The Scarlet Coat

by Angela Couch

A sob reached his ears.

  Andrew followed the sound. Then the glow of Rachel’s lantern led him. Hidden, he had a view of her profile.

  She knelt between two graves, the lantern set aside, tears glistening as they tumbled down her cheeks. Her hands hugged her trembling shoulders. “I wish you were here, Mama. What do I know about love? I thought it would be easier than this. But I’m so miserable. I’ve never felt so strongly for a man. I love him.”

  Andrew drew back a step, seeking an escape. He shouldn’t be here, lurking in the dark, watching her. Still, his feet were slow to obey. You are engaged and she probably is, as well. Indeed, it is good that she loves him. It will make her life so much more pleasant than yours could ever be.

  He stepped from the woods. The air helped clear his mind. He pushed up his sleeves. Why did he suddenly feel so hot? He had to think rationally. He was a man, and as such he could not let himself succumb to emotion. Where would the civilized world be if men allowed feelings to rule them as women did? Utter chaos. He knew his duty, and understanding where Rachel’s heart rested could only aide him in walking away when the time came.

  ~*~

  Rachel sat back, her lower legs numb from being tucked for so long. She buried her face in her hands, and then wiped across her cheeks to brush the moisture away. If only life were not so complicated. If Daniel could be everything she loved about Andrew. Or if Andrew were in the same position as Daniel and able to stay—to love her as fully as she loved him. “I have to stop thinking. Only a few more weeks and he’ll be gone. Only a few more weeks...” Fresh tears misted her vision. She blinked them back and struggled to her feet. If she stayed out here much longer, Joseph would form another search party. She wanted to be left alone.

  By the time Rachel emerged into the clearing, her eyes and face had almost dried, leaving her skin stiff and chilled. Hopefully the cool air would help them gain the semblance of normal before she reached the cabin. Something rustled the branches behind her and she spun back to the woods, jerking the lantern upward.

  Dark angles contrasted the light illuminating Andrew’s face.

  “What on earth are you doing there? You near frightened me to death.”

  His eyes flickered regret and then returned to passive indifference to match his severe expression. He inclined his head in his proper bow. “I apologize, ma’am. That was not my intention.”

  “Indeed.”

  “It cannot be safe for you walking out here unaccompanied. I know this wilderness is far more secluded than the cities of my youth, but I am sure there are still many dangers.”

  “Did you follow me?”

  Andrew’s gaze momentarily evaded hers. “Please, Miss Garnet, let me return you to your home.” He stepped past her, then paused and extended his arm.

  Rachel hesitated, her hand hovering above his forearm. Then she lowered it into place, his skin warm under her touch. He stared at where her fingers rested, his face unarmed, a cascade of expressions warring.

  “I am sorry.” His arm pulled away and he worked to unroll the sleeve. “Forgive my carelessness.” Andrew looked to her. “I...” His voice broke as his gaze fell to her mouth, then returned to her eyes. “Miss Garnet, I should never have—”

  “No. Captain Wyndham, please. There’s nothing for me to forgive.” Rachel retreated a step. “I can manage fine on my own.” Turning away, she raced toward the cabin, not slowing until she reached the door. She glanced back at his stationary form almost invisible against a backdrop of black. What just happened? Had he overheard her talking at her parent’s graves? Did it make any difference? Or had he still not forgiven her for her intrusion a week earlier? Her mind buzzing and heart feeling as if it had been kicked by the milk cow, Rachel dove through the door and out of his sight.

  25

  Rachel scanned the yard for any sign of Joseph, before returning to shovel dirt from around the roots of the stump. She’d probably never hear the end of it if he caught her working on the stump while potatoes needed digging. But what he didn’t know couldn’t hurt her. She sank the spade deep, wedging it against yet another root, leaving no room for maneuvering. Rachel jerked up on the handle. The blade immediately shed the dirt that had clung. “Oh Papa, how did everything become so confused?” She raised her gaze to the open doors of the loft.

  Andrew reclined against the side, his good leg dangling out and the Bible laid across his lap. His face and most of his body remained out of sight.

  Rachel relaxed against the stump with a sigh. “I’m not ready to lose someone else, but what other option is there?”

  Tapping the heel of her shoe against the cut edge of a severed root, she let her eyes close. What if Andrew did share her feelings to some extent? Could he stay? No, it wouldn’t be safe. But perhaps there was somewhere they could go. To be together. Rachel ground her teeth as she skidded the spade over the root, making it visible. Such thoughts would only make it harder to say goodbye, and that was their reality. Andrew didn’t belong here, and she didn’t belong in England’s “polite society.” She glanced from the cabin to the fields, avoiding the barn.

  A horse and rider raced down the road. Their shadows leapt between the trees, the colors of autumn obscuring their identities, and she spun to Andrew’s perch. Already abandoned. Deep breaths slowed the rush of her blood as she climbed out of the trench and yanked up the nearest potato plant. She collected several tubers before utilizing the spade.

  Daniel snatched his hat from his head as he pulled his mare to a halt at the edge of the garden. “Rachel...” He struggled to catch his breath.

  “What is it? Has something happened?”

  “Brant. He’s raiding...five miles downriver. Where’s Joseph?”

  His pronouncement struck her square in the chest. “Joseph rode down to check on the cornfield.”

  “Where?”

  Rachel ran to the horse and gripped Daniel’s arm. No use trying to give him directions. No time. “Swing me up, I’ll show you.”

  Leaning away from her, he gave her the stirrup and pulled her on behind him.

  Grasping his coat, she laid her heels into the horse’s sides. As the animal lurched into a gallop, clods of dirt flew from its hooves. One flipped up, striking Rachel’s back. She held tighter. “Through that first wheat field.” Only stubble remained. Her blood ran cold.

  Joseph Brant and his raiders within five miles? If any Loyalist invoked fear in the hearts of the settlers, it was the Mohawk war chief. Rumor named him as one of the leaders during the battle of Oriskany. Had he returned?

  They met Joseph at the edge of the corn, already in motion toward Hunter.

  Daniel swung his leg forward over the mare’s neck, and dropped to the ground, then lifted Rachel down.

  Joseph redirected his course. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re gathering men at the old fort to go after Brant. He’s burning just south-east of us and working this direction,” Daniel said. “We need you.”

  “Brant?” Joseph wiped his palm over his mouth. “I can’t do it.”

  “What?”

  He motioned to the tall green stalks and drooping tassels. The silk crowning each cob had withered to an ugly brown. “I can’t wait any longer to get this corn brought in. I should have started two weeks ago. I can’t risk losing my crop.”

  “How about your cabin and everything else? If we don’t confront Brant, what’s will stop him from burning this whole valley?”

  Rachel stepped around Daniel. “Joseph.”

  “I know.” He pushed his hat back to mop his brow with his sleeve. “What other choice do we have?” His breath escaped in a burst. “All right.”

  “I’ll start the corn. Sorrowful should be able to haul a part load by himself.”

  He nodded and turned back to Hunter.

  Daniel glanced at Rachel. “And as soon as we get back, I’ll spare you a day. I can probably bring Fannie, as well.”

  Joseph swung into his saddle and gave a nod. “So long as we m
ake it back.” He reined Hunter toward the farm.

  Daniel’s hand brushed Rachel’s shoulder and she managed to mimic her brother’s nod.

  Joseph sprinted into the cabin as soon as they arrived. He came back out with a pistol peeking from his coat pocket and the musket in his hands. He strapped it to the saddle.

  Rachel slid off Daniel’s mare. “Be careful, all right.”

  “Don’t worry.” He squeezed her elbow. “I plan on finishing harvest.”

  You’d better.

  He glanced to the garden. “Don’t leave those potatoes out of the sun too long.”

  “Don’t you worry about that.”

  He mounted and glanced back at Daniel. “You ready?”

  Daniel’s dark gaze lingered on Rachel. “I guess so.”

  “You both keep safe,” she said to him. “You hear?”

  The corners of his mouth turned upwards. “We’ll be back.”

  Rachel stared as they disappeared down the road and behind gold-laden branches.

  ~*~

  Andrew braced against the edge of the loft’s doorframe. Below him, Rachel fought with the harness and the sorrel gelding, preparing to hitch the wagon.

  Ten minutes earlier, Joseph and Daniel rode from the yard as though the devil nipped at their heels.

  Andrew fumbled with the buttons of his coat, dusted it off, and then started for the stairs.

  Rachel jiggled the reins, backing the sorrel to the wagon hitch. She glanced at Andrew, but said nothing.

  Hardly surprising. He still hadn’t found the right words to apologize for losing his temper. Unfortunately, time only deepened the chasm between them.

  “May I offer my assistance?”

  “I can manage.”

  He hooked his crutch on the side of the wagon and made his way to her. Other than for distances or on the stairs, he no longer required assistance walking. He preferred to limp. With his hand on the horse’s thigh, he bent down for a loose strap. “I have no lack of faith in your ability to manage, but, alas, not what I inquired.”

  Her eyes narrowed but she allowed him to fasten the harness while she fussed over the other side.

  “Joseph and Mr. Reid left in a hurry.”

  Rachel gave no reaction.

  Andrew moved to the front of the horse, scratching its thickening coat. One more sign that his time here was nearly at an end. “Where are you off to?”

  Her hands did not pause. “There’s corn to harvest.”

  “Corn.” He crossed in front of the horse and leaned into the animal’s shoulder to take weight off his leg for a moment. “Is being well-armed required for that task?”

  Rachel brushed by him as she walked around the horse. “They went after Joseph Brant and his raiders.”

  Andrew crossed his arms over the horse’s withers. “Brant?”

  “Did you know him?”

  “Yes. I remember him. We met in England.”

  “England?” She seemed to have picked up on his pattern of repeating one word.

  “He had an audience with the king, and I met him on the docks before embarking to the Americas. We sailed together.” He paused as a storm brewed behind her eyes. The next part wouldn’t impress her either. “I saw him again shortly before we traveled down the Mohawk. He joined us in our siege against Fort Stanwix. His sister sent the news of the Continental force coming to meet us. You are probably aware of his role after that.”

  “It’s called Fort Schuyler now.” She tipped her head up. “After General Philip Schuyler, one of our congress’s delegates. You can call it Fort Stanwix if the British ever win it back.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “And yes, I know Brant was at Oriskany, too.”

  Just as he had been.

  She seemed fixed on putting him in his place today. Worry for her brother and Daniel likely affected her greater than she wanted to show.

  Andrew steeled himself from feeding her aggression. “And now he has returned?”

  The tremble of her head appeared to be a nod.

  Oh, Rachel. What he wouldn’t give to take all that fear away. Given a horse and a musket he would ride against Brant himself. He’d make sure Joseph...and Daniel made it back to her. But that would mean leaving her here unprotected. And no doubt their friends would question his identity. “What can I do to help with the corn?” Andrew made his way back around to her side.

  “I can manage.” She collected the reins and laid them over the wagon seat before climbing up. He caught her elbow to assist, and she mumbled a thank you.

  The horse whinnied, and they both twisted to the road as three riders materialized from the shade.

  Andrew dropped out of sight, but it was too far and open to get back through the barn doors without being seen.

  “Watch yourself.” The warning barely out her mouth, Rachel slapped the leather against the horse, forcing it backwards, turning the wagon at the same time.

  Andrew kept one hand on the box to keep pace until the tailgate reached the barn. He lunged for cover, barely making it.

  She gave the animal encouragement forward, directing the sorrel to meet the visitors.

  The wagon pulled away, his crutch still hanging from the side.

  ~*~

  Matthias Adler, Rodney Cowden, and Benjamin Reid met Rachel only a few yards from the barn. Hopefully enough distance to keep Andrew hidden—if they hadn’t seen him already. They appeared upset, but had yet to rush the British officer.

  Benjamin spoke first. “Has Joseph left?”

  “Daniel came for him not long ago. They are probably to the old fort by now. Is there any more word on the raids?”

  Cowden released a laugh laced with irritation. “Sure is. We’re all racing across the countryside instead of finishing harvest while Joseph Brant probably sits comfortable at home planning his raids for next spring. Some drunk fool lit his own barn on fire.”

  “That’s it?” Rachel wasn’t sure if she could trust the rush of relief.

  “Yeah. Probably left a lamp too close to his hay last night. And now the whole countryside is ablaze with fear.” His mouth tightened.

  Rachel let her eyes close as her breath and tension drained away. “Thank you for telling me.”

  “We hoped to catch them before they got any farther on this wild goose chase.” Benjamin shook his head. “We will try to get to them before they reach the fort.”

  He nudged his mount forward, as did the Matthias, but Rodney Cowden remained in place. “Whose crutch is that?”

  “Crutch?”

  Andrew had not made it away clean after all.

  26

  Rachel’s voice caught in her throat. One mistake and another spark would light up the valley. “We think you may be right about that prowler you thought you saw a couple weeks ago. Joseph found the crutch this morning on the far side of the stream by our cornfield. Though, he figures it might still be the Kastner boys playing war. Their pa had an accident with his leg a while back. It could be his, and the boys are pretending it’s a musket.”

  “Guess that makes sense. Though I swear I saw a man, and he had a limp.”

  Rachel reached for the crutch and tossed it into the back of the wagon. “Joseph will take it back to the Kastners when he has some time to find out for sure.”

  “Why don’t I take it over to the old fort now and ask around. Herbert Kastner will probably be there with the rest.”

  And then the whole settlement could swarm down on the Reid farm to search for the ‘prowler’. She focused on keeping her expression relaxed. “No. Let us handle this. I’m sure it’s nothing, and we don’t want to start any more ‘fires,’ remember?” A chuckle. Anything to reduce their suspicion. “Not ‘til after harvest. Then we can use the warmth and occupation.”

  The corner of Cowden’s mouth turned up. “You’re probably right. We’ll wait. But let me know what you find out.”

  “Of course.”

  ~*~

  The next day, Rachel and Fanni
e sat together shucking corn, their brothers hauling it from the field as quickly as they could manage. Fannie sent a glance to the barn. “Does he ever come down from the loft?”

  “Not often.” Not since yesterday. “Sometimes for meals.” Rachel pulled the last bit of dried silk from the corn cob and tossed it into the large basket. Grabbing another cob, she began the process again. “And he usually helps Joseph with chores in the barn. His leg seems be healing well now.”

  “It must be strange having a Briti...having someone like him around. How can you be sure he can be trusted not to do anything, like burn your house or barn while you are sleeping and make off with your horses?”

  “He’s not that sort of a man.” Rachel focused on the work at hand. “Besides, he was practically a clergyman.”

  “Yes, Daniel mentioned that.”

  The wagon appeared around the barn and Joseph drove it to what remained of their pile of corn yet to be husked. A minute later the mound had doubled in size and continued to grow.

  Fannie watched their brothers unload the corn, and lowered her voice. “Daniel’s unconvinced. He fears you’re playing with a snake in the grass and that sooner or later you’ll be bit.”

  Rachel held back any comment as the men approached.

  Andrew was hardly snakelike.

  “This load is about ready to be hauled to the loft.” She threw her last cob onto the top. They would lay them out in the threshing room until the kernels dried enough to knock off and grind for meal. She looked at the hill of corn left to be husked. The yield was excellent, but how long would this take if Daniel hadn’t volunteered his and Fannie’s help? Plus, it was much more pleasant with another woman to visit with.

  Joseph seemed to have no objection to the young woman’s presence, either. Throughout the morning they’d exchanged friendly glances and comments. Perhaps he had finally opened his eyes. “With most of the garden done and put away for winter, after today we should be about done with harvest,” Joseph said as he joined them. “We were certainly blessed this year.”

  “You might say that.” Blessed? The fact that their corn and wheat had done well did not make them blessed. “Others lost their fields and homes, we only lost our...” She couldn’t say it. At least not out loud. Sarcasm stole into her voice. “But, never mind. That’s not important.”