Underground Captive (77 page)

    
             
"I think you'll see it my way when I say what I've got to say."  His lips thinned with anger and he gave a smile that con
veyed anything but warmth or friendliness.

             
"Will I, Edmond?" Charles retorted curtly, his expression darkening with fury.

             
The sound of a horse galloping up the tree-lined pathway halted the conversation momentarily.

   
             
"Zeke, bring Omri to the stables and give him a rub down for me," Ricard said, dismounting.  He glanced at the carriage sitting in the curve of the pathway and handed Omri's reins over to the slave.

             
Zeke nodded, walking the horse in the direction of the stables.

             
Ricard's long strides quickly brought him up the steps.

  
             
Charles shook his head at the sight his son presented.  Shirtless, Ricard wore only form-fitting breeches and leather boots.  Perspiration beaded his chest, and his hair, curling from the dampness, clung to his head.  The very least the boy could have done was go through the back entrance in such a condition.

             
"Hello, Father, Edmond," Ricard said, sauntering toward the entrance

doors.

    
             
"I think you may want to hear what I have to say, Ricard," Edmond said coldly, hateful eyes lashing out at the younger man.

    
             
"If it's about No Hope, I've heard everything I care to hear."

             
"It's New Hope, you bastard," Edmond spat, interrupting Ricard. 

             
Ignoring Edmond's correction, Ricard continued, "I don't need to hear any more of what you have to say.  It'll only be a waste of our time." He stopped momentarily to flatly impart that, then started walking again.

    
             
"Some of my slaves tell me, Ricard, they saw you on the Ghost Ship several times dressed as its captain.  That doesn't sound like you were a prisoner."

             
Ricard stopped in midstride, spinning on his heels toward Edmond and

pinning icy green eyes on him.

             
Charles stared, speechless, at Edmond's accusations.

             
Edmond smiled without humor, a triumphant gleam in his eyes.  "I would

never let slip that I know your secret, Ricard, in mixed company.  It would mean death for you.  Of course, my silence will be guaranteed with money from your father."  He drummed his fingers impatiently on his thigh.  "Whenever the need occurs," he drawled, matter-of-factly, smiling wickedly.

    
             
His face hard with loathing, Ricard stalked forward, stopping in front of Edmond.  Glinting dangerously, his narrowed eyes turned a stony jade and his satanic smile gave his mouth an un
pleasant twist.  His body tense, his expression murderous, Ricard merely said in deadly tones, "This accusation, sir, is too damned prepos
terous to dignify with an answer," and thundered off, going into the house, shaking the rafters when he slammed the door.

             
"Charles, I suggest you listen--"

    
             
"Edmond, I suggest
you
leave my plantation while you still have the ability to do so," Charles ground out angrily

    
             
"Is that your answer, sir, to my request?" Edmond rasped, standing.

             
"
Oui
, it is,
monsieur
."

    
             
"You're a fool, Charles, to make an enemy out of me.  My day of retribution for all the Duplantiers will come very soon.  And for denying me, I assure you, you and your entire family will be sorry!"

             
With that, Edmond stormed from the veranda to his carriage.

   *  *  *

 
             
Edmond had raised enough to pay off his crop debt, but he now needed money for seed.  Planting season was once more at hand.  He couldn't raise cash for that.  Desperate to save his plantation, he blamed Lord Fleming for his predicament.  If Jared had secured his loan, he wouldn't have to humiliate himself by asking a pittance from his friends and neighbors.  The combined generosity of his friends barely scratched the surface of his debt.  He would have to think of some other way.

    
             
Jared Fleming had killed his only son.  Now, that same man would be responsible for the loss of his land, his cherished planta
tion.  For that, his lordship would pay!

             
How would it feel, your Lordship Bastard, to lose someone you cherish?  And from all accounts you do cherish your lovely, young wife.

    
             
Edmond got up from the chair he sat in and lumbered out into the garden, where he stood before two graves side by side. 
My family.  My wife and my son.  No one should be as contented as Jared Fleming while some others of us suffer
.

    
             
He rushed out of the garden and walked towards the stables, wondering which would give him the most pleasure.  Seeing Jared suffer over the loss of his beloved wife, or seeing that arrogant sonofabitch, Ricard, grieve for his beloved sister.

             
There was no need to kill either of them.  The loss of Nicollette would destroy them both.

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Nicollette began to feel the burden of her confinement.  Now in her eighth month, she suffered bouts of depression, ir
ritability, and euphoria.  Her feet and ankles were swollen and she thought herself to be the size of a horse.

    
             
One moment she hated Jared, blaming him for her condition.  The next moment, she blessed him, praising him for being the reason for her impending motherhood.  Her precarious mood swings confused and bewildered him.

    
             
He tried to indulge her wishes and her erratic behavior.  So when she said she wanted to go to Crescent Wood for the remainder of her confinement, and to give birth there, he readily agreed.

    
             
"'Tis fitting," he said.  "The bairn's heritage will be as much a part of Crescent Wood as to Lismore."

    
             
Jared was to make arrangements today with his lawyer to turn management of Fleming Carriage Company and Highland Acres over to his fellow Scotsmen, Hugh, Malcolm, Robert, and Keith.  Ricard and Morgan had persuaded Jared not to give up all interests in Highland Ore and Smeltering Company.  He sold shares of the company to both Ricard and Morgan, with Morgan agreeing to move to Philadelphia and act as manager.  The money Jared had deposited in the Bank of Philadel
phia had already been transferred to Scotland.

    
             
As Nicki's time grew closer, he wanted to be near her with no distractions from businesses.  Mary Douglas, Elizabeth, and Angus planned to return to Scotland with him and were also making the necessary prepara
tions.

     *  *  *

             
It was the third week in May and puffs of snowy white clouds floated across an azure sky.  The intoxicating fragrances of all the flowers in bloom permeated the air.

    
             
Nicki sat on the bottom veranda on the rocker with a pillow behind her back to ease the pain that had plagued her for the last few weeks.  Her feet were lifted on a stool covered with another pillow.  Mary Douglas and Odessa sat outside near her.

    
             
"Remember ye two, if Lady Nicki is in distress in anyway or for any reason, ye're to send Zeke after me.  I'll be in the city on Rue Royal at
Monsieur
Boyier's office.  I will return as soon as my business is completed."  Jared turned to Nicki.  "I love ye, sweet Nicki."

    
             
Nicki smiled and touched his face.  "I love you,
cheri
," she said softly.  "I know I've been beastly.  You've been wonderful to put up with me.  Thank you for understanding, Jared."

    
             
Jared kissed her, then smiled.  "I forbid ye to do anything, Nicki," he said.  "Anything at all.  Even knitting is forbidden.  Understand?"

             
"Aye, milord."

             
Jared rested his gaze on her a moment.  Turning, he went down the steps,

mounted King George and rode away.

    
             
Half an hour later, Antoinette brought out herb tea for Nicki and joined her on the veranda.

    
             
"Beggin' yer pardon, mum," Mary Douglas said.  "If ye be wan
tin' tae talk tae Lady Nicki fer a spell, I'll be wantin' tae partake of the noon meal, inside."

    
             
"Of course, Mary," Antoinette replied.  "I'll sit with Nicki.  Odessa, you may go too, if you wish."

             
"
Merci, maitress
.  I go eat too, me," Odessa said.

             
"How are you feeling, Nicki?" Antoinette asked when they were alone.

             
"Better.  I'm sorry I've been such a bother.  Poor Jared hasn't known

what to expect from me."

    
             
Antoinette laughed.  "I know how he feels.  We haven't known what to expect either.  Oh, I forgot to tell you.  Blanche will be coming here this weekend to visit."

    
             
"Wonderful," Nicki responded.  "I'll try to be on my best behavior.  Where are Pa Pa and Ricard?"

    
             
"Charles is in the city and Ricard is in the cane fields with the new overseer.  That's the second one since
Monsieur
Williams was dismissed," Antoinette said absently.

    
             
Nicollette studied her soft-spoken stepmother.  She genuinely liked Antoinette and realized something was bothering her.  Her usually arresting gray eyes were distressed and her dark eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

    
             
"What's troubling you, Antoinette?" she drawled gently.

    
             
An embarrassed laugh escap
ing her, Antoinette shrugged. 

    
             
Nicollette sighed impatiently and arched her delicately shaped eyebrows in question.

    
             
"I fear what is going to happen in the months to come," An
toinette answered, barely audible, wringing her hands together.  "Charles says it isn't my place to worry about na
tional politics.  But I do.  Especially now that Lincoln has ac
cepted the Republican nomination."

    
             
Nicollette absently massaged her belly and looked at her stepmother in bemusement.  "I wonder why Pa Pa feels that way now.  He never did before.  Unlike other men, he wanted me and Maman to know everything that was happening.  Including the intricacies of politics."

    
             
Antoinette cast her eyes downward, but not quick enough to hide her wounded feelings.

    
             
"Oh, Antoinette!  I believe you," Nicollette quickly amended, catching the look, and guessing correctly at the reason.  "With the Democratic party falling to the wayside there's a lot to worry about and Pa Pa doesn't want you to worry."  She smiled warmly at Antoinette. 

    
             
Antoinette snorted indignantly, surprising Nicki.  "What Charles and most of our pigheaded men fail to understand is that whatever the outcome of this election we all will be af
fected.  I personally don't know a single new-liner."  Her nostrils flared indelicately and her usually pale cheekbones were flushed.

    
             
The new-liners led by Pierre Soul`e supported Stephen Douglas and his Popular Sovereignty doctrine, which made no sense to Nicki.  Hadn't Justice Taney's Dred Scott decision already provided federal protection to territories wanting slavery?  If, and when, Douglas got into office, what more could he do?

    
             
"Whatever the case, Antoinette, the schism of the Democrats is a reality.  I agree with Pa Pa and the Southern rights Democrats and wholeheartedly support our delegates' decision to withdraw from the national convention in April," Nicollette stated passionately, fire lighting her eyes.

    
             
Antoinette sighed.  "Remember the babe, Nicki.  Calm down."

             
"I can't forget the babe, Antoinette!" Nicollette snapped.

    
             
"
Dieu de ciel
!"  Antoinette rolled her eyes heavenward, but her curiosity made her continue.  "What does Ricard have to say about any of this?"

    
             
Nicki shrugged, preferring to be noncommittal in her answer, knowing deep in her heart her brother would never support the South, might even support that blasted Lincoln and his Republican party.

    
             
Antoinette's eyes widened speculatively.  "You mean he hasn't said anything to you?"

    
             
Wondering if she should tell Antoinette about Charles's plans, Nicollette worried her bottom lip.  Crescent Wood was Antoinette's home also, she decided.  It was only right that she know.  She moistened her lips.  "Ricard is upset that Pa Pa peti
tioned Adjutant General Grivot."

    
             
Antoinette's expression stilled, worry glittering in her eyes.  "What for?" she whispered hoarsely.

    
             
Nicki gave her a tremulous smile, and clenched her hands stiffly where they lay resting on her belly.

    
             
"Pa Pa actually used Grivot as a layman.  My father and some of the other planters want Governor Moore to supply our parish with arms and equipment for a military company that is being formed."

    
             
Antoinette gasped.

    
             
"I find it hard to believe there are companies being formed," Nicki said softly.  "It seems all that was needed was Lincoln's announcement of his bid for the presidency to send everyone into a panic."

    
             
"Has Charles received a reply?"

             
Shaking her head, Nicki shifted uncomfortably in her seat.  "Not that I know of.  Jared said
Monsieur
Dureau and
Monsieur
Robicheaux have convinced Pa Pa to contribute personally to the cause if Adjutant Grivot denies their request.  That would mean mortgaging Crescent Wood...."

    
             
Antoinette's eyes filled with pain at the thought of Charles losing Crescent Wood.  She knew how much the manor meant to all the Duplantiers.  Nicollette must have been correct in her as
sumption.  If Charles hadn't told Antoinette his plans, it was only because he didn't want her to worry.  "Are Henri and Phillipe going to contribute also?"

    
             
Nicollette nodded.  "Let's just wait to see what the outcome of this will be.  I doubt it will go much farther, Antoinette."  She smiled reassuringly and closed her eyes, relishing her private contentment.  Today felt special.  She sighed softly, thinking of how much she loved Jared and resolving to be the best and most perfect wife possible...

    
             
"There's a carriage coming up the pathway, Nicki," Antoinette said, interrupting her thoughts.

             
Nicollette opened her eyes, shading them with her hand.  "I wonder whose it

is.  I don't recognize it."

    
             
When the carriage got near, Antoinette stood to get a better view of the driver.  It stunned her to see Edmond Falgout perched atop the driver's seat.

    
             
"
Monsieur
Falgout?" Nicki said as the carriage drew to a stop in the winding path.

             
Falgout climbed down from the carriage and dipped his head in a slight

bow.  "Good day, ladies.  Might I see either Charles or Ricard for a moment,
s'il vous plait
?"

    
             
"I'm sorry,
monsieur
, neither my husband or his son is avail
able at the moment," Antoinette said with regret, due more to the fact that Charles and Ricard weren't there for her and Nicki rather than for Edmond Falgout.

             
"Then might I see Lord Fleming?" Edmond persisted.

 
             
"My husband is unavailable, also,
monsieur
," Nicki said coolly.   "I suggest you come again, perhaps tomorrow.  At least one of them will certainly be available to you then."     
             

             
"Well, so there are no menfolk about, huh?  This couldn't have worked out better.”   Falgout's tone grew quiet, menacing.  “Madame Fleming, please get into the carriage." 

    
             
"Wha...?
Monsieur
Falgout, have you taken leave of your senses?" Antoinette demanded with indignation.  "Stop this nonsense this instant.  Madame Fleming is heavy with child and shouldn't be made to move!"