' jest that. I need yourn heap.
President Pierce wonts the Texas Rangers back in bidness. Iffin y'all don't do her. I will."
The stunned Governor began to chuckle, as he responded, "So, you're Big Frank's daughter? How is the son of a biscuit-eater?"
The elegant young brunette reverted to her parlor voice when she replied, "My father was well when last I heard from him, though events at the ranch are proceeding at a brisk pace. I came here to share with some information I obtain while in England. I need your help in reconstituting the Rangers."
For the next hour Jane related information on Louis-Napoleon and his design on Central America and her conversations with Maximilian. Then the intelligent teenager told the Governor about the smuggling of arms to Ireland and Mexico. Finally the dynamic young woman related the information she obtained from Minister Ingersoll about the upcoming troubles in West Texas, as well as his proposal from President Pierce. Jane then added her plans, "I am going to find every former Ranger and soldier from the War Against Santa Ana I can find. Then I am going to do everything in my power to force a peace, but I need your help.
I know the State of Texas can't afford to put together the Rangers at the moment. What I want to do is use my funds to gather the Rangers and have you working in the Legislature to get them reinstated as a unit. After I get them organized and armed, I figure the State of Texas can take over and I go back to my life."
The Texas Governor said, "Miss Rizzoli, if you want to really solve the Indian problem, you have to drive them out of Texas. You'll never be able to enforce a peace between the savages. They don't know anything but war and killing."
The young woman face hardened and the older man felt the power behind it as she stated with total conviction, "Governor, no disrespect, but you don't know watt y'all talkin' bout. Cause I kin do it. Now, y'all help or y'all kin git in my way. But let me warn ya, I make a powerful enemy. I got a job to do, so let me do it."
The power politician was taken aback. Never had he felt such danger behind the charisma of one person, particularly a person so young, so beautiful and so female. Then Governor Bell recalled the rumors and stories of this young woman and how the Kiowa was terrified of her very name. The veteran of the Mexican War had never believed those tales, because most tales in the frontier were so embellished, but now he believed every word. So he replied, "I don't threaten easily. However, I did get word from President Pierce and his request the State of Texas cooperate with your endeavor. So you shall have my cooperation."
The tall brunette honored the man with one of her famous Rizzoli smiles and theatrically took her cock Lemat from under the table and uncocked it before his eyes. With a dramatic smirk, the wily Texan put the gun away and announced, "I'm headed west in two days. I need every Ranger you can wrangle in Austin ready to leave. They don't need nothing but their pants and a change of clothes. I'll supply everything else including weapons. I brought with me five hundred LeMats and five hundred French rifles. I also have horses and gear for one hundred men. So you round'em up and I'll arm'em up."
With the dynamic brunette rose from her chair and extended her hand. The gallant Governor kissed it. With a twirl of skirts, the most dangerous person he had ever met glided gracefully from the room.
After the giant man quietly followed her out of his office, Governor Bell released the breath he was holding and sighed relief. After a second to recover his wits, the powerful politician summoned his assistant in order to send word to his former Ranger friends of what was happening. He figured he could get maybe fifty men in those two days.
***SE***
Two days later an assembly of seventy-two men ambled around a vacant corral. Their old commander, Governor Bell, had asked them to come and met with the President's handpicked organizer. No one had told any of them who this man was, but if the President and the Governor were backing him, he must be something.
At that moment a rumbling noise erupted from west and the ground shook from the stampede of four hundred hooves hitting the ground. Though the dust, a lone rider could be seen herding the herd of horses toward them.
As the obviously skilled horseman approached the corral a couple of the men pulled its gate in order for the horse to enter the enclosure. It was quite a feat herding a hundred head of horses, but this hombre was obviously the man they had come to meet.
A couple of minutes later three wagons approached them as they had been trailing the horse. A huge man dress in black rode alongside the lead wagon. When the wagons were by the main gate and the horses settled in the corral, the horse herder rode hard at the fence and jumped his horse over third rail.
The man was dressed in buckskin and had at least six pistols strapped to his body. His long black hair waved in the wind and his tall slim body sat his horse like he was born to it. The expert horseman leaped from is mount and jumped onto a convenient crate. Then a mildly femenient exclaimed, "I'm Jane Rizzoli. Y'all are here to follow me agin the Injuns. Iffin y'all don't wont to take orders from me step forward and talk to my man Hugh. Then if y'all manage to git past him, you'll answer to me.
Iffin y'all heard the stories about me, y'all know I don't fool around. I need men to stop a war. The Kiowa and Commanche are about to go to war. I plan to stop the first wagon is tack and saddles for your horses over yonder. The second wagon has shot, powder, pistols and rifles, two powder horns, fifty balls, two pistols and a rifle for each man. The last wagon is our chuck wagon.
The pay is fifty dollars a month with a five dollar advance on the first month the minute you sign up. If y'all want to ride with me sign up with Mr. Hugh,, iffin y'all don't wanna come walk on out of chere. We leave in two hours, so be ready."
Every man signed his name or made his mark. For that kind of money they ride for just about anyone.
***SE***
Lady Maura Isles disembarked from her ship with her young charge in tow. Melody had been taking a crash course in French etiquette and had exceeded all expectations. The young American spoke French with the skill of an educated noblewoman and could converse on all the major topics familiar to any French aristocrat.
Lady Isles was very anxious to get her new protégé in place so she could make her personal journey to America. Melody for her part was anxious to begin her new life and fulfill the expectations of her benefactor, Jane Rizzoli. The lovely young woman cannot thank her savior enough for the life she had given her.
As the honey blonde noblewoman left the ship she was accompanied by the Doyle brothers, Melody and four bodyguards. A carriage was waiting for the small troop. The driver and coachman were dismissed and replaced by the four bodyguards. The Doyles opened the coach door for the two noblewomen and assisted them getting into the cabin area. Then the pair followed the young woman inside.
Once inside, Lady Isles got right down to business. Christopher, take Melody straight to the steward and establish her authority. I want every cent checked and rechecked, there is always a thief and I want that person identified immediately. Melody let Christopher do most of the talking and answer any question he may asked directly and as briefly as possible in French.
Remember start thinking in French. Michael I need you to accompany me to the bailiff and get Melody's papers on file and establish before someone can find a reason to oppose us. Are there any questions?"
When no one asked anything, Lady Isles smiled broadly and relaxed by thinking of her Jane.
***SE***
Three riders approached the long column of riders and Jane followed by Hugh rode out to meet them. John 'Rip' Ford, Jack Hays and Ben McCulloch rode up the dynamic teenager and her dark shadow as Rip said, "I understand y'all ere reformin' the Rangers. I've been atryin' to do that fer neigh on to two yearn. How do a little scrap of girl like y'all git her done?"
The wild Texan smiled as she replied, "Warnt my choice. I'd still be in England iffin the President hadn't axe me to come home and do her. Don't git me wrong. I love Texas and would've come back, but I was havin' fun and would've liked to had sum mo' afore I came home. Now y'all wanna join up?"
These men had lead the Rangers in their fight against Santa Ana and would want to give orders rather than take them. So, Jane had established her authority early. By getting them to agree on signing up, the savvy teenager was getting them to acknowledge her leadership.
Rip was impressed by how sharp this young teenager was and looked to his fellow riders and nodded up and down. So the experience warrior replied for all three men by saying, "Why shore, we wanna sign up."
The tough Texan smiled and nodded for the men to join the ranks. That night as they camped, Jane addressed her troop, "I have a job to do and I plan on doin' her without much killin'. Now, iffin yore chere jest to keel Injuns, then y'all better leave. I got no use for ya unlesson yore ready to talk afore y'all shoot.
Now as to whose in charge. I'm the Captain. Y'all kin call me Jane or Captain. I don't care which. I would like Rip, Jack Hays and Ben McCulloch to take twenty-four men each and form a troop. How you structure yorn own troop is up to ya. Hugh is my second in command… then Rip… then Ben… then Jack. Iffin y'all have any questions axe me in private. Thank y'all."
After her short address, the new leaders started selecting troops between themselves. When everyone had left the area to establish their command structure, Hugh took Jane to the side and said, "Milady, I'm an English man without standing with these men. By making me second-in-command you have made some enemies."
Jane laughed, "Not after you best 'em. One of them is gonna represent the rest and challenge ya. You take him and the rest will follow. Trust me. By the way, it will be that Big Swede. Johannes has never lost a fight. I need ya to break that streak."
Hugh nodded his acknowledgement of both his understanding and his assurance of victory. With that Jane went to find an isolated quiet spot to lose herself in dreams of her first and last true love.
***SE***
The Martine Manor was an old and venerable castle with a hodge-podge of differing architectural styles. The initial structure was built in eighth century by a Frankish nobleman, who had been a cousin to Charlemagne. It was little more than a large box standing forty feet high and a fifty pace square base. Additional buildings were added in the tenth century and then surrounded by an outer wall with towers and palisades in the twelfth century. A moat and outer earthworks were added in the thirteenth century as well as the church and bailey.
The interior is what has changed the most in the last six hundred years. Until the thirteen century the interior had been largely Spartan. However when the first Martine become Countess in 1287, the interior started being the focus of the family finances. Frescos, mural, tapestries and paintings were commissioned and incorporated into the décor and the castle stayed in the Martine family until they were forced to flee during the French Revolution and the rein of Napoleon.
In 1814, the family returned to their ancestral home. At that time the Martine family number over forty, now, only Maura and her adopted daughter were left of the once proud family. Maura and Melody had plans. Maura was of the opinion that the French monarchy was doomed to failure and that the family needed to become self-reliant.
So the lands surrounding the barony were being purchased in Melody's name. The idea was to grow olives, grapes and barley. A winery and an oil mill were being built along with a warehouse for proper storing of the barrels of wine and olive oil. The barley was to use as feed for the recently purchased cattle.
By the end of the fourth year, Maura and Jane hoped for the barony to producing enough income to be noticed by Louis-Napoleon. For years the Martine family had been living strictly off of the barony's rents. Now the conspiring couple wanted that to change. The French powers that be wouldn't notice a small struggling barony. However it would notice a large wealthy one.
The plan involved the oil and wine being sold in England and America with the cattle going to Isles Shipping for feeding their sailors. The plan was going to take several years for the winery and the oil mill to start paying a dividend on their investment.
For the next three years, Lady Isles was planning on tutoring her new daughter in finance and espionage. After which it will be up to Christopher and Melody to achieve the honey blonde noblewoman's agenda. Michael was taking his father's place in controlling the large information network his father and Lord Isles had built.
Money wasn't a problem. The wealthy socialite had all the money she could ever possibly spend. Time was what the lonely young heiress was begrudging.
***SE***
Lady Jane Ravenhill was sitting by the campfire writing an entry in one of her new diaries. One of the tough Texans started to make fun of the teenager, when he caught her gaze and decided he had best keep his thoughts to himself.
Hugh saw the look and strolled over to the man and whispered, "Jane is writing her girlfriend a letter. She's kind of sensitive about Lady Isles and wouldn't take the teasing very well. Her soul is probably a hundred years old, but she's still a young teenager and very insecure about her love life. Besides I would take it personally if you hurt that young woman's feelings. Not that she can't take you herself and three more like you, but I don't want her hurt. She's had enough of that.
Do you know she came back just to save your State and left all she had behind her? Do you know that bit of a girl killed seventeen men and kept a warehouse of firearms from causing a rebellion in Ireland? Not only that she said Queen Victoria's life from an assassin. That's why in England, she's Lady Ravenhill. She left all that behind to save your asinine lives."
Hugh walked away leaving the man grasping for a reply. Ben McCullough walked over to Johnny Yuma and said, "I'd leave those two alone iffin I war ya. I've seen thar kind. Y'all could put twenty rounds in 'em and they'd keel ya with thar dyin' breath. I don't know iffin y'all heared the stories bout dat gal, but I heared the one bout the Kioway. She kilt twenty or mo while buffalo huntin' when she war only ten years old. I note the man who war thar. Y'all know Mustang Korsak. He war thar and tolt me the story."
Several of the Rangers were in earshot and the story was soon all over the camp. Many of the Rangers had heard the tales of the wild teenager, but every one of them thought they were fish tales. You know the kind of tales that grew with every telling. Well now they had just learned that one of the stories was totally true and the young woman was given a new respect by the tough and violent men.
***SE***
Countess Maura Isles was also writing her older lover in her diary, which she would send with the returning ship, when a servant knocked on her door. Not wanting to stop her train of thought, the honey blonde noblewoman called out, "Come in."
Georgina was carrying a tray of tea and cake, while Bridgette had a letter on an identical tray. Bridgette announced, "I have a letter from Her Majesty, Milady."
The Countess sighed as she put down her pen and took the important document. This letter was very serious, it was written in the Queen's own hand. The nervous honey blonde opened the letter with her silver letter opener and read,
My Dearest Countess,
We are taking pen in hand in order to propose a union between your family and my own. We would like to propose a marriage between yourself and our son, Alfred, who will soon be the Duke of Edinburgh. We understand this would mean a betroval of ten years, as Alfred will not be of age until such time. However, we would dearly love to secure such a union at the earliest convenience as a marriage between our families to our mutual best interest. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland
The gracious Lady put down the letter and rose from her seat and walked to the terrace, where she let out a scream that crossed the castle walls and could be heard at the nearby town. Then the elegant young woman returned gracefully to her seat and said, "Georgina and Bridgette, I have an important mission for you. I need you to go to Texas and give Lady Ravenhill a message for me. I cannot in good conscience order you to do this, but I would consider it a personal favor if you would."
The two sisters looked at each other and a silent debate took place. After only a couple of moments, Bridgette replied for the two sisters, "What would you have us do?"
***SE***
Lady Isles wrote a long letter in her diary to be sent immediately to Texas:
My Dearest Love,
I received a letter today from Her Majesty. In it Her Royal Highness proposed a union of our families. I would marry her second son Alfred. It is not an offer I can refuse, because it is more of a command than a proposal.
Since, Her Royal Highness had decreed that I may keep my title and lands after marriage; there is no legitimate reason for me to refuse. With all my heart I love you and will never marry anyone else. However, Her Majesty had put in a box from which I cannot escape.
Take heart. I have a plan. I am going to write Her Royal Highness a letter agreeing to the broad outline, but I will need to negotiate the full terms of the plan. I will delay and haggle for three years, long enough for Melody and Christina to learn their duties. Melody will be of age and will inherit the Martine title immediately and take her place and perform her duties.
Christina will be too young to inherit, however I can set her up as my heir. At this time I will finally reach an accord with Her Majesty. I will end agreeing to marry Alfred on my twenty-first birthday, which is nine years hence. By then Christina will be near of age to inherit my title.
I will arrange to go to America on business, at which time I will disappear into the Texas wilderness with enough funds to live a comfortable life. Since I disappear and there is no evidence of death, they will have to wait an additional seven years before declaring me legally dead. By which time, Christina will be full of age to inherit my title.
I, of course, will advise my daughter from afar to insure the continued success of Isles Shipping. I will have raised the child to understand she will require my guidance and influence. Should she fail to heed me, I will simply reappear and take back my title. By which time, Alfred would have moved on to another.
For your part, you have three tasks to accomplish for this plan to work. First, you must find me a safe haven in the wilderness. Some place I can reside in comfort and anonymously. Second you must hide funds which I will be sending you slowly and steadily as not to raise suspicion. Lastly you must protect yourself and be there for me. That is the most important task for without you I am lost forever. I love you.
Forever Yours,
Maura, Countess Isles of Swansea.
P.S.
This offer screams we have been found out. I am convinced Her Royal Highness knows we are more than just friends. This is her way of separating us and bringing me into conformity. Fortunately I have never conformed very well. It seems however I have a spy in my household. Whoever the spy is; it is vital we find him or her and eliminate Her Majesty's source of information.
For this I have a plan as well. I will catch the spy and take appropriate action. This informant could jeopardize our future and that I will not have.
All My Love,
Maura.
The Lady locked the diary and handed it to Bridgette, instructing her two oldest friends, "I am entrusting you with my life. In that diary are things which could get me hung. I have no one else I can trust. Do not fail me. I beg you.
I hate to ask this question, but I must know. Are either of you the informant for the Queen?"
Both sisters looked hurt and Countess Isles regretted her question immediately. However, Georgina replied, "We are not the informant. However, we have a suspect…Katlyn…Marina's daughter."
The Countess queried further, "Why do you suspect the child?"
Georgina responded, "She has been seen talking to the Queen's Captain, the one that summons you to court. Additionally there has been gossip that Katlyn confronted her mother directly about you and Lady Ravenhill. The word abomination was overheard."
The honey blonde noblewoman was saddened by the news. Marina had served her father before she was born and was the most trusted servant in the household. If her daughter is the informant, the Countess would be forced to take some action. However, the kind teenager would do it in such a manner as not to hurt her faithful housekeeper. Then another thought had to be voice, "Do you think Marina could be betraying me?"
The very thought of such a betrayal brought tears to her eyes. Bridgette answered quickly, "Most assuredly not. Marina would beat the child senseless if she found her betraying your trust. Don't you know? Marina has a lover…her friend from school that visits from her father's pub so often. They have been lovers since their school years. Everyone in the household knows, except Katlyn. Kat went to Convent school and is very naïve. Please take it easy on her, she is just confused."
In Bridgette's eyes the Lady saw something else. Bridgette was in love with the child. Now things were really getting complicated. However matters had to be settled immediately both women had been brought to France and would be privy to many more secrets, "Tell Katlyn and Marina I want to see them immediately."
The kind teenager saw the worry in her longtime friend's eyes and reassured her, "I will find out the truth and will not be unfair. I will stop the spying on my affairs, but I will be lenient on the child should she prove false…for her mother's sake as well as yours. Does she know, Bridgette?"
Bridgette was stunned; she had kept her love a secret. She hadn't even told Georgina. For a long time Bridgette had been infatuated with her Ladyship, but the moment the young maid laid eyes upon the naïve daughter of the housekeeper, things changed. However, Bridgette kept her love a secret deep in her breast. So the shocked young woman asked her Lady, "How did you know? No one knows."
Georgina laughed, "You are such a ninny. Of course I knew. Haven't I been seeing you moon over the girl for months. Why you just don't talk to the girl I will never know. You light up like a room full of candles every time you look at her. You should have seen your face a moment ago. A blind man could see the love and concern."
The Countess smiled as she nodded her acknowledgement of the truth in the older sister's words. Bridgette was embarrassed as she pleaded, "How can her I tell her? She thinks lesbians are abominations. She will hate me forever. I couldn't live with that."
Countess Isles smiled reassuringly and announced, "I will take care of this Bridgette. You just take care of that diary. Now get them for me."
***SE***
Jane Rizzoli and Hugh Jamieson led a force of eighty-four Rangers into Dallas. They were greeted with cheers and congratulatory signs of relief. Without the Army at Fort Worth, the people of West Texas were feeling isolated and endangered. Now they saw an army of Texas Rangers here to protect them.
Everyone in Dallas knew of the feats of Jane Rizzoli and had immense respect for the entire Rizzoli family. Seeing her at the head of the company of Rangers only gave the citizens more reason to feel safe and protected. One woman rushed out to greet the party shouting, "Welcome…Welcome…Miss Rizzoli, y'all mighten not remember me, but I'm Jenny Prescott, y'all saved me and mine from that Comanche raid in '49. Please come to my place and meet my family. I owe ya so much and'd welcome a chance to at least give y'all a good meal. Bring as many as y'all wont. We'ins got plenty."
Jane turned to Hugh and said, "Find out where this woman lives."
The tall Texan turned to the woman and replied, "I should smile. I member y'all well. How's your maw and paw? Iffin I member rat, y'all had a sister and brother as well. I tell ya watt. I'll come by and we'uns kin ketchup."
The woman smiled said farewells and ran back to house to get it ready for company.
***SE***
Jane rented every room in the hotel and there were still four men to a room and men still had to camp outside of town. When this became known to the citizens of Dallas, homes were opened up to the troop of Rangers, so no one had to sleep under the stars.
Hugh was in charge of resupplying the troop and purchasing more ammunition for their rifles and pistols. Additionally, the large Englishman was responsible for finding a field for training and practicing with their new weapons. The Black Welshman purchased a small farm outside of town from a family wanted to return to Louisiana and relative safety. It was a perfect place to drill and maneuver.
Jane inspected the sixty acre farm and decided to rent it out to another family for twenty dollars a year and the promise of a sugar beets and alfalfa crop for a penny below the going price at the time. It was a good deal for both parties and another source of sugar beets for her mills and alfalfa for her cattle.
The family moved in immediately while the Ranger Company practiced with their new weapons. They drilled on loading and reloaded the cap and ball weapons. Additionally they took target practice sighting in their new weapons.
Several of the old timers resisted using the old weapons until they saw how much easier they were to load and how much more accurate the weapons. Several of the older Rangers were encouraged to use their larger caliber weapons as they had much more range and fire power, but overall the weapons of the company were the LeMat pistol and the Pattern 1851 Minié rifle.
Unlike the American Sharpe and Remington rifled muskets, the Minié rifle had a new type of ammunition call the Minié ball or as the Texans called it the Mini-ball.
The Minié ball was really not a ball at all, but a bullet design, a new innovation as the American rifled muskets still used sphere shaped balls, which were far less accurate. The bullet was much more stable after leaving the rifle barrel, unlike its spherical counterpart it rotated smoothly with little or no wobble.
The common rifle of 1853 had an accuracy of up to 200 yards, while the Minié had an accuracy of up to 600 yards. As a result the Minié rifle actually came with front and rear sights. Another innovation, as other rifles didn't tout accuracy, but firepower.
That first night in Dallas, Jane, Hugh, Rip Hays, Ben McCullough and Jack Hays went to have dinner at the Prescott house. There Jane was introduced to Francois Minot, was looking for land for a settlement for the followers of the Utopian ideologue Charles Fourier.
Jenny lived with her father, Henry, mother, Margret, brother, Henry Jr. and sister, Katherine. The brother had a wife of sixteen Mary Elizabeth and an infant son, Jason. Henry couldn't do enough for the tall teenager as she had saved his family from annihilation. Fourteen year old Katherine followed the charismatic brunette about the room.
Dinner was a fine chicken stew with plenty of onions, carrots and potatoes. Chicken was a rare treat in cattle country, where beef was the primary and cheapest meat available. A fine chicken would cost as much as a side of beef in West Texas. Most hens were used for laying and therefore too valuable to grace a pot.
Henry asked Jane to say grace, the honor by which the kind brunette gratefully accepted. Being of deeply Catholic stock, the young woman knew many prayers suitable for saying grace even at a Protestant table. Rip Hays produced the fine bottle of wine Jane had procured for the occasion.
Ben McCullough pulled from a pair of black saddle bags two tins of salted biscuits, while Hugh supplied a pair of tins of salted olives in natural olive oil. Finally Jack Hays set a couple of rare fruit cakes from England packaged in wax paper and sealed in cans. It would prove to be an excellent party.
***SE***
Katlyn and Marina entered the Countess Isles's study and curtsied deeply and asked, "You sent for us, Milady?"
The young noblewoman coldly nodded acknowledgment of their sign of respect and loyalty. With a hardness unusual in her eyes, the honey blonde Lady asked, "Do you curtsy out of habit or true loyalty, Marina?"
The older woman was truly shocked and wounded by the question. The housekeeper had been loyal and steadfast to the Isles family all her adult life. The injured servant answered, "Why I have nothing but respect for Her Ladyship and I've been anything but loyal to you and your father before you."
With feigned indifference the cunning teenager queried, "Then why pray tell have you betrayed my secrets to Her Majesty, the Queen?"
Terror stuck the graying woman's heart as she wondered, 'How can, Milady, think I would betray her trust.'
The aging housekeeper was severely hurt by the accusation. The older servant was about to respond to the false allegation, when her daughter intervened, "Milady, my mother has said nothing. I was the one who told Her Ladyship's secret. I didn't mean to do it, Milady. I was tricked by someone I thought loved me.
Do Her Ladyship remember the young Captain who delivered messages from Her Highness?"
Countess Isles nodded her recollection of the dashing young man and allowed the youngster to continue. "Well, Milady, he complimented me and wooed me until I knew I was in love. He, too, confessed his love and I said, 'I hope we will be as happy as Her Ladyship and Miss Jane.'
I swear Milady, it wasn't until much later I realized what I had said. Since then I haven't seen or heard from the man. Milady, he took my chastity from me with many promises. I am shamed and dishonored. I will leave immediately, Your Ladyship."
The defeated young woman was in tears and about to leave when the Countess ordered, "Stop child! I have not given you leave. Am I to understand the Captain relieved of your virtue in order to illicit secrets from my household?"
The sobbing girl could only nod her acceptance of that fact, as the angry young noblewoman continued, "He will pay for his indiscretion. I promise you my dear, he will make this right or I will have vengeance on him and his family. You are the wronged party here. I forgive you and I further promise you and your mother, your places in my household are safe.
That being said you must be more discrete in the future. Additionally you must remember sin is easier than virtue. There is no harm in giving yourself to another if you both love each other, but you must be sure of the other person before you make the sacrifice.
Child, are you with child?"
Again the saddened young woman nodded the rightness of the question. Her mother gapped at this revelation and pulled her crying daughter into her arms while saying, "It's alright. I still love you. We will do this together.
Milady, I want satisfaction from this man. He had defiled my daughter and stolen her virtue. I demand he marry my girl immediately before she begins to show her indiscretion."
The furious Countess replied, "Oh you can be sure he will marry our Katlyn or face my champion in open combat."
***SE***
Jane Rizzoli rode into the corral of the Rizzoli ranch at the head of ninety-four Rangers. The dynamic brunette had recruited the additional men in Dallas and Fort Worth. The wily teenager had sent Hugh ahead, while she continued her recruiting campaign in Dallas, then Fort Worth.
Jane had requested her father start construction of a barracks for the Ranger Company. The bunk house was not big enough to accommodate so many men and their equipment. The barracks was going to consist of a large room of beds and a separate room for their equipment.
Additionally three more outhouses needed to be dug and constructed in order to handle so many men. The wild Texan also needed more horses and corral space. In the future the farsighted teen planned on building a small fort a couple of miles from the ranch house.
Her mother dashed out of the house and across the yard, nearly knocking her daughter to the ground as she squeezed her desperately. The stunned brunette squeaked, "I missed you, too, Maw."
Her father had been a little more reserved as he strode across the yard. The giant Italian held out his hand for his child to take. As the tall teenager grasped the hand the big man pulled his daughter into his arms and hugged her harder than her mother.
After the bear of a man released his daughter, she said, "Papa, I'd like you to meet Rip Hays, Ben McCullough and Jack Hays. They're my lieutenants, along with my second-in-command. You remember Hugh don't you?"
The charismatic rancher held out his hand and replied, "Why shore I member him. Welcome back Welshman and nice to meet y'all. I gess I'll meet the rest at dinner. I got a side of beef roasting on the spit and your Maw abeen cookin' and bakin' all mornin'. Meantime your barracks be finished, but they still be building the bunk beds. I got Cain aworkin' night and day. The women be sewing mattresses but I don't see as how we got enough feathers to stuff 'em."
Jane smiled as she responded, "Hugh, show Papa the gift we got in Dallas."
The smiling Welshman pulled a tarp from a wagon to reveal a full wagon load of down. The dynamic teenager said, "The people of Dallas were so happy to see us that they took up a collection when they found out we needed more down."
The old man patted the Dark Englishman on his back and exclaimed, "Why y'all should be sleepin' sound in no time. Jane, while Mustang gets yourn men settled, y'all and y'all's lieutenants should hear the lastest news. It ain't good."
***SE***
Countess Isles was pouring over the correspondence that the Doyle brothers had just delivered when Melody entered the elaborate office. The young American, who was rapidly becoming a French aristocrat, was carrying one of Jane's diaries. With a huge smile on her face, the young woman said, "This just came in on the Ravenhill, I thought you would want it immediately."
Tears ran down the young noblewoman's cheek as she opened the missive to see what was happening in her lover's life. The honey blonde noblewoman read:
My Dearest Love,
Hugh and I landed in Galveston and we are going to Austin to see Governor Bell. I am confident I can count on his cooperation in raising a Ranger Company. The Indian situation is dire. I received word from my father his patrols have done little to relieve the tension between the Comanche and the Kiowa. I heard from a trapper and buffalo hunter, Red Blanket is making medicine.
When a war chief makes medicine, he is preparing for war. I'm afraid I may be too late. I have a lot of influence with Red Blanket, but he is upset by something and I do not know what it is. I have to talk to him and get him to understand a war is no good for anyone.
How are things going on your end I wish I could be there to help you. I miss you deeply and am so lonely at night that I must force myself not to cry (crying is not an option when you are raising a company of Texas Rangers).
The nights are the worst. I can barely sleep. I roll in my bed to hold you and you not there. I do not know if I can survive this loneliness. I look forward to the day when we will be together again.
All My Love,
Jane.
Then Countess turned the second page:
To the Love of My Life,
I removed the weapons I took from the warehouse belonging to those smugglers and loaded on a wagon. Hugh is a magnificent help. He found three fine wagons and got them at a bargain price. He wanted to buy horses, but I convinced him oxen were better for our purposes. The terrain in West Texas is more suited to oxen than mules or horses.
I also purchased a nice string of twenty horses from an Old Indian trader, who had gotten them from the Yaqui. There are fine animals and should make excellent ponies for my company of Rangers. I need several hundred horses. However, I can supplement any I find with ones from the Ranch. I figure I need around a hundred for the moment.
Hugh is off scouring the country side looking for likely animals. He did purchase a nice string of eight mules, which should do well to supplement the wagon for loading supplies. When traveling on patrol, you do not want something so conspicuous as wagons, so mules are better in that situation.
I know you wanted Hugh to come and keep an eye on me, but how can you be without him. The man is a wonder at organization and leadership. I am going to make him my second-in-command, which may not sit well with the veteran Rangers, but I want someone I know I can count on and trust, besides Hugh had earned the privilege.
How are Melody, Tina and Jeremy doing? Have you heard anything from Ravenhill about how the boy is adapting to his new situation? I want a detail account of how he is handling school and how the Professor is handling the estate. I know the man is fine scholar, but running a Barony is not the same thing.
How is Melody coming along? Do you think she will be ready by her eighteenth birthday? It is vital to our plan that the girl is in place by then.
I know you know all this better than I, but I want so for you to be here with me or I there with you. Therefore I tremble with anticipation with each day that passes.
All My Love,
Jane.
The third page read like this:
My Love,
I received your gift through your broker in New Orleans. It is a fine case of wine. I do miss the fine wines of your country… not many grapes in Texas… if any. With this diary I am sending you five gallons of the finest apple cider I have ever tasted. A man outside of Galveston raises bees and uses honey to sweeten the brew. It is delicious. I hope you enjoy it.
We are leaving today and this will be my final entry in this diary. I will open a new one tonight when we camp. I need to get this to the Ravenhill so it will get there to you as quickly as possible. I am also sending fifty sides of smoked beef and five tons of sugar to pay for the trip.
Hugh has enclosed two letters he would like you to deliver. He says you will know for whom they are intended. I need to get this on the ship before high tide. So keep safe. I do miss you so much it hurts.
Love You Forever,
Jane.
The young noblewoman closed the book and weep in loneliness. The heartsick teenager knew that this was just the beginning of long and arduous struggle. At best it will be four years before the honey blonde teen will be able to go to America. It looked like forever.
***SE***
After the Ranger officers were seated at the kitchen table of the comfortable house, Angela Rizzoli was serving coffee and donuts. Jane sat in a familiar chair and took a deep breath to inhale the taste of home. However after staying in Isles Manor, the house she grew up in seemed much smaller and less grand.
The handmade furniture was less attractive than the antiques that decorated the residence the young American had visited in England. However none of that compared to the feeling of rightness that oozed from the house that had seen her grow. Jane Rizzoli was home.
Jane had been just fifteen when she left home to comfort her friend, now at the age of seventeen, the charismatic brunette felt much older. So much had happened to the wild Texan; she had no choice but to change. As her lieutenants continued to snack on donuts and coffee, Jane explained the situation to her parents, "The President has asked me to reconstruct the Texas Rangers in order to keep the peace between the Indians. As you can see by the men outside, I have agreed to do so. What I am about to tell cannot leave this room."
Everyone in the room nodded their agreement to the terms as Jane continued, "We have a difficult situation happening here in West Texas. It seems the French government wants to conquer all of Mexico and Central America. They are sponsoring the cause of an Austrian Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, son of Archduke Franz Karl. There are rumors that he is actually the illegitimate son of Napoleon II, son of Bonaparte; though I think that might be a lie to justify French aide.
The information we have received indicates Louis-Napoleon is waiting for the United States to be distracted, so they can't use the Monroe Doctrine to interfere. I think they feel the South will succeed from the Union and that there will be a Civil War or maybe they are hoping that the Indian problem will so severe that the United States Army will be too busy to interfere.
Either scenario would lead to Mexico falling into French hands, which would be devastating to our interests in West Texas. So it is critical we prevent an all-out war between the Comanche and the Kiowa. If that happens then the other tribes will start raiding then the Army will be forced to stop it.
I will not allow that, which is why I agreed to use my influence with the Comanche and the Kiowa and reform the Rangers.
Papa, I want what Rangers you have to come with me. I want you to get the rest of the hands to make a gather and get every head we have in that canyon west of the Sandy. Build a fort to guard the mouth of that canyon and man with everyone you can get. I want you, Mama and the boys to stay inside with Mustang and the Whitfields.
Before you protest, somebody has to protect the ranch and our herds. I'll be too busy. Plus I don't want to have to worry about anybody but the men I have with me. Now, Mama, how about some food? I'm starved."
***SE***
All the paperwork was completed and the Last Will and Testament read. Now Countess Isles had legally inherited the Martine estate. Given the option of which title to relinquish; the brilliant honey blonde produced documents demonstrating her adoption of Melody, who now inherited the name Melody Martine. Therefore Melody was officially the Baroness Martine.
Countess Isles was not legally of age, so could not serve as conservator of the estate. However, being of noble birth, the lovely teenager was able to appoint Christopher Doyle regent until Melody came of age. Within a week several invitations to parties and balls came addressed to Melody.
Each of these parties was hosted by a house with a son of marrying age. On her new mother's advice, the new noblewoman declined each of them. Her French, manners and bearing all needed some more nurturing and development.
The former protestant converted to Catholicism and went to Mass every Sunday and confession on each Saturday. On Wednesday the former American had tea with the leading citizens of the small village. On Thursdays, she inspected the house guard.
The Countess drilled her daughter constantly on French history, the members of all the noble houses. Soon the brash Texan had mastered the names and faces of every member in those houses. In the meantime Countess Isles sent Michael to open communications with the smugglers, pickpockets and tradesmen that made up the Isles information ring.
Christopher spent his days going over accounts and overseeing the construction of the olive mill and winery. Today the new regent was in Bordeaux arranging the acquisition of four master glass blowers and a expert winemaker.
For her part the honey blonde noblewoman was managing the tilling of the new fields, which would be used to grow the grapes, barley and olives. The grape vines will take three years to start producing grapes. The transplanted olive trees were two to three years old and the grove will start producing in about five years. Therefore the industrious teenager was also arranging to purchase grapes and olives from local growers in the meantime.
The Countess mourned the amount of work there was to do before she could leave it all to her chosen heirs and retire to a life with her beloved Jane. For the fourth time that day, the lonely noblewoman wondered what her lover was doing.
***SE***
With a total of 117 Texas Rangers at her back, Jane headed toward her Comanche Trading Post. It was a twelve hour ride to the post and they arrived at the place in the twilight of the day. Jane ordered the men to make camp as she and Hugh headed to the trading post to get any news the traders might have.
Jane and Cain had built this post in '48 and it had been thriving when she left for England. When the tall brunette entered the post she found two men she had never seen in her life standing behind the counter she had built with her own hands and four others just lounging around. Upset by the overall untidiness of the place, the dynamic teenager demanded, "Who are you and where are my men?"
One of the men laughed, "Why one be out back six feet under. Tothers I don't ratly know where they be. They runoff two days ago. We'uns own this place now by raits."
Without a single comment, Jane drew her LeMat and shot the speaker with two shots through his shirt pocket. While drawing another pistol from her belt, the tough Texan said, "Git afore I keel ya."
One man to her left made a play for his shotgun only to get a load of buckshot from Hugh's street cannon. The big Welshman eared back the second barrel with a loud click as it locked in ready position. The dark teenager never even glanced in Hugh's direction as she reiterated, "Don't bother with hoses. Y'all got five minutes to start running. Then we open the ball."
At that moment twenty Texas Rangers charged the building after hearing the gunshot, carrying their cocked and ready rifles. The remaining men drop their weapons and ran for the door. Before they got out the door, Jane smiled, "Arrest them for murder."
Hours later her men returned with weapons, obviously to retake their charge only to find Jane Rizzoli was back with a hundred tough Texas Rangers backing her play. They found one men hanging from a nearby tree and three other men were chained to the hitching post.
Willie, the man she had left in charge, approached his boss and explained, "They rode up in Army uniforms and before we knowed it we war all under gunpoint. Bent treed to draw down, but war kilt by that man."
The trader was pointing at the man hanging from the tree. The men at the hitching post were reprieved because he told everything he knew. The young raider told Jane and her men what happened and who killed whom.
Jane picked twelve men to act as jury. They heard all the witnesses and found the men…guilty. That afternoon Jane took the three men personally to the tallest tree in the grove and hung them. This was the opening shot and people had to know how serious the dangerous Texan was.