The Heavens Shall Fall (2 page)

He turned abruptly toward
his open door. He had to get downstairs. He had no choice but to discover Major Andre’s reason for visiting this afternoon.

Rupert stoo
d at the top of the stairs for only a moment and assessed the situation. Giles talked to another patron. The large robust man would be impossible not to notice.

Rupert glanced around to where Major Andre had taken a seat with his companion, an officer
who was unfamiliar to him. Major Andre’s attention lay upon Giles. Then he glanced upward. A smile emerged as his sight set on him. Rupert returned the smile and made his way down the stairs, while he ignored Giles.

“
Major Andre, a pleasant surprise. I hadn’t realized you were back in New York.” Rupert walked up to the table.

“
Please, Mr. Arnett, join us. I want to introduce you to Lieutenant Bradford, Harold Bradford. He just arrived from England.”

Rupert
sat and gestured for a drink to join his companions. “So, Major, can I be of service to you? News from England to relate?”

“
Ever one for a story, are you not, Rupert?” Major Andre leaned back in a relaxed manner and studied Rupert. “No, I have no stories I want written. I came for information.”

“
You know me
,
Major. Always willing to help if you have need of it.”

Major Andre
’s face broke into a wide grin. “That I know.” He nodded toward Giles, whose back was turned from them. “I believe you may have an inkling of what holds my interest.”

He maintained
his composure. Rupert half turned and glanced over at Giles, who seemed unaware he was being observed. “I suppose, but I’m confused. Is there an issue that I’m not aware of?”

Andre sat back upright and shook his head.
“No. I want only to confirm the news I have received.”

Then he
went silent. Giles stood and took a coin from his pocket. He tossed it on the table before he headed toward the door. He casually walked by the table and acknowledged Rupert. “Good day, Rupert.”

Rupert
nodded and returned the greeting. “And to you, Giles.”

Giles stared at Major Andre
, making Rupert nervous. Rupert relaxed only when Giles continued on his way. Rupert turned back to the major. Andre said nothing more until Giles disappeared from view.

“
It is he,” Andre said. He took a sip of his cup. “The man that wench married.”

Rupert shrugged.
“Yes, I do believe he married the woman you wanted watched. I relayed the information to you at the time, as well as the birth of the child. A boy.”

Looking deadly serious,
Andre placed his glass down. “Alive and well, I take it. I was surprised to hear she married, but it matters not. Though, I do hate my plans to go awry. You said you knew this man personally.”

“
An acquaintance at best, if I was honest, Major. He was…how should I say this? Not within my circle. His father owned a small farm not far from my home. He came from humble beginnings. Over the last few years, he has done well for himself. Profited, I imagine, from his association with you British. His business seems to have flourished under your occupation.”

“
So you are certain he is a Loyalist.”

“
You are asking me, Major? Is there a question? For I thought it was common knowledge he stood behind the British.”

“
For the most part, it would seem so. You have to understand my caution. I have heard he associates with some of the known Patriot sympathizers.”

“
In that I wouldn’t know. With whom does he associate?” Rupert asked as nonchalantly as he could manage.

Andre stared straight at Rupert.
“The Becketts.”

A laugh escaped
Rupert. “Judge Beckett? If that is what concerns you, you will have to watch all of Oyster Bay. Beckett is harmless. He barks loud and makes his opinion widely known. If you were concerned that Giles Cooper is hiding an allegiance, I believe he would be craftier than that. Why, I have even heard Beckett has entertained your soldiers with his stories! He’s a loud old man who wants attention. He’s friend to everyone in the area.”

“
I did not say it concerned me. I wanted only your opinion, which seems to be what the majority hold—that this Beckett is harmless. Except he was arrested last week in New York, loudly espousing his views in the streets.”

“
Arrested, you say. That surprises me. I had not heard,” Rupert admitted.

“
I wager mostly because he has worn on the nerves of those in charge,” Andre said bluntly, motioning with his hands that it seemed trivial. “My only concern lies with this child. I would hate to have him in a home of questionable loyalties.”

“
You have me confused, Major. You indicated it wasn’t a concern when Miss Corbett decided to stay with the Coopers instead of at my home.”

“
I suppose at the time I imagined the child would never survive, given all she endured before the birth. Let us say I would be deeply indebted to you if you keep your eyes and ears open.”

“
For what reason?”

“
Let us just say as a personal favor to me.”

“
But of course.”

Rupert
breathed easier. Andre only wanted another’s opinion, another’s eyes on the child. If Andre had any real questions about Giles’ loyalty, he would have already acted. Rupert was confident of that fact, but it brought about another worry.

If Andre was watching the child
, that meant that in time Durham…General Marcus Durham…could learn of his existence. And if that happened, all hell would break loose.

Setauket

Sounds of the harbor warned of a storm looming on the horizon. It was in the air. A bitter win
d blew off the bay, howling unmercifully. Branches of the battered trees banged against the side of the cottage. Hannah Cooper glanced down at her small infant cradled in her arms. Concern for her babe had lifted when she arrived at the cottage before the rain began.

While she comforted her son in the warmth and safety that the cottage offered, her anxiety turned to her husband, Giles. He was due back from his trip to New York. She hoped he wouldn
’t be caught out in the storm.

She paused for a moment at the thought…her husband. She had to keep reminding herself she was no longer Hannah Corbett, but Hannah Cooper.

Four months had passed since she gave birth to her…their son, Seth. Five months since Giles convinced her to marry him and start afresh. He promised her the life she had always wanted. He took Seth as his own and gave him his name. He swore to protect them both. She had only to trust him.

Trust him she did. She married him. There would be no looking back. There would be no regrets. She looked to the future and it was with Giles.

Giles, her rescuer, had saved her from the depths of hell. Encompassed within a web of lies and deception, Hannah found herself trapped. She had no one to blame but herself. She had been so determined to find the person responsible for her father’s demise.

She left
her home in Williamsburg, and infiltrated her grandfather’s home in New York City with one thought in mind: to find the leak—the spy—within the Patriots, who cost her father his life. Once within the game, she discovered there was no way out…no means of escape until Giles.

For so long, she had spied for the Americans. She found herself caught in the vicious game where lies, betrayal
, and deceit became second nature. She was no longer that fiery spirit who without a thought had entered a world of deceit, a world that tried to claim her soul. She had done all for the cause and belief in the freedom of independence. She had done all so her father and William had not died in vain. Never had she known the price she would have to pay.

When she closed her eyes at night, she could only see victims of her treachery and her nightmare…of the time when she had been kidnapped by Joseph Gannon and her grandfather. Their malicious intent had been made clear—for Hannah to die a cruel and torturous death.

But Giles rescued her. He was her savior. He refused to allow her to blame herself and reminded her of all the good she had accomplished. He had saved more than her life: he saved her soul. She clung to him like she never had clung to anyone. She needed him….

The sound of footsteps down the small hall drew Hannah back to the present. A pleasant plump-cheeked woman emerged out of
the back of the house, shaking her head in disgust.

She fumed,
“I hate that I had to impose upon you. I can’t let the British get the best of us. Those haughty British may have banished me from my own home, but I won’t let them take over everything that is ours. How dare they! First throwing Seliah in that dreadful ship and now this!”

“
Calm yourself, Alice,” Hannah interjected. “I promise they will not move me out. They would not dare, not with an infant.”

Alice
 halted in front of Hannah. Tears welled in the older woman’s eyes. The last few weeks had been hard on her friend when Judge Seliah Beckett, Alice’s husband, had been arrested for surreptitious correspondence with the enemy. Most understood that he was harmless; it was only the man could not control his ranting.

His
endless tirades upon the British had led him to be thrown into the dreaded prison ship,
Jersey.
Over the last couple of weeks, Alice had worked endlessly to gain his release with pleas from Tory relations to bribery with a boatload of food and supplies for the prisoners.

Word had come that his release was imminent, but he would have to leave British
-occupied territory. Arrangements had been made for the family to cross over to Connecticut and await his arrival. Alice had already made one trip across the Sound, taking her large brood of children to settle before their father’s arrival.

Alice returned to her home only to discover that the British had taken full control of the manor house and refused her admittance. Alice would have none of that. She feared losing everything they owned to the British scoundrels if she did not stay. That
, to Alice, was not acceptable. She steadfastly refused to give up control of the estate. The stubborn woman settled herself into a small cottage on their property.

The cottage
itself was quaint, holding only a couple of rooms with an open kitchen area. A small table sat to the left not far from the large fireplace; in the back of the house there was a tiny room that held not much more than a bed. It had been built years before to house the overseer to the Becketts’ land. At the moment, it was the string that the Becketts held to their property.

“
I’m afraid that Giles might not agree. He will be angry with me, but I don’t see another option. I do feel so guilty for asking you to do me this favor, but I won’t be gone long. I don’t feel you will be in any danger. They have no quarrel with you. It is Seliah’s foolish temper.” Alice choked back her emotions. “I need to see Seliah…to make sure he is well.”

Alice
’s words faded in the small room. Hannah understood the woman’s pain. She understood the devastation of watching your world collapse around you to the point where nothing made sense. It was that basic instinct of survival…that need for the one you love…just to touch him…to talk with him…for him to make the world around you disappear, if only for a moment.

“
Everything will be fine. I won’t let them confiscate anything while you are gone if I can help it. As for Giles, he will understand,” Hannah reassured her friend. “I will take the time to enjoy my son and the peace and quiet. The tavern has been busy…and noisy as of late.”

“
You’re a good friend. There is much weighing on us…all of us. It is times such as these that we learn what true friends we have. Giles is one of ours. He is a good man. Seliah and I were so happy that he married you.”

Alice sank down on the sofa by the open window. Hannah saw the woman
’s shoulders droop. The poor thing was tired.

“
I am the lucky one to be welcomed as I have,” Hannah said. She sensed the woman’s warm sympathy for her since the moment they met.

Alice glanced at Hannah uncertainly. The woman had a look that something weighed on her mind. She hesitated before she came to a decision.

“While I was in New York, I visited with Reverend Brown. A good soul. He and Seliah go back a long way. He has worked incessantly to help free Seliah. Reverend Brown said he knew you and spoke fondly of you. He wanted me to give you a message upon learning of your marriage and birth of your son. He said to tell you it is how it should be.”

For a moment, Hannah was at a complete loss for words. The remembrance of Reverend Brown brought back vivid memories. How he pleaded with her to leave Marcus. He told her she had no right to be with him, that she was endangered. She had not listened
, and then they had come…

A sudden loud thud echoed throughout the room
and disturbed their talk. At first, Hannah thought it was the wind, but it came again, harder…a pounding. Hannah felt her heart in her throat. She held Seth tightly against her and looked around the room for a way to flee. To where, she didn’t know…

“
Don’t fear,” Alice said in a calm manner. She rose and walked toward the door. “It can only be one man.”

In the next instant
, a loud, boisterous voice bellowed behind the door. “Alice. It is Caleb!”

Alice gave
Hannah a reassuring smile and unbolted the entrance. Before Alice had a chance to open the door, a huge, formidable seafaring gentleman burst into the room. Without question, he had the look of a sea captain. He wore a wool cap that tilted to the left side of his head. A heavy navy waistcoat hung around his broad shoulders. The coat was left unfastened and exposed a loosely tucked white shirt.

Shutting the door quickly to escape the blustery weather, he paused when he noticed Hannah
with Seth in her lap. He took off his cap and uncovered his stringy mess of windblown hair. He scratched his bristly beard and bowed his head slightly.

“
Captain Caleb Brewster, ma’am.”

“
This, Caleb,” Alice gestured toward Hannah, “is Giles’ bride, Hannah. You might have heard he had his cousin’s widow living with him and Martha.”

“
I admit I had heard a rumor.” He nodded his head a couple of times as if in approval. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. And if I might say, one so lovely. Mighty lucky man! It’s about time Giles settled down, not that I’m asking to, mind ya. It’s not for me, but I can tell we are going to be friends.”

“
I am certain we shall,” Hannah said in an effort to recover from her surprise. The man certainly commanded attention, even from young Seth. Her son’s eyes fixated on the animated object, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

The seafaring captain
bent down and extended his index finger to the babe. Seth took the offering and wrapped his tiny fingers firmly around Caleb’s finger. Caleb roared in laughter.

“
Good grip! Young, though. I like ’em when they can run around a bit.”

“
And tell you how great you are,” Alice finished for him.

“
Nothin’ wrong with that,” Caleb said with wry amusement in his eyes. “A seafaring one, I can see for sure. Wait ’til you’re older, my lad. Uncle Caleb will teach you. Teach ya’ how to sail around Devil’s Belt for sure without ’em Brits seeing you. Ya’ can laugh with me as we watch ’em Yellowcoats run. That’s what ’em do when they see me…run!”

Hannah watched in bewilderment
as her baby cooed at the captain. He seemed quite fascinated with the man. The captain recovered his finger and straightened himself out to full height.

“
Don’t mean to rush, Alice, but there’s a storm brewing. Want to get across before it hits.”

“
Caleb, it’s mid-day. Isn’t that dangerous?”

“
Figure it’s better to get you out of here before the clouds burst. And it’s coming. Can smell it. But don’t you worry none. Be a cold day in hell before any of ’em Brits lay hold of me!” Caleb glanced over at Hannah. “Excuse my language, ma’am. I suppose you’d figured out I run back and forth across the Sound, but so has the British and they can’t do a damn thing about it.”

“
They will not learn about your expeditions from me, Captain Brewster,” Hannah said. “It is our hope you will be able to get across without incident, and the British will not notice Alice’s absence. I serve only to act as a decoy.”

“
After the dressing down I gave Major Channing at the manor, I doubt anyone will check on me for a few days.” Alice hesitated. Hannah saw Alice’s doubts emerge about leaving her alone. Alice was silent for a long moment. Then she said, “I don’t…”

“
I will be fine. Go. Captain Brewster is right. You want to get across before the storm.”

Hannah watched from the window
as the two departed. Captain Brewster had hold of Alice as Alice’s cape blew in the wind. They walked furtively down the path to the beach. She prayed that the captain got them to their destination before the storm broke. Somehow she thought he would.

She continued to stare out the window long after the two had disappeared
from view. Something was going on around her. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was more here than met the eye. She sighed heavily. She had to get a hold of herself. She had lived too long in a world of deception that she saw it everywhere around her.

*
* * *

Hannah rocked her son in her arms.
Thankfully, sleep had finally claimed him. After Captain Brewster and Alice departed, he had become quite fussy. The afternoon had been devoted to the comfort of her young son.

She hadn
’t a clue what the cause of his discomfort was. She wished she had her sister-in-law, Martha, here to advise her. For the first time since she agreed to stay in the cottage, she questioned the wisdom of this venture.

Never in her life had she thought herself as a coward, but that was before New York, before she lived under the constant threat of discovery and the fate that would await her if discovered, before she was kidnapped by a
madman, before she was ripped apart from the man whom she had loved…but that was another lifetime ago.

The wind howled loudly outside the door as the night crept in with its stealthy cloak of darkness. The storm showed no signs of easing. A torrential rain beat down upon the roof as the wind pounded against the house. Hannah rose and la
id her sleeping child down in a makeshift basinet in the small bedroom. She needed to find sleep herself.

She changed
into her white nightdress, took the pins from her hair and then brushed it out. She lay down, but couldn’t find sleep.