Author's Note: Conversations in bold type are in French rather than English and conversations underlined are in Comanche. A correction was made to the end of the previous chapter. In the following pages you see the details of the trial of the raiders and the trial ended up differing from the end of the chapter, so I changed the end of the previous chapter.
Chapter 19: Seeds
The Countess examined the four different printings of the invitations to Melody's debut. Melody had made a choice, but Countess Isles had not been advised as to which choice that was. The young heiress had wanted her new guardian to make her own selection and compare their choice before coming up with a consensus.
Five hundred invitations were going out. Upwards to two thousand guests were expected to attend to meet the new Baroness Martine and her famous English patron. This debutant ball was the opening salvo to the Countess's campaign to get to her lover in America.
A discrete knock on the den door interrupted the young noblewoman's concentration. The honey-blonde noble looked up and answered, "Come in."
A dashing young redhead entered the room. Christopher Doyle was regent to young Melody's estate and handling all the estate's finances. He had just returned from a tour of the Martine holdings and was anxious to report his findings. The youngest Doyle stated, "Your grace, the rents are behind by about two months in most cases. In their defense no one has been collecting them while the estate was in doubt.
Now the tenants don't have the money to catch up as they mostly life hand to mouth. I suggest we let them catch up slowly. Say one-fifth of a payment extra each month for six months, the sixth month being interest.
Additionally the farmers have not being keeping good records of their crops and have been skimming a great deal. A little skimming is expected, but not to the extent that has been allowed. We need to get a handle on this immediately. I think you need to reinstate the custom of villeins.
Lastly the fishermen need new boats. The boats they have are outdated and producing almost nothing beyond feeding their families. I think you need to award a new boat each month for a year. Youngster starting out can use the older boats until they become better at it."
The young noblewoman thought for a moment and then replied, "You did well Christopher. Might I say very well? I agree with the rent schedule. However, I have one question. Why charge the interest? I do not need the revenue."
The young regent smiled, "Your Grace is testing me. You charge interest, because the renters expect it. If you did not charge any interest they would try and take advantage of Your Grace's generosity constantly. Additionally, though you do not need the revenue, until the new mills and fields are blossoming then this estate does need every penny. That is if Your Grace wishes this estate to be self-sustaining."
The intelligent businesswoman was satisfied with the answer and responded, "Of course, this estate must not only be self-sustaining, but it must be wealthy in order to attract the attention we need it to attract.
Now about villeins, I assume you are talking about the medieval practice of freeman renting land for their labor and keeping a portion of the crop with the rest going to the landowner. I know of the practice, but how will this solve the skimming problem?"
The youngest Doyle answered with a smirk, "Your Grace is partially correct. The practice was renting land by freemen. However they had a required yield in order to keep the land for another year. In other words they have to pay in crop harvest an agreed upon yield. They get to keep the rest and the land for another year. So, it doesn't matter how much they raise as long as they raise more than their crop rent."
The honey blonde teenager stored the information in her organized brain and replied, "Excellent, I had not known of the practice, but it seems to quite equable. Now I want the crop yields set at an amount that will allow them to have a little extra for the market."
The talented red-haired Irishman nodded and waited for his liege to continue, "As to new boats, easily done, as my fleet includes several modern fishing boats. I believe my shipyard is producing one fishing boat each fortnight. I will divert one each month, the cost of which must be paid by the fishermen. Set yield levels for them as well only instead of land they will be renting a boat. As with the land villeins, I want a yield level which allows them to keep enough for marketing."
Christopher Doyle rose from his seat and bowed to his liege and was about to take his leave when Her Grace added, "I want you to punish a certain Captain of the Queen's Guard. I have found through reliable sources the man frequents a brothel in White Chapel. I am confident you will find a way for the man to have a punishing encounter.
I received word from Her Highness she has personally reprimanded the man for his offenses against my house, but will not force an issue between a knight and a commoner. So, it will be up to you to get justice for my household. I trust your discretion and restraint. You may go."
The savvy regent bowed again and responded, "As you wish, Your Grace, the man will reap what he has sown."
Countess Isles got back to examining invitations.
***SE***
Jane held court that evening. Two of the criminals were identified as the men who killed the station workers. There wasn't a judge with five hundred miles, so she appointed herself judge and sent for twelve of her cowhands to serve as jurors.
The charismatic brunette announced, "We do not have a judge in this area, so we are going to have to have court as we see fit. I have sent for twelve jurors. I will serve as judge, because the President of the United States has charged me with solving this present crisis. Hugh I know you can write, so I want you to serve as recorder and write down everything that goes on. Use one of my diaries.
When you are ready write down that I have claimed the judgeship for this district on the authority of the President of the United States. Second write down these two men are charged with three counts of murder. I have two books that I am bases this court on Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England and John Locke's Two Treatises of Government. Does anyone have an objection?"
As the formidable judge paused to listen, one of the accused men stood up and said, "I object to this whole trial. It ain't legal. We'uns got no lawyer or nuttin to DE-fend ourselves."
The man sat down as Jane replied, "Write down his object. Object is duly noted. Samuel Bartlett, you were an attorney in Pennsylvania I do believe?"
A tall broad man of fifty stepped forward and said, "Yes, Your Honor I was. I've also practiced in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas."
The dynamic teenager smiled and asked, "Will you serve as these men's council?"
The balding Ranger answered, "I will and I have no objection to what you are doing. This is about a fair a court so far as a man can expect in the wilderness. Let me council my clients first by saying many a person in Miss Rizzoli's position would be stringing you up without any due process. So my first advice is shut up and let me do the talking."
The powerful leader exclaimed, "Write down that Samuel Bartlett is acting as defense council for the accused. I need a prosecutor. Ben McCulloch, will you serve as prosecutor?"
The Texas Ranger stepped forward and responded, "I will."
Jane directed, "Write it down Hugh. Are there any more objections?"
After a short pause, the savvy Texan announced, "No objects…We will start when the jury gets here. Mr. Bartlett, why don't you consult with your clients while we wait."
With that said, Jane went to consult with Hugh on how to arrange the chairs for their out door courtroom.
***SE***
John Hays interrupted Jane to have a discussion, "I war visitin' my family from California when I heared about this company. I have a home thar and need to be gettin' back. After y'all talk to Red Blanket, I'll be aleavin'. I jest wonta say I'm rat proud to rod widcha. I'd knowed Red Blanket from back when I war the Injun Agent over in Gila Bend Country. I'd heared of y'all from him back then. He always said y'all war the one to rod the high country wit."
The touched brunette replied, "And it's been my pleasure to rod witcha. I'm rat proud now and thank y'all for stayin' wit us until we met Red Blanket. Iffin y'all ever need any help, y'all kin call on me."
The two dynamic personalities shook hands and left each other to continue with their work.
***SE***
Melody, now officially the Baroness Martine, was seated opposite her new guardian, the Countess Maura Isles waiting for her selection of invitation. The young Baroness held her selection in her hand a duplicate of one of the ones the Countess was holding. The Countess held up the duplicate of the one the former American, now Frenchwoman was holding.
The honey blonde teenager said, "This is the one you selected. Do you know how I know this?"
The confused teenager was curious how the younger, yet wiser young woman knew that was indeed her selection. So, the inexperienced Baroness answered simply, "How did you know?"
The more experienced noblewoman smiled as she replied, "You are basically an American frontierswoman with a growing education in the finer arts. However, fundamentally you are an American from Texas. Your upbringing emphasized simplicity and functionality. Your environment forces upon your culture frugality. As Jane has told me on many of occasion, nothing in your country is wasted.
This invitation is simple, elegant and functional. All the things your society cherishes. I myself prefer this type of invitation. That being said, what is the purpose of this gala?"
Sensing a test and probably a lesson, the new Baroness responded reservedly, "The immediate goal is to announce my becoming Baroness Martine and to introduce myself to French society. Our ultimate goal is infiltrate French society in order to ascertain the intentions of Louis-Napoleon."
The Countess smiled, the girl was bright and thoughtful. The Baroness was learning her lessons well. The honey blonde teenager continued, "You are totally correct. So which of these two invitations is more useful in obtaining our goal?"
The veteran noble held up the simple, but elegant invitation with it delicate letter next to an ornate design with delicate colors and bold vibrant lettering. The inexperienced noblewoman answer with a sigh, "The ornate one…It catches the eye and announces wealth. Anyone looking at it would know it was much more expensive than the other."
The proud teacher smiled, "Exactly!"
Countess Isles turned to her new bodyguard/assistant and ordered, "Daniel, have the printer print a thousand of these and hire ten scribes to personalize them, please."
The huge man with a mop of red hair bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Grace."
***SE***
Three benches were set up next to a table with a chair behind it. Opposite the table was another two tables with one chair behind one and three behind the other. Jane had never seen a regular court, but Samuel Bartlett had. So the practical teenager left it to his expertise.
The Ranger Company were still waiting on the Rizzoli riders when the defense attorney came to talk to the dynamic brunette, "Where did y'all git a copy of Blackstone and Locke?"
The intelligent young woman replied, "They're mine. I always carry them and Plutarch's Lives in my saddle bags. I like to study them, especially Locke. Plutarch I read for fun."
The middle aged Ranger laughed, "Y'all ere somethin' special for sure. Do y'all know most lawyers in Austin don't read more than Blackstone, Locke and the State Book of Statutes to read for the law? If you clerk for an attorney for a couple years y'all'd open your own practice."
The charismatic brunette laughed as she responded, "Why would I do that? I have a ranch to run. Not to mention an estate in England. I own four sugar mills and six sugar beet plantations. I run fifteen thousand head of beef and two thousand hosses. Now President Pierce has me leading a company of Rangers all over hell and creation. I don't think I have time to do anything else."
The stunned attorney asked, "Y'all has an estate in England?"
The dark-haired Texan could only shake her head in the affirmative as she answered, "Is that all you get out of what I said? Yes, I have an estate and a title, too. Y'all ere lookin' at the Baroness of Ravenhill. Y'all my call me Your Ladyship or as Hugh does just Milady."
The tall broad Ranger smiled at the dainty deadly hand that presented itself. With a regal bow the gentleman kissed the Lady's hand and roared off laughing at the top of his lungs. The Giant Ranger couldn't wait to tell the boys they rode for an English Lady, who could shot like Davy Crockett and fight like Jim Bowie.
The Texas attorney had heard all the stories about Jane Rizzoli and knew she was born in West Texas. The strange woman hunted buffalo with Comanche and fought a war with the Kiowa. How had the wild Texas teenager gotten an English title? He would have to corner that Welshman and get the whole tale. It had to be some story!
***SE***
Hugh was only too happy to tell the story of how Jane Rizzoli became Lady Ravenhill. The giant bodyguard started the tale at the beginning, "Lady Jane learned that Countess Isles's father had died and rushed to England to be with her friend. On the way, the Lady personally fought off a band of pirates that tried to capture her ship. Sailors told me how she got up in the crow's nest with her Sharps rifle and shot anyone who tried to take the helm of the pirate ship.
After a few weeks stay Countess Isles discovered her shipping line was being used to smuggle weapons into Ireland in order to form a rebellion against Her Majesty. Lady Ravenhill personally stopped the smugglers by attacking their warehouse headquarters single-handed. She captured most of the weapons; the very weapons now in your possession.
A short time later an assassin planned on killing Her Royal Highness and her Consort. Lady Ravenhill witnessed the attacker getting into position. So she acted by subduing the assassin and thwarting the assassination of Her Royal Highness.
The fact that Lady Ravenhill stopped a revolution and thwarted an assassination attempt had to be rewarded. Knowing your country's laws regarding titles being held by American citizens Her Majesty consulted your ambassador, who came up with a very practical solution. The title is only honorary in the United States. However, everywhere else in the world it is quite real. She was even award an estate with the town of Ravenhill at its center; hence her new name."
The giant bodyguard was not a story teller nor was he a man of letters. He had told the story simply and without garnishment. However, the dark Englishman could not keep the esteem he held the young woman from entering his story and his voice. It was obvious to these men of action; their leader was a warrior to ride the hills with.
***SE***
Countess Isles examined the finished invitation and decided to give her young protégé a chance to prove herself. Melody would have to be responsible for addressing all the invitations and seeing to their delivery. It was time for her young heir to demonstrate she has matured enough to be Baroness Martine.
Maura rang for a servant and one almost instantly appeared. The young brunette who answered the bell asked in French, "Yes, your grace?"
The honey blonde Countess commanded, "Find Lady Martine and have her come to see me in the study."
Several minutes later, Melody entered her benefactor's office and asked, "What can I do for you, Your Grace?"
The young honey blonde took a deep breath and sighed, "I have told many times, Melody, in private call me Maura. I have few enough friends as it is, without them bowing and scraping to my title."
The older brunette smiled, "What can I do for you, Maura?"
The noble teenager smiled as she replied, "I want you to handle the arrangements for your debut. I want you to handle every detail from the flowers to the food. I will answer any questions you have, but I expect you to have a fabulous party with no expense spared. It is vital you get this right. It's time for you to become Baroness Martine."
The less experienced noblewoman curtsied as she responded, "As Your Grace wishes. I will do my best and more. I want you to be proud of me, Maura. I want Jane to be proud of me and not regret taking me with her."
The veteran noblewoman smiled as she said sincerely, "I am proud of you and I know Jane is. Look at you speaking a language like a native that you did not even know five months ago. You have learned those things that are necessary in being a ruling lady in just a handful of months. How can we not be proud of you? I am giving you this responsibility not because I am testing you, but because I trust you to do it correctly."
Tears ran down the older noblewoman's cheek as she explained, "I want you to know I have come to love you as a sister and I wish to succeed so you may join Jane in America. I know you miss her so much and she you. I don't understand the love you share. I understand the love of a man and a woman, but I know you love each other and that is enough for me."
The young Countess was moved to tears as she responded, "One day you will love someone, whether it be a man or a woman and you will then understand how we feel. Now, let's get to work."
***SE***
Henry Hudson was seated across the desk from the young Lord Apparent of Ravenhill. The young lord-to-be is being taken to task for his part in the theft of a mince pie from a tenant home. The ginger-haired lordling had led a trio of local boys in the theft. Master Jeremy distracted the housewife while the other two boys took the cooling pie from the kitchen window sill.
The fact that the young thieves left a shilling in the pie's place only mollified the irate tenant. The pie had not cost more than five pence in ingredients. However, the man's family had had the vicar coming for tea and the pie had been intended for the clergyman. It was from the vicar the regent had heard of the theft. The farmer had been reluctant to report the incident because he wanted to keep the shilling, which would feed his family for a fortnight.
The clergyman reported it, because this was not the first incident involving the young lordling and the vicar wanted the regent to know of the young man's activities, while it was still just petty crimes. The vicar feared the young nobleman was going to do something serious and cause a real problem for Lady Ravenhill.
Now, Henry Hudson, regent of Ravenhill was sitting across from his young charge with as stern a look as he could muster. The slightly balding man opened the conversation, "Master Jeremy, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Feigning innocence Lord Jeremy answered, "Whatever do you mean, Henry? I have no idea to what you are referring."
The stern regent smiled on the inside, well at least the grammar lessons were panning out, as he replied, "You know very well to what I am referring. The mince pie you stole from farmer Whetstone. In case you didn't know, the pie was for the vicar's tea and he was quite put off. He confronted your accomplices and they confessed everything, including how the plot was yours."
The cornered boy had no choice but to confess his guilt, but he decided on a more lucrative path. So the young Lord lied, "They were lying. I have no idea of what you are referring."
The man in charge of the lordling's training was disappointed in the youngster's answer. They both knew the boy was guilty, yet the young noble was trying to shift the blame to others, who had less power to defend themselves. So the look on his face changed from stern to wounded, as he answered, "Is that your defense? Am I going to have to right Lady Ravenhill and tell her her ward is blaming innocent commoners for his crimes when we know the young lord is guilty? Is that what you want me to write and tell her? You know how that will make her feel."
One thing Master Jeremy didn't want was Jane to disappointed in his behavior and he knew that his guardian never condoned a lie nor did condone bully others. Taking responsibility for one's own actions was her only demand. The tough Texan didn't fault people for their actions, but she did demand you take the responsibility for those actions. Hence the shamed youngster replied, "No, don't tell her that. I planned the whole thing and did convince the cobbler's sons to go along with me, but I didn't take advantage of the family. I left a shilling, which would more than cover the pie.
The older man smiled a smile of relief, as he replied, "You do know as Lord Apparent for this area, you could have just knocked on their front door and demanded the pie. You need not have resorted to trickery. You could have just purchased the pie. I know they would have sold it to you for that shilling. Why did you find it necessary to trick them and steal the pie?"
Master Jeremy sighed and blushed his embarrassment as he responded, "I didn't want to take advantage of my position. I wanted the pie. It smelled so wonderful, but I didn't want to take it without paying for it and it was rather fun tricking them into selling it to me without their consent. I was bored."
If any answer could have upset the appointed regent any more than he was already upset then that was the answer. The frustrated tutor was beside himself in grief and anger, as he asked, "Do you think this is a game? We are talking about people's lives here. A nobleman has in his charge several hundreds if not thousands of people and you are learning to lead these people to better lives or worse lives depending on your decisions. You do not have the luxury of being bored. You; either pay attention and help these people; or you take their rent and get out of their way. You do not use them as playthings to relieve your boredom."
The upset youngster responded indignantly, "Jane promised to take me with her. I don't want this title. I just want to go to America and be with her. She promised… not to leave me like my mother did."
The angry older man took a deep breath as he knew he had reacted wrongly and needed to be more understanding of the wounded orphan. So Henry replied, "Lady Ravenhill had no choice in going home. Her President personally assigned her a mission, which she as a good citizen accepted. Where she is going is too dangerous a place for one your age. However, she had faith in you and has left you with security and a big responsibility. Lady Ravenhill takes her responsibilities to heart. Can you do less?"
The young boy was shamed by his actions. Jane Rizzoli was his heroine and savior. When the lad had lost his mother, she adopted him and treated him like a son. The dark savior had even made him nobility, which would secure his future. The kind woman had done all this and the new noble had repaid her with actions he knew of which she would not approve. Tears rolled down his cheek as he exclaimed, "I will do better. You have my word."
***SE***
Judge Rizzoli banged her mallet on the table to get order as her twelve hands took their seats on the crude benches her Rangers had cobbled together. The self-appointed judge demanded, "Prosecution, call your first witness."
Seven witnesses in all were called to testify, including two of the gang members that had raided the post. They wove a tale of how the post traders were murdered and then buried by two of the defendants. When the defense was called each of the raiders was called in turn to testify on their own behalf. Finally, the leader of the raid testified, "I ain't a good man, but I do what's rait. I led these men and they war only done what I told 'em to do. Iffin anybody is guilty of anything it's me. I done what I done cause it war watt I wonted to do. Y'all ere gonna hang somebody. Y'all gotta I recon so it should be me. My little brother was only chere cause I war his only kin. He's a good boy. Miss Rizzoli, I'll go quiet like iffin y'all take my brother under yourn wing. That's all I gots to say."
The tall young woman looked at her around her court and asked, "Is that all you have?"
Both lawyers nodded their acceptance of that truth. So, the Judge announced, "Jury, you can deliberate."
The twelve men didn't move from their bench as they talked among themselves for about three minutes. Cain Whitfield stood up and said, "Miss Rizzoli, we find that man guilty of murder and tothers guilty of robbery."
The dark Texan banged her mallet again and replied, "Alright, Maxwell Hoyt, you are found guilty of murder. I sentence you to hang by the neck until dead. May God have mercy on your soul. As for the rest of you, I sentence you to five years hard labor at this post. If you try to run before the end of your sentence I will hunt you down and kill each and every one of you. God may have mercy, but I don't."
As the temporary judge banged her mallet on the homemade table, two Rangers gather the prisoners. Three men were chained to the hitching post, while the other was herded over to the tallest tree in the area. A noosed rope was flung over a sturdy branch as Max Hoyt was put on a horse. After the noose was securely placed over the man's neck, Jane asked, "Do you have anything to say before sentence is carried out?"
The man grinned and looked at the sky and then dug his spurs into the flanks of the horse. The roan bolted and the tough cowboy was left dangling by the noose. His thick neck didn't snapped and he flailed around chocking to death. Jane jumped up and grabbed the man's feet as two other Rangers and Hugh joined her. Their added weight snapped the man's neck and he died almost instantly.
With the sentence carried out, Jane called out to her men, "Cain, take our men back to work. Rangers, we leave to see Red Blanket in five minutes, get saddled."
***SE***
Twenty-eight hours later, Red Blanket received word from his scouts that a large heavily armed band of white men were coming for a visit. Jane Rizzoli was leading the way and that made the Comanche chief happy and worried at the same time. The Comanche elder was happy his adopted granddaughter was home and coming for a visit. However, the old warrior knew how formidable a fighter and leader the teenager was.
If Jane was coming to battle the Comanche, the old chief didn't know if his people could win. In fact the experience war chief was sure his fearsome granddaughter could defeat the entire Comanche nation and he only had his tribe at the moment. The veteran soldier ordered his braves to arm themselves and he sent his swiftest warrior to the other tribes in the area to get help.
Red Blanket's victory against the Kiowa had given him much power and a large say in the war council. However it was still up to every war chief whether or not he would come to the aid of another tribe. So, the cagy war leader did the only thing he could do he ordered his warriors to their horses.
Counting the too old and too young, the savvy war chief could muster eighty-four braves, which was way too few to fight the army of Texans coming toward them even if Jane Rizzoli wasn't leading them. However, Jane was leading them and that made them almost too much for the entire Comanche nation, if they could ever agree to work together.
His warriors quickly gathered their weapons; about a third of them had rifles, though they were old and worn. Red Blanket had a fine Sharps rifle, 70 caliber, a gift from his granddaughter. He looked at the fine weapon and recalled who had given it to him. Now, the old brave had to sigh his grief, because if they had any hope of winning, he must kill Jane Rizzoli, using this very rifle.
***SE***
A rider came charging the column and at once the savvy teenager recognized one of her hands and ordered the column to halt, so they could let the messenger catch up. The anxious rider stopped in front of Captain Rizzoli and announced, "I have a dispatch from the governor."
Jane took the dispatch from the courier and tore it open:
Captain Rizzoli,
I received word from President Pierce. You have been given the temporary rank of Colonel in the Army of the United States of America in order for you to take control of any military that may be in the area. Enclosed are the official orders designating your rank and your mission.
Good Luck and God's Speed,
Peter Hansbrough Bell
Governor of the State of Texas
The young brunette examined the second document, which commissioned her as a temporary Colonel in the United States Army. The document also instructed any United States military personnel to assist her in any manner she deemed necessary. In effect, Jane Rizzoli was given charge of the protection of the population of Texas.
The courier was about to leave, when the new Colonel commanded, "You're staying until after I talk with Red Blanket. You'll need to bring word of the talks to the governor. Keep close to me. I might have a dispatch at any moment. Let's move on.."
***SE***
The Comanche warriors were hidden well as they watched the armed Rangers approaching their concealed positions. Suddenly Jane raised her hand as she said a few words to the man next to her. The Rangers dismounted and walked their horses to concealed positions. As her men established their positions among the rock and brush at the dry river bed's entrance, the dynamic leader walked her horse to mouth of the ambush and raised her arms above her head with palms extended.
The wily Comanche war chief had no idea how the savvy brunette knew the exact location of his ambush, but it was obvious she knew he was here waiting with his warriors. Red Blanket grinned with pride at the ingenuity of his adopted granddaughter. The vibrant teenager was brave, intelligent and skilled at combat. The old Indian knew he had little choice but to go down and parlay with the forceful warrior.
The veteran of many battles went to get his mount. As he did so, one of the younger braves spoke out in Comanche, "Why not just kill their leader? She is making it easy for us. We shoot her and the others will lose heart and run, where we can kill them at our convenience."
The old war leader looked at the young brave with disgust as he responded, "You are a fool, Wild Beaver. They have more men and better weapons. Our only chance was to surprise them. My Granddaughter was not fooled. I don't know how she knew, but she did and she anticipated us. She is not an easy kill and you had better succeed if you try. Ask the older warriors about what happened to the Kiowa she battled. The Kiowa call her Brave Killer and we call her Hunter Without a Heart. Say another word and I'll let her eat your liver for breakfast."
Without another word, the aging fighter mounted his pony and rode down to meet his beloved granddaughter. When the old man was within ten paces of the young brunette, he pulled up short and shouted, "Why have you come my Granddaughter?"
The young woman frowned and her eyes teared as she replied, "Are you not happy to see me, Grandfather of my Heart? Have you not missed me? I had thought you would be happy to see me again."
The tear wounded the old man as he responded, "You know I rejoice at seeing you once again. However these are hard times and you have not come alone. You ride with hard men at you back and you lead them like they answer to only you."
The brave Italian rode toward Red Blanket and stop next to him. The happy teenager leaned forward and kissed the winkled face of the old war chief, as she answered, "I command them. They are Texas Rangers and they answer to me. I have been asked by the Great White Father to bring peace to Texas. It seems old hatreds cannot be allowed to bring war to these lands. To the South the Mexicans are being lead by men who wish to take these lands. I am charged by my chief to make sure that does not happen.
Grandfather, I must have peace between you and the Kiowa. I can guarantee my chief will reward you if you will just make peace until such time as the troubles to the south are over."
The old man shook his head as he responded, "My young men have no way to win wives without raiding and warring with the Kiowa. How will they get the horses and riches they need to win their wives and build their teepees?"
The wily Texan was ready for this question, "Grandfather my trading post will trade with any brave who wishes peace. The trading will be fair and profitable for all. I will guarantee two horses to every brave who brings me two buffalo robe or ten beaver pelts. You have my word. I need meat, bear, lion and wolf claws and teeth, fine bows and arrows, Indian moccasins and fine bead work. If you bring these things I will trade for them."
The old man smiled the savvy white girl had not changed, so he answered her fairly, "I have a couple of hotheads who will cause problems. However if you can best Wild Beaver, they will be quieted."
The fearless fighter smiled, "Then I have it to do."
***SE***
Jane leap down from her mount and yelled at the surrounding hills, "Wild Beaver, I hear you lay with dogs, because women find you repulsive. You fight children and wounded women. Wild Beaver is only a warrior if you count coup from dead sheep and lame horses. Such a coward will never face the Hunter Without a Heart."
The young Comanche heard the insults and looked at his fellow braves and saw their laughter and anticipation of his response. The inexperienced warrior knew his response couldn't be with a bow, but had to be with a knife.
The short brave ran toward his pony and leap upon it. With a wild ferocity born of desperation the egotistical combatant kicked the sides of his mount which leap down the embankment toward the waiting smirking Texan.
The youngster leapt from his pinto using the moment to stride toward the lingering brunette. The charging brave came to an abrupt halt when a knife sailed between the legs of the angry warrior. The confidence drained from the now wary fighter, he had not seen the move that sent the knife arching toward him. Additionally the skill needed to make such a toss indicated this was a dangerous warrior, a truly dangerous warrior.
The smirking teenager chuckled as she exclaimed, "I wanted a fair battle so I give you this gift to provide you with a better weapon then that sad blade of which you seem so proud. You can pick it up. I will wait."
The suspicious Comanche couldn't ignore the challenge of picking up the offered weapon. To do so would be insulting and indicate he was frightened of the skillful Italian. Additionally the guarded youngster didn't want to give his opponent the satisfaction of having frustrated him.
Wild Beaver took three steps backwards in order to have the impaled knife in front of him. While watching the grinning brunette carefully, the young Comanche leaned forward to retrieve the waiting blade. As the wary warrior reached for the embedded weapon, a second knife buried itself next to his hand. The youngster jumped backwards as he had been watching the casual combatant intently and had failed to see any movement.
It was like fighting a spirit who moved weapons with nothing but a thought. The tall Texan smirked, "What's the matter? Why are you hesitating? I just wanted you to have a choice. Pick on one or the other and let's get this over with. I have things to do and places to go after you are dead."
The inexperienced Comanche didn't know what to do next; he was obviously in over his head. The young warrior knew he was no match for this veteran killer. All the cornered warrior knew was he couldn't back down and keep his standing in the tribe even if it meant he had to die in the attempt.
The unproven fighter dove for a blade and rolled to his left only to find a tall brunette standing with a knife in her hand six feet from her smaller greener opponent. His breathe stopped and his throat filled with bile. In a desperate attempt to recover the outmaneuvered brave slashed wildly at his oppeent.
The move was amateurish and clumsy as well as easily defeated by locking her opponent's blade with the hilt of her Bowie. With the hilt of a second knife, the veteran killer backhanded the smaller brave with the hilt of the second weapon.
The outclassed boy mouth bled and oozed saliva as he dropped to the ground. Not wanting to kill the young Comanche, Jane knelt on the boy's chest and gave him one chance to live, "You can still get out of this alive. Yield or my next blow will be deadly."
The frightened brave released his weapons as they fell helplessly to the ground and replied, "I yield". Jane stood up thereby releasing the inexperienced fighter from him deathly position.
Jane cried out, "I am the Hunter Without a Heart. I have come to negotiate a peace between you and the Kiowa. I have given my word to Red Blanket that I will trade openly and fairly with the Comanche . Should any brave needing help come and see me and I will help you as best I can".
A shout erupted from the rocks near the base of the hills to Jane's right. A medium height warrior stood from his concealment in those rocks and strode down from the hill toward the dark Texan and the defeated Comanche. The older brave announced, "I am White Buffalo. My son is Wild Beaver. You have shamed my son and my family in the eyes of my people. I demand satisfaction. Fight me. I do not need any knives from you. I have my own."
Jane shrugged as she retrieved her bowies from the ground and backed away from the deflated Comanche. The tall brunette laughed, "So the father has come to fight his son's battles. When I defeat you, must I then defeat the women in your family as well?"
The experienced Comanche warrior responded, "Had you fought my son fairly I would have said nothing. However you tricked and intimidated the lad. The lad and I will show everyone you can not without such lies. Then my son can have his pride returned."
Jane sighed as she replaced her hidden blades except for the original blade, which she kept out to defend herself. With a heavy sigh the weary warrior announced, "Then we fight. I will kill you and your son will sing of your death. You will never see your son's sons. You will never know the peace that your people will know and in the time of peace how they will grow as a people. I had hoped to end this without any more death, but you are determined to die. So let us dance YOUR death dance."
The now determined teenager dashed forward to close the distance between the combatants. Her blade slashed and darted ripping the man's leather tunic and piercing his left bicep before he realized he was in a battle to the death.
The blazing Italian cat was slicing and jabbing with two blades and occasionally landing damaging kicks with her booted feet. Within two minutes the older warrior is bleeding from several minor cuts and stab wounds, while lying on his back from a blow to the side of his head from her boot hardened foot.
The veteran fighter was stunned and panting. Never before had he ever fought someone so fierce and unyielding...so fast and deadly…so menacing and fearsome. The older combatant would yield if given the chance, only because he knew was so outclassed. His son would not have stood a chance against this fighting machine…this ghost warrior…only the great spirit could have made such a warrior.
The Comanche standing around prayed to their many gods in hopes of warding off any anger toward them. The legends surrounding this white woman had grown with the telling, but witnessing her in action made the stories dim in comparison. In their hearts the Comanche had yielded to her power.
Red Blanket watched with pride at the one who he called granddaughter as she demolished one of his best and skilled braves. In truth his wild granddaughter had grown in ability and ruthlessness. The tall Texan fighting ability was beyond anyone he had ever seen.
The Rangers had wondered from concealment to watch the spectacle to unfold and they were not disappointed. The tough men had followed this young woman because of the stories about her and the fact the President had directed her actions, but every man jack of them would ride behind her into Hell's fire, because they knew even the Devil would fear this killer.
Hugh had ridden forward because he had seen this type of fighting before…it was berserker rage and there was no quelling it without someone gaining Jane Rizzoli back from the abyss. The giant Welshman had promised the Countess, he would take care of the woman she loved with all her heart and protect her he would even if from her own rage.
The dark Englishman charged the enraged teenager and leaped upon her from his mount. His momentum carried them both to the ground. The shocked killer had released her weapons as she fell and would have pulled two more Bowies, if her arms had not been pinned by the strength of her bodyguard. The desperate servant whispered gently into his charge's ear, "Lady Ravenhill…Lady Ravenhill…Lady Jane…come back…Countess Maura would want you to regain your composure."
As Hugh knew it would, the mention of her lady love pierced the fighter's rage and slowly Jane Rizzoli returned from the abyss that housed berserkers. Calmly the faithful guardian whispered, "It's over Lady Ravenhill. He has had enough. Come back to us."
Finally in control of herself, Jane replied, "Thank you, Hugh and Maura need never hear about this. She had enough to worry about all ready."
Hugh answered, "I agree…our secret."
The defeat Comanche slowly rose from the ground and said to the now reasoning teenager, "I yield to your fighting ability and will never question your leadership again. You may have been born white, but your heart is Comanche. I will do as you ask. You have my word."
The brunette young woman grunted her agreement; because she was afraid the rage would return and kill until there was no more blood in her heart. However the Comanche knew that the rage was still in her and would return when summoned.
***SE***
Countess Maura examined the arrangements Melody had created and smiled as she realized her protégé had done a wonderful job. Hope sprung in the honey blonde's heart that she might see her love sooner than planned. If the new noblewoman can grasp everything else as quickly then the plan was going to proceed much more rapidly.
Suddenly a servant interrupted the Countess's reflection with a knock on the door. The exasperated young teenager answered the knock by replying, "Entrez." "Enter."
Bridgette entered the room and explained, "We have a problem, Your Grace. There is sickness in the village. A fever of some kind has about a third of the village in bed with it. Lady Melody has sent for additional physicians and is at this very moment in the village with our physician in order to identify what is causing the malady. She didn't want to disturb you with this, but I thought you should know."
Suddenly the young noblewoman was concerned. Disease didn't know class and walls didn't keep it from entering the manor. Additionally, a fever can decimate a population faster than war. So, the vital young teenager asked with concern in her voice, "Where is Georgina?"
The younger sister replied, "In the village with Lady Melody, we thought one of us should go with her in case she needed to send us word."
The intelligent aristocrat thought for a long moment before she inquired, "Do you think I should interfere or stay out it for the time being."
The life-long friend answered honestly, "Your Grace, I am not in a position to offer advice, however I would let her show you if she can handle it. We can keep you apprised of the situation without her knowing we are monitoring the situation. Then if you think you need to intervene then you can intervene at that time."
Countess Isles rose from her seat and walked to the window and looked out upon her ward's estate and thought of all the implications of allowing the inexperience young woman a chance to prove her abilities. Then the young Countess thought of what she could have done differently than the young Baroness had already done and thought of nothing. So she responded, "Get down to the village and see what is happening and report back to me. However let Baroness Melody handle the problem on her own for the time being. Frankly, she is doing everything I would be doing. So there is no need to interfere."
The young maid and long-time companion bowed and let her lady's presence. Upon leaving the room Bridgette retrieved her wrap and rushed down the road to inquire as to the status of the disease and to see if her sister was in any danger. The young woman didn't want to admit it but she was concerned about her older sibling's well-being.
Once her life-long companion had left, the honey-blonde Countess returned to her seat and started examining the seating chart for the gala. Though it seemed to be a trivial matter in the wake of what was occurring outside these walls, it was of vital importance to completion of their mission for Her Majesty. Someone had to keep focus on the reason for their being here and for the moment it must be the haze eyed teen.
***SE***
Georgina watched her young charge, who was in reality her age as she moisten the brow of a young child who burning with fever. The doctor was examining the youngster's parents in the other room. The inexperience mistress was new to being a noble, but quite experienced with treating people with fever. It seems the brunette American had treated many people with fever in her father's hotel while she was a barmaid there. Even the physician commented on how efficiently and competently the teenager worked on the fevered patients.
The young Frenchwoman had been watching her new mistress for many months now and was becoming more and more impressed by her wealth of hidden skills and her ability to learn anything in a short period of time. Though the teenaged servant was not ready to admit it to even herself, she was falling in love with her Lady's ward.
The effective personal maid had long known she had no interest in men. Her mother's only long-term relationship had been with another woman, in fact her Lady's mother, Lady Constance and such was where the older daughter's romantic interest lay.
For many years Georgina's only loves were for her mother, her Lady and her sister. All there loves were of the same type. Georgina thought of Countess Isles as another younger sister. However the feelings she was having lately were of a different nature.
The older maid watched as Melody's delicate hands caressed the child's forehead with a damp cloth of water mixed with healing herbs. A small bead of perspiration ran down her dainty cheek and for a moment the emotional teenager longed to taste it with her tongue. Moisture began to form between the young woman's thighs as her vagina was reacting to her lewd thoughts.
Georgina was startled from her fantasies by a hand touching her shoulder and her sister saying, "Georgina where is your mind. I've been calling you. Can I talk to you outside, please?"
With wooden legs the older sister followed her younger sibling outside the small hut. Bridgette asked frankly, "What was that all about? I called your name four times without a response. Where were your thoughts? You were supposed to be monitoring the young miss. Her Grace wants a report of what is happening. Do the doctors know what this is?"
Georgina shook her head to clear it and replied, "They don't know what's causing the fever, yet. One of them is in with the tenants of this hut. Lady Melody is treating the children with Native American remedies and trying to keep their fevers down. The doctors have been tolerant of her interference, but they scoff at her remedies. They call it folklore. However, the little girl in there was on fire when we came, now she is merely hot."
Bridgette smiled as she said, "Maura wants us to monitor Melody and see how she handles the situation. We are not to interfere, but help in anyway the Baroness instructs. Maura wants us to report how the young Baroness is doing. So what do I tell the Countess?"
In private, the two sisters felt at ease in using the first names of their Ladies, but would never be so impertinent in their presence. Georgina answered frankly, "Melody is a wonder. She obviously has experience in treating fevers and efficient and skilled. She is concentrating on the children and has left the doctors to treating the adults. I fear her getting too close to the sick. She may catch what is affecting everyone else, but she insists on helping. I want to shield her, but she won't let me."
The tone in her sister's voice was strange. Bridgette knew something was occurring in her sibling's head but she couldn't figure out what it was. So the younger sister decided to think on the topic later and to finish her task by repeating the Countess's instruction, "The Countess wants her to get involved and prove she can be a good Baroness. Don't shield her observe her. Help her, but don't shield her. Honestly where is your head, Georgie?"
The older sibling wanted to explain it to her sister, but frankly wasn't so sure she understood what was happening to her herself. Desperately the stricken woman wanted help in understanding the emotions that were building inside her, but she didn't know in whom she could confide.
The older sister didn't think her younger sister would understand or approve. Her only thought was maybe she could confide in her life-long friend…The Countess. So the confused maid asked, "Bridgette, could you watch the Baroness while I go and talk to Her Grace. I have something I desperately need to talk to her about."
For a moment a look of confusion crossed younger sister's face as she responded, "Sure, I can stay with the Baroness. What is this all about?"
Georgina smiled and answered, "I'll explain everything when I know myself. Please watch out for her for me."
As her older sister rushed off, Bridgette came to a realization. Georgina was in love with the Baroness and wanted to talk to the Countess about it. The younger sibling was about to rush after her sister, when she understood that this was for the best and went to observe the object of her sister's affection.
***SE***
Georgina practically ran all the way to the manor. The excited young maid was anxious to talk to her aristocratic friend about the feelings that were coursing through her. The brunette Frenchwoman was becoming desperate for an answer as to the feelings that were new to her.
A human being was a creature that longed for consistency and routine, but these feelings were neither routine nor consistent with her normal routine. The older of the two sisters had known attraction, but had never been in love. She had speculated on love, but never experienced it.
Now, the eager young woman was beginning to understand why her Lady and the Lady Ravenhill risked so much to be in each other arms. If the older sibling was going to honest with herself, she would admit she had really never understood how the Countess could risk her social standings and position for the love of another woman so different from herself, but now she was experiencing the feelings first hand.
When Georgina enter the manor, she was greeted by the Countess who was about to go into the front garden for her afternoon tea. The animated teenager exclaimed in excitement, "My Grace, may I speak with you about a personal matter? My mother is gone and I have no other friend I can trust with this knowledge nor would I hold their advice dear."
The poised noblewoman smiled as she responded, "Georgie, we have been friends all my life. Circumstances and class distinctions have not changed that. Of course we may talk of any matter you wish. I think of you as a sister not a servant. Join me in the garden, we can drink tea and discuss our hearts like we did when we were children."
The two childhood friends walked holding hands into the garden. White rattan furniture waited for them to seat themselves so they could talk of personal matters of grave importance. It's like that as a teenager all personal matters are of grave importance.
On the new white rattan table sat a silver tea service with two trays of steaming biscuit fresh from the ovens, two finely dressed maids stood by to wait on their Lady. The honey blonde mistress of the household sat down on one of the four large clam shell back rattan chairs, while Georgina sat opposite it her, fidgeting, wondering if this was a mistake.
The wise and kind noblewoman saw the apprehension in her life-long friend and decided to ease the tension, so she ordered one of the maids, "Maddy, please pour us a tea and serve us some of those wonderfully fragrant biscuits."
Georgina relaxed just a bit, as the efficient maid poured two cups of tea and placed in front of each teenager. The other maid took two saucers and placed three biscuits on each small plate. The aroma was pleasing and the anxious servant took one of the delicious treats and placed it daintily in mouth. The fresh biscuit almost melted on her tongue as it contacted it.
The gracious Countess also ate one of the biscuit and then sipped her tea, as she commented, "This is so nice. Remember when we were young children we come into the garden at Swansea and have a tea party. You, Bridgette and myself would pretend to be princesses having a tea together before the grand ball."
The older teen smiled at the memory and replied as shyly, "Your father would come out and join us and pretend to be a bold pirate who came upon the party to charm three princesses. I loved that old man, he was the only father Bridgett and I ever knew. I cried for a fortnight when he died."
Maura smiled at the young woman and took another sip of her tea, then responded, "Father thought the world of you two. He loved you as if you were his own children. Did you know he offered to adopt the two of you once, but your mother would not hear of it? She thought it would disrespectful to the memory of your father."
The moved maid had not known that fact. Georgina regretted her mother's decision and was intelligent enough to know that wasn't the real reason she didn't do it. Her mother was having an affair with the man's wife and hadn't wanted that interfered with. Still stirred by the fact the tense servant replied, "I am so happy to hear that news. I regret my mother didn't agree. I would have rejoiced in being your sister."
The honey blonde aristocrat finished her cup of tea and signaled for another before she answered, "You are my sister. I think of you and Bridgette as my sisters. If not in name, I know it in my heart."
Encouraged by the simple statement, Georgina felt a surge of confidence, enough confidence to reminisce, "Remember when we were younger, we would sneak into your mother's bedroom and watch our mothers make love to each other. I know in my heart that I felt the love between them and that has influence my choice of desires. I think that is why you fell in love with Lady Ravenhill. I think you too see love in a woman as a spiritual connection, unlike any you could receive from a man."
The beautiful Lady sipped her tea while she waited for her sister to come to the point of this conversation. The perceptive teenager had long known that her two sisters were attracted to women. The savvy noblewoman knew Bridgette was in love the expectant maid, who had been scorned by that cad of a guard captain. The angry Countess was now taking steps to insure the punishment of the wicked male.
As the Lady listened intently to her boon companion, the optimistic brunette continued, "You have Lady Ravenhill and my sister is now keeping company with Katlyn, who know mistrusts all men, because of that cad.
Now I have found myself in love with someone. My problem is she does not know of my affection, nor do I know if she is open to those affections. Additionally, she is beyond my station. She is a noble, while I am a commoner. I love her and I don't know what to do about it. So, I came to the one person in the world I knew would understand my quandary and wise enough to know what I should do."
Without being told Maura knew that the sister of her heart was in love with her new ward, Melody. The wise young noblewoman needed no confession of whom they were speaking, because Georgina's tale had contain all the clues necessary to deduce who was the object of the young maid's affections.
The wary Countess knew that this was going to be a delicate matter. If the young noblewoman was heartlessly clever, she would demand Geogina return to England away from her ward. However this young woman was like a sister to her and she could feel the love in the older woman's heart.
So the tender young noble replied, "I do not know if Melody is open to such a liaison, but I will venture to ascertain if she is willing to entertain your suite. As to class difference Melody is more American than aristocrat, so I do not see that as an obstacle. So leave everything to me and we will see what the results are."
Georgina was so relieved. The wary young servant had thought for a moment her Lady would dismiss her and return her to England. The honey blonde teenager was fearful that this twist in her plan might delay it completion. However the plan was going well and ahead of schedule.
The relieved teen smiled at her sister and responded, "I will leave everything to you. I was not surprised to see you knew of whom I was speaking without saying who the object of my desires was. Know that I am forever grateful to you for taking up the cause of fulfilling my desires."
Maura smiled as she had another cup of tea poured for the two sisters, "Now, let's finish our tea and go and see my ward."