Two for Texas

by Ajun Cajun

This is the story of two different families and how they become an integral part of the development of the Southwest starting in the 1830's and into the Twentieth Century. Rated M, because history is not always pleasant and change is always violent. Oh, and the sex. Yes to Rizzles.

27. Chapter 27

Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long between updates. Unfortunately I have had several events happen in my life that has precluded me from writing. My youngest sister died from the complications of AIDS. Tink, that was her nickname…short for Tinkerbell, was a crack addict and I guess I should have known it was coming, but I didn't.

God grant her a better hereafter than she had in this life. I remember when my mother left us with my drunken stepfather and I found a then two year old Tink standing outside at 2 in the morning crying and yelling for her absentee mother. That scene still haunts me to this day. I was twelve at the time and I raised her the best I could. I blame my mother. I blame her drunken father, but most of all I blame myself for not doing a better job raising her. Goodbye Baby Girl, I still love you.

Then my father died, which should have been a joyous occasion, as I have been praying for the day since I was three. However, I ended up crying for the bastard who ruined my life. May you rot in hell you son of… I will not finish that I loved my grandmother very much.

Finally, I had a heart attack. I now have five stints in my arteries. I'm supposed to be taking it easier and not getting as upset as much, but tell me how can I do that and still be gay.

The Shintos have a saying, "Life is problems, living is solving problems." Well, the problems are starting to stack up and the queue is full.

I hope I will be wrting regularly in the future, but who knows!

If you don't like women being tortured, don't read this chapter.

Chapter 27: The Queen's Gambit

Countess Maura Isles sat opposite Howard Stauton as he replied to her opening of the Queen's Gambit. He would either refuse or except the gambit. Chess was like that, you make a move and your opponents respond to that move, unlike life where moves could be made against you without you knowing of it.

Chess was such a simple game, a finite number of moves within a finite space with a finite number of playing pieces, whereas life had an infinite number of moves within a global playing field with millions of players.

At the chess table, if you sacrificed piece to gain an advantage, the piece was lost, but the game continued until the next game when the lost piece was returned to the board. Right now, the brilliant Countess had made a move in life and if she had made a mistake, a person very dear to her would pay with her life. Another game in life would start, but that young woman in question would be lost forever.

Stauton made a very interesting counter to her last move. The Countess thought about it for a moment then moved a bishop, declaring check. The sharp chess master paused to study the board as Maura thought on her troubles in France.

Melody's last communication was days old and the honey-blonde countess was beginning to get worried. Melody have given the signal in her letter indicating all was going as planned and that she was attempting to get Louis-Napoleon's ear.

However, her adopted daughter was supposed to stay in contact. The concerned Countess had already determined that should Melody not contact her by week's end; she would send a trusted servant to France to verify her ward's condition.

Howard blocked the check with a knight, so Countess Isles continued her attack by seizing the knight and forcing her opponent to take her bishop with his king, thereby preventing the grandmaster from castling with his rook. It was definite advantage.

Now where could the shrewd noblewoman gain an advantage against Louis-Napoleon? Then inspiration struck, as she furthered her attack against her chess opponent with her Queen and another check. The cunning aristocrat knew how to attack Louis-Napoleon where it would hurt and not endanger her ward.

France was trying to increase her trade concerns and Countess Isles controlled much of the trade in the middle and Far East. Should the savvy shipping magnate open negotiation with Louis-Napoleon government for a trade partnership, her agents would be allowed into his court to open talks and afterwards to open a permanent office.

Her Majesty the Queen probably wouldn't like the additional moneys going into France. However there were always accidents and many times ships and shipments were lost to the violent sea. With delicate balancing, the wily Countess could offset one set of profits with lost shipments.

The venture would have to show some initially enticing profits in order to gain the Emperor's attention. However once the manipulative aristocrat had the greedy potentate hooked, she could start losing shipments, just a couple at first. Then by the third or fourth year, loses could really start rising, a stormy season would help.

The expert chess master blocked the check with a pawn while the excellent opponent pushed one of her pawns, which was guarded by a knight into attack position against a bishop. The bishop could capture the pawn, but would be lost to the knight. Should the expert chessman retreat, he would be surrendering the entire middle of the board to the cunning Countess.

While the proficient gamesman was pondering his next move, Countess Isles contemplated the best way to approach Emperor Napoleon. Even if Melody were still in direct contact the pair was supposed to be estranged from each other, therefore unavailable to the Countess as a contact.

No, the calculating honey blonde thought, 'I cannot risk Melody. I have to find another go-between, but whom?'

At that moment Howard made his next move and made a mistake. The expert chessman seized the pawn with his bishop which was immediately captured by the astute noblewoman. The savvy player sighed as he realized his error and tried to compensate by capturing an exposed pawn.

However Countess Isles had anticipated this move, which exposed his king. Thus she sallied forth her queen calling another check. The man paused again to consider his next strategy. The confident Countess knew he was in an impossible situation. No matter how he moved from this point checkmate was inevitable.

Now, the clever aristocrat was going to have to find a pawn to push an Emperor off his thrown and she had an idea who she could enlist to aid her. Countess Maura Isles was going to have to get help from an old friend…a retired mentor…her biological father…Patrick Doyle.

***SE***

Patrick Doyle was examining the receipts of his barony and balancing his accounts. It was a monthly ritual he loathed to undertake. However such were the duties of a nobleman. A lesson he was taught by a Countess when she was only twelve and a just an heiress to a barony.

Though the aging former smuggler was performing his duties admirably, he was doing those duties without obvious distain of the task. There was little in his barony that escaped his notice and he was surprised when he discovered an offensive item in his books.

Someone was stealing cattle from his stockyard. From the count of his cattle, the clever manager noticed that his herd of cows had remained stable from the total from last year. Cows had calves, which meant his herd increased in number from year to year.

Since that had not occurred, there was only one conclusion the tired Baron could make. One or more of his stock managers was stealing cattle. The problem was. 'How was the sharp nobleman going to determined who that person was?'

The gifted supervisor's first suspect was his breeder. However that didn't make any sense, because the man was too cautious. Like most breeders, the experienced cattleman erred on the side of caution as to hedge his beat against failure. If the savvy breeder had been the thief, he would have shown smaller growth than expected, but he would have shown growth.

The angry Irishman breathed deeply to clear his mind and calm his psyche. He refused to let anger control his actions. One of life's difficult lessons was patience solves more problems than anger.

Then the answer came without thought or reflection…the herdsmen where stealing his cattle. Then the sharp baron realized the herdsmen would have no place to sell the stolen cattle. Anyone in the village would report such activity if for no other reason than to get a reward.

No…it had to be someone with access, but also someone with an opportunity to reap the rewards of stolen property. Suddenly a crazy idea entered his thinking…what if the butcher was miscounting the cattle he was taking them to market to be butchered and sold to the canning company? Couldn't he just say he butchered ten when he butchered twelve?

The records would show he sent ten steers for butchering when he had really sent twelve. However, if that were the case then someone was miscounting the number of cows delivered. Which meant one of his herders was being bribe by the butcher. Now how can the savvy rancher prove his theory?

At that moment, a messenger from the Countess was lead into his office. After the man gave the new aristocrat a polite bow, the young man handed him a letter and announced, "I'm to wait fer a reply, Milord."

The ever cautious former smuggler and Isles spy ordered "Take this man to the kitchen and get him some food and drink. Escort him to the servant's quarters and see he gets four hours sleep before you return him to him to receive his answer."

Now the matters of missing cattle would have to wait, because if the Countess was contacting him while he was in retirement then it was a matter of great importance. Besides, when one's daughter writes one a letter, one must read it and take its words to heart.

The butler removed the youngster from the room and endeavored to comply with his master's instructors. The butler was a former smuggler and had worked for Paddy Doyle thirty years or more. The old sailor knew you only obeyed orders and kept your thoughts to yourself… whatever those thoughts may be.

Not that the sailor turned butler didn't trust and admire the Countess, but he knew how much his master's injuries had taken his strength from the former spymaster. The longtime employee and maybe the old terror's most trusted ally. However, when it came to the Master's daughter nothing else matter. So the old man stopped thinking and did his job.

Paddy opened the letter and began reading:

Dearest Father,

I hope you are enjoying your retirement. I envy you. I am looking forward to the days when I will be with my Jane in America and away from this constant pressure.

I am very lonely without Jane or Melody to make the days less long and more bearable. Jane took Jeremy with her and Melody is now Baroness Martine. Little Tina is a joy and a worthy granddaughter to you, but she is but a child and not always the company one needs. Sometimes, I crave adult conversation.

Howard and I had a lengthy session of the chessboard, but it was no more than a distraction and not much of that. You see while we were playing it occurred to me that I am missing a wonderful business opportunity in France,

Since trade with the new Empire is restricted, I am unable to directly approach the Emperor with my proposal. My thought is for you as an Irish Lord could approach him for me. I know it is a huge imposition and would not be upset if you were to remind me you are retired.

However should you be interested in the endeavor, please inform me so at your earliest convenience. I know you are still convalescing from your injuries and such a strenuous endeavor may be beyond your condition. Please send your answer, yeah or nah, by my messenger as soon as you have made your decision.

Ever Your Loving Daughter,

Countess Maura Isles, Viscount of Swansea and Maid of Her Majesty Queen Victoria

After completing his reading the wily old salt contemplated what was written and what had not been written. When dealing with a mind as cunning as the Countess, one had to examine every line, ever phrase and every word… sometimes every letter. The Countess had been dealing with international intrigue since she was six and was an expert at saying more than was said.

Suddenly, the older man was hungry and he called for a servant to get him a meal and some ale. Ale was good at letting him. Relax enough to fully evaluate the letter. When the servant entered the room, the Irish Lord commanded in Gaelic, "Get me some meat, fresh bread and some fruit. I am going to be busy for some time. Tell Talon to let the messenger sleep for a full eight hours and not just four. Also get me son, I'll need an extra set of eyes."

*****SE*****

Sean Doyle was a tall muscular man with cold blue eyes, long wavy black hair and a reputation of leaving illegitimate children all over Ireland. Unlike his brothers, Sean had never been to any other country than Ireland. The handsome bastard had come to live with his father after the old man had returned to Ireland.

Paddy hadn't known about this son until his return, when a daughter of a local innkeeper informed him of the child's existence. In his youth the former smuggler and sea captain had spread his seed and found many fertile recipients. Taking his son into his house, he gave the youngster a position as a kind of representative for his father's investments.

Should Old Paddy need to impress upon a tenant or a worker the serious of his employment or the need to pay their debts on time, it was up to Sean to do the physical work. The youngest Doyle was surprised by the summons from his father. His father rarely wanted to see him in person as it was hard to keep a professional distance if you were always talking to the muscle.

When the youngster entered the manor, he was intercepted by Talon, the old man's butler. The large bulky former sailor explained, "The Lord is not well. He wouldn't own up to it, but he hasn't recovered from his wounds. Ye know as well as I do, he ain't in no shape for long voyage. Ye've gotta make 'im let ye go to Swansea in his place."

Sir Patrick's youngest son knew none of the man's children could sway him in any way… save one and she was the one who had requested their father's presence. So, the young Irishman replied, "There be naught I kin do, cause the Countess holds sway. However, I'll suggest I be his liaison with the Countess. Maybe he'll listen to reason, but if find don't ye must go wit us so ye kin take leer of him."

The old sailor thought about for moment before he responded, "I kin think of naught he kin do. I'll tell the Lord I think it would be better to fit ye experience and it be time to meet ye half sister."

*****SE*****

Talon knocked on the door of the library and waited for the Lord to grant him entrance. After a short moment Sir Patrick said, "Git ye arse in here, ye old fart."

The experienced butler was suddenly nervous. His years with old Irishman had taught the retired seaman to be wary of the new nobleman's temper. Taking a deep breath, the veteran servant opened the door and entered.

Once the old salt entered the room and closed the door behind him. Once the door was secure, Talon asked, "Milard, kin I have a word with them?"

The retired smuggler replied quickly, "Of course ye kin, old friend."

The older man responded, "Milard, ye son be waitin on tother side of the door. I be thinkin he be needin sum seasonin, iffin ye git me meaning. Pardon me brass, Milard, but I be thinkin maybe the young sprat should make the journey to Swansea fer ye. It be givin the lad a chance of meetin his sister and of gittin sum practical experience, ye might say."

The new nobleman sat quietly for a moment and thought on what his faithful servant had said.

'To be honest with himself, he was not feeling well. Secondly, his barony needed a firm hand with all the cattle stealing going on. Thirdly, Talon was right his son did need some salt added to his seasoning. The lad had never been out of Ireland as far as the father could recall.

The Baron's original purpose in calling the boy was to explain his suspicions about the butcher and herdsman. The aging former sea captain had original thought to leave the young man in charge while he was gone, but now he was reconsidering.

Sure, the older man had wanted to go so he could see his daughter, but now another idea had taken root. His son needed to prove his capabilities and this was the perfect time for the inexperienced young man to prove he was worthy of to succeed his father as head of the smugglers.'

After his silent deliberation, the tired and wounded man ordered, "Bring in me son, Talon. I think ye may be right. The boy needs to prove himself and this may be the perfect opportunity, but first I must question and brief to see if he can handle the job."

The older man bowed politely and went to fetch the young Doyle. When young Sean entered the cramp office, he politely bowed to his father and Lord and asked, "Greeting. Milard, ye be looking well. Ye sent fer me?"

The Doyle elder rose from his chair and rounded desk as he announced, "That be not enough Boyo. Give ye father a hug, like father and son should."

The young man approached his father and embraced him with a sound and loving hug. The older man kissed his son on each cheek as the proud Lord held his son at arm's length and said, "Son, ye do a father proud. Ye be filling out fine. Now, I sent fer ye fer a reason. I need ye to go on a mission fer me. How'd ye like to meet ye sister?"

The young man brightened at the honor his father was paying him and at the prospect of going to England. The youngster had never left Ireland or the County of his birth for that matter and the excitement of taking a sea voyage filled him with glee. So naturedly, the Irish lad replied, "I'll do whatever ye wish, Milard."

The satisfied father smiled as he laughed, "See that Talon, me boy be busting a button to go, but he pucked up like a good soldier and said the rait thing. I kint be prouder of the boy. Talon, go get the good Port! I wont to make a toast to me fine lad."

Pleased his Lord was not going on an unhealthy voyage, the older man eager left the room to fulfill his Master request.

***SE***

After the older servant left the office, the smiling Lord hobbled back to his seat and exclaimed, "Before he gits back, Bucko we needs to talk. Ye sister is not one to ask fer anything and iffin she is, then she needs it bad. I wont ye t read her letter and tell me watt she be saying?"

The boy took the letter from his father and then sat down and started reading. He scanned the letter several times before he announced his thoughts, "First, I have several questions. Is Jane Lady Ravenhill?"

The older man smiled as he nodded. The young man continued, "Is Jeremy Lady Ravenhill's heir?"

Again the proud father nodded his approval as the youngster pressed on, "Is Melody the young noble for whom my brother is working?"

The savvy father was happy his son was asking the right questions as nodded for the bright young man to ask further questions, "Is Harold a chess grandmaster?"

The teaching father asked, "Why is that question important, Laddy?"

The intelligent youngster knew his father was testing him as he answered, "It shows several things. One, the Countess has friends in unusual places. Chess grandmasters play in pubs and inns, not the normal place to find a proper English Lady. Second, by her tone, she was beating him, which speaks to her intelligence and skill. Chess is a complex and thought-provoking game. For Her Grace to be so skilled, it speaks to long practice and complex thinking as well as strategic thinking."

The cagey nobleman's smile broadened as he said, "He's the world champion. Now, go on."

Sean was quite impressed by his half sister's skill as he continued his questions, "From Her Grace's tone, she seems to feel greatly for Lady Ravenhill, almost as if they were lovers."

The father sobered as he asked, "Be there a question there?"

The thoughtful young man replied, "Aye, there be. Be they lovers?"

The older man leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes as he thought of the ramifications of that question. If the aging nobleman was going to take the youngster into his confidence then he was going to have to take him in all the way. How could the lad do his job with only most of the information?

So, Sir Patrick answered, "Ye need to know some things afore I kin answer that question. Ye sister be a fine woman and has done nuttin but rat by me. Iffin it warnt fer her, I'd not be a lard. Also, my position be tied to hern and iffin any news gits out that harms her, we will git back that harm tenfold,

Also Lady Ravenhill saved me life more than onct and I would do nuttin to harm her. Both women have taken me into their confidences and I sworn to protect them. So, as you kin see frem me answer. They be lovers.

Let me warn ye, iffin ye betray them I'll see thee drawn and quartered. That be iffin Lady Ravenhill dint find thee first. She be death iffin ye cross her."

The young man cringed. His father was a dangerous man. The youngster had no intention of betraying anyone. After all, his family's position was tied directly to the coattails of Countess Isles. But a chuckled escaped his lips as he responded, "Father, ye kint be serious. What kin some noblewoman do to me?"

The old man's eyes hardened as he gazed his ignorant son and replied, "Son, I seen Jane Rizzoli enter a warehouse with thirty armed men inside and come out tother end with the warehouse afire and the men dead. I ain't afear of no man, but that she devil skeers me to no end. Wert ye cross her or the Countess, she'd hunt thee down and kill thee afore ye took another breath."

What troubled the young man more than the old man's warning was the tone of reverence and fear in his voice, a reverence obviously born of fear and respect for the accomplishments of the strong aristocrat. Sean didn't know why he was disturbed by two women loving each other, except it seemed unholy somehow. So, the young Irishman asked, "Father, be it not agin the scriptures fer two women to have such a liaison? I mean don't the church teach us that such acts ere an abomination agin God?"

The disappointed father was now sorry he had put this confidence in his son's hands. Such information is dangerous and can bring them all down. The old Irishman had two choices, he could kill the boy, which would sadden him greatly or he could convince the boy that such things do not matter in the world in which they live.

What mattered was family and doing what was necessary to protect your own, no matter what they should do. Would you not protect your own even if they murdered a man or robbed a church? They would be terrible people, but they would still be family. So the troubled former sea captain explained, "Son, God created us all. It be his rait to judge not ours. It don't matter iffin Her Grace be sinful or no. She be family and family protects family as she protects us from the Crown,

Remember we'd be naught say fer her. The Countess has made our family strong and has not forsaken us. Her name be Isles, but has she denied her blood be Doyle? No, she taint denied us. In fact, she has uplifted us and made us noble.

Iffin ye kaint see that, then I've been wrong to entrust ye with this information. Iffin ye kaint unlearn your biotry then ye taint the man I need."

The warning was clear. If the young man didn't embrace his sister and ignor any perceived faults, then he was going to be shunned by his father. The intelligent Irishman also knew he could not unlearn the information about the Countess, which means if he were shunned then he would be a liability. The sharp youngster knew what happened to liabilities. After all he had handled many a liability in the past four years.

Thinking on his own life the past four years, hadn't he also committed many acts against the teachings of the Church? Suddenly taking stock of what he had done for the sake of the family, Sean realized that everyone committed acts against each other that were even more an abomination than loving another human being, even if that human being be of the same sex.

The young man had to ask himself, 'Who am I to judge my sister for who she loved and not judge myself for who I destroyed?'

After a bit of reflection, Sean responded to his father, "I wont to meet and know my sister. I'm none to judge after what I have done fer the family. Iffin ye wont me to go, I kin go with a clear heart."

The calculating father thought for a moment and looked deep into the youngster's eyes in an attempt at looking into the boy's heart. In those deep blue eyes, he saw an young man struggling with a realization of what he was and what others were around him.

In short, the youngster was growing up. When one became an adult, one came to a realization that the world and the people in it are not perfect. So the inexperienced young gentleman stated, "Father, I wont to prove meself. I kin do this. Iffin I fail, I'll cut me own throat. Please, give me the chance."

As an answer the older gentleman called out to his manservant, "Talon, get me a ship. Me son is gonna go to Swansea to see his sister."

With that pronouncement, the die was cast.

*****SE*****

Baroness Martine sat at her desk … anxiously. The young Baroness was entertaining a company of Imperial Guards. They were sent by His Majesty to help the young baroness quell some banditry that had been occurring recently.

The banditry was actually being directed by the golden hair blonde in order to redirect some of the taxes back to the people. Unfortunately her agents got too ambitious and rob a courier wagon of almost six pounds of gold and eighty pounds of silver.

It was being transported to the Mint to be converted into coins. A theft of that magnitude could not go unnoticed. The inexperienced noblewoman informed the authorities in Paris that their tax wagon had been robbed on county lands and the sheriff of her district was investigating the matter.

As for the thieves the young woman was sponsoring, she had been forced to send Christopher to them to tell them they were on their own and must not be caught. The plan was should any of them be apprehended, then Mr. Doyle had friends, who were being paid to eliminate such obstacles.

Without her mentor's advice, the raw aristocrat was forced to stick to the plan in all general terms and stray from the plan, if the situation dictated such action. Now circumstances were forcing her to stray from the original plan and consider another plan to save the overall mission.

The question was, 'How was she going to find a way to get in the good graces of the Emperor?"

So far the only conclusion with which she could consider was throwing her thieves to the wolves. If the novice nobleman were to feign the capture of the men who robbed the Emperor, she would be hailed as their savior. Such would be a cruel betrayal, but one that would guarantee the success of the task requested by the Queen.

Georgina rubbed her Mistress's shoulders as to relieve some of the tension in them as they await the arrival of the Baron's Chief Advisor. The brilliant administrator was late returning from his trip to ensure the inactivity of their band of bandits. One more concern was being heaped upon her delicate shoulders.

Christopher picked that moment to return from his trip to see her thieves and quickly announced in French as he strode into the room, "Milady, I have given the men their orders and delivered enough supplies to keep them away from town."

The intelligent Baroness knew there was something wrong. She could see the worry on her advisor's face. So the observant noblewoman asked, "What happened? Did they agree to stay under cover, while the soldiers are here?"

The handsome advisor replied, "Milady, did they have a choice? Without your protection their entire operation dies a very quick death."

The unconvinced aristocrat shook her head and responded, "They could make a deal with the Emperor men."

The cagey former smuggler chuckled as he answered, "Milady that would certainly put an end to their operation! Not only would He kill us, He would kill them for good measure to keep your death from other aristocrats. Remember, the Emperor coalition is founded on the Nobles, should they think He is targeting them, they would withdraw their support.

No, those men know where their bread is butter and who is supplying the butter. They will do nothing to risk their operation and by extension… ours. They will keep low until these men are gone. The Emperor can't keep these men here for much longer. He has need of them elsewhere."

The brilliant noblewoman knew these things without being told, but need the security of being told them. Another thought crossed her mind, "The Countess must be beside herself with worry. Since, our mode of contact has been closed; she has had no word from us. I am worried She will be so concerned as to send a messenger without knowing what a disaster that would be.

Have you devised a way to get a message to her? I was thinking maybe you could get a message to your father and he could tell her that which is happening."

The smart young man shook his head from side to side as he replied, "I cannot risk it, Milady. They know I am your man and know who my father is. Should they suspect anything, they will be looking for a message to be sent in that direction."

Suddenly Georgina spoke up, "I need to go see my sister, Milady."

The Irishman's blue-eyes lit up as he whispered in English, "Brilliant!"

The beautiful American sadly nodded her approval, as she whimpered, "I will miss you, Georgie."

*****SE*****

Countess Isles was counting coins when the messenger she had sent to her father returned with the Baron's answer. The young man offered Her Grace the letter from the Irish Lord, who had also sent a verbal message. The young noblewoman took the letter suppressing the anxiety that was rushing through her.

The intelligent aristocrat read:

My Dearest Daughter,

I am happy to inform you that the weather is dry and warm. My injuries would hurt so much more where this not the case. I am feeling much better, though my injuries still limit my mobility. Not only is my health in question, but I cannot leave at this time due to difficulty I am having in my Barony. I am missing many prime breeding animals and the size of my herd is in question.

As a result, I am sending your youngest brother, Sean, to Swansea in order to complete our business. He has my full confidence and will do well. He has also expressed an interest in meeting his sister. Therefore, I couldn't deny him the pleasure.

I am sorry to hear you missing your friends and ward. I know how lonely responsibility can be. Maybe you should consider taking a husband, who can give you children to ease your loneliness. After all, you are not getting any younger.

Well, expect your brother to follow this letter in a couple of days.

Sincerely,

Your Father,

Sir Patrick Doyle,

Baron of Boartusk

The intuitive Countess knew that this message was incomplete and intentionally misleading. The intelligent teenager understood that her father had been afraid of his message being intercepted and read. So using her gifts of insight, she started to dissect the letter.

My Dearest Daughter,

I am happy. The weather has increased profits, because fewer ships were being lost by storm. Increased profits give us more money to explore more avenues to exploit. I am better, but I will never be the man I was.

I am having some difficulties with my workers, but I am straightening it out. However, I need to do it personally.

I am sending your brother in my place, so he can meet you and come to understand what we are doing and how he can help. I told him everything, including your relationship with Jane. Find out if you can trust him. If you think he is a danger, eliminate him.

Your brother will follow this letter in two days, be ready.

The calculating Countess finished her analysis of the letter and asked the messenger, "What is your verbal message."

The anxious country lad replied nervously, "Your Grace, Sir Patrick said, 'I received a message from Christopher, but it didn't come through our normal channel. Something is wrong. I am looking into the problem. Tell your brother nothing he doesn't know already until you are sure you can trust him. I don't like the way he reacted to finding out about your relationship with Lady Ravenhill.'"

The thoughtful Countess responded, "Thank you, Mr. Coppersmith. Please see Mr. Tulles, he has an envelope with a token of my gratitude. Additionally, would you have Bridgette join me? She should be in the kitchen. Thank you."

Countess Isles smiled as she pondered the real reason her childhood friend has been spending more time in the kitchen lately. Since, Katelyn has had her baby; her young maid has been spending much of her free time and much of her working hours for that matter with the young woman and her new son.

Her lifetime friend has flirted with every woman in the manor, having success with many of them. However, Katelyn has proven to be a different matter. Her promiscuous maid proved faithful and patient as the Countess had demanded for the six months of the young redhead's pregnancy.

Thrice, the cautious Countess had tested Bridgette's resolve by having willing young women flirt openly with her. The last two went so far, unbeknownst to the honey blonde noblewoman, as to suggest a midnight tryst in the servant's quarters. Bridgette stayed true to her new love and refused each and every overture.

After the baby was born, Countess Isles did three things:

She presented the young woman her own quarters with three rooms and all the furnishings.

She award the young mother twenty-five golden guineas as compensation for what was done to her by that roguish captain.

She gave her permission and blessing for Bridgette and Katelyn to resume their stalled romance.

The savvy Countess was not going to apologize for her caution; because she was still not convinced her caddish friend was still a changed woman. All Bridgette's history served testimony to the unfaithfulness of the Countess's beloved maid and lifelong friend. Though the young maid was one of her dearest friends, the Countess had reason to not trust her faithfulness.

No one was more pleasantly surprised by the lovely Frenchwoman's trustworthiness than the Countess. The honey blonde teenager was very protective of the new mother, because someone whom she trusted at one time betrayed that trust and impregnated the young kitchen servant. The kind noblewoman was determined that no one, not even one of her sisters of the heart, was going to hurt Katelyn again.

Now the intuitive aristocrat was going to need her artificial sister's help to uncover the true motives and thought processes of her youngest half-brother. Sean was being trained by the best deceiver in the business, so he was not going to give up his secrets easily. The calculating noblewoman was going to have to employ some truly devious methods to find out the truth and Bridgette was just the person to help her execute such an elaborate plan.

*****SE*****

Sean Doyle arrived at Swansea five days later and was greeted by a beautiful young brunette with a slight French accent. The lovely brunette greeted him, "Monsieur, the Countess awaits you at the Manor. Let me have one of the servants take your bags to Lady's carriage."

The efficient young woman signaled for one of the men accompanying her to come forward and relieve the Countess's welcome guest and brother of his luggage. Once the two trunks were load on the carriage, Sean and the beautiful servant were obliged to follow them.

The young Irishman eyed the vibrant beauty with his typical wanton lust. The youngest Doyle used women and then discarded them, like his father did to his mother. The damage youngster learned at an early age from his devastated mother that love was too painful to contemplate.

Bridgette knew love. The young woman had discovered it in the arms of a young mother who had been forsaken by a man much like young Doyle. The sharp brunette recognized his kind immediately. The youngest son of Patrick Doyle was no better than the man who used and discarded her young lover and the angry brunette wanted vengeance for her beloved's sake.

The damaged mother needed justice for what was done to her or she was never going to heal. This man was going to feel that justice. However, the misguided Irishman was the son of a man, who Bridgette really admired and he was the half-brother of the women, who was the most beloved of sisters. So, the young maid's anger had to be tempered… a bit… a tiny bit.

The conceited Irishman's leers and attempts at touching her were not endearing him to the embittered young maid. However, her adopted sister had asked the young brunette to befriend the young man and ascertain the extent of his bias toward the Countess for her choice of bedmates. It was the worse assignment she had ever been given, but it was made clear to the intelligent servant that should he prove to be prejudiced against Sapphic unions, then he would meet an unfortunate accident.

Her mistress was a kind and giving person, but she was also a ruthless and unforgiving noblewoman, who would go to any lengths to protect herself and those she loved. Kindness and intelligence were part of the golden Countess, but so were practicality and self-preservation.

Bridgette remembered when Lillian Carmichael became a threat and she and her entire family was secretly shipped to America or dropped in the ocean for all she knew. The young maid only knew what she knew because she was so close to the Countess. The average villager and servant only knew that the entire Carmichael family disappeared and had never been seen or heard from since.

Rumors and gossip implied the Countess had them removed because they did something to offend her. What happened to the family was only a matter of speculation, which ranged from they were paid off and asked to leave Swansea to they were all murdered in their beds and dumped into the sea. However, the young Countess was too popular and well liked for the latter to have many believers.

Bridgette led Sean through the harbor crowds to the waiting carriage with the handsome young man doing his best to impress the desirable young woman. For her part, the intelligent maid did her best to not put the boorish rogue in his place or maybe geld him.

When they arrived at the carriage the gallant courtier assisted the buxom servant by helping her into the waiting coach. Graciously and biting back the bile forming in her throat, the young woman accepted his hands on her arm, but detested the push of her buttock.

While still maintaining a smile, Bridgette exclaimed, "Why Mr. Doyle aren't you getting forward? Could you remove your hand from my bottom?"

The young gentleman had the good manners to blush his embarrassment as he removed his offending hand and apologizing, "I'm sorry, Miss, but I wasn't trying to take advantage, but I was trying to help you in boarding the coach."

Bridgette could almost believe him, if it weren't for the knowing smirk on his face.

*****SE*****

Melody was at a loss of what to do. An inquiry was being mounted by the crown into the disappearance of the Emperor's Tax Collector. The young noble was collecting taxes from various local collectors with an Imperial escort of a twenty Dragoons of Royal Guards.

Fortunately, the Baroness had had nothing to do with the attack. However, the savvy noblewoman assumed the men involved were the same men that she had been using to cause chaos thereby forcing the Emperor to divert manpower from his ambitions to keep stem said chaos.

The plan had been working very well except her coconspirators were greedy men and had over played their hand. Now the Emperor was going to send a large force and ferret out her accomplices and the young Baroness had every faith they would give their torturers her name eventually.

The question was simple: does she run or does she eliminate her problem. The answer was obvious, though it was going haunt her for the rest of her life.

*****SE*****

Bridgette was sitting opposite Sean when she asked, "What do you know about Her Grace?"

The young Doyle replied, "I know she is my half-sister and my father's favorite. She is the second most powerful woman in the Empire at the moment and probably the richest person in it. I know she controls more ships at sea than any single person other than the Queen.

I know she has a very active spy network throughout the world and particularly in Europe and the Colonies. I know she conspires with the Queen against Emperor Napoleon and she has a very highly place informant in his Court.

I know she has asked my father for some help in aiding someone in France and sannot do so herself. I know she is in love with an American named Jane Rizzoli, who is the Lady Ravenhill. I also know that if I have any objection to this fact, I will lose my head. Is that what you wanted hear?"

Bridgette leaned forward and whispered, "No, it isn't. I don't want anything from you. However, you have guessed correctly I am here to gauge your loyalty to Her Grace and should you fail or anything happens to me, you will die most painfully. Her Grace does not trust you at the moment and has assigned men loyal to her. One word from either Her Grace or myself and you will be restain and systematically tortured to learn about with whom you have been in contact about matters concerning Her Grace and milady Ravenhill. Now, that the proprieties have been met, I think it is time to have your full measure."

The smirking brunette nodded to one of the guards and the dashing young man was seized by two men. He forced himself not to react, because the intelligent aristocrat knew should he do so, he would be sealing fate. Therefore, the calculating noble let the men take control, as he said, "I am loyal to our father and through him Her Grace. I am righteous man and true to his word. So torture me and learn that I speak the truth."

The ruthless maid smirk turned into a scowl as she replied, "So, you say you are loyal to your father and through him to Her Grace, do you care to prove that ascertion?"

The frightened teenager resonded, "Tell me what I need to do to prove my loyalty."

The scowl transformed into a smirk as she answered softly, "Why by simply cutting a joint from either hand."

***SE***

Coldly the Baroness performed her first act to mend her status with His Majesty. As she slid a leather purse filled with silver coins to the edge of her desk, the young noblewoman called two of her most loyal guards into her study and commanded, "You will take me to the village where my carriage will be attacked. You will not resist. You will then take this purse and travel to Swansea, where you will be given your wage and a place of comfort. You will stay there until such time as I deem it safe for you to return.

I have selected you two carefully for this mission. You are both without any family and have no ties to keep you here. There is no discussion of the matter! You will do as I instructor you will die in my defense where we are going."

When we get to our destination, we will meet with two older villagers, they will kill you and the two 'gentlemen' will attack and rape and beat me. His Majesty's Dragoons will rescue me two days hence. You must do as I say or we all will face madam guillotine.

You two must return to Swansea and tell Her Grace, what I am doing. You must disappear as if you were killed in my defense. However, before you leave you must deliver this letter to Georgina. This is vitally important for it is she who will inform the Dragoons of my plight and location two days hence."

The older of the two shocked guards responded sharply, "Milady, surely thar's another way of doin' this? Axe Her Grace fer some heep."

Melody rose regally from her chair and exclaimed, "It will be as I have instructed. There is no other choice you will do as I say! I must deflect suspicion from myself, if I am to continue as Baroness Martine.

Now follow me and do as I command."

The men jumped to attention as the smaller woman walked nobly by them. As the young noblewoman reached the door, the two bodyguards trailed behind her, intent on doing her bidding. The flummoxed soldiers helped their charge into her carriage, still struggling with the notion that was to leave their Baroness in the hands of bandits and criminals.

As the coach approached the designated ambush point, the Baroness signaled her men to abandon her. Five 'bandits' rushed out to seize the coach. The footman and driver, who were not part of scheme, were quickly overcome and let tied to the side of the road, while rough hands seized the young woman and bound, gagged and blindfolded her before rushing her from the scene.

The two guards watched from the bushes and left to complete their instructions.

*****SE*****

Countess Isles sat opposite her half brother with his left hand bandaged after he had cut the first joint of his pinky finger on his left hand. The honey-blonde teenager frowned as she said, "I am very sorry Bridgette had you maim yourself, but she did not really feel she could trust you without some physical proof on your part. These are trying times. Will you accept my heartfelt apology?"

Young Doyle responded with a grimace, "Your Grace, there is no need to apologize for what is necessary to keep Your Grace safe from harm. I am just thankful that it wasn't my head removed. I can live with losing a single joint on my left hand in lieu of my head from my shoulders."

The poised young noblewoman rose from her seat and glided to the whiskey cabinet at the far end of the room. The intelligent young woman poured a stiff Irish whiskey into a brandy snifter and brought it to the injured young man. The crafty Countess sat down on chair next to her half-brother and lightly pets his knee while saying, "Thank you for accepting my apology. However, there is no time to waste I must have you go to France for me. I have lost communication with my ward, Baroness Martine. I need you to take a message to her and await her response.

The letter cannot reach Louis-Napoleon. Should your mission appear in jeopardy, then you must destroy the letter and then seek out the Baroness and get a message from her. I must know my charge is safe."

The tall Irishman drank the whiskey in one long swallow before replying, "Your Grace, I will not fail you."

*****SE*****

Two days later, Sean was on the company's fast ship, speeding his way to Normandy. From there he would travel by coach to Barony Martine. With fair winds and a calm sea and the help of steam power, the Countess's messenger should be landing in a matter of hours, rather than days.

From there the young Doyle will be met by a coach with several changes of horses arranged along his route. Within two days, the dapper young man should be meeting with the Baroness. Unfortunately the Baroness was unavailable.

*****SE*****

Georgina was beside herself with worry. Her Baroness and lover were not sending the prearranged messages that had been devised to reassure the young maid and her confidants that the young woman was safe.

As the young woman paced her Lady's den, one of the Lady's trusted guards arrived in a huff of panic, as he exclaimed, "Miss, the men who were to take the Baroness have been found dead in the building in which they were to hold her Ladyship. I'm afraid someone else other than the ones who were intended has captured Baroness Martine."

The distraught lover clutched her stomach as fear for her young girlfriend's safety gripped her. True fear made her ask, "Is it the Emperor?"

The trusted guardsman shook his head, as he replied, "I don't know. I have men trying to find out. Maybe young Christopher's agents can find out more. None of the villagers saw any soldiers, if that is of any comfort."

Georgina shook her head as she responded, "Christopher is in Bordeaux and will not return for another fortnight. I can try and contact the agent I was given by Christopher in case of an emergency, but I don't know how helpful he will be.

Go see what you can find out."

The terrified lover collapsed to floor sobbing after the guard had left. If anything happened to Melody, the young woman vowed to herself to die soon after.

*****SE*****

Christopher Doyle was in Bordeaux contacting his smuggler friends in order to arrange the transfer of goods from Isles Shipping to merchants under his control. If the Countess's plan to make France dependent on English goods was to succeed, it needed to be executed promptly.

One of his beggar spies passed him a message from one his agents in Louis-Napoleon's court. The simple note read:

C.

The dove's been caught.

P

The anxious young man tossed the note into a flame and dashed off to find a horse. The nervous young man had to get back to the Barony quickly. Worried he would be too late, the Baroness's trusted advisor jumped into his saddle and was pounding down the road exclaiming, "Damn, the Countess is going to kill me."

*****SE*****

The ship wasn't going to land in Normandy. A dingy was going to take the ship's passenger to shore, where he was being met by a coach. It was deep into a moonless night, which would obscure the young Doyle's landing.

The ship's captain waited for the prearranged signal from the beach to be flashed, so the lifeboat could be safely launched. If everything wasn't perfectly safe, then there would be no signal and the ship would proceed to the next landing point.

A bull's-eye lantern on shore uncovered its lid four times then waited five counts and then flashed one more time. The officer on ship's watch recognized the signal and ordered a signal flash from the ship's signal lantern. At which point another two burst of light signaled the all clear and the dingy was launched.

The boat crew rowed their charge to shore. The young Irishman carried no luggage or baggage. All he needed was to be provided when he reached shore. The dapper aristocrat would have a change of clothes matching the latest French fashions waiting for him. Sean would change while riding the coach pell-mell to Martine Castle.

The anxious young man had to discover what was happening and return with word for the Countess.

*****SE*****

Sir Henri Nedeau was a knight without land or title. The middle aged aristocrat had been knighted by the King before the French Reformation. The older man had barely made it out of Paris with his life, much less any possession. So, the once bold soldier had been forced to become a bandit.

For fourteen years he had been living on his wits and bravado with no hope of any other future. Until one night he overheard three bandits plotting the fake kidnapping of the Baroness Martine. From what the eavesdropping knight could ascertain, the highwaymen were to overcome a cooperative guard and seize the young noblewoman.

Two days from the kidnapping they were to be overtaken by the Emperor's Guard and the frightened maiden was to be rescued. The disgraced noble had no idea why such a ruse was necessary, but the intelligent man saw his opportunity.

With his two partners, the cagy bandit overcame the fake kidnappers and seized the young woman themselves. The dishonored nobleman wanted a title and what better way than to marry one. All the crafty man had to do was convince his captive by any means necessary to marry him before the eyes of God and her property became his property.

However, his partners wanted to ransom the young maiden. So Sir Nedeau was forced to eliminate his fellow criminals. There was one problem; the evil noblemen needed some men he could trust…if only to a point. So, the dangerous bandit chained his prisoner to a pole in a deserted barn and left to find some accomplishes.

*****SE*****

The Countess Isles could not sleep. Guilt was an ill-fated companion late at night when one was trying to sleep. Now, the young noblewoman was debating sending a letter to Jane in Texas, informing her on what was occurring.

The savvy Countess knew should her lover get the message Melody was in danger, she would be on the fist ship to Swansea. Maura felt she owed it to her young girlfriend, but the Countess thought it was premature and would only cause more problems. In her heart the good Countess felt she owed the Doyles a chance to make thing right.

Hence the complicated dilemma was keeping Her Grace awake.

*****SE*****

While awaiting a change of horse, Sean Doyle recognized a rider barrowing into the inn's courtyard. His brother, Christopher could be there for only one reason. The older Doyle had uncovered some information about the Baroness. The youngest brother knew it couldn't be good news.

So, the younger brother approached his older brother and exclaimed, "Fancy meetin' youse hair me lad. Our father sends his greetins and wonts to know iffin you be stupid or watt?"

The fair Doyle beamed as he recognized his youngest sibling and responded, "Well, run back and tell the old bastard I be doin' his job fer 'em. I be in a hurry, so speak ye peace, boyo."

The bright aristocrat laughed at his more experienced brother and replied, "Peace is it? Peace…What Doyle has any use fet it?"

With a smile on face, Sean whispered, "We need to talk."

In a louder voice, the youngest of the brothers shouted, "Why not join me in me own coach?"

The elder brother nodded and followed his younger brother into the coach. The two Irishmen closed all the shutters. Sean whispered, "I'm charged to deliver a messenger to the Baroness."

Christopher replied, "I heard, but have you hear that the Baroness is missing?"

*****SE*****

Sir Henri returned to barn where he held the Baroness Martine captive with four strong men and four buxom women with the sole intent of breaking the young noblewoman and forcing her into an ill-fated marriage. After the wedding the embittered older man had evil purpose for his future wife.

His companions were there to shame the woman as the letch planned to do perverted things in his attempt to gain what he wanted and was going to have his witnesses participate in said perversions. The humiliation would help him break her pride and spirit to the point where she would eventually cooperate and then be pliable after they were wed.

The former soldier had had a lot of experience in the art of torture and that experience was going to get what he wanted. The first thing the veteran torturer learned was that people were more malleable when they were naked. Clothing gave people the illusion of protection. When they were naked prisoners felt vulnerable.

Additionally experience had taught the twisted man that to steal that illusion of protection made his victims feel like their protection was now in the torturer's possession. In order to accomplish this goal, you strip men naked with your own hands and you made woman strip themselves.

So Sir Henri demanded his intended bride, "Lady, remove your clothes!"

The shocked Baroness said proudly, "I will not! If you want my clothes, you must take them."

The evil torturer lashed out and slapped the weaker woman across her face, bruising her cheek and slitting her lip. Blood oozed from the cut and a thing line of it trailed down her chin, as the vicious older man threatened, "If you do not remove you clothing I WILL lash you with this whip until you cooperate."

The terrified woman trembled with fright as the cruel highwayman uncoils a long and sadistic length of braided leather for her to recognize and register the item and acknowledge the pain it will inflict. Now with infused fear the proud noblewoman muttered, "Do your worse!"

With brutal smirk, the perverted torturer replied, "I intend to."

With precision born of practice, the malicious torturer rented her silk gown four times leaving four bleeding gashing in the place of silk. The pain was inhuman and the young teenager collapsed into a ball to protect herself from the fifth and sixth lashes with ripped her back.

Then the sadistic highwayman repeated, "Take off your clothes, Bitch!"

With tears in her eyes the whimpering teenager started unbuttoning her gown.

*****SE*****

Christopher told Sean all he had learned during his dash to save the young Baroness from his informants and spies. The older brother explained, "It seems the Baroness's plan to divert suspicion about the disappearance of a troop of Imperial Dragoons. She actually had nothing to do with that particular treason, but she is guilty of many others. She needed to keep the Imperial Investigators from investigating her connect to those who had committed the offense.

The plan was to have her kidnapped by men who were under suspicion. The Baroness would be held for ransom, but would be rescued by Imperial soldiers, thereby becoming a victim rather than a suspect.

It was a good plan, though I wish I had been there for its execution. The Baroness is very bright and a good strategist, but she lacks enough experience to be good at the plan's execution.

It seems some local tough has killed the original kidnappers and taken their hostage for their own. Strangely there has been no ransom demand. I'm very worried.

We should have more information by the time we arrive, as I have spies and informants all over the County. My spymaster is going to have something for me at our next change of horses."

*****SE*****

Weakened by two days of starvation and captivity, Melody could barely stand as she shivered in her nakedness. However, if the young noblewoman did not her shoulders screamed from the pain caused by her weight as she dangled from the chains from which she hung. The welts from the six lashes bled and her lip and cheek were swollen and sore. Sir Henri laughed and announced to his witnesses, "The bitch has a lovely body. Doesn't she?"

He leered at her and walked over and ran his hand down her naked form. The frightened teenager cringed at his touch, but was unable to do more as the chains from which she hung barely allowed her to stand flat footed. As her torturer's calloused hand ran down her side, the inhuman man sneered, "I'm going to enjoy every part of you. Then I'm going to let these fine people have a turn at you. Then I'm going to whip you some more. Then we are going to start all over again. You can stop it, by just agreeing to marry me."

All the battered youngster could do was to shake her head from side to side as tears ran down her cheek.