I Am Jessamine

Jess walked down the passage again with a tray in her hands and there were two new linebacker guards at the door. They bowed respectfully and the door got opened and Jess walked in with one of the guards.

“Wakey, wakey. Eggs ’n bakey.” She shouted and Nick glared at her from under the covers.

“I never ordered breakfast.” He grumbled meanly.

“This isn’t a hotel, brother. You miss breakfast the kitchen is closed to you for the rest of the day.” Jess placed the tray on top of the chest of drawers and filled his goblet with water.

“Unless you haven’t noticed I happen to be over here, in bed.” And he rolled his eyes as though she were some stupid person.

Jess ignored him and sat on the chair, “So, ready to have a conversation with the big people?”

“Piss off!” he said nastily.

“That’s fine, Nicky, but you’re running out of time you know?” she said as she stood up and turned towards the door.

“What do you mean? Why would I be running out of time? For what?” he snapped.

“There are charges against you for running young Shawn through. The parents of the murdered boy want justice. They want the murderer hung. If you don’t talk to me I hand you over to the authorities and you get sent to Longmore. Perhaps you will meet up with Daniels and the two of you can keep each other company and cry on each other’s shoulders about how unfair life is.” Jess nodded her head at the guard and he tapped the door. She heard the lock turn and the door opened. Just as she stepped out Nick shouted, “Wait, Jessie! Wait! I will talk. Just don’t let them send me away! Jessie!” but Jess carried on walking and the door locked behind her once more.

Jess decided she would take him his dinner later on in the day and see if he would talk then without being coerced. As she was thinking this she walked around the corner and noticed a brief glimpse of a shadow, but it was so brief that she thought she may have imagined it if she had been the type of person who ignored what her eyes saw, but she wasn’t. She walked a little further on as though she knew where she was going and then at the last minute turned around and headed back the way she had come, but a lot quicker.

As she retraced her steps she heard a door click closed quietly, but because she was making as little noise as possible she heard it. One thing Jess never did was doubt herself and this time was no exception. Walking quietly but swiftly Jess saw a fleeting shadow beneath a door and without hesitating she grabbed the handle, twisted and pushed the door open with a quick run at the door. She heard and felt the door smack flesh and someone behind the door made an ’oof’ sound and Jess pushed the door again as far as she could and used it as a shield. Banging on the body, which was also being banged against the wall behind the door, until she felt sure enough that she could look and see who it is.

Letting the door go Jess stepped around and saw blood on the door and wall and looked down to see the butler chap that had done her bidding just the night before.

“Just what do you think you’re about? Why are you following me and spying?” Jess was shouting loud enough for one of the guards to come running and some of the maids to pop around corners with feather dusters and rags in their hands.

“What have you done to Mister Barnes?” asked a shocked guard as he stood and stared at the man on the floor holding his bloody nose.

“I hit him with the door.” Said Jess with a frown, “He was spying on me and I want to know why?” The guard pulled Mister Barnes to his feet and the man wobbled ever so slightly.

“Answer the question, Mister Barnes. The Mistress wants to know why you were spying on her. Speak up now, please.” The guard said poking him with a thick stick.

“I was not spying.” He said arrogantly through bloody lips and swelling nose, and stared balefully at Jess.

“Yes you were. Why did you try and hide from me in here if you heard me retracing my steps? What reason could you possibly have to be in this room?” and looking around Jess saw that it was a linen dry room.

Mister Barnes stared at her and did not speak. “Let us go and speak to my grandfather about this and see what he has to say.” Said Jess and huffily walked out back into the passage, and everyone who had been witness was in tow. The rest, and those who wanted no part of any drama, ducked their heads back inside doors and around corners.

After explaining the situation to her mother Jess asked if they should speak to her grandfather and Genevieve said they would have to as he was the only one who knew where Mister Barnes came from and what his story was.

Jess felt incredibly guilty as her grandfather was very old and he was still running the huge estate with the help of Genevieve when she was able to. When Jessie spoke to him he was very alert and incredibly concerned as Mister Barnes had been referred to him by an old acquaintance. His friend had offered to find alternative employment for him as their home had been taken by the Empire for alleged crimes against the King. “Of course, he denied such claims, but according to the papers drawn against him, there were several verified affidavits. The poor man felt so bad for his staff that he went out of his way to find them all posts and I offered to take Mister Barnes and a family who was good with the animals.” Her grandfather raised his hands in a ‘what can you do’ gesture and Jess frowned.

“So, this friend of yours had no idea who wrote the affidavits against him?” Jess asked feeling angry about the injustices of the world in this century.

“Yes. He said they were not revealed to him. He was simply told to vacate or suffer the consequences.” And Jess stared in utter disbelief.

“For all you know, this Barnes fellow could just as well be one of those who wrote false affidavits against his own master and now is perhaps trying to do the same to you?” Jess was angry now and tired of this nonsense.

“Mister Barnes, come in,” Jess said curtly.

Standing with his nose in the air and an unapologetic look on his face Jess said, “Mister Barnes you will reveal who you are spying for. It is not a question, it is a statement. Should you choose to continue standing with your nose in the air let me inform you right now, I will go out of my way to find the worst things possible a person can do and I am going to have you accused of doing just that. If it is acceptable for servants to go around telling lies about their masters for a profit, well then the masters should be able to treat the servants in the exact same fashion.” Jessie stood with her arms folded across her chest and watched a myriad of emotions play across his face.

Mister Barnes opened his mouth and then closed it again as though choosing what to say and then changing his mind. Jess and her grandfather waited. Finally, as though giving up, his shoulders slumped and he pulled the powdered wig from his head and had a totally defeated look on his face.

“I was in the employ of the late Master Murphy many years ago, when I was a young lad. I remember young Master Grayson and I was there when his sister got killed and then the Mistress died and when the family lost their home and lands to Brigadier General Rancliff.” He looked down at the wig in his hands and Jess marvelled at his sleek silver hair. Indicating with a hand to a chair Jessie nodded and Mister Barnes moved to sit down. With his elbows on his knees he played with the wig for a bit and then continued. “All I have ever known is this and doing the bidding of whichever master I have worked for, but things became very difficult and I thought that I could steal a few silver items and have them melted down by my brother, who is a blacksmith. He learned how to work with gold and silver as well as other metals.” Flicking his hand as though chasing a memory away he sighed. “Rancliff himself caught me with the silver and threatened all sorts of heinous punishments as he said I had stolen what he considered his property. Even though he had not worked a day in his life for what he illegally took to be his own.” Barnes shook his head sadly. “I honestly thought I was done for and that I would be hanged or at the least have my hands chopped off. But no, he did the next worst thing and had my youngest son’s throat slit.” Mr. Barnes squeezed his eyes shut at the memory as though shutting out what he could. He choked lightly at the memory and Jess could hear the air catching in his throat as he tried to control himself before he continued. “Daniels, the sick mongrel, did the deed. In front of my wife and three other children, no less. Rancliff then told me the next one would be my daughter. He described in vile detail what he would have done to her and then have her sold as a slave to someone of the Musulman religion. My wife begged me to do as he said and save my family, so I did.” He shrugged his shoulders and looked incredibly sad and tired. “I have been a spy for Rancliff for many years in various homes on various estates. When I would have nothing of value to report he would threaten my family again. So, I began helping him make up stories against these various families and that is how he managed to get them imprisoned or hanged for treason and the King was so happy that he gave the lands to Rancliff. It was their spoils of war, he would say.” He had tears in his eyes and he looked up at her grandfather and said, “I have never said anything untoward about you, Sire, but when your granddaughter arrived I received a message from Rancliff saying he wanted to know everything that she was doing. I do not know all of his plans, but I do know he wants to somehow get his hands on your property and your granddaughter gone.” He looked shamefaced and ducked his chin down as he added, “He would preferably have her sold as a slave to a brothel at some out-of-the-way island that he had heard of. I think he called it Nassau.” He shrugged his shoulders as Jess stared at him with the feeling of shock tingling her belly.

Mister Barnes added quietly, “He once said to me that Ireland was a nice little place that he wished to rule over and if he had more land and more money than the King he would be able to make a big enough financial offer to the crown and then become the ruler of Ireland.”

Putting her shock and disgust aside Jess couldn’t help but feel great compassion for this man who had been put in a terrible position and had done what he could to pay for his misdemeanor and protect his family. She came straight out with her next question and she stared hard at his face so she could read him. “Where does he keep all of the title deeds and his secured bank drafts from his dealings and thefts?”

“At his home in Dun Laoghaire.” He replied honestly and matter-of-factly.

Nodding her head Jess stood up and put her hand on his shoulder, “I am so sorry you have been treated so poorly and forced to lie so terribly. Let me have a word with my grandfather, Mr. Barnes, and then I will come and find you. Go and have a cup of tea.”

Looking up at Jess his eyes were sad, but there was hope there too. “You truly are what they say. Your kindness and selflessness are inspiring and also humbling, Mistress, thank you.”

Standing and turning to her grandfather he bowed low and then turned and left the room.

Jess turned to her grandfather and he was staring at her. Jess felt a little awkward and smiled back at him, “What is it?” she asked and knelt in front of him. “Was I too presumptuous in taking over the conversation and giving instruction?” Jess felt worried she had overstepped some boundary

“Oh, good lord, no child.” He smiled and patted her arm, “You remind me of your mother. I happen to agree most heartily with how you dealt with the situation. But now, knowing what you do, what do you intend to do about it?” he asked with a look of knowing on his face.

“I do have some ideas, but I will need to get Nick straightened out first, and then I will have to do a bit of research. How big and up to date is your library?” Smiling at her the old Duke seemed to get life in him and his walking stick barely touched the tiles as he marched off with Jess in tow.

The double doors to the library were opened by two servants and the smell was the first thing Jess caught. Wood, polish, leather, and that ever-familiar smell of musty books. Jess stood staring at the rows upon rows of books and scrolls. The walls were full of shelves with books upon them and along one wall there were windows from floor to ceiling that let in the light.

“This is amazing.” She said breathlessly and her grandfather smiled proudly as he said, “My grandfather started this library and then my father continued as did I. We have an accumulation of works here that any library would kill for.” Walking down one of the rows the old man came to a large wooden structure of a large number of thin sets of drawers. He came to one set that he pulled open with ease. Gently lifting out the carefully bound parchment he laid it on a nearby table. Jess took a closer look and her eyes widened. “Is this what I think it is?” she asked as she looked closer but dared not touch.

“What do you think it is then child?” the old man asked with a gleam in his eyes and a grin on his lips.

“It looks like a detailed map of Venice and what lies beneath the city on water,” Jess said leaning closer and her grandfather turned the page to show even more drawings of the details of the place.

“You are quite right, my girl. I have one of the most famous copies in all the land. I have been offered a lot of money for these, but I could never part with it.” He gently closed the pages and returned them to their place in its drawer.

Jess noticed that there were many of these slender drawers so she asked the one question that she prayed she would get an affirmative answer. “Do you have copies of all buildings of famous estates and their lands in here?”

Looking at Jess with his now familiar smile he said, “Of course I do. I have one of the most accurate and extensive selections of architectural drawings of nearly every estate home in almost the entire Ireland.” Before Jessie could ask her next question the Duke pointed to a drawer lower down and asked if Jess would be so kind as to take the papers out of that drawer.

Doing so Jess could already see by the drawings that it was a very large mansion. Even bigger than Broch de Clisson. In fact, she mused, it looked like a really fancy hotel for the twenty-first century. Lifting the fine parchment very carefully she laid it out on the large wooden table nearby and her grandfather pointed to the name at the top of the page. ‘Dun Laoghaire Estate’.

Looking at him Jessie saw a familiar look and she knew that she often had that look when she was onto something and was plotting and planning. “You know what I am going to do, don’t you?” she whispered to her grandfather.

“Oh aye, and if anybody can pull it off, it will be you, Jessamine.” He sounded so sure and totally unperturbed by the fact Jess was planning something incredibly illegal and if she got caught she would be in deep shit.

“Right then, let us have a look and start making notes. I need paper and ink.” Jess said and the old man pointed towards a larger glass-fronted drawer where there was an assortment of quills, inks, and paper.

Jess collected all she needed and sat down with the Duke and began making notes and memorising the layout of the massive property. There were a lot of problems for would-be burglars, but there were also a lot of places where they could get in and out easily. They would need keys and they would also need to find out the livery colours. There was an entrance they could use on land and then there was also a place they could use if they came in from the ocean. Jess discussed this with her grandfather and he agreed that both areas appeared to be easy access to the estate, but the land would be better because of the surrounding hills where their mounts could be hidden with someone for a quick getaway whereas the sea would be open and their efforts would then only be able to be conducted at night so as to remain invisible to others, but there was still an element of uncertainty there. Jess had to agree with him and then asked his advice concerning the roads in and out of the area of the estate.

They spent the next few hours poring over the maps of the area, the map of the estate, and the architectural drawings of the massive mansion itself. They hashed out the plan and then rehashed the plan until Jess could fill the loopholes and feel satisfied with what she was planning to do.

“Right, all we need now is to get Mister Barnes on our side, and hopefully he will come over, and then I will work on Nicky because I cannot do this without him. I know Willy will help me because he is honor bound and he will be by my side no matter what, but he also loves a good bit of mischief and I will not do this without him.” Said Jess as she went over all of her notes again.

“Ah yes, your godfather, is that right?” Looking up Jess smiled and nodded. “He pledged to protect you, is that right?” The old man looked suitably impressed with the outdated obligation Willy took and would be honor bound in fulfilling.

“Not necessarily protect, but to be by my side no matter what I do, but I plan on releasing him from his oath as soon as this is over.” Jess smiled at the idea of Willy and Beatrice.

“What do you mean by that?” asked her grandfather quietly.

“Willy has given up twenty-five years of his life fulfilling his oath to my mother and his pledge to me, but now he needs to fulfill oaths and pledges that he needs to make to himself. It is his turn to think of himself now and I want that for him more than anything in the world. I will miss him dearly, but I feel it is the right thing to do. This is his home and he is very happy back in Ireland.” Jess smiled up at her grandfather who looked a little sad and she frowned.

“So, you have plans to return to the Americas then?” Jess did not mean to make him sad, but she was surprised by this.

Turning to him she took his old hands with their age spots and swollen knuckles, “I have to go back. I have a home there. Not as big as this, for sure, but it is mine and I worked really hard to make it into what it is today. I have staff to think of and bills to pay.” Seeing how sad he looked Jess decided to tell him about the ranch and the cattle and their breed and her horses. “And on one section of the land, it leads straight down to the ocean. I have the best of both worlds, land at my back and the ocean before me. It truly is beautiful.” She told him of the farmhouse and the size, how many rooms, and how, after she had seen the family parlor, she wanted to redecorate her family room just as her grandmother had done here at Broch de Clisson.

He was a very good listener and he seemed interested in what she was saying, but he was astounded that a house built of wood and only six rooms was enough. Jess laughed and said it was enough for her.

“What is the name of your ranch, my dear?” he asked seeming genuinely curious.

“Well, Ben originally named it Kellie’s Heart, but Ben is now gone and I know the ranch is mine and I will be allowed to adjust the name and I was thinking of a play with words with Kellie and O’Cleirigh and came up with Kelleirigh’s Heart. What do you think?” Jess honestly sought his approval on this one.

“That is simply splendid, my dear girl. A true honor and tribute to Kellie and O’Cleirigh.” And then he added something Jess found rattling and she frowned slightly, “The Daoine sidhe trained you well. They will be your eternal protectors.” And the old man stood up slowly and picked up his cane and Jess helped him out of the library and back to his chair near the fire in the family parlor.

Jess left her grandfather and returned to the library and collected her writings and replaced the plans they had been poring over. As Jess left she saw Mister Barnes and asked him to walk with her as she headed down to see if Nick wanted to speak to her.

“Mister Barnes, I would like to ask you a favor, if I may?” and he nodded and appeared very interested, “Yes, of course, Mistress. Anything.”

Jess then slowly, softly, and clearly laid out what it was she would want from him and when she was finished he stopped and looked at her. “Good lord, you are a canny young woman. It will be my honor to assist you, Mistress Jessie.”

“Oh, I am so relieved to hear you say that. Whether or not I am successful I will leave a letter with my grandfather where there will be two signatures absolving you of any injustices you may have performed for and on behalf of Rancliff. I will most definitely state why you ended up in his employ and the death of your little boy and threats to your family. Enough signatures from upstanding members of society will leave no room for doubt.” And Jess held out her hand to him, “Where I come from we shake on a deal.” And Mister Barnes happily shook her hand.

Jess arrived outside the doors with the two guards just as the young maid was exiting and she appeared somewhat relieved as she whispered gratefully, “He did not throw his food away.” Before rushing bace kitchen.

He must be hungry, thought Jess and she walked in to see her brother scarfing down the lovely smelling stew and fresh bread.

“Hello Nick, good to see you are up and looking a bit better.” And she sat down watching him.

He appeared to have lost his air of importance and was looking a little defeated, but Jess didn’t know if she would ever trust or love her brother again. She did note, however, how dashing he looked with a mustache and his unusual beard. With no effort at all, he had hair growth from the middle of his bottom lip down onto his chin where it met with hair on his chin. Even the sides looked relatively smart. Just a bit of neatening up and he would look quite handsome.

Wiping his mouth on the napkin he offered Jessie his glass of wine, but she declined and he took a big swig. “Alright Jess, out with it. What have you got cooking in that brain of yours?”

“Nah, big brother, I don’t think I could ever tell you what’s going on in here.” And she tapped her temple.

“Jessie, I have behaved like a total prick and for that, I apologize. I cannot begin to tell you how it tears me up that because of my stupidity dad was killed in the crossfire. It hurts more than you will ever know. I cannot bring him back and I cannot change what happened, but what I can do is make sure that I try, at least, to repair some of the damage I caused. Yes, as we were growing up I used to treat you like crap at times and I did stupid shit, but you will always be my little sister, Jess. Please, will you try to forgive me?” Jessie was watching Nick with new eyes and she could see some element of truth in what he was saying. She knew now that Nick was not very honorable and he always looked out for number one, himself.

“Alright Nick, if what you are saying now is true, I think there may be a way you can try and repair what has been done. But, and that is a very big but, I have a couple of provisos.” At the look on his face, Jess held up her hand and said, “Wait, Nicky. Hear me out first. You’re jumping the gun again.”

Sighing and sitting back in his chair he said softly, “Alright Jess, the floor is yours.” And Jess began talking, quietly and very seriously and Nick simply sat listening. Every now and then he would counter a point or show her an alternative, for which she was grateful, but ultimately, they ended up agreeing on virtually everything she said.

“Now we have most of the plan sorted, but the important bit is what you do next.” Jessie looked at him seriously.

“Which is I go and apologize to our mother and beg our grandfathers’ forgiveness?” he asked, not unkindly.

“That is a start, brother.” Jess said as she stood up and then added, “Oh, by the way, I have arranged a suite upstairs for you that has a lovely view and a decent bathroom.” She remarked.

“So, you already knew I would do this with you and agree to your provisos?” he shook his head and smiled, looking much like the Nick of old.

“Nope. I had no clue what you would say, I simply remained hopeful.” Jess turned around and looked at her brother from the open doorway, “Are you coming?” and Nick jumped up and joined her as she started walking down the cold passage.

As they reached the front of the house Nick said, “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the wee donkey! I would never have found my way out of that labyrinth.” And Jess giggled at his twenty-first-century expression and she felt happier knowing that this was more or less the Nick she knew. “Let me take you to your suite. Most of your things are there and I have added a few more that I found in other wardrobes.”

“Uh Jess, will I be wearing dead people’s clothes? Because if so that will freak me out!” Nick looked so horrified that Jess laughed out loud.

“No you nut, it’s spare clothing kept for guests and such. Just go through what is there, when you can, and pick and choose for yourself what you will be comfortable with.”

They reached the top landing and Jess turned left and further down got to double doors. She opened them to reveal a very gentlemanly room in dark blues and browns with splashes of cream and gold here and there. The room also opened onto a balcony that had wicker furniture and, as with her balcony, a multitude of plants. It smelled like freshly polished leather and Nick took a deep breath and Jess could see him relax just that little bit more.

“Thank you, Jessie, for not giving up on me. I am ashamed of myself and you are always so giving and kind that it makes me feel even more like crap.” He looked out of the balcony windows and Jess saw sadness.

“If it makes you feel any better let me just say this, if you fuck up, cross me or hurt another human being unnecessarily, I will come at you with everything I have, big brother.” She raised her eyebrow and Nick saw that she was very serious, but he smiled and said softly, “Ah, there she is. Never mistake Jessamine’s kindness for weakness. Thanks, Jess.” Just then there was a knock on the door and maids entered with trunks and buckets and walked into the bathing room and began to heat water and hang up clothing so that the steam could freshen them up and straighten out some of the crinkles.

“I will leave you to get bathed and settled, but I would like you to do me a favor?” she asked and he raised his eyebrows. “Keep the facial hair. Neaten it, obviously, but keep it. It really suits you and I think you will need it as a disguise.” She smiled and winked at him as she turned to leave and caught her brother smiling a real smile for the first time in a while.

As an afterthought, Jessie turned back and asked quickly, “Do you know your way down to the family parlor?” Jess asked and Nick shook his head. “I couldn’t find my way to the kitchen if I were starving! This place is like a maze.” And Jess explained that he turn right out of his room and walk down the stairs until he reaches the bottom. “The door you want is a stained glass window beauty. It is fairly simple. You got that?” and he repeated what she said and Jess nodded and then left him to his own thoughts.

Jessie did not know if her plan was infallible, but it was worth a try. She dug in her pocket that was in her dress and pulled out all the pages she had used to write everything down. She walked out onto a small patio and sat down. Laying the papers out Jess began going over everything again looking for issues and loopholes she and her grandfather and even Nick may have missed, but she found none.

While Jess had been in the library she had quickly written a note to Willy and she had it in her pocket and took it out now and went over it again. Standing up Jess walked into the parlor and threw all of the papers she had written on into the fire and then took the red wax seal and heated it and then sealed her letter with her grandfather’s seal and blew on it until it dried. Then checking the fireplace to make sure all the papers had burnt up she went looking for Mister Barnes.

She saw him walking from the kitchen with a tray in his hands and as soon as he saw her he put the tray down on the nearest table and bowed slightly to her, “I hope I am not intruding on your duties, Mister Barnes?” Jess asked.

“Not at all, Mistress Jess.” He said warmly.

Holding out the letter to him she said, “This has to get to my godfather at the O’Cleirigh estate as soon as possible. I would like a suite arranged for him here because he will surely return here.”

With a knowing smile, he bowed and said quietly, “With pleasure.”

Jess then rushed up to her suite and pulled out all of her leather clothing, bandanna, tricorne, arm warmers, and wool stockings and checked on the blades of her sword and dirk. Deciding they needed sharpening she took them downstairs with her after hanging her lady lad garb out to get some air. Reaching the bottom of the stairs she saw one of the men who had stood guard over Nick and asked if they knew where she could take her sword and dirk to be sharpened.

“I can take it to our blacksmith near our homes, Mistress.” The rather large man said kindly.

“What is your name?” Jess asked.

“Whelan, Mistress. Duncan Whelan.” He said with a slight bow.

“Right, Mister Whelan. I am leaving this up to you then. I want all the edges sharp enough to shave the hair off a baby’s bum. Got that?” she asked with her, now famous, raised eyebrow.

Trying to muffle a laugh and hide his smile he simply cleared his throat and looked over her head while he said, “You can rely on me, Mistress.”

“Right, thank you. Off you go, then.” And she watched him quickly rush off and then heard him laugh quietly as he went out of the front doors.

Jess turned and saw movement on the stairs and looked up at her mother. Walking over to the bottom step Jess waited and as she looked up at her mom she saw her step had a spring in it and she had a lovely smile on her face. Ah, thought Jess, Nick must have sought out their mom and spoken to her. Jess was glad and felt happy for her mom as they linked arms and walked arm in arm to the family parlor.

Sitting her mom down Jess began filling her in on what she had planned and who would be a part of the plan and Genevieve sat listening carefully, adding here and there, asking questions, and then giving a little input as she had been to the area Jess spoke of on more than one occasion.

Nick and their grandfather entered the Parlour and the maids came behind them with trays of food with aromas that made Jessie’s stomach growl hungrily. They set decanters of wine down and left the family to their conversations and laughter while they enjoyed their meal.