Hamilton Jessup appears to live a quiet life as
a government clerk. Recollections of his days as a soldier in Texas’ historic
battles against Santa Ana only mar his peace a little. Celebrating a birthday
with an old friend and resisting one more effort by Dan Costain to persuade him
to read the Bible hardly disturb his ordinary life.
But an invitation to a dinner party at the
palatial home of celebrity singer Maeve Collinswood changes everything. Ham
enters into a sham marriage arrangement and Maeve pays his mysterious debts. In
return she demands that he give her respectability and ignore her frequent
disappearances and the inescapable conclusion that she is doing something
dangerous and needs help.
But Ham has secrets of his own, including the
loss of his best friend and the puzzle of Mexico’s “endgame scenario” that he
must solve or risk the loss of everything he loves. Ham’s growing love for
Maeve and his discovery that their secrets are connected in incredible ways
plunges both of them into a race to outwit Mexican General Ampudio’s ruthless
Lieutenant Chaco and stop the supply of arms to Mexico’s fight against the
freedom of Texas.
Interview with Maeve Collinsworth Jessup from Chasing
the Texas Wind
Lavinia: Tut-tut, you know that won’t do, Maeve
darling. We shall winkle it out of you or someone else, so spare your man some
pain and let it come from you. We have heard that his name is Hamilton Jessup.
But my dear, none of the bright and beautiful of the city have heard of him.
You were seen on the arm of a devilishly handsome man at your Spring Ball. Is this
he?
Maeve: Well, yes, Mr. Jessup was my escort at
the ball. And he — well, yes, he is a — a very handsome man.
Maeve: We were — I was — made aware of Mr. Jessup as a veteran and a respected Texas patriot.
Lavinia: A battle-scarred war hero?
Maeve: Yes, he was wounded at the Battle of San
Jacinto.
Lavinia: Leading a charge, gloriously defending
our freedom, no doubt, and shot down in the line of duty?
Maeve: Actually, he told me he was a supply
clerk, injured by a stray bayonet.
Lavinia: A supply clerk! Surely you are joking!
What does he do now?
Maeve: He — he is still a clerk, and he — well —
he has told me that he solves puzzles.
Lavinia: Now, I warned you, Maeve, it’s no use
to put me off. I have my sources and will find out!
Maeve: This is a — a marriage of convenience. He
has graciously consented to assist me in my fundraising efforts, but he doesn’t
cart me to his workplace and show me all he does. I’m sure the work he does is
very important.
Lavinia: It appears you have no idea what he
does, dearest Maeve. I’ve heard a rumor that he drinks.
Lavinia: We know you fainted at your last concert,
dear. We also hear he popped you in your carriage to go home alone and returned
to the house late that night roaring drunk. He even made a scene at your brunch
gathering the next day. Do tell us about that.
Maeve: Very well, Lavinia, since you have been
so kind as to ask about my husband, I will tell you this: While in pain and
barely able to walk, Hamilton Jessup interrupted a shallow and silly bunch of
women fretting over trifles and told us a story of courage and sacrifice and
tragedy that brought in more donations than I have ever received with my own
appeals. He was foolish enough to think he needed to apologize for his speech
but I have never been so moved by an expression of pain and nobility as I was
by his. Print that in your paper, and good day to you.
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