by Lora Thomas
With each word she spoke, the closer she approached the brothers. Joseph crossed the room to her and stopped her by taking hold of her arm. She gave him a heated glare and turned her gaze at the men at the doorway.
“Ah hae been kept below this bloody tavern…whichever one this is…for two whole days. Ah kin assure ye Mr. Rooster or Mr. Cock—whatever yer name is—that I am nae a blasted spy. Besides ah already ken that Joseph is involved with yer wee escapades, sae if ah was a spy then ye a’ wid be in trouble.”
“Insightful little chit, isn’t she?” Chris asked with humor.
“Still. The blindfold is for your safety. Our anonymity is for everyone’s safety—not just our own. It is for your safety. It is for our families and our friends. If you were captured, then you could honestly say you had no knowledge of our location.”
“Ah understand that,” Sarah replied. “But ah hae friends that hae valuable information. Ah wid be willing tae gather that information ‘n bring it tae ye if…” She allowed her words to trail off.
“If what?” Chris asked.
“Well,” Sarah said as she took a deep breath to give her the courage, “I seem tae be lacking a place tae reside.”
“Let me get this straight,” Cameron said, crossing his arms over his chest in frustration. “You are willing to give us information if we provide you lodging?”
“Aye.” At Joseph’s concerned expression, she continued, her Scottish accent lessening, “Nothing fancy. Just a small room. Even a closet would suffice.”
“Where have you been staying?”
“My employer dismissed me.”
“Why?” Joseph asked.
“She caught me…sneaking someone out of my room,” she lied. She could not tell these men the real reason until she fully trusted them. Then maybe she could recruit their help in rescuing Anna from her husband.
Cameron took a frustrated breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. He fixed his gaze on Joseph. “You can stay with Mr. Mercer. He will keep us informed of your actions and should we find out you are lying, we will deal with you then.”
“Fair enough.”
“But you will still need to be blindfolded,” Christopher said.
Joseph picked the blindfold up from the shelf and walked to Sarah. He held it out to her. She took the black cloth and tied it around her eyes. She could feel Joseph’s breath on her ear as he whispered. “I will remove it once at my shop.”
She felt Joseph take her arm and escort her out the door. Once out the door, the warm breeze from the ocean greeted them. She could hear the waves as they crashed onto the shore. Joseph took her arm to help her walk. The path was difficult to navigate. The cobblestone was not even and pieces were missing along the trail. He would walk her and then turn right. Then left. They zigzagged through the streets and alleyways until he decided that she could not locate the hidden room where she had been held.
He stopped in front of his shop and removed the blindfold from her eyes. She followed him into the back room of his shop. It was a quaint little room. There was one bed, but it was big enough for two people. To the right was a chest of drawers with a mirror mounted above it. A small table sat under the only window in the room. Beside the table was a Franklin stove and a door that led outside.
“You can sleep here. I will sleep in the barn.”
“You’re giving me your room?”
“For tonight,” he said as his eyes smoldered. Her face flushed with the meaning. They were not in the most respectable situation when his companions disturbed them earlier. “I will leave you to clean up and rest. There is a water barrel beside the door. I will check on you in the morning.”
Sarah watched Joseph leave and then hurriedly readied herself for bed. She was tired. But she was more concerned about Anna’s safety. She needed to contact Anna. These men could help her. Sarah drifted off to sleep trying to come up with a way to speak with her friend without the major finding out.
Anna sat in the drawing room working on her needlepoint. She detested needlepoint, but it kept her mind occupied. It kept her worry for Sarah at bay—temporarily. Albert was not happy when he learned that Anna had dismissed Sarah, but once she told him her reasoning, he agreed. As she thought of the tale she’d told her husband, she felt guilty. She’d told Albert that Sarah had been caught sneaking a man into her room. He was furious that one of his employees would do such an immoral act that did not involve him. Anna snorted. It was acceptable if they were having coitus with him, but if they chose another, then it was immoral. Her husband was an imbecile. An idiot. How on earth he managed to acquire the rank of major was beyond her.
“You have a message, Mrs. Stevenson,” Benson replied from the doorway.
“From whom?” Anna asked as she drew her brow together in thought. She knew they would know since all of her correspondences were screened before she was even allowed to read a single word. Guess Albert wanted to make certain she was not as promiscuous as he.
“Mr. Christopher.”
“Why would he be sending you a note?” Albert asked as he entered the room.
Hmm? Apparently Albert wasn’t the one to screen her mail today.
“I don’t know,” Anna replied as she stood and approached to Benson. He presented her the note. Before she could take it, Albert snatched it from her hands.
She held her breath as he opened the letter, hoping that nothing had happened to Sarah.
She watched as Albert drew his brows together and then gave her a disappointed look. “It seems the bonnet you requested has arrived at his store.”
“Oh,” Anna said as her eyes widened slightly with uncertainty. Why would he send her a note about a bonnet that she did not order? Unless he was actually a colonial sympathizer. He must be Sarah’s contact!
“Where did you acquire funds to purchase a bonnet?”
“Well. I didn’t actually order one,” Anna began trying to think of a lie to tell her husband. “I just mentioned to Mr. Christopher that…I had…ah…seen the one that Miss Reynolds was wearing and thought it was just delightful. He must have assumed I wanted one.” She placed her hand on Albert’s arm. She needed to go to the store herself to see why a message was sent to her. “I will go at once and ask him to return the item.”
“I will go,” Albert said, his irritation noticeable.
Anna held up her hand and gently waved it back and forth. “No, no. I will go. You have a meeting with your officers. This was my mistake and I will rectify it. You have more pressing issues than dealing with a bonnet.” She could see he was not willing to let this pass. “Mr. Benson can escort me there. We shall not be gone long.”
“Mr. Walters will go with you.”
Anna inwardly groaned. Mr. Walters was like a hawk. His eyes never missed anything. Any detail, any out of place item, he noticed. Added to that was the fact that he made the hairs stand on the back of her neck. He had a sinister presence about him. He was completely bald, even lacking eyebrows. His eyes were black and beady, reminding Anna of two very small black buttons that someone placed on his enormous head. His large hawklike nose made his lips look entirely too thin. But the icing on the cake was the fact that his facial features were entirely too small for his large round head. A shiver ran down Anna’s spine. It would not surprise her to find out the man had people tied up in his quarters and was performing heinous acts on them.
“That would be lovely,” Anna replied nervously. “I’ll grab my cloak and go immediately to resolve this misunderstanding.”
Anna walked out of the drawing room and to the front door. She took her cape from the peg, wrapped it around her shoulders, and waited for her new guard to appear. He arrived moments later. She exited the door before him and almost ran down the street to get away from his presence.
“Mrs. Stevenson!” Walters yelled. “Mrs. Stevenson! Wait!”
She ignored his command as she hurriedly walked down the street. He reached her a moment later, breathless.
“Slow do
wn, Mrs. Stevenson,” Walters commanded, panting.
“What?” she asked with a pretense of innocence as she slowed her pace. “Am I walking fast? Really, Mr. Walters, if I walk any slower, my dead grandmother would pass us. But if this pace is too brisk for you I suppose I could slow down to a turtle’s crawl in order for you to keep up. I would have imagined that, being a soldier, you would be used to marching swiftly and this moderate pace at which I am currently traveling would seem like crawling to you.”
The out-of-shape soldier just stared at Anna, his mouth working up and down. “No. This pace is fine,” he replied breathlessly. “I was just…worried that you,” he took another deep breath, “that you might,” he took several more breaths, “become overly winded.”
“Phooey, Mr. Walters. Becoming winded is good for one’s constitution. Makes one’s lungs strong.” She gave him a spiteful smile, turned and began walking at her swift pace again.
Anna and the winded Mr. Walters walked for several more minutes. The truth be told, Anna was winded herself, but she would not slow her pace even as beads of moisture rolled down her back. It gave her satisfaction that she could cause distress to one of her babysitters. Maybe if he became too short of breath he would not watch her as closely in the store—or better yet drop dead. Anna was becoming fatigued and about to slow her pace when she spotted Mr. Christopher’s store. She increased her pace. Her legs screamed with protest. They were becoming shaky, but she refused to slow and reached the door before Mr. Walters. She stood on the stoop—catching her own breath—and waited for her guardian. When Mr. Walters reached the stoop, he leaned over and rested his forearms on his thighs as he took several deep breaths.
“I will leave you to regain your composure, Mr. Walters.”
“No,” he panted as he righted himself. “I…I…”
“Will wait here. You cannot let the consumers in this building see you this way. It would make them think the British army is weak. Your out-of-shape body is a disgrace for anyone to see. We cannot have them reporting back to the major of your lack of physical fitness. It would be embarrassing. Once you have regained your composure and can breathe without sounding like a panting dog, then you may enter.” Anna turned in a whirl, dismissing the man.
As she entered the store, the aroma of powders and bath oils invaded her senses. She took a deep breath reveling in the enjoyable scents. As she looked around the shop, she noticed mounds of colorful materials, iron pots and pans, barrels full of baking goods, ribbons, bonnets and beads. It appeared to carry all the essentials one would need. As Anna studied the store, she realized no one was here. She turned to leave and the sound of a voice behind her caught her attention. She turned but saw no one. She began heading towards the door when she heard the voice again.
“Anna,” the voice whispered.
“Who’s there?” Anna asked.
Sarah slipped out from the back office. She rapidly motioned Anna to join her. Anna looked over her shoulder and then darted to Sarah’s location.
“Pick up a bonnet and come back here,” Sarah instructed. “If your guard should ask, tell him you just wanted to see what it would look like on and this is where the looking glass is located.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mr. Christopher is coming.”
“But he sent me a message to come here.” The confusion was written all over Anna’s face.
“I sent the message. Now hurry,” Sarah ordered as she slipped back into the office.
“Mrs. Stevenson? What a pleasant surprise. What brings you by my store today?” Christopher asked as he exited from a back storeroom.
Anna’s eyes grew wide as she realized what her friend had done. She quickly regained her composure. “I’m looking for a bonnet and I was told you have the best selection.”
Chris gave her a suspicious look. “Why, yes, I do have a wide selection. This way.”
Anna followed Chris to the table with bonnets. She pretended to study them and picked one out.
“I would like to see what this looks like on. Is there a mirror somewhere?”
Chris looked at the hideous bonnet in her hand. It was bright orange with a vibrant blue feather. One of the local prostitutes had ordered the bonnet but died before it arrived. He had placed it with the others just for laughs.
“Yes. In my office,” he said as he pointed to the door where Sarah was hiding.
Anna smiled sweetly at Mr. Christopher and noticed the resemblance he had to the man she met the other day at her home. She dismissed the thought as coincidence. She found the mystery man fascinating and kept a vigilant eye whenever she went out—hoping to see him again. She must be so desperate to see him that she was imagining he resembled the popinjay businessman. She turned and walked to his office. Before she entered, she looked towards the door to make sure Mr. Walters was still outside and then darted in. When the door closed behind her, Sarah quickly grabbed hold of her and gave her a warm embrace.
“I was so worried you would not make it.”
Anna returned Sarah’s embrace. “I told you to leave, Sarah. The city is not safe.”
Sarah pulled back and looked at Anna. “I told someone about the information we discovered.”
Anna’s eyes grew wide with fear. “Oh, Sarah! You shouldn’t have? If you get caught—”
“Shhh,” Sarah interrupted. “There are colonial spies in this city. I have met them. They are interested in more information to help win the war. If you are willing.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I…I…,”
“I know it’s dangerous, Anna. If the major discovered your assistance in their endeavor, he would kill you. But then again, when he finds out you are not pregnant and still a virgin, he will kill you anyway. If you must die at that man’s hands, make it for a good cause. Didn’t you say that very thing to me the night you dismissed me?”
“How’s that bonnet working for you, Mrs. Stevenson?” Mr. Christopher called from across the store.
“Wait here,” Anna whispered to Sarah. She exited the room. “I don’t care for this one after all. Let me try another.” She tossed the hat down and grabbed another one without looking at it and darted back into the office.
Once the door was closed, Anna spoke. “Why are you so interested in this cause? You never took an interest in the past when I mentioned it to you,” Anna reminded her friend. She watched as Sarah looked nervously about the room. “There’s a man involved, isn’t there?”
“Yes.”
“Your blacksmith?”
“Yes,” Sarah sheepishly admitted. “But he has friends who work for the cause. They need our help.”
“Sarah,” she began with a nervous breath. “I don’t know. Since I visited my home, I have more guards now than ever before.”
“When did you ever let a challenge dissuade you from doing anything?”
“How’s that bonnet, Mrs. Stevenson?” Mr. Christopher asked.
“I’m going to kill him,” Sarah whispered as she looked in frustration at the door.
“Just a minute, Mr. Christopher,” Anna called out. She then looked to Anna. “Is Mr. Christopher involved?”
Sarah remember Cameron’s warning about the cloak-and-dagger operation. Anonymity was of most importance. She did not want to lie, but she must protect her new friends. Before she could answer, Mr. Walters called out for Anna.
“Mrs. Stevenson?” Walters called again.
“Damn,” Anna replied. “I’ll be right back.” Anna exited the back room. “I just don’t think this one will do either, Mr. Christopher. Do you have something that is more fashionable?”
“I thought you were not going to purchase a bonnet, Mrs. Stevenson?” Walters asked. “I thought you came here to clear up the misunderstanding?”
Anna flipped her wrist at the guard. “Oh, Mr. Walters, you do not know a thing about women, do you? Mr. Christopher is going to return the bonnet. I just wanted to try several on in case I want to place one on hold. Isn’t that right, Mr.
Christopher?” As Anna asked the question, she gave Chris a pleading look to comply with her strange request.
Christopher drew his brow together as he looked back and forth between Mrs. Stevenson and her guard. Something was amiss. “Yes,” he answered, deciding to play along to see what ploy the beautiful blond was playing. He picked up a ladies-sized tri-corn hat. The top of the hat was white. The underside was a light purple, with a dark purple ribbon running around the outer edges. There was a small purple ostrich plum extending from the back of the hat. “I believe this would look lovely on you.”
“Thank you. I shall try this one on.” She turned to go to the back office and Mr. Walters followed. She stopped. “There is no need for you to follow me, Mr. Walters. There is nothing in that room but a desk and mirror. I can assure you no one will try to harm me in there and there are no windows for me to escape out of.”
She watched as the hawk clenched his jaw. She locked her blue eyes to his and refused to give in. He gave a submissive nod and motioned for her to continue. As she turned to proceed back to the office, she noticed the storeroom door crack. She caught a glimpse of someone. Her mouth dropped with recognition. It was the man from her home! Surely she must be dreaming. Sarah will know! She nearly ran into the office where Sarah was located.
Before Sarah could speak, Anna said, “I will only agree to help if you tell me who that man is?”
“What man?”
“The man in the storeroom next door,” Anna said. At Sarah’s confused look, Anna continued, “I saw him the other day at my old home. How do you know him?”
Sarah’s eyes widened. She shook her head back-and-forth slowly. “I can’t tell you.”
Anna could see the worry in her friend’s eyes. “Very well. But you must introduce me to him.” Before Sarah could refuse, Anna spoke. “Albert is meeting with the officers this afternoon. He will be departing to go to the front lines afterward. I will bring the information to you. But I will only divulge it to him.”
“I don’t know if he’ll agree, Anna. They are quite adamant about secrecy.”