The Heavens Shall Fall (17 page)

“
I’m begging you, Rebekah, please don’t do this. You don’t know what you are doing.”

The words hung in the air. Esther did not vocalize her concerns, but Rebekah understood. Esther was worried, extremely so.

Esther’s petticoats rustled beneath her skirt as she scurried to catch up with Rebekah. She rounded Rebekah and stood between her and the door. Rebekah considered telling Esther it wasn’t her desire to leave. She must.

She wanted to stay in the midst of those she loved and
who loved her. Jonathan was due to depart with the morning tide with the other American officers. She had not been allowed to see him, but she
had no doubt Jonathan would have seen her or would ever…not after her betrayal.

It would matter little that she had done everything to save him. As she did now, leaving to protect Esther and her boys.

The transition under British rule had not gone smoothly for those with Patriot ties. The outlook for the Patriot cause seemed bleak indeed. Loyalists were out for revenge against those who had held power these last few years.

Rebekah was well aware of the rumors
that circulated around her. Friends had shunned her for pledging the oath, ignored that she had not been the only one. Middleton, Pinckney, Manigault, and Landor had taken the oath, but she had been a woman…a woman who forced allegiance of Ian’s and her uncle’s business to the British.

She had refused
counsel of Gadsden. Daniel had seen to the safety of the ships. None had been in port at the time of the siege. Gadsden ranted at her.

What did a woman know of war? He
—Gadsden—forbade her to hand over the control of her business to the British and then condemned her for doing so. This coming from a man she held responsible for the Continental Army being captured…for ultimately Jonathan being arrested.

General Lincoln had dealt with an irrational, illogical civil government. Gadsden sat over a council
that demanded Lincoln stay within the boundary of Charles Town, refused to contemplate that it would fall. Any military man would have seen the danger of staying within the city.

The consequences of the blunder cost the Patriots greatly. The city of Charles Town was once more under British rule. Moreover, five thousand soldiers captured—a devastating blow to the Patriot cause in the South.
Yet Gadsden took no responsibility for his actions, blinded by his own arrogance…complete foolishness.

She regretted nothing. S
he had no choice in her actions, as she had no choice now. She had to distance herself from Esther…to protect her and the boys. She would live with the contempt of those who questioned her.

How quickly forgotten was the fact that Jonathan
’s life had been pardoned. The daring doctor…a Patriot hero saved.

The moment word came that
the
Aurora
sailed into harbor, Rebekah allowed herself to breathe once more. Worry had inundated her that Daniel would not have followed her instructions, that he would not have understood the necessity, that he would question her plan. But her brother knew her better than anyone…

She was certain that General Clinton had been suspicious of the arrangement until that moment. Now her Jonathan would be in a prisoner exchange that would be negotiated from New York.

“Esther, I’m not going far. There is no one else in the house. I can’t turn my back on my brothers. It is theirs and needs to be claimed. You are here. They aren’t. I have faith that you will be safe. It is what Ian would have wanted. General Durham has assured me…”

“
It is what is bothering me.” Esther reached over and pushed back a tress of hair that had fallen in Rebekah’s face. “Rebekah, you need to tread carefully. I do not blame you…I do not…it is only others do not understand.” She hesitated. “I’m afraid for you.”

Rebekah saw Esther
’s fear. Black Rory had been a constant visitor in this house. He had made no move toward her…not yet. His visits had been cloaked by his need to meet with Colonel Woodland.

Here
, Esther thought her safe. Esther didn’t know…couldn’t know…that she left to ensure their safety. She couldn’t have Esther or her sons associated with her activities.

Rebekah
’s eyes softened on Esther. “I know the rumors—that I have sold out to the British. I have no intention for you to bear the brunt of the hostility toward me. Everyone knows I tricked poor Ian into leaving me his fortune.”

“
Oh, no, Rebekah, no one thinks—”

“
Of course they do, Esther. Do you not think I have not heard what a heartless witch I am? First, Ian, then Jonathan,” Rebekah said in a voice no louder than a whisper. She gripped Esther’s hand and pulled her closer. “You know that I love Jonathan more than life itself and how precious Ian was to me. So trust me now that I am doing what I must.”

Rebekah
broke from her and ignored the tears that welled in Esther’s eyes. She had a hard enough time swallowing her own. She took a deep breath in. In her normal voice, she said, “I hope you don’t mind that I’m taking Jasper with me. I will send Marnard to you.”

Esther stood in silence and nodded. Rebekah could take no more, turned and walked
out the door into a waiting carriage.

* * * *

The moment Rebekah walked back into her former home, memories flooded her, painful memories. Ones that had been etched into her mind forever, enduring her uncle’s hatred to the point where he sought to kill her. She lived with the remembrance; if not for Jonathan, she would have died.

She had learned she had never truly lived until Jonathan came into her life. Now, he was gone and she had returned to this house. She had visited many times since she had been kidnapped, but never alone…so terribly alone.

She was leery. Much weighed on her mind with the knowledge that the next few hours were crucial. She would only be able to think again once she knew Jonathan was on board that ship bound for New York. Safe.

Her instructions had been clear. Certain he was waiting for her, she wasted no time and made her way directly to the study.

Over the last couple of weeks, she had gotten to know General Marcus Durham rather well. If not for the war, she would have found him excessively charming. She understood Jonathan’s sister’s attraction to the man. A man used to getting his way, one way or another. Arrogant, conceited, proud. Without question, intelligent, but he was also extremely dangerous.

Rebekah was under no illusions. General Durham
used her for his own purposes and used her desire—Jonathan’s release—to his full advantage. General Durham would not be mistaken, for necessity dictated she comply with the British for Jonathan’s sake, but she had quite made up her mind about her intent—it had nothing to do with simply accepting British rule.

In playing both sides, she was well aware that she was able to embark on a dangerous path. But she had nothing to lose.

She could do little about the British siege of Charles Town. General Clinton had succeeded in his mission to establish a stronghold in the South. The bulk of the army would accompany the commander, along with General Durham and Jonathan, back to New York with the morning tide.

The Southern Campaign had been deemed a triumph by the British
; a sound defeat by the Americans. Now, the British would be able to press the Patriots from two directions, with General Cornwallis assuming command of the South. Moreover, they took little time to bask in the victory.

She had met the notorious
Banastre Tarleton, commander of the Green Dragoons. He scared her more than Black Rory had ever done. She had looked into his eyes and seen no soul, only ambition.

The man struck hard and fast against the faltering Patriots. Word spread quickly of the massacre that ensued when he met up with the retreating Virginian militia under the command of Colonel Abra
ham Buford. Tarleton’s quarter whispered the growing hatred and contempt Carolinians held toward the man. After Buford, Tarleton showed no mercy. The killing of their captives ensued.

Rebekah felt the sting of its message. There would be no goodwill toward the Patriots. No, this Charles Town…this Carolina wasn
’t safe for any Patriot. The British had unleashed the Loyalists against the Patriots, along the fiery force of the world’s largest army alongside the Hessian mercenaries.

There would be no mercy for those
who defied these conquerors. She thought of her time in Philadelphia, the passion that burned for the cause of freedom. Her father had felt it, willingly died to give to his children a better place to live as so many after him…as had Jonathan.

She would not forget.
As she walked down through the foyer, it was as if she could hear her father talk to her.
Tread carefully, but steadfastly. Strength comes in right. Have faith and do not falter.

A feeling overwhelmed her
that she was not alone. In that she found fortitude. She knocked lightly on the door. Not waiting for an answer, she entered.

* * * *

“You trust her?”

Rebekah halted. General Durham sat behind the desk her uncle had used. Dressed immaculate
ly in his formal uniform, he swirled a drink in his hand. Upon seeing her, a small smile emerged on his lips.

“
Yes, General, please do not let me interrupt your conversation. Answer, for I assume you talk of me.”

Marcus laughed.
“What did I tell you, Andre? Direct and to the point.”

Rebekah glanced across at his visitor. She recognized him well. Major John Andre. She liked him less than Tarleton. He had been the officer who demanded her husband be executed.

Emotions riddled her. Anger, hatred, disgust swirled and threatened to explode. She swallowed her ire and smiled.

“
I am here, am I not?” She looked at the man. “Do go on, Major Andre. I would like to know what concerns you have. What damage do you think I could inflict upon you mighty British?”

Her sarcasm wasn
’t lost on Andre. He gazed at her with amusement that came with confidence. “You can’t blame me for questioning your compliance.”

“
It is confusing only since I’m not sure what damage you believe I could inflict. You have my husband. The British want a smooth transition. I proposed a solution that benefited both sides. There is little else I could do. If you worry about me inciting a crowd, I believe the only crowd that would respond would be one to tar and feather me.”

Andre leaned back in his chair.
“I understand completely your desire to save your husband. I question only how, Mrs. Corbett. How did you accomplish your objective?”

Rebekah eyed him carefully. How quickly she had learned to scrutinize other
’s actions, not their words but what they held in their eyes.

She had been in such a hurry to find General Durham she hadn
’t taken off her bonnet. She paused and took off her bonnet, and set it on the side table.

The day was hot and
unbearable, the air still. She felt sweat trickle down her back. Momentarily, she wondered whether English women perspired. The thought amused her. Heaven forbid if British women were as stiff as the men before her!

Then the thought hit her—what would make a British man sweat? It was not the thought
of blistering heat. No, for a moment, she pictured both officers squirming in discomfort as she had been…as Jonathan, his father and hers before them.

Gone was the naive, innocent girl of her youth. Jonathan had tried to shield her from the cruel world around her, but he was no longer beside her…nor would he ever be again.

She tilted her head back and met Major Andre’s eyes with an unwavering regard. “You question how a woman could accomplish such a feat. I think it answers itself. If I had been a man, you would have none of my ships. Is that not why half of Charles Town hates the ground upon which I walk? Gadsden would have much preferred my husband serve as a martyr. Because of my weakness, the British has use of my business.”

Andre gave a little shrug and a sly smile.
“I agree it is why you sought for the negotiations, but do I need to point out that I doubt you had control of your shipping? Do you know the first thing about the business?”

A hard man. Relentless, he pressed her, but she had already dealt with Durham.

“Do you have family, Major Andre?”

He nodded.
“A mother and a sister.”

“
They are dear to you, I assume, as well they should be.”

“
But of course.”

“
Then you need no other explanation. You well know my brothers both have interest in the business. Daniel and Paul are young. Since my uncle’s death and my fiancé’s, it was deemed best to merge the two businesses together. Pierce Cutler has seen to the details. Peterson found a man, a Samuel Brooks, who saw to the books. You understand all these men are no longer within Charles Town.”

Rebekah paused and walked around a high back chair. She sat. Neither man said a word, waiting for her.