Free Elizabeth Meyette by Loves Spirit Page A

woods surrounding Brentwood Manor. Each day she seemed a little more frantic, unable to concentrate, unable to eat, unable to think of anything but Jonathon’s safety. A week after Michael had provided his veiled warning, a carriage rolled up the drive. Emily’s heart raced; it was Andrew. She rose from her seat on the terrace, and went to meet him.
    “Andrew, how wonderful to see you!” she cried as he wrapped his sister in his arms.
    “We must talk somewhere completely safe,” he whispered as he hugged her. Releasing her he said in a loud voice, “I have missed my sister, and had to forsake all other duties and visit.” His eyes surreptitiously roamed the property as he spoke.
    Arm in arm they returned to the terrace. Emily went inside, carefully checking the parlor as she passed through to ensure no one was occupying it. She rang for Dulcie. The woman who had been nursemaid to both Jonathon and Joanna, and who now supervised the household slaves, hurried in from the back of the manor.
    “Yes, Miss Emily?”
    “Dulcie, Andrew has arrived. Would you please bring us some cider?” she asked. Returning to the veranda, she checked the parlor again to ensure their privacy.
    “Andrew, the British are searching Brentwood land for Jonathon. Surely they will find him in the cabin — it is just a matter of time before he is captured.” With each whispered word her voice rose in notes of panic, but Andrew patted her hand in an attempt to calm her.
    “He is not there, Emily,” he said quietly noting that his words did not register. He took her face into his hands and silenced her. “Emily, Jonathon is no longer at the cabin. Randy and Gates moved him last week.”
    She stopped and looked intently into his eyes trying to understand his words. When comprehension struck, she slumped back in her chair and began to tremble. She wiped away the tears of relief that streamed down her cheeks.
    “Where is he, Andrew?” she asked quietly.
    He reached into his pocket and produced a note. Emily recognized Jonathon’s handwriting, although it appeared shaky and as though written in haste. She held the note in her hand afraid to open it, afraid of what it might say. Would this be his farewell to her? Would he be unable to ever step foot on his beloved Brentwood Plantation again? Her hands shook, and she carefully turned the note over, broke the seal and opened the folded page.
    My dearest Emily, love of my life,
    I must relocate for my own safety, and I do not know at this time where I shall be. Your visits meant everything to me; I shall cherish the memories of our brief times together. As soon as it is safe to do so, I shall return to you. I made a promise that I shall be there when our child is born and I shall move heaven and earth to keep that promise to you. I carry you in my heart and live for the day when I can again hold you in my arms.
    Your Beloved,
    Jonathon
    Tears spilled onto the paper blurring some of the words, and Emily quickly dried them saving the script. She looked at Andrew, smiling in gratitude.
    “When did you last see him?”
    “I did not. Randy gave me the letters to deliver,” he answered.
    “Letters?” she asked.
    “Yes, I have another for David. Jonathon had some instructions for him about the plantation as well as some news about the upcoming vote in the Virginia Convention,” he explained. “I had best go find him as Jonathon said it is imperative for him to read this immediately.” With that he rose, hugged his sister and went in pursuit of David.
    Left to herself, Emily reread the note and kissed his signature. She traced each letter that he had written knowing that her fingers touched the paper where his had rested. Knowing this made him feel closer somehow and she repeated the motion until the ink began to smudge from the oils on her fingers. Gently she folded the note and tucked it into the bodice of her gown.
    • • •
    Andrew found David in the stables just returning from one of the