Forever Young Birth Of A Nation

  Forever Young Birth Of A Nation

  Copyright © 2012 Gerald Simpkins

  Neither this document nor any part of it may be copied, reproduced, stored, or transferred by print, electronic, or any other means without written permission from the author.

  Published by Gerald Simpkins at Smashwords 2012

  ISBN 978-0-9665434-3-8

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my wife Kathy. Special thanks to Joe Perrone.

  Disclaimer

  All characters in this story are purely fictional, the product of the author’s imagination. The only exceptions are some of America’s founding fathers, three European kings, and the Marquis de Sade. All of those are historically-documented figures who lived during the latter half of the 18th century. Any quotes attributed to them are purely fictional.

  Chapter 1

  January 11, 1781: Long Island New York

  The sound of mandolin music and voices singing became louder as Ian slowly opened the back door and glided in, silently closing it behind him. He felt around and verified that his five flintlock pistols were in their holsters, unfastening the retainer strap on each of them. Next he undid the stays on both his knife and sword and checked to see that they were free in their sheaths. Satisfied that all weapons were ready, he glided forward and as the song came to a place where they were singing louder, he drew two of the pistols from his shoulder holsters, cocking them.

  Meanwhile upstairs, Bartholomew crept to the door to Priscilla’s room and pressed an ear to it, trying to hear anything he could as the music from below grew louder. About then he felt a hand grab his collar and pull him back away from the door. Spinning around he saw Yvonne staring at him, green eyes blazing. “Damn you Bartholomew! Come along now. Leave those two alone and find your own partner.” she said through clenched teeth.

  Gliding forward, Ian approached the parlor and foyer area where they were gathered and came silently out into the light seeking the leader of the coven. A female near the far wall saw him first and her mouth suddenly froze in an open position as her eyes widened in disbelief while the others sang on. Ian had only seen eight of them up to now so two vampires were unaccounted for besides the six that he knew were upstairs in the bedrooms, but it was too late to turn back.

  He leveled both pistols and fired just an instant after the female vampire screamed, hitting two males in their heads. They dropped and began to twitch and flail about as pandemonium broke loose. The vampires bellowed and screeched in surprise and fear as he continued forward, snap-kicking one female nearest him in her stomach and driving her back into the lap of a male on the sofa who was trying to rise. It was as if a lion had been dropped into a pack of hyenas as everybody shrank back in terror, trying to get away from the hooded black-clad figure.

  Yvonne turned from admonishing Bartholomew in shock and leapt to the handrail overlooking the foyer just in time to look down and see the entire coven backing toward the staircase in terror, even as they shouted and screamed curses.

  Ian had dropped both pistols the second he had fired them and already had the other two out and was seeking targets. In seconds he had shot two more of the males in their heads, who joined their fellows, twitching and flopping about on the floor. Leaping forward he drew his short sword in a blur and lopped off the heads of those four even as the others had just started to realize that he was alone. Some were turning and looking frantically for swords as others had pulled out knives and were even now massing, but not yet daring to move toward him.

  In the upstairs rooms two of the three doors opened and naked couples peered out, wide eyed. Yvonne laid hold of them and propelled them toward the staircase shouting “Get down there now!”

  In her room, Priscilla said “Oliver! We have to get dressed! Please stay close to me.” she said as she hastily began to dress herself.

  One who had found a sword charged out of the pack toward him and Ian met him skillfully, parrying his rapid strokes easily and suddenly transferring the sword to his left hand he changed tactics and ran the vampire through, pulling his sword free and cutting off his sword hand as his arms flailed, even while seeking another target.

  Still in a battle crouch he moved forward toward the now-massed group who began to shout with rage, eyes glowing brightly in fear and hatred. Brandishing what weapons they had managed to find they closed ranks and formed a knot against the staircase landing. Those in the very rear of the group slowly began to back up the steps, warily watching the hooded figure with the bloody sword approach. Only then did Ian come into Yvonne’s view. Her eyes blazed brightly in hatred as she and Bartholomew looked on.

  Five of the vampires had found sabers and by now all of the rest had knives. Ian had still not seen their leader and had about decided to leave when a gunshot rang out.

  Pain exploded in his head as he heard an excited cry “I got him.” Bartholomew raised a smoking pistol above his head and waved it exuberantly.

  Ian felt himself falling on his back and began to realize that he was flailing about at an eye-blurring speed as he had seen so many vampires do after he had shot them in the head. The knot of vampires raised their weapons, eyes glowing in hatred and with a great cry they rushed in to the slaughter even as he thrashed violently, his body now completely out of his control. He lay helpless before the onslaught now and thought I came here just to help start a bank for my family and look at what I have come to.

  He began to feel the stabbing pains as the females reached him first and began to screech in rage as they stabbed furiously into his unprotected chest and stomach while the males pressed forward to get their turn. His eyes rolled upward and the roar of the descending vampires drowned out everything else and then began to recede as his mind drifted back to the day he first saw America…..

  ***

  August 23, 1775: Atlantic Ocean 120 miles east of New York City

  “Land ho to starboard” cried the lookout from the crow’s nest of the merchantman New Hope. Having seen the shore over a minute earlier, Ian turned to his companion James Barrow and smiled, saying “Well James, at long last we will have a look at New York City. We should have plenty of time to lodge and then look around before dark.”

  “I can’t wait, Ian. Let’s go pack our bags now.”

  “Right. I am going to write a few letters to verify that we arrived today and leave them with Captain Norris.” At the thought of sending correspondence home, he had a pang of sorrow, missing all of his friends and family. It was a good thing after all to ask Robert for a companion he thought. James was a fine young man and Ian had become fast friends with him on the voyage from London.

  Captain Norris approached, smiling “I bet the two of you can’t wait to see all of the sights in the New World.”

  “Right you are, Andrew. How long before you depart?”

  “We’ll be here the better part of a week anyway. There are a few minor repairs to take care of from that storm. Then we will sail to Boston. I want to take on a load of Cod to take back to England.”

  “Are you sure you can get it? The colonists in Boston have imposed a ‘no-trade’ sanction with England.”

  “I had thought that was past now. I will try Newport then. Or I could sail south to Yorktown and buy tobacco. The alternative to an empty ship might be to haul manure back!” Laughing as he nodded in understanding, Ian excused himself to see to his belongings and to write some letters. He wrote one to Robert Milliken, the London banker who was jointly capitalizing the new banks that he and James had been sent to start up. Another one was for Marie and Henri Lafayette, the Banker and silent partner who was putting up the other half of the capital for the new banks. He missed them keenly, as much
as he missed his human family in Scotland. Included was a general letter to Li Hong, Sophia, Celeste, and all of the others of his vampire-human family in France. A separate letter was enclosed to Aimee, the child vampire, and finally a letter to his human family in Scotland.

  His correspondence finished, he rejoined James and Captain Norris at the helm. They chatted pleasantly passing the time until New Hope had dropped anchor in the harbor nearly seven hours later. New York harbor was a busy place, bustling with activity. There were very few British soldiers to be seen being as New York City was still under civilian rule. Looking closely at a large British ship, Ian saw several men in uniform, in blue coats. Looking more closely at these as his party made their way ashore in a longboat, he discerned that they were Hessians as he thought so the king has hired German mercenaries. What does that say about the prospects for peace? And they are not debarking here, so where are they bound?

  Norris agreed to inquire about getting care for the small herd of goats that Ian and James had brought from England. They had served their secret purpose providing blood for the two vampires on the transatlantic voyage and would be sold at auction within days at the stockyard area of New York City.

  Before separating from Captain Norris they had invited him to dine with them at the Harbor Inn where they would be staying. The two of them took a carriage and their driver took them to the Inn which Andrew recommended where James agreed to get them a room. Within some twenty minutes, Ian arrived at the British military office for New York City. Presenting his papers to the commander of the guard he was shown in to a waiting room immediately. There were other men seated there, also awaiting an audience with General Gage or one of his staff.

  It was no more than some ten minutes when a sergeant came out and called for Ian McCloud. Ian stood and followed the soldier through ornate double doors, noting some irate stares as he passed by some of the others who had been there for hours. His papers bore the seal of the British Crown itself and assured both James and him priority treatment.

  He was taken to another large ornate double door and the sergeant knocked. Ian heard the word “Enter.” from the other side and he was taken to stand in front of a stern gray-haired man, wearing the uniform of a general in His Majesty’s army.

  Standing, he came around his desk, his keen blue eyes fastened on Ian’s as he said “Mr. McCloud. I am General Thomas Gage, commander of His Majesty’s forces in the colonies. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I expected to see an older man.”

  His tri-corner hat in his left hand, Ian stepped forward extending his right hand with a broad smile, saying “I am an early starter, General Gage.”

  “Well I know Bob Milliken and if he trusts you with enough of his money to start up two banks on another continent, I have no doubt that you are the man for the job. You look more like a seafaring man than a banker sir, if you do not mind my saying so.”

  “I am outdoors as often as I can be, sir, and I spent nearly every waking hour on deck coming over.” And I am a vampire who has had every characteristic including my complexion imprinted forever as well he thought.

  “I wish you well on your endeavor Mr. McCloud. God knows we can use another bank here in the colonies.” He passed the paperwork back to Ian saying “I am going to have to hand you over to Colonel Grundy though. I am pressed for time. I spend more time in Boston than here in New York City. Do not hesitate to come to me if you need any help. Good day, sir.”

  “Good day to you General Gage.” Ian said as he fell in behind the sergeant who turned smartly to walk out of the office. Before he had gotten to the door though, Gage called out “I say there, McCloud. There is to be a dinner and a ball two nights hence at Government House, not two blocks north of here. It is to begin at 7 PM and you have only to mention my name at the door. Please do come and bring Mr. Barrows with you.”

  Ian turned and nodded, smiling broadly. “Sir, may I also bring Captain Andrew Norris? We sailed here together and he is a fine gentleman.”

  “Yes, yes, by all means.”

  “Then I should like that very much sir. We will make every effort to come. Thank you and good day.” Within only two minutes he was taken to a smaller office and shown in. A man about thirty years old with fine straight black hair and dark brown eyes looked him up and down thoroughly before stepping from behind his desk, saying “Pleased to meet you Mr. McCloud. I am Colonel Harold Grundy of His Majesty’s army.”

  Ian stepped forward smiling broadly and shook his hand. Grundy was an imposing man, muscular, being a bit taller than Ian with a brooding look about his eyes. He would be considered handsome for sure, but seemed to lack any real warmth. Asking first if Ian had secured lodging, he then asked about the voyage and on which ship he had arrived. Ian answered and presented his documents then.

  Grundy kept the document which merely presented Ian and James as duly credentialed agents of Robert Milliken of Edwards & Milliken bank of London. Those would be filed with all other such enterprises officially sanctioned by the Crown. Looking back up he said “Will there be anything else Mr. McCloud?”

  “No Colonel Grundy; that will be all.”

  “How is Clifford doing these days?”

  Taken by surprise that Grundy knew the senior Edwards, Ian answered promptly nonetheless. “He is missing, sir. The constables had been inquiring into the matter at the time we departed for the colonies.”

  Grundy paused and riveted his eyes on Ian’s. “Is foul play suspected then?”

  “Sir, I do not know.” And I hope that no foul play is suspected, but if you knew how it was that pervert died and why, you might try to arrest me he thought.

  “Well, he has a younger brother who may inherit his share of the bank then if Edwards is never found.”

  “I was not aware of that. Well, I had best rejoin my co-worker. He will want to dine and see some of the sights. Will you be attending the dinner and ball on Thursday then?”

  “Oh by all means. It is General Gage’s wedding anniversary.”

  “Ah. How many years have they been married?”

  “Twenty seven.”

  “Good for them, and good day, Sir”

  “Good day, Mr. McCloud.”

  That is a far sight more time with a wife than I have managed thought Ian. His mood turned towards sadness at the recollection of the deaths of both of his wives, so he forced himself to ponder the new information about Edward’s brother in order to take his thoughts elsewhere. As he made his way he wondered if the brother would want more answers than the Constables would have provided him. Knowing that Robert Milliken had already moved to ensure that the investigation would appear to be thorough but would find nothing, he nonetheless turned the events of the evening he had rescued little Aimee from Edwards over in his mind as he made his way back toward the Inn. If he suspects foul play, will he seek revenge?

  Chapter 2

  The assistant came to Miles Edwards saying “Mr. Milliken will see you now sir. Please come with me.” Edwards followed him through an imposing door to Milliken’s London office, where he stood waiting. After he introduced himself, Milliken expressed his sympathy concerning the mystery surrounding his brother’s disappearance. They had a pleasant enough conversation, but Robert sensed that the man was fishing for something and would not say what it was. He concluded that the younger Edwards had some sort of concrete evidence or a very firm belief that the whole incident was an act of foul play somehow.

  Surprised that Edwards knew about the draft-honoring system that the bank was now involved in, he volunteered that Henri Lafayette of Banque de Lafayette had designed the whole thing. Edwards seemed interested, so to move the subject of the conversation away from the subject of Edwards’ now dead perverted brother he volunteered some information about the system. He went on about how lucrative it was for both Lafayette’s banking network and now Edwards & Milliken as well being as they were partners in the venture. Edwards sat staring out of the window at the drizzling rainy day, and then spoke
, saying “So this Lafayette fellow banks in France then?”

  “Oh not only France but in the Southern Netherlands, in the Belgian area, Luxembourg, and even in the Swiss Confederacy. He has extensive banking partnerships throughout Europe, and is quite influential there.”

  “I see. And you are now starting up a bank in America too?”

  He thought well, aren’t you well informed! “Why yes. It is my own venture, and does not have anything to do with this institution.”

  “I have heard that. So who do you have laying the groundwork over there?”

  Glad that the conversation had not returned to Edwards’ dead older brother he replied “We have Ian McCloud and James Barrows as our agents in New York City.”

  “I see. You said “we” so I take it you have partners in your endeavor then?”

  “Yes. It is a risk what with hostilities over there between the colonists and the Crown. We are going to be quite cautious for a while, but in the long term, we think that the colonies are going to offer great opportunities for banking.”

  “I see.”

  “I do hope you are interested in banking, Mr. Edwards. I have been quite busy since your brother disappeared. I assume that you will be coming aboard then to take over your brother’s interests should he not be found then?”

  “I am not sure at this time. Would you be interested in buying out the Edwards’ share of the bank should he be officially presumed dead?”

  Milliken gave a snort, followed by a short laugh. “Heavens no! I am too busy now with what I have on my own plate.” My proxy agent will buy you out, but it will never be connected to me he thought. He had been studying the man intently without seeming to the whole time. Like Henri Lafayette, Robert Milliken maintained an affable and pleasant demeanor and like Henri, he never missed much in studying those whom he was dealing with. Both men were past masters of that and of appearing all the while to be only politely interested, keeping others feeling at ease while in their presence. To verify a nagging suspicion he devised a test as they wrapped up their conversation. Reaching across his desk to once more shake hands with Edwards he appeared to knock over his inkwell with the sleeve of his coat. Edward’s hand shot out in a blur to catch it and prevent it from spilling. It was blindingly fast. Too fast for a human reaction, but Robert’s vampire eyes saw it and he knew then that the younger Edwards was a vampire Adept.