Wide is the Water by Jane Aiken Hodge

Author:Jane Aiken Hodge
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 1981-10-19T21:00:00+00:00

XIII

Anxiously reading and rereading the reports of Hart’s capture by the British, Mercy consoled herself as best she might with the fact that there was no reference to her. ‘Dare I hope, do you think, that word of what I did in Savannah has not reached England?’ she asked Charles Brisson one fine May morning when he had found her and Ruth hemming sheets in their blossom-filled garden.

‘One should always hope,’ said Charles Brisson. ‘It is better for the soul than despairing. But one should also be a little realistic, madame.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘That I am afraid word of your reception here in Philadelphia is bound to reach the British in New York. You know how it is. There is constant traffic across the debatable ground between the two armies. Sooner or later they will hear in New York that you are living here, that you have been welcomed, feted … And how rightly so! But from the point of view of your husband, it can only be unfortunate. News that reaches New York reaches England in the end. I would not be your friend if I did not admit to you that it can only prejudice his position when he stands trial.’

‘Trial? You think it will come to that?’

‘It will be a miracle if it does not. A known privateer … and with, forgive me, a known spy for his wife … What he did at Savannah is one thing; then he might be considered a part of the American navy … though, mind you, even that is not necessarily a protection. You know as well as I do that General Washington, General Arnold, all of them lead their lives with the feel of the noose about their throats. What do you think Charles Lee expected when he was captured in ’76.’

‘Death?’ The needle dropped from her cold fingers. ‘Mr. Brisson, you can’t think … they wouldn’t, the British? They are civilised people.’ It was so exactly what she had secretly feared that she could hardly forgive him for putting it into words.

‘Civilised? Who is really so when it comes to the point? Face it, madame. From all one hears, the antiwar party is growing daily in strength, over there in London, and the government may be pushed to desperate measures to whip up support for the war. What more effective than a show trial? You know what feelings were roused by John Paul Jones’s ravages round the British coasts last year. I would not wish to see your husband made scapegoat for his exploits, madame.’

‘Oh, God!’ She dropped the sheet on the grass. ‘What shall I do? You’re the only person I really trust, here in Philadelphia. You and Ruth, of course.’ She reached out a quick hand to press Ruth’s, which had also fallen listless on to her sewing as she listened to them.

‘I am glad you say so.’ He glanced quickly round the sunny garden. ‘Ruth, would you be so good as to make sure we cannot be disturbed? There is something I very much want to say to Mrs.

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