The Power and the Glory by William C. Hammond Read Free Book Online Page A

proceedings on the dais until he noticed Agreen Crabtree trying to make his way toward him. It was slow going, for there were many partygoers in between, and Agreen cut a popular swath in Hingham.

    â€œAhoy, Agee,” Richard said when they were together. “How’s Lizzy?”
    â€œDoin’ fine,” Agreen said. “Disappointed not t’ be here. Dr. Prescott’s given her strict orders t’ stay put. I don’t plan t’ stay long myself. Just wanted t’ pay my respects t’ the men.” His eyes narrowed. “Anne told Lizzy you’ve heard from Captain Truxtun.”
    â€œThat’s right, I have. A post arrived yesterday.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œI’m to meet with him in three weeks’ time. He’ll size me up and figure out what to do with me—if anything. While I’m down there I plan to stroll around a bit, maybe talk to a few people. Father thinks we should consider opening a second office in Baltimore. It’s our westernmost seaport, and it has easy access to Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley. From there we can ship our goods inland. Plus, it’s well protected from storms and invasion. And, it’s a lot closer to the Indies than Boston.”
    â€œThat’s true; all of it. Baltimore’s quite the place, I’m here t’ tell you. I dropped anchor there twice while in Sloane’s employ. I’d give a sow’s ear t’ join you on this cruise ’cause I’d enjoy takin’ you around t’ some of the choice spots. ’Course, seein’ as how you’re so prim and proper and all, I’d have t’ limit my tour t’ the respectable establishments. But no matter, you haven’t invited me; and besides, I wouldn’t want t’ leave Lizzy in her state.”
    Richard nodded his agreement. “You’re on the beach until the baby’s delivered, no question. Maybe after that . . . What is it, Agee?” he asked when he noticed Agreen’s attention focusing on something over his shoulder. “Why the silly grin?”
    â€œAh, Richard? Friendly fire’s comin’ up aft. I suggest you wear ship.”
    Richard turned around to find Anne-Marie Endicott standing demurely before him. She was dressed simply, as was her custom since casting off the trappings of a marquise and fleeing France back in ’89. But the simple rose-colored cotton dress and the off-white shawl draped across her slender shoulders neither concealed nor diminished a physical presence so alluring that, in pre-revolutionary France, la crème de la crème of Parisian society had characterized the Swiss-born beauty as une belle femme du monde , an expression denoting either high praise or deep envy, depending on who was offering the comment. A flourish of thick, flowing curls framed delicate facial features, the black locks a sharp contrast to Richard’s yellow hair. Yet the eyes settling affectionately upon him were as bright a sky blue as his own.

    â€œHello, Richard,” she greeted him. “You seem surprised to see me.”
    He kept his expression noncommittal. “Not surprised, Anne-Marie. Happy. I’m always happy to see you.”
    â€œWell, I’m grateful for that.”
    His gaze took her in with the same pulse of warmth he had felt when he first met her in Paris back in ’78 while in the company of Captain Jones and Benjamin Franklin. And when, weeks later following a performance of The Barber of Seville at the Tuilleries, they had first nestled naked on her bed and she had initiated him into the glorious rites of manhood. He had felt that same pulse when, years later, he met her again in Paris, this time under far less romantic circumstances, for he was married and the father of three children, and she was newly widowed. Her husband, Bernard-René de Launay, had several weeks earlier been seized by the mob and dragged off to the place de Grève. There