by Conn, Phoebe
"If you don't want Sean dead, you better say so now, because if I tell Falcon that you do, he won't live long."
Dominique put her fingers to her temples. "We still have three days, and I've something else for you to tell Falcon." She recounted her conversation with Sergeant Danby. "The troops may have already started marching north, and then it will be plain they're headed for Charlotte, but if not, a few days warning may save some lives, if not many."
Belle nodded. "So we've become spies after all."
Dominique had had several hours to ponder their fate, and fully shared her sister's dismay. "I can't believe how greatly we've changed, or rather, I've changed. You've always been far more serious in your outlook on life. I was the frivolous one. Well, no more. The journey was too hard, and we've seen too much suffering since we arrived for me to ever return home and be content to arrange pretty bouquets all morning and flirt away the afternoons. Assuming any men survive this wretched war to flirt."
"The end of the war may be a year or more away. What are you going to do about tonight?"
Dominique recalled the warmth of Sean's touch and felt only shame. "I'll stay with Sean again. He's too weak to rape me, and he will be for a good long while, so I'll be safe in that respect."
Belle pulled off her kerchief and shook out her hair. "And in others?"
That was the real question. Dominique offered only a sad smile. "A snake fascinates his prey, and that's all Sean O'Keefe is: a handsome viper. I'm going to remind myself
of that comparison as often as it takes to order his death without a twinge of regret."
"It's a shame you worked so hard to save him."
"Yes. Isn't it? Mother always insisted it was God who worked the miracles, not the herbs. I just don't understand why God would want a man so totally devoid of character kept alive. Can you?"
"I won't even pretend to understand why good men die, while those with vile natures survive. I would like to believe the world is fair, but it isn't. This war is proof of that."
Dominique rose with a weary stretch. "I need to get back to Sean. After all, the sooner I make him well, the sooner we can leave for home." She ducked out of the tent and walked back to the farmhouse. She had had quite enough for one day, and hoped Sean had already fallen asleep, but he was awake, and waiting for her.
Sean was clutching a bowl of blackberries. "I was afraid you'd gotten lost. From now on, you'll take your meals here with me."
Dominique sat down beside him. "I don't want to leave Belle all alone."
"She'll find other company soon enough." He handed her the bowl. "Some of the men went out to gather berries. I saved these for you."
Dominique loved blackberries, but she did not want to take anything from Sean. "No, please. You eat them." She plucked one off the top and guided it to his mouth. He took it, and licked his lips.
"I've already had some," he claimed. "You must eat a few before I'll take another."
Easily succumbing to that demand, Dominique popped a plump berry into her mouth. It was juicy and sweet, exactly like those growing near home. "I wish we had some cream," she remarked wistfully.
"I asked for some, and was told the farmer's cows had
all been slaughtered for beef. There should be plenty of cream at your house, though, shouldn't there?"
Dominique leaned forward with another berry, and Sean opened his mouth wide. As soon as she had dropped in the berry, he caught her wrist and sucked her index finger into his mouth. She tried to pull away, but he held on in a reckless hint of what he would taste later on. Warm and wet, the sensation was not at all unpleasant, but she refused to provide even a glimpse of her true feelings. She simply stared at him coldly until he finally released her.
"You taste better than the berries," he whispered. "I'd like to drip the juice down between your breasts, and then lick it up."
Appalled by that request, Dominique sat back. She had known other men who were adept at flirting, but none had had Sean's ribald tastes. Or at least they had not taken such obvious pride in declaring them. "When are you going to consider what / want? Do you think you could practice being a gentleman for a few days at least? I really believe it would do you good."
"Perhaps, but it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable. Did you read my letter to Belle?" He saw the answer in Dominique's startled expression and flashed a mocking grin. "I'm so pleased you consider it too precious to share."
"I burned it," Dominique lied.
"You did not," Sean countered, "and we both know why."
Unwilling to play the attentive nurse, Dominique placed the bowl of blackberries back in his hand. "Feed yourself. The exercise will be good for you." She folded her arms across her bosom and looked out the window. The setting sun bathed the scarred fields with burnished gold, but there would be no fall harvest. She wondered how wide a swath of desolation the British had cut, and prayed they would never touch her family's plantation. She was sickened by the thought of Lord Cornwallis using the beautiful Barclay home as his headquarters, as he had Mr. Kershaw's.
Sean studied the play of golden light warming Dominique's sweet features and saw a fierce determination he had previously missed. "Dominique? Why is it so difficult for you to admit that you care for me?"
Dominique did not glance his way. "Eat your berries."
"They're for you, remember?"
"Threats and presents? Do you find that an effective combination with other women?"
Sean toyed briefly with the idea of swearing there had been no other women since he had last seen her, but too many years had passed for her to believe him. There had been a great many women, in fact. Lovely creatures not unlike her and Belle, then later, pretty young widows he had done his utmost to console. Some he had actually missed when he had received orders to move on, but none had lingered in his mind like a haunting perfume the way Dominique had.
"I should have mentioned your voice in that letter," he said. "You speak all the time in the husky tones other women only produce in the throes of passion. It's one of the most enchanting things about you. I would love to hear you sing."
Men often remarked on her voice, but the low, breathless quality was entirely natural. Even as a child, she possessed a woman's voice. "The only time I dare sing is in church when my voice blends with everyone else's. Otherwise, it's simply a disappointment."
"It couldn't be." Sean would have liked to continue the verbal sparring for hours, but he could barely keep his eyes open. "Will you please take this bowl? I don't want to spill the berries when the other men would like them."
That was such a polite request, that Dominique took the bowl and carried it out to the kitchen. Dr. Perry helped himself to a handful the instant she set it on the table. She had expected him to comment on Sean's good progress, but he seemed unconcerned about his patient's health.
"Be careful," he warned. "It's clear you and Colonel O'Keefe are close, but displays of affection are totally inappropriate in this setting. I realize some of my patients would find amorous antics entertaining, but I most definitely would not. In fact, the men are all doing so well here, I believe your talents will be of more use to the men down with fever. Beginning tomorrow, the only time you'll need to be here in the farmhouse is when you brew your herbal remedies."
Dominique had no hope of convincing Sean she was needed elsewhere, and had to refuse a change in assignment. "I'm unwilling to abandon Sean while he's so weak. If he's neglected, we could still lose him."
Stephen Perry thought he had made himself clear. He raised his voice slightly to make his order more emphatic. "You must have misunderstood me, Miss Scott. You'll do as I say here, or I'll have to insist that you and your sister leave."
Dominique smiled to herself. Nothing would please her more than to be ejected from Camden, but again, she knew Sean would never allow it. "I believe Colonel O'Keefe outranks you, Doctor. That means I'll have to stay here where I can look after his needs. Please discuss the matter with him if you like, but we both
know what the outcome will be."
Leaving the physician sputtering in astonishment, Dominique returned to the bedroom. Sean's eyes were closed, but he sensed her presence and looked up. "Are you in much pain?" she asked. "I'll fetch you some laudanum if you are."
"You'll be enough."
Dominique sat down and covered a wide yawn. "I doubt it. I'm too tired to do more than sleep."
"So am I. Scoot your cot next to mine again so I can hold your hand." When Dominique didn't obey immediately, Sean was annoyed but chose not to make his request
an order. "When we first met, you were such a delightful surprise. I'd come to your family's plantation searching for the scoundrels who were circulating those damnable pamphlets ridiculing the king. Then you came to the door, and I couldn't even remember what had brought me there. You can tell me now. It was your family that was behind the pamphlets, wasn't it?"
Indeed it had been, but Dominique spoke the lie without a pause. "Of course not. We were merely raising tobacco that spring. You have a very suspicious nature, Colonel."
"Sean."
Dominique glanced out the window. He had been given the choice location because of his rank, but she was the one who constantly sought the view. The sun had already set, leaving only a pale pink glow in the west. Without the light, the Wateree River formed a dark border at the edge of the fields. The British troops would follow it up past Wateree Lake, then the Catawba River would lead them on toward Charlotte.
"And you are secretive," Sean finally added.
Dominique turned back toward him. "You know all my secrets, Sean."
She was very beautiful, and in the fading light her expression held the magnificent sadness of a Renaissance madonna. "I know nothing at all," he told her. "You could have fallen in love, married, had children, been widowed. A great deal may have happened to you these past few years."
"I've had neither husband nor children," she confided softly. "My life has simply stood still since the war began. I was eager to change that sorry fact. That's why I'm here."
"No. That's not why you're here at all." Sean's glance was warmly admiring. "You're here to be with me. Now don't make me wait a moment longer. Move your cot close so I can hold you."
Fate had given their journey such a dangerous detour,
Dominique wondered if he could be right. If so, being with him was an apt punishment for the years she had wasted at home doing little more than being pretty. She got up to move the chair aside and repositioned her cot alongside his. When she stretched out on it, he slipped his arm under her shoulders to force her to rest her cheek on his bare chest. She resisted briefly, but the warmth of his skin against hers was so pleasant, she relaxed and draped her arm across him. He was so thin, her fingers fit between his ribs.
She knew she ought to tell him that Dr. Perry wanted her to tend other men, but his reaction was sure to be a poor one, and she did not want to overtax his strength. Sean pulled off her kerchief and wound his fingers in her curls. His touch was gentle, and for the moment, she felt safe in his arms. It was surely a trick, though, and tomorrow he would undoubtedly renew his threats. But for tonight at least, she was content to sleep in his arms.
The next morning, Sean was determined to leave his cot. "If you won't help me, then I'll find one of the surgeons' mates who will."
After waking, Dominique had left him only long enough to clean up as best she could in her tent. The fact that he'd come up with such a stupid idea in the few minutes he had spent alone astounded her. "You've lost too much blood, Sean. You'll surely faint, and if the mate doesn't catch you in time, you might break your one good arm in the fall. Then where would you be?"
Sean's eyes narrowed. "I am not a child and I'll not have you fussing over me like a doting mother."
"Fine. Dr. Perry wants me to tend the men stricken with fever and I'll begin right now."
As she turned away, Sean reached out to grab hold of her skirt. He gave it a good yank to pull her back to him, but then had to struggle to catch his breath. "God, how I hate this," he moaned. He closed his eyes for a moment, and then gave in. "Perhaps you're right and I am too weak
to stand, but that doesn't mean I couldn't lie in the back of a wagon and reach Williamsburg safely."
Dominique leaned back against the windowsill as she considered his request. She doubted Falcon would accept another delay in their escape from Camden, and if she and Belle left with Sean, they would have a safe passage past whatever British troops they encountered in the area. If they let Sean live more than an hour to two.
She had awakened several times during the night to find his arm still wrapped around her, She had then seen his need to be near her as pitiful rather than repugnant and had wondered if perhaps his vicious streak weren't masking the fear that he truly would be left a cripple. She chided herself not to make excuses for the snake, and straightened up.
"Your troops brought you here in a ramshackle old wagon that's still in the yard. Belle and I have mounts that can pull it, but it won't be an easy journey, and I'd like you to be stronger before we begin." Knowing he would challenge whatever day she chose, she offered one in hopes of winning with a compromise. "Another week should do it."
Sean actually winced. "No, I can't wait nearly that long."
Dominique was such an accomplished actress, her dismay was completely convincing. "Oh, Sean, really." She shook her head, and then felt his forehead to make certain his fever hadn't returned. "I'll need time to gather what provisions I can, and make certain the wagon won't disintegrate beneath us before we've traveled ten miles. You'll have to request a leave to recuperate in Virginia, and that might not be readily approved. Let's give ourselves three days to prepare, then if you feel up to it, we'll go."
Sean tried to sit up, but was overwhelmed by a sick, rolling dizziness that left him gasping for breath. Suddenly the prospect of being jostled this way and that in the back of a wagon was anything but appealing. "Three days it is then," he agreed, hoping he would feel a whole lot better, by then. "Bring me some of the porridge. It's undoubtedly
tasteless, but it will at least be filling and my body won't know the difference."
"I'll add a little honey. Would you like that?"
Sean caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. "Yes. Send for Lieutenant Beck. I want to know why they haven't found the bastard who shot me."
Dominique pulled her hand from his and tried not to let him see how frightened she was by his request. "Is that all you want of him?" she asked.
At first puzzled by her question, Sean soon grasped the cause of her apprehension. "Yes," he assured her, but his smile became a self-satisfied smirk. "I'll need him to help me get ready to go. Your secret's safe, for the time being at least."
Dominique wasn't sure if it was the golden glint in his eyes or the new growth of beard, but his resemblance to the Devil had become more pronounced with each passing day. Even so, she could not stifle a sarcastic reply. "You are too generous."
"Yes. I am, but you'll have ample opportunity to repay me.
Dominique knew it was not in the way he intended, but she would definitely see that he got what he deserved.
Two nights later, Belle met Falcon at the edge of the woods. "We're leaving tomorrow morning," she rushed to explain before he could again ask why Dominique wasn't with her. She described how they were going to hitch their prize mares to an old wagon, and ride right out of Camden in full view of everyone. He listened attentively until she mentioned Sean O'Keefe would be their passenger and then she had to clap her hand over his mouth to silence a ringing war whoop.
"Please," she implored him. "Dominique's feelings about Sean are ambivalent at best. One minute she's muttering
curses, and in the next weeping as she recounts some sweet gesture he's made. I honestly don't know if they are falling in love or manipulating each other as shamelessly as they did years ago."
Belle paused to give Falcon a quick kiss which he eagerly turned into a lengthy exchang
e. "Wait," she begged. "There's something else. Cornwallis is preparing to invade North Carolina. Is there some way to warn the people of Charlotte that he's coming?"
Falcon wrapped his arms around Belle's waist and lifted her clear off her feet. "I'm not the only man watching this camp, and the increased activity has already been noted. I never asked you to spy for us, Belle, and I never would, but thank you for the information. Now come with me. I can wait no longer to have you again."
Belle had no desire to play coy, but she was frightened for him. "O'Keefe can't understand why you haven't been caught. He knows only that you ride a sorrel horse, and if you were captured near Camden—"
Falcon stilled her warning with another slow, deep kiss. "I am as elusive as the wind, and the British will never catch me. I'll ride ahead of you in the morning and join you only when it's safe. You'll be able to feel me watching you, though, and know I'm there." He took her hand and led her toward Nails. "Now let's not waste any more of tonight."
Belle waited for him to mount the handsome horse, then he pulled her up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist as they rode into the heart of the forest. His hair was tied at his nape and out of her way as she leaned close to whisper. "Promise me you'll leave Nails at home and take another horse when you leave. He's brought you such good luck thus far, but you're being hunted because of him. You mustn't let your pride in him be your undoing."
Falcon considered her warning with the seriousness it deserved, but Nails was a stallion like no other, and not simply
because of his gorgeous golden-red hide. His first impulse was to refuse, but Belle was clinging to him so tightly, he could feel her trembling with fear and he could not abide that.
"You refused to become my wife, Belle. How can you worry like one?"
"Wife or not, I can't help but worry about you. Whenever you've been away, I've prayed for you constantly."