Loki: Heh, Portugal got what they deserved. Since I had spread of provinces on 200 years only 3 countries got into the Americas, and since Spain was my vassal for a long time it was only me and Portugal. So this was all about stealing the islands from them. I admit I did have a horrified moment when I saw my fleet destroyed so I brought my battlefleet from Europe and hunted the Portuguese ships down in revenge.
Arakhor: Don't feel for them...feel for the Spanish who I shall soon vent my fury on.
Chapter 36 – Puzzle Pieces
2/2/1820
The first thing that John noticed was that there were more guards around Three Oaks as the carriage pulled in. Christian opened the door for him and he was able to head inside. It seemed incredible that a month ago today he had only just received his first letter from her Ladyship. Now, so much had happened. He had asked Elijah to come along, but his friend was busy tidying up the mess made by the fight.
When John entered the house he was met by Victoria who ran over to him, looking very happy. “I was so glad to hear you were safe, sir!” she said, smiling at him.
“Thank you, Victoria. I’m fine.” He patted the maid on the shoulder in a reassuring way.
After a moment she remembered herself. “This way, sir. Her Ladyship is waiting.”
Lady Mendenhall was indeed waiting in that sitting room from so long before.
“John, I am very pleased to see you unharmed. I should have sent an escort for you. I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “I can’t live my life under guard. We need to find out exactly who is causing this trouble and stop them.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I have taken the precaution of putting some guards near both yours and your friend’s houses. Come, take a seat. We have important things to discuss. Victoria, please leave us,” she ordered, but with a smile. The girl left them alone, closing the door.
John took a seat. “Where’s Tempest?”
“Meeting with a friend of mine. I am getting ready for tomorrow.”
“What’s happening tomorrow?”
“Ah, that is the question, isn’t it?” her Ladyship asked with a teasing little smile. “It all depends on if I am right. Tell me, what did you discover?”
John pulled out the message from Joseph Hill and handed it over. “I’m pretty sure they wanted me, and this message.”
“Yes, that seems most likely.” Lady Mendenhall took it and read the message. “Yes, this is exactly what I want, John. So, I think I know exactly what is happening, or at least most of it.”
“Please tell me!” John said, worried that she’d go back to being infuriatingly close with her thoughts.
Lady Mendenhall nodded. “Very well. Let me tell you what I think, and I will leave the rest up to you. John, do you remember the background and leaders of the American Rebellion?”
“I was only fourteen, and not in America when it started. I was a little occupied…,” he added pointedly.
“Yes, your mother, I’m sorry to bring it up, but it is important. There were three leaders, William Jefferson and two brothers, Isaac and Kyran Masters. There were few people in America supportive of the rebellion in 1814. In 1770 it had received popular support, but this time it was looked on as unnecessary. Only a thuggish element and a few genuine patriots joined it. William Jefferson was a man of considerable talents, and was rather idealistic. He wanted America to determine its own fate. Of course, I’d always made sure that certain mistakes from my future were not made, so they already had strong representation. The Masters brothers though were mercenaries, fighting for the cause in the hopes of reward. They were also very talented, though in a darker side than Jefferson.”
“In February 1814 they planned a rebellion against Carolina, especially South Carolina. There was very little support in the north, but the south was angered by the adoption of cotton from India and cheaper labour there. However, they also wanted to raid Hartford, the biggest city in North America. Their plan was that while Jefferson led the southern rebels the Masters brothers would do their raid on Hartford. Now, I was there and intercepted a message about this, so I advised them to ambush the Rebels as they approached. The Second Battle of New Market was over pretty quickly, but we soon learned that a force had gone quickly and quietly launched their attack.”
Lady Mendenhall paused in her lecture and looked at John. “One of my greatest regrets is that I didn’t anticipate that. I thought they would send all their men in one group, not have the leaders charge off ahead. I misjudged.”
John shook his head. “You’re not to blame. The fact you stopped the majority was a great achievement.”
“If you say so… Regardless, this small group broke into the tariff office and made off with loot, then stormed the Governor’s residence. And by bad luck that was where your mother was. Harry and I got back into Hartford and I killed Isaac myself, I was perhaps a little angry with myself as much as anything. Kyran though got away. He had at least a thousand pounds in paper and coined money from the Tariff Office and escaped. As you also know William Jefferson was hanged after he was captured and the Rebellion was crushed. Kyran escaped though.”
“So what has this to do with now? Do you think this Streams is Kyran Masters?”
“The name suggests it. Streams is an anagram of Masters. There’s also the fact that he is clearly American and there is no record of him before 1816. One of my friends at court described him and he is almost certainly him. The eyes are the right colour, the height is right. I needed your information though to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake. Now I am convinced I am on the right track. But we must be careful, John. We might think we know the truth, but we must be careful as we have no definitive proof.”
“What’s the next step?”
“We need to go to the palace, and I must see the Queen, and Harry’s son more importantly. I have an idea about how to help the Queen, but I’ll need to see her first.”
“Very well. Will you keep the people watching my family? I think I best stay the night here, if you are willing.”
“Most certainly. I will have a room made up. Victoria will help you out.”
“Thank you Lady. Until tomorrow then.”
“Goodbye for the present, John Adams.”