Hawaiian Crosswinds Read online

“Good morning, sir,” the clerk said as Rafe stopped at the front desk. “A message arrived for you only minutes ago.” The woman turned and walked slowly away. Rafe took the envelope and stepped aside to read it.

  Rafe, you do have a right to know what I was doing at the Hunnewell house last night. Darling, I do trust you. I must talk to you. Will you meet me at the Beretania church this afternoon? Despite the weather, they are going through with the tea and luncheon planned to raise donations for a new church building. Great-aunt Nora will be there with the queen. I’ll wait for you on the green. Yours ever, Eden

  A faint smile turned his mouth.

  He turned to leave when again he saw the woman, but this time a man walked beside her. A gloomy looking fellow, tall and skinny, also wearing black, with a sleek top hat.

  The hotel carriage brought him to the front of Aliiolani Hale, the government building housing the Legislature on King Street across from Iolani Palace. He stepped down and paid the driver. “Wait for me. I won’t be longer than an hour.”

  The rainstorm of the previous night depleted itself, but the muggy weather proved more uncomfortable than Rafe recalled for this time of year. He lowered his hat against the diffused sunlight and glanced about. The street was muddy. Again debris lay everywhere, as though a mild tornado had cannoned through. The northeast trade winds needed to flow over the Islands again.

  Several prominent carriages belonging to key leaders in the Reform party were arriving out front of the building. He recognized the familiar Derrington carriage with its D on the door. Rafe quickened his stride to reach Ainsworth before he entered the white ornate building.

  Rafe opened the carriage door for Ainsworth Derrington. “Good morning, sir.”

  The patriarch’s weather-tanned face was haggard, as though he’d spent a restless night. Rafe felt sympathetic. It must be a horrendous burden when your son becomes Cain.

  “I received your message, Rafe; most disturbing news.” He shook his silver head as if in overwrought dismay.

  Rafe held the door. The distinguished figure, agile and garbed in white as usual with his panama hat in hand, stepped down nimbly.

  “I am shocked. I fully expected Townsend to remain somewhere here on the Islands until we could quietly locate him.”

  “We should have watched the steamers.”

  “I’ve called a family meeting for tomorrow to discuss the matter, and what we can do.”

  Rafe bit back his impatience. What was there to discuss? The reasonable thing was to notify the San Francisco authorities to put a warrant out for his arrest. Yet, it was not so simple since Nora had not filed a complaint against her nephew. All that may be about to change if Rafe could verify what Zachary told him last night with reference to the medicine bottle.

  If I had that bottle!

  He’d already debated the wisdom of whether or not to inform Ainsworth now. He’d decided to hold back until he first arranged to speak with Nora alone. Despite Ainsworth’s proper show of alarm, Rafe expected him to go on urging restraint, even with the added information coming from Zachary.

  “If Nora won’t file a criminal complaint,” Rafe told him, keeping his voice calm, “then I’m going to San Francisco to handle this myself. I’m going to track him down. I can’t take the risk. Townsend already guessed, if he’s clever and smart, and he is, that Celestine has left the marriage and won’t come back to him. You know the results of his anger. Once it gets out of control he can explode into a rage. I suspect that’s what happened between him and my father that day. His anger snapped and he lost self-control. … Rubble is the only thing left.”

  Ainsworth groaned. “I saw the tendency in his childhood. When he was a youth he was out of control. I desire this ugly matter to be settled as soon as possible. We’ll take no chances with Celestine and the boy. I’ll not stand by and see your mother harassed. That, I can promise you.”

  Rafe remained cautious, though he believed the genuine conviction of the words. Ainsworth had always frowned on Townsend’s carnal life in the Islands and had more than once threatened to disinherit him for gambling debts and womanizing on the sly.

  Ainsworth took firm hold of Rafe’s shoulder. “I tell you, Rafe, if any of this shameful news gets to the newspapers the hope of annexation is all but lost. Townsend—a member of the Legislature, and of our own Reform Party—arrested on charges of attempted murder! Can you see that in the Washington and New York news journals? Unfortunately his deeds won’t be treated as an individual crime, for which he is wholly responsible. The enemies of annexation will see to that. Any wind of scandal connected with the names of those in the struggle will undermine if not destroy our political and moral cause!”

  Rafe wasn’t sure a death-dealing blow to annexation would necessarily follow. He didn’t doubt that some would snatch any opportunity to send this kind of information to Washington. A message from London to the White House would come, accusing them of backroom deals with a criminal faction in Hawaii. Even President Harrison, who favored annexation, would likely back off.

  Thaddeus Hunnewell appeared on the steps with other Reform legislators and beckoned Ainsworth and Rafe to the meeting.

  Ainsworth grasped Rafe’s shoulder as they walked toward the building, his eyes showing genuine concern. “I know, my boy, I know. This is most difficult for you. Very difficult indeed, for both of us. Together we’ll handle this wisely. Justice will not go unsatisfied. I only ask for caution. Not for Townsend’s sake, but for the future of Hawaii.”

  Rafe would indeed be cautious, but regardless of the consequences, he was moving forward on his own.

  Thaddeus Hunnewell waited for them in the chamber. His sunbaked skin tinted by a rise in blood pressure, he marched about the foyer waiting for them.

  Hunnewell hurried toward them. He might have been auditioning for the part of the grim reaper, Rafe thought, preparing himself. Thaddeus H. was sweating. He drew out his white cloth and wiped his face.

  “I’ve blundered,” Hunnewell said in low voice. “After the meeting last night someone broke in my office and stole the manifesto I’d been working on for the US State Department. There’s not hide nor hair of it anywhere. Shocking! I can’t understand who would do such a dastardly thing.”

  After a brief discussion it was agreed that the stolen manifesto should not be brought up in the meeting. They gathered a few minutes later in the cloakroom with a half dozen others in attendance. Before Hunnewell spoke he took Rafe aside.

  “You can tell your friend that my son showed more bluster last night than good sense. Oliver won’t be making a legal case out of the unfortunate circumstances that trapped them both into an incident we wish had not occurred.”

  “Keno will be relieved to learn that, sir, and so am I.”

  “I’ve told the marshal to drop the case. I hope that will suffice.”

  “I think Keno should find your decision quite satisfactory.”

  He slapped Rafe on the shoulder. “Come along, now. We’ve important matters to discuss.”

  The meeting began at 11 a.m. after some preliminary small talk. Hunnewell, his face drawn, began his discourse, leading a compelling charge against the monarchy, and raising a lively response from his audience. According to Hunnewell, Liliuokalani had once again refused to cooperate with the Reform Party in the choice of qualified men for her cabinet.

  “The queen is refusing to appoint even one of the Reform Party’s men to the new cabinet. It’s the height of stubbornness, and it won’t strengthen her cause on the throne.”

  “It’s a constitutional principle,” the lawyer Withers stated.

  “Just so,” Ainsworth agreed.

  Hunnewell looked at each man present. “Gentlemen, I have it on trusted word from one who knows that the queen is even now overseeing the writing of a new Constitution.”

  Dismay spread through the group, which turned to frustration and anger.

  “I knew we couldn’t trust her,” Withers said. “I’ve thought from the beg
inning of her reign that this was her goal. Was she not angry with Kalakaua for surrendering, as she claimed, his sovereignty to the missionary party?”

  “The missionary party,” Ainsworth repeated with genuine frustration. “She should know better than that, and she does. She herself claims to be a believer. But it serves the opponents’ political purposes to twist the truth and blame the missionaries for anything in politics they don’t approve. It’s a dangerous game for Christians, and yet the opponents use it every time.”

  “I believe Liliuokalani and those around her planned this change in the Constitution before her brother died in San Francisco,” Withers continued.

  Murmurings of agreement followed. Hunnewell went on: “It’s been suggested that she’s been meeting with certain advisers over this for some time now. And I know who these men are.”

  Rafe looked at Hunnewell. “This action of the queen’s shouldn’t surprise us,” Rafe said. “We know she disapproved of King Kalakaua for signing the ’87 Constitution limiting the powers of the monarchy.”

  “All true.”

  “Well, then, gentlemen. I know where I stand,” Rafe said. “And I think I know where most of you do.” He looked at each man, trying to be patient with their hesitation. “Except for holding meetings and decrying the state of things, what do we plan to do about it?”

  Tense silence stalked the room. Some moved uneasily in their chairs and glanced at Ainsworth, wondering if he would tell Rafe to keep silent.

  “Gentlemen, I propose the inevitable, that we dethrone Liliuokalani and form a Republic, or become a territory of the United States.”

  “Dethrone her?” came from the side of the room with a gasp.

  “Why not?” Rafe asked bluntly. “Isn’t that what we’ve been talking about for months? Even before she took the throne? True—we haven’t been using that word, but we all know what is meant by annexation. Did she not swear to uphold the ’87 Constitution when she took office after Kalakaua?”

  “She did indeed,” Ainsworth said with a slight smile, looking around at the older men. “Well? Gentlemen? The younger generation has spoken. We are ready for a decision. She is deliberately failing to keep her oath to uphold our legal Constitution, and as a result we have the legal right to dethrone her.” Hunnewell swerved his head toward the lawyer, Albert Withers. “Well? Albert, do we have your approval?”

  “Well,” Withers drawled, “technically speaking, Thaddeus—” he drummed his fingers and pursed his heavy lips.

  “Technically speaking, Albert, will only get us off the issue. She swore to uphold the Constitution, and now she’s secretly planning to toss it to the flames and replace it with another.” Hunnewell, riled at last, paced, hands in pockets.

  “If the Islands become a territory of the United States of America we will be under a solid Constitution, protecting our homes, businesses, and properties from arbitrary rule, yes, and even outright future confiscation according to the whims of a queen, or some new king—as yet unborn—” and here he deliberately stopped and looked around at those gathered.

  “She never intended to uphold the present Constitution,” Rafe said. “Now she’s stepping back from her oath, claiming it’s what the native Hawaiians want. If Hawaii doesn’t become part of the United States soon, some day in the future it will find itself absorbed by Japan, Russia, or Great Britain.”

  “Quite right,” Ainsworth said, resting his hands on the handle of his walking stick as he leaned against the back of a chair, sober and restrained. “I believe she has been secretly gathering men, her firm supporters with legal backgrounds, to help her draw up changes that will weaken the ’87 document. At a time of her choosing she will bring it forth and demand a vote of the Legislature to approve it.”

  “Never!” Hunnewell said fiercely. “It’s treason!”

  “According to her,” Rafe said, “treason took place in ’87 when King Kalakaua signed the Constitution.”

  “She swore to uphold it, and we will never accept a weakened Constitution that takes away our right to vote on the laws of the land.”

  “But, to dethrone her,” Edwards the businessman questioned uneasily, his voice resonating in the room, “considering the reaction of the native Hawaiians, how could it even be attempted without an uprising?” He shook his head with doubt.

  “But there won’t be an uprising if annexation is brought about rightfully through peaceful means,” Rafe said.

  “Make up your mind, Edwards,” Hunnewell said. “You say you want annexation, well then my good fellow, annexation demands that the Islands come under the laws of the United States. We cannot be a territory while retaining a sovereign that places our Constitution at the mercy of her whims.”

  “Even so, how could it be accomplished?” Edwards questioned. “She’ll not simply lay down her crown and walk away, nor will those who energetically support her.”

  Hunnewell paused in his pacing to gaze down at Ainsworth. “Well Ainsworth? Out with what you know, my man. How could we dethrone the queen and keep Honolulu from an uprising?”

  Rafe looked at Ainsworth, suspecting the man knew something … or rather, someone.

  Ainsworth, his deep-set gray eyes meeting the others with grim resignation, spoke quietly. “Very well, gentlemen. I have it from a reliable source that Captain Wiltse of the USS Boston will assist if necessary.”

  Rafe recalled what Eden had said some time ago about Silas. How he’d mentioned in front of Great-aunt Nora, Zachary, and others, that the American ambassador Stevens was sympathetic with annexation, and he also supported Thurston, Dole, and the others. Stevens privately assured Ainsworth of the landing of American troops if they should be needed to protect the Reformers in the overthrow of the monarchy.

  The men looked at one another. A new confidence bolstered the wary.

  Rafe committed himself by stating openly, “Should that hour strike, then I, for one, will align my self with the red, white, and blue, with the hope of seeing it flying over Iolani Palace. If not, gentlemen, then the next generation may be under the Japanese, Russian, or British flag. The Islands are a treasure, and on our own we’re not strong enough to protect it; we will need the backing of a nation like the United States. I am confident Hawaii will be far safer in the hands of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights than with the emperors, czars, and kings.”

  “My sentiments exactly,” Hunnewell said.

  Ainsworth gave a deep nod of his head. “Just so, just so.”

  The others gave the same assent. Edwards also nodded. “If, as you say, there is no bloodshed.”

  “We all want that,” Rafe said. “And we must ensure the use of all possible restraint. But freedom doesn’t come without a cost. If we enjoy liberty without cost, it’s because someone else has paid the price.”

  Ainsworth rose to his feet and looked at each man present. “And now, gentlemen, an announcement. The Reform Party leadership has agreed to sponsor Lorrin Thurston and others—Hunnewell, Easton, and myself included—to send off to Washington D.C., to meet with Secretary of State Blaine. We will depart a week from now. With that, this meeting is adjourned.”

  Rafe looked at his timepiece. He was to meet Eden in ten minutes. He left the cloakroom speedily before Ainsworth or anyone else could summon him and returned to the hotel carriage.

  “To Central Union Church. Make haste.”

  On Beretania Street, Eden Derrington stood near the front lawn of Central Union Church awaiting the arrival of Rafe Easton. She carried an umbrella in case the clouds decided to break again, and although it was culturally taboo for a woman to run in public, she was ready to risk a frown from the other ladies and make a dash for cover, quite unwilling to ruin one of her finest dresses.

  Today the ladies of the congregation were giving a luncheon to raise money for the building fund, and Queen Liliuokalani, whose private residence, Washington Place, was just across the street, was gracious enough to attend with some of her aides and friends. Great-aunt Nora was with
her, always a strong proponent for the monarchy, and would be walking with her entourage. It was Nora who’d been able at long last to arrange the meeting tomorrow at Iolani Palace for Dr. Jerome to discuss a research clinic on Molokai with the queen.

  Eden drew her dark, winged brows together. What would Rafe think of the arranged meeting, especially after she told him about what she’d seen last night at Hunnewell’s garden?

  She grew tense and uneasy again. Was she doing the right thing in telling Rafe? Well, she certainly was where her own interests were concerned. But … she pushed her anxiety away, refusing to look it square in the face until Rafe arrived.

  She had the next twenty-four hours free. She had worked with Aunt Lana Stanhope until four o’clock this morning, arose late, and come straight here to the church. For once Eden was not wearing the typical gray nursing dress, white pinafore with the red cross, and nursing cap. It made her feel outright pretty again to be wearing one of her fashionable dresses with puffed sleeves, tight wrists, and high Victorian neck, all adorned with eggshell-colored Brussels lace and modified pearl buttons. She had chosen the dress color of a mint green because Rafe always complimented her when she wore that color. He said it brought out the green of her eyes and the auburn shades in her dark brunette hair.

  She walked restlessly along the edge of the lawn. She glanced back at the church steeple. The big clock was striking the hour. The sun was out from behind the clouds and a cooler trade wind began to blow across the Island. She removed her wide sun hat with its ribbons, then put it back on again in a restless habit, perturbed with the events of the last months. Everything had seemed to go wrong that could. And now her uncle Townsend was in San Francisco, no doubt spying on Rafe’s mother and Kip.

  She paced up and down the walkway along the emerald lawn. The wind tossed against her and ruffled the lace on her dress, but she did not feel anything. The crème ribbons on her sun hat tossed in the breeze.

  Eden looked over at the church again. Activity stirred as Queen Liliuokalani arrived to participate in the luncheon. Great-aunt Nora walked along with the pastor and an entourage welcoming the queen, while children sang in Hawaiian and offered an array of flowers. Eden had already informed her great-aunt that she would be meeting Rafe Easton, and to cover for her in case anyone should notice her absence. She didn’t think they would, not with Liliuokalani present.