The Song of the Siren

“Where have you been? I was beginning to get anxious about you.”

That was the moment to show him the paper which I had screwed up and put inside the bodice of my gown. My hand went to it. It was the sight of Benjie, who loved me so much, who was such a good man. But the moment passed and I did not mention it. I went on letting them believe that Clarissa was still lost.

So the search went on. I shut myself in my bedroom and wrestled with myself.

How could he have done this? He had no right to take her. But what would be the use of talking to Hessenfield about rights? He knew only one law and that was his own.

What was right would always be what he considered best for him.

An hour passed and still I was undecided.

They were all out searching the district. Jane Farmer was frantic and I almost told her to put her out of her misery.

What folly! How could I?

I had come to a decision. I would go and see him. I would insist on his bringing back the child.

I put on a cloak and went down to the shrubbery. I waited there in the shadow of the trees.

I did not wait long. I was caught from behind and held against him. I heard his low laughter as he pressed his lips against my ear.

“You are mad,” I said. “This could cost you your life. Where is the child?”

“Safe. We are going to France tonight. My mission here is done. I have everything I came for... and more. My daughter. I adore her already.”

“Where is she?” I insisted.

“Safe,” he repeated. “Come on. The sooner we’re away the better. I have a notion they are on my trail. We have to get to the coast. I have a horse here to take us.

There is a boat a little way along the coast... at a nice secluded spot.”

“You really are mad. Do you think I am coming with you?”

“Of course you are coming. Don’t waste time.”

I pulled myself away from him. “I came to tell you that...”

He caught me to him laughing and began kissing me.

“That you love me,” he said between kisses.

“Do you think I am as cruel and callous as you are? Do you think I can just walk out on my husband because you have come back?”

“I am more to you than he can ever be. I am the father of our child, remember.”

“I wish I had never met you, Hessenfield,” I said.

“You lie, dear Carlotta. Admit it. That was love, was it not? Do you remember how you refused to betray me? You could have done so now.”

“Yes, I could, and how do you know that I have not? Perhaps a troop of soldiers is waiting to take you now.”

“I was ready to risk that,” he said. “And I’ll tell you why. I didn’t believe it possible. Come, sweetheart, we don’t want to tempt the fates, do we?”

“Where is my daughter? Give her back to me and go and I will tell no one that you have been here.”

He laughed at me. “Your daughter is very happy. We get on very well. She was delighted to come with me.”

“Where is she?”

“At sea,” he said. “Where you and I will be this night. This night, dear Carlotta.

Think of it. There are so many memories. No one can ever be to me what you have been.

Never shall I forget that brief period when we were together, you and I.”

“I cannot go,” I said. “You must understand that.”

He took my arm suddenly; then I was lifted from the ground. My cloak dropped from my shoulders. He was carrying me out of the shrubbery. There at its edge was a horse.

He put me on the saddle and leapt up beside me.

I am not sure how much I struggled. I did not entirely want to. Hessenfield’s adventurous spirit called to mine but I kept seeing Benjie’s face and I pictured him stricken as he would be if he knew that I had willingly gone away.

It was only a mile or so to the coast. There was a crescent moon which gave out a faint light and I could see the Eyot lying out there on a sea that was as calm as a lake.

He gave a low whistle and I saw a figure appear from the beach. It was a man who had evidently been lurking there.

“All well, sir,” said the man.

“Good,” replied Hessenfield.

He dismounted and lifted me down. The man took the horse and as Hessenfield dragged me over the shingle I heard the horse being ridden away at a gallop.

A small boat was bobbing about on the sea. A man was holding the oars, waiting.

We waded out to it the water up to our waists before reaching it. Hessenfield lifted me in.

“Lose no time,” said Hessenfield.

The man started to row out towards the Eyot. There was silence. Then Hessenfield said: “Faster. They’re on the beach. By God, we were just in time.”

I could see vague figures on the beach. A shot was fired. It narrowly missed the boat.

“We’ll soon be out of range,” said Hessenfield.

“We should have been well away but for your romantic adventures,” said the man.

“I know. But we’re going to be well away in any case. We’re nearly there.” We had rounded the island and I saw the ship.

“Safe!” said Hessenfield.

We came to rest by the side of the ship, a rope ladder was put down, I was sent up first. Hands reached out to drag me in.

Then in a few seconds Hessenfield was standing beside me.

He put his arm about me and laughed.