Dangerous Dreams: A Novel (112 page)

“Lord help me! I’m only trying to be logical, Ellie. We cannot simply make an accusation and expect—”

Emily whispered, “Ananias”—she rubbed the tears from her eyes, sniffled twice, faced him—“ ’twas not the first time.”

Ananias stared at her, mouth agape, eyes glazed.

She then spoke casually, as if talking about the morning meal. “He raped me in the forest weeks ago . . . forced me to submit by threatening to kill Virginia if I did not . . . and I now carry his child . . . and he insists I be his mistress . . . and . . . and as Ellie said, this afternoon he choked Virginia while I held her in my arms. He’ll stop at nothing to have his way with me . . . yet I
cannot
submit again . . . but I know not what to do . . . or what
will become of me and my child. I’m so sorry, Ananias . . . Ellie . . . so ashamed.” She again buried her face in her hands, sobbed. “All my fault.”

Elyoner embraced her, glared at Ananias through her own tears. “Are you happy now? Look what you’ve done!”

Ananias pleaded, “Ellie, I . . . I . . .”

“Don’t say
anything
! Just go sit somewhere while we cry . . . put your mind on what we should do. Poor lass.” She stroked Emily’s neck.

Ananias frowned, walked solemnly to the fire, sat on his stool; he leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, chin resting on his clasped hands, stared into the glowing coals.

After ten minutes, Elyoner said, “We’re ready.”

Ananias didn’t move or speak.

“Ananias! We’re ready. Come sit.”

He gave a start, looked over his shoulder at Elyoner. “Oh! Sorry. Deep in thought.” He stood, walked to the two, sat beside them, then looked at Emily, who forced a tentative smile.

“First, Emily, I’m deeply sorry this has befallen so kind, innocent, and wonderful a person as you.” He shook his head. “We will see this varlet hang. The only question is
when
”—he looked at Elyoner then back at Emily—“ for I fear our situation dictates that it will
not
be now.” He took a deep breath. “If you’ll bear with me, I’ll explain my logic. I’m certainly not a legal expert, but I
am
observant.”

Elyoner and Emily held each other close, focused on Ananias while he reiterated the tenuous position the colony’s leadership was in, as well as the challenges of prosecuting rape and extortion cases, under
any
circumstances. He then suggested dangers to informing more than Governor Baylye and Lieutenant Waters of events; particularly dangers to Emily, Virginia, and Isna. “So, what I’m saying, albeit not what any of us wish to hear, is that with our weakened authority, it may be safer to keep this to ourselves—ourselves being the three of us, Baylye, and Waters—until John returns with more soldiers; and meanwhile, vigilantly guard against Tayler and his men doing anything to threaten Em, Virginia, or Isna. I think, because of Emily’s wounding him, Tayler may tread softly for a time, particularly if he believes his transgressions remain
undisclosed . . . and mayhap he’ll do so long enough for John to return, crush the conspiracy, and hold him accountable for his crimes. On the other hand, I fear that if he suspects that anyone besides Emily knows of his misdeeds, he’ll be tempted to follow through on his threat as a matter of principle and credibility—even if it be through his proxies
after
his arrest. So”—he hesitated, eyed Emily cautiously—“I believe we should immediately inform Baylye and Waters of the rape and the extortion, so we have their added protection; but we must exact their promise not to prosecute Tayler until John returns.” He shook his head. “Surely, he’ll arrive within the week, so we should not have too long a time to engage in our deception.” He looked at both with a pleading look. “Forsooth, I believe this to be the
safest
course . . . though ’tis most unpalatable. And Emily, you should also tell Isna what has happened and what we plan to do. He and his men may need to defend themselves, though I seem to recall hearing that they plan to return to their people in a matter of days. Is this so?”

Emily and Elyoner stared silently, glumly at one another as Emily’s eyes filled with tears. She looked at Ananias, sniffled. “Yes, Ananias, that is correct. And I agree, your proposal
is
the safest course; but soon, the entire colony will know my condition, and I know not what I shall do or where I shall turn, and—”

Elyoner hugged her, said, “Emily, when the truth is told, no one will condemn you, for all the colony knows your moral strength and gentle kindness . . . and the opposite of Hugh Tayler . . . and . . . and Father will know how to help you. So fear not, my dear, dear friend.” She shook her head. “You’ve suffered so much for Virginia’s sake . . . and were it in my power, I would hand Tayler over to the Powhatans and instruct them to treat him as they did James Lassie, but slower.”

Ananias took a breath, blinked twice. “Then we are agreed. I shall inform Baylye and Waters and exact their promise of silent vigilance. And, Emily, you will inform Isna?”

Emily nodded, rubbed her eyes.

Elyoner took Emily’s hands in hers. “Em, you are staying here with us tonight . . . and moving in with us permanently tomorrow!”

Ananias said, “Indeed you are, Emily Colman.” He waved his index finger back and forth in front of her face. “Do not protest!” He looked at Elyoner. “Ellie, I want you to carry your dagger and your father’s pistol at all times . . . with the match lit. ’Tis good fortune he taught you to shoot. But since I am without such skill, I shall carry two daggers and a sword. And, Em, you must continue to carry your knife and
your
pistol. Thomas told me you’re an excellent marksman, so you, too, should keep your match lit, and do not hesitate to shoot a scoundrel if need be . . . no matter
who
it is. Oh, and let us place your
father’s
pistol here beneath your bed when you’ve brought it from your cottage.”

Elyoner and Emily nodded grimly, then all three stared thoughtfully at one another until Emily finally spoke. “One of us must be at Virginia’s side every moment . . . day and night . . . pistol in hand. We must
never
leave her alone. Hugh Tayler is insane and knows not right from wrong, but he’s clever and deceptive . . . loves me truly and deeply . . . believes he needs me . . . and that only I can save him from himself. Therefore, he will let
nothing
stand in the way of his having me. So I beg you, please be vigilant with this precious young gift.” She glanced at Virginia then back at the Elyoner and Ananias. “I shall find Isna in the morning and tell him what’s happened.”

Ananias said, “Does . . . does he know about . . .”

“Yes . . . and neither the rape nor the pregnancy has changed his feelings. He . . . he loves me . . . and I, him . . . and he wants to kill Tayler.” Her eyes again filled with tears. “But . . . but as you say, he will soon return to his people, for he has no choice in the matter . . . and . . . and he will then be safe.” She closed her eyes. Oh, my Isna, how can I ever live without you?

The sun was seconds from clearing the tree line. Waters said, “Here, Newton, help me with this log.”

“Aye.” Newton glanced around, saw Willes and Sampson surreptitiously eying him as they alternately pushed and pulled opposite ends of a six-foot saw, cutting another length of log from the downed tree at
the edge of the clearing. He shrugged, raised his eyebrows, then turned back to Waters, bent down, lifted his end of the ten-foot log. “Whoa! Heavy!”

“ ’Tis indeed. Ready to go?”

“Aye.”

The two hoisted their ends of the log, wrapped their arms around it, staggered slowly toward the palisades. When they were halfway across the clearing, beyond earshot of the others, Waters whispered, “Speak softly . . . don’t look at me and don’t move your lips.”

Newton fixed his eyes on the ground in front of his feet, whispered through his teeth, “Tayler and the others are stealing food from the Chesapeakes. Threatened to kill them if they don’t cooperate or if they tell anyone.”

Waters looked dead ahead, said softly, “What else?”

“Taverner . . . he . . . he . . .”

“What man? Hurry! Say it!”

“He and five other soldiers . . .”

“Wait!” Emme Merrimoth and another woman, both carrying water buckets, approached on their way across the clearing to the loggers. “Good day, Mistress Merrimoth, Mistress Glane.”

Emme said, “You look as if you could use some help with that log, Lieutenant. May we?”

Waters smiled. “Thank you, but no. I think we’ll manage.”

“Very well. See you at yonder tree.”

After a few steps, Waters whispered, “What happened?”

“They came upon three Savage women.”

“Where?”

“ ’Bout four miles from here.”

“ ’Twould be the Nansemonds . . . allies of the Powhatans. What did they do?”

“They . . . they . . .”

“Out with it, man!”

“They raped them . . . then . . . then killed ’em, and . . . and cut ’em up a bit, if you know what I mean.”

My God, Waters thought. As if they didn’t already hate us enough. This is disastrous. Should have put that mutinous dog away when we had the chance. Good Lord, what now?

“Tayler says Walsingham’s ship is due as early as four days from now, no later than seven . . . even allowing time to go to Roanoke and Croatan. Plans to make his move soon. Says . . . says John White will
never
return . . . Walsingham will see to it.”

“That’s drivel. He’s no inkling of that. If anything, the opposite is true, and Raleigh and White have trumped Walsingham. So watch yourself, Newton. Don’t be thinking you’re free.” God in heaven, let it be so. And I wonder what Tayler’s
move
will be. “Is that all? Be quick!” They were forty feet from a gap in the palisades, where three men waited to help set the log in place.

“By God, Lieutenant, you’d damn well better keep your word to me, or I be dead. That Colman lass . . . and her Savage . . . they be in grave danger . . . shouldn’t be in the forest alone . . . ’cause—”

“Ho, Lieutenant!” William Lucas said. “Let us help you with that beast.” He and the other two men stepped out from the palisades.

Waters said, “Thank you, men. Could you put it in place without me? Got an urgent matter to attend to. Many thanks.” He handed his end of the log to Lucas, immediately climbed over the small pile of logs in the palisades gap, then sprinted for the Dares’ cottage.

Elyoner held her pistol behind her back, opened the door a crack, peeked outside. “Lieutenant Waters, please come in.” She opened the door.

Waters spoke rapidly. “No, Mistress, no time. Your husband told me what’s amiss. Do you know where Mistress Colman is? Must find her immediately. She’s in grave danger.”

“My God. What—”

“Please, Mistress. Do you know where she is?”

“She went to the Chesapeake village early this morning to find Isna . . . said they’d be in the forest all morning.”

“Do you know where?”

“No . . . I do not, but—”

He grimaced. “I’m going to form a detail and search for them immediately. Perhaps you could take your child and find your husband or Governor Baylye and inform them of this.”

“Certainly, I . . . Lieutenant, please, please find them, quickly . . . I beseech you.”