exact whereabouts. Mercy had mixed emotions regarding this shocking news. Lately she had been happier than at any other time in her life, lying in Jacob’s arms every night in Belle and Hendry’s Portsmouth home and grateful that this arrangement had been made possible by Hendry and Belle, who had offered to chaperone them for as long as necessary. But at the back of her mind were nagging worries about Jacob’s wife. Mercy had no love for Elizabeth, but she well knew Madam du Pont’s cruelty and could only imagine that Jacob’s wife was being manipulated and cheated out of her newfound wealth.
Jacob had requested leave in order to bring Elizabeth back, such was his sense of duty towards his soon-to-be ex-wife; however, the country was at war, so the task of bringing Elizabeth home had fallen to Elizabeth’s father. Mr Coulter had returned a week later lamenting that his daughter had been found but was extremely happy living in a rented house in central Richmond. According to him, Elizabeth had absolutely no intention of leaving Richmond in the near future. In fact, she was thinking of purchasing a house there.
Mercy waved to Jacob, striding towards her in shiny new boots to match his fresh grey uniform and hat with gold tassels. He wore a gold sash today. She had made it for him after purchasing material in the haberdashery store, which had profited greatly in sales of military attire, from gloves to coats. She had never seen him look so handsome. “Is it time? Have you said your farewells?” she asked.
“It is time, my darling. So where is my brother?” Jacob asked worriedly. “He promised to be here by noon.”
“Are you sure he’s not at sea already? You know how sudden things can change.”
“He might be. He did say he might not get back today. If he doesn’t get here before I leave, I want you to tell him that I’ll miss him – and tell him not to break the damn ship.”
Jacob grinned and kissed Mercy’s hand. He was terrified of leaving her alone, yet he was determined to say goodbye to her with a smile and a kiss. He could ill afford to display the anxiety that was cramping his stomach and making him feel as sick as a dog, for that would only cause her more worry. Even so, he did feel sick and painfully aware that he was scared of what was to come in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
He looked at Mercy’s sweet face searching for Hendry. He could happily gaze at her forever. He loved the way her eyes shone with youthful passion, her soft playful smile, and her unending desire to learn about his country. He not only loved her, he thought, watching her; he also admired her. She had been treated abominably since her arrival in Portsmouth, yet she had faced the hatred and spiteful comments thrown at her with stoic patience and dignity. She had put the ladies of Portsmouth to shame as far as he was concerned.
Madame du Pont came to Jacob’s mind, and as always, anger joined the thought. Her lies had been the catalyst for Mercy’s latest troubles. Du Pont had spread falsehood after falsehood until a ripple of rumours had become a tidal wave of attacks on Mercy’s character.
Du Pont’s death would alleviate Mercy’s suffering, Jacob thought, but it would not dismiss the damage the old whore had already caused – that was now irreparable. The world and everyone in it would be better off without the vile creature, yet for some reason, the Lord often chose to protect evil. The good often died at an early age while monsters roamed for decades upon decades, until their outer shells were as black and crippled as the soul itself. Maybe God put evil on Earth to challenge humanity’s resolve. Whatever his reason, Madame du Pont had outstayed her welcome in this world!
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to Stone Plantation?” he asked Mercy, who was now looking decidedly uncomfortable in the crowd.
“No, as much as I would love to be with Belle and Grace, I’m unwilling to drag Belle
Jacob had requested leave in order to bring Elizabeth back, such was his sense of duty towards his soon-to-be ex-wife; however, the country was at war, so the task of bringing Elizabeth home had fallen to Elizabeth’s father. Mr Coulter had returned a week later lamenting that his daughter had been found but was extremely happy living in a rented house in central Richmond. According to him, Elizabeth had absolutely no intention of leaving Richmond in the near future. In fact, she was thinking of purchasing a house there.
Mercy waved to Jacob, striding towards her in shiny new boots to match his fresh grey uniform and hat with gold tassels. He wore a gold sash today. She had made it for him after purchasing material in the haberdashery store, which had profited greatly in sales of military attire, from gloves to coats. She had never seen him look so handsome. “Is it time? Have you said your farewells?” she asked.
“It is time, my darling. So where is my brother?” Jacob asked worriedly. “He promised to be here by noon.”
“Are you sure he’s not at sea already? You know how sudden things can change.”
“He might be. He did say he might not get back today. If he doesn’t get here before I leave, I want you to tell him that I’ll miss him – and tell him not to break the damn ship.”
Jacob grinned and kissed Mercy’s hand. He was terrified of leaving her alone, yet he was determined to say goodbye to her with a smile and a kiss. He could ill afford to display the anxiety that was cramping his stomach and making him feel as sick as a dog, for that would only cause her more worry. Even so, he did feel sick and painfully aware that he was scared of what was to come in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
He looked at Mercy’s sweet face searching for Hendry. He could happily gaze at her forever. He loved the way her eyes shone with youthful passion, her soft playful smile, and her unending desire to learn about his country. He not only loved her, he thought, watching her; he also admired her. She had been treated abominably since her arrival in Portsmouth, yet she had faced the hatred and spiteful comments thrown at her with stoic patience and dignity. She had put the ladies of Portsmouth to shame as far as he was concerned.
Madame du Pont came to Jacob’s mind, and as always, anger joined the thought. Her lies had been the catalyst for Mercy’s latest troubles. Du Pont had spread falsehood after falsehood until a ripple of rumours had become a tidal wave of attacks on Mercy’s character.
Du Pont’s death would alleviate Mercy’s suffering, Jacob thought, but it would not dismiss the damage the old whore had already caused – that was now irreparable. The world and everyone in it would be better off without the vile creature, yet for some reason, the Lord often chose to protect evil. The good often died at an early age while monsters roamed for decades upon decades, until their outer shells were as black and crippled as the soul itself. Maybe God put evil on Earth to challenge humanity’s resolve. Whatever his reason, Madame du Pont had outstayed her welcome in this world!
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to Stone Plantation?” he asked Mercy, who was now looking decidedly uncomfortable in the crowd.
“No, as much as I would love to be with Belle and Grace, I’m unwilling to drag Belle
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