The Hearts of Liberty (Four Complete Historical Romance Novels in One) by Phoebe Conn

Author:Phoebe Conn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2016-05-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Byron insisted that Arielle remain in bed for several days to make certain her ordeal had no tragic consequences, but he visited her so often she soon began to enjoy the luxury of enforced rest. One day she finally broached what she feared might still be a sensitive topic.

"You've not mentioned Gaetan. What's to become of him and the others?"

Byron tickled her foot playfully. "Ian and Graham were witnesses to your kidnapping, so I could have left Gaetan and his friends in their custody."

He was smiling, so she knew that he hadn't. "Tell me what you did."

"I told them Gaetan's judgment was clouded by love. Because the Acadians have suffered enough, I tried to convince them to let the three men go on to New Orleans. They objected because there was a stolen ship involved, but I promised to cover the owner's losses. I explained no matter where Gaetan was sent he would cause endless trouble, and confident of that, they agreed to foist him off on the French. He and his friends left Williamsburg this morning with a military escort that will see them safely to Newport News, and on board a ship bound for New Orleans.

"You may be assured that I made it clear to them that should they ever return to Virginia, they would be buried here."

That Byron would not only plead for leniency for his arch enemy but also cover the man's debts made a deep impression on Arielle. "I know you did this for me, and I'll always be grateful."

Mirroring her sincerity, Byron caught her gaze and held it. "I did it for all of us, Arielle. Gaetan and I have fought for the last time. If I ever see him again I'm not going to waste a second asking why he's come. I'm going to shoot him and his companions as well."

Arielle couldn't help but shudder. "He won't come back. When he realized I'd set fire to the schooner rather than sail with him, he knew his cause was lost."

"I have to admit it was a convincing gesture, but I don't want you to have to do anything that dangerous ever again. I intend to take much better care of you from now on, and I've spoken again with my mother. She finally understands what's expected of her. I made the same plea again for Hunter as well. I'm tired of watching her walk around him, and I'm certain he is, too. Christian is an adorable child, and he needs his grandmother's love. The makeup of our family may have changed, but it's still our family, and I want it filled with love rather than resentment."

"That's a beautiful thought, but as I've told you so often, you can't force your mother to love us."

"Perhaps not, but I can keep insisting that she treat you with the respect she's promised to show. I've encouraged her to visit friends rather than become isolated, and with a new grandchild come spring, she'll have every reason to make you feel welcome here.

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