see you two have met,” observed Kit as he walked into the hall , his favorite hound at his heels. He tossed his hat to the manservant, who caught it deftly and withdrew with a slight bow to the master whose attention was already on his nephew. “Theo, what are you doing here? Not that it isn’t a pleasure to see you.”
“I bring a message from Court, Uncle Kit,” replied Theo, his eyes straying to the beautiful girl who was still watching him with those amber eyes.”
“I hope you’ll be staying for a few days. Come into the library so we can talk. Do excuse us, Louisa.” Kit slapped Theo on the shoulder as they walked toward the library, leaving Louisa looking after them; a small smile playing about her lips. Suddenly, things had gotten more interesting, setting her mind whirling with possibilities. She raced up the stairs to have her bath and to pick out her most becoming gown for supper. She’d be damned if she let this opportunity pass her by.
August 1777
Staten Island
Chapter 12
Abbie peered at the map again, then looked around at the landmarks, if you could call them that. They were in a place called Staten Island, but it might as well have been the backwoods of Virginia. They’d passed a farm about an hour ago, but hadn’t seen anything since, and there was nothing to tell them if they were on the right track.
“I think we’re going the wrong way, Finn. There’s nothing here,” Abbie complained. She was tired, hungry, but most of all , saddle-sore. The thought of spending another couple of hours in the saddle were enough to make her cry, especially since she was expecting her period and feeling crampy and achy.
“No, I think it’s just up ahead. I know you’re tired, but just a little bit longer. Sam will think the worst if we don’t show up. We’re a few days late as it is. Would you like to dismount and stretch your legs for a bit?” Finn asked, a look of sympathy on his face.
“No, let’s just press on. Once I get off this old nag, I’m not getting back on, and that’s a promise. Do we have anything to drink?” Finn passed her a bottle of cider, hoping the cool drink would refresh her. He was tired himself, but didn’t want to show weakness. It would just make Abbie feel worse. If they didn’t find the homestead soon they would have to camp for the night and look for it tomorrow, but Finn hoped it wouldn’t come to that. They were low on food and drink, and another night of sleeping outdoors would likely push Abbie over the limit. She’d never traveled anywhere before this, and the weeks of being in the saddle and sleeping rough had taken their toll. She’d need at least a day or two to rest before they took up whatever role Sam had in mind for them.
“Come on, Abs, just a little while longer.” Finn squeezed her hand, willing her not to give up. Abbie just nodded and dug her heels into the horse’s sides, spurring it on. If she couldn’t get out of the saddle, maybe she could at least feel the wind on her face.
The farm finally came into view about a half hour later. It was a desolate looking place, but there was light in the windows and smoke coming from the chimney, which hopefully meant that someone was cooking supper. There’d be no other reason to light a fire on such a warm night. Several chickens were pecking in the dirt in front of the house, and the lowing of cows and bleating of sheep could be heard coming from the barn as the final rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon, bathing the homestead in a lavender glow that would quickly give way to the velvety blackness of a summer night.
A figure emerged from the house, peering into the gathering darkness as Finn and Abbie finally drew closer to the house. Abbie’s heart nearly burst with joy as she recognized Sam. She couldn’t see his face clearly, but the limp gave him away. It wasn’t bad, but noticeable
“I bring a message from Court, Uncle Kit,” replied Theo, his eyes straying to the beautiful girl who was still watching him with those amber eyes.”
“I hope you’ll be staying for a few days. Come into the library so we can talk. Do excuse us, Louisa.” Kit slapped Theo on the shoulder as they walked toward the library, leaving Louisa looking after them; a small smile playing about her lips. Suddenly, things had gotten more interesting, setting her mind whirling with possibilities. She raced up the stairs to have her bath and to pick out her most becoming gown for supper. She’d be damned if she let this opportunity pass her by.
August 1777
Staten Island
Chapter 12
Abbie peered at the map again, then looked around at the landmarks, if you could call them that. They were in a place called Staten Island, but it might as well have been the backwoods of Virginia. They’d passed a farm about an hour ago, but hadn’t seen anything since, and there was nothing to tell them if they were on the right track.
“I think we’re going the wrong way, Finn. There’s nothing here,” Abbie complained. She was tired, hungry, but most of all , saddle-sore. The thought of spending another couple of hours in the saddle were enough to make her cry, especially since she was expecting her period and feeling crampy and achy.
“No, I think it’s just up ahead. I know you’re tired, but just a little bit longer. Sam will think the worst if we don’t show up. We’re a few days late as it is. Would you like to dismount and stretch your legs for a bit?” Finn asked, a look of sympathy on his face.
“No, let’s just press on. Once I get off this old nag, I’m not getting back on, and that’s a promise. Do we have anything to drink?” Finn passed her a bottle of cider, hoping the cool drink would refresh her. He was tired himself, but didn’t want to show weakness. It would just make Abbie feel worse. If they didn’t find the homestead soon they would have to camp for the night and look for it tomorrow, but Finn hoped it wouldn’t come to that. They were low on food and drink, and another night of sleeping outdoors would likely push Abbie over the limit. She’d never traveled anywhere before this, and the weeks of being in the saddle and sleeping rough had taken their toll. She’d need at least a day or two to rest before they took up whatever role Sam had in mind for them.
“Come on, Abs, just a little while longer.” Finn squeezed her hand, willing her not to give up. Abbie just nodded and dug her heels into the horse’s sides, spurring it on. If she couldn’t get out of the saddle, maybe she could at least feel the wind on her face.
The farm finally came into view about a half hour later. It was a desolate looking place, but there was light in the windows and smoke coming from the chimney, which hopefully meant that someone was cooking supper. There’d be no other reason to light a fire on such a warm night. Several chickens were pecking in the dirt in front of the house, and the lowing of cows and bleating of sheep could be heard coming from the barn as the final rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon, bathing the homestead in a lavender glow that would quickly give way to the velvety blackness of a summer night.
A figure emerged from the house, peering into the gathering darkness as Finn and Abbie finally drew closer to the house. Abbie’s heart nearly burst with joy as she recognized Sam. She couldn’t see his face clearly, but the limp gave him away. It wasn’t bad, but noticeable
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