by Adair, Mary
William refused to be excluded. "Most definitely. Maybe I should get a little country air myself. With me at Southwick and you at the Oaks, we can double our vigilance on Dawn.”
"So, the plans are set," William continued with a grand flourish. "We will send Dawn and my grandmothers to Manor Oaks until the Golden Lady is back in port. Then we'll pack up Dawn, and me too, of course." Suspecting Raven's true emotional attachment to Dawn, William decided to test his theory. He leaned toward Raven and added, "I'm really looking forward to this part. I'll escort her back to Charles Town and hand her safe and sound to her father." He smiled brightly. "I suspect that her father will be delighted to see me. Don't you think so, Raven? At the very least, he should feel beholden to me for restoring his little girl back to him safe and sound."
Raven's jaw worked as he studied William's too-happy-to-oblige expression. "That's the plan," Raven replied through tight lips, his eyes flashing. "Just be sure that she does get there safe and sound. If not, you will have both her father and me to answer to." He looked unseeing at the passing shops that lined the street. "If anything happened to her...Just keep your eyes open, my friend."
If William had ever wondered about Raven's affection for Dawn, he had no doubts now. So why did the man continue to see that vixen Marguerite? Hell, if he ever had a woman like Dawn to love him, he would gladly give up his last possession to have her.
He considered Raven's profile as his friend glared toward the port. The man didn't belong here anymore than Dawn did. With a tortured sigh, William wondered how their relationship would fare when Raven learned the truth. Oh, he had no doubt that Raven would eventually ferret out all the facts. Was Raven's ability to hate so strong that it would encompass his best friend of nearly fifteen years? He cleared his throat and Raven shifted his gaze back to him.
William shot him a teasing look as he withdrew a small blade from his pocket and leisurely manicured his nails. "That's really a silly name, Manor Oaks. Where did you get it?"
"Manor Oaks?" Raven asked as he leaned back. "You think it sounds silly? Good. I think it sounds...English."
Chapter Seven
"Psst!" Dawn heard the summons and searched the well-tended garden for the source. "We're over here."
Dawn spotted Sara waving to her from the shadows behind the tool shed, and hurried toward her friend. To her surprise, there was a small open space apparently designed to provide a comfortable lounging area for someone seeking a little more seclusion and privacy than could sometimes be found in a busy garden.
"I'm sorry to be late. The Ladies were in quite a talkative mood," she offered in apology. She knew the boys probably had nothing better to do, but Sara might be missed at any moment.
"Don't worry about that." Sara peeked around the corner of the shed. "This here is Thomas and David." She indicated first the older and larger of the two boys.
David looked like a miniature copy of his big brother. They both hosted an unruly thatch of light brown hair, shot through with golden highlights. Their chestnut colored eyes danced with mischief. Both were thin to the point of appearing unhealthy, but one look into those dancing eyes assured Dawn that both boys were alert and full of confidence.
"I have explained our plan to them. I'm not sure..."
"I don't mean ta be rude," Thomas interrupted his sister.
Dawn felt he didn't care if he was rude or not. She crossed her arms and waited to hear his objections.
"What yer suggestin' is not, in my opinion, the wisest thing a woman like yerself should be doin'." He delivered this judgment with an impatient toss of his head and then shot his little brother a grin. They both snickered.
"Just look at ye." He mistakenly flipped a hand in her direction.
Dawn grabbed his wrist and quickly twisted it until Thomas found himself turned about and standing on his toes to relieve the pressure on his wrenched shoulder.
"Stop that, ye colonial heathen!" he hissed angrily. "Don't you talk to my friend like that, Thomas!" Sara pushed into his face.
"Ah, come on, sis! Look at what she's doin' ta yer brother. This bloody well 'urts! Call 'er off!"
Sara's face filled with shock and concern. "Oh, please, Dawn, don't hurt him."
Dawn released Thomas and Sara anxiously ran her hands over his shoulder as if looking for some permanent damage.
"That's enough, sis." Thomas jerked his shoulder away. "It don't hurt that much. I just wanted 'er ta turn loose without me havin' ta hurt 'er. That's all."
David chuckled, and Dawn was reminded of the young braves in her village. Thomas shot David a warning glance and he sobered immediately. Although Dawn knew that in any culture a young man's pride was a fragile thing to be nurtured, Raven's life must take precedence in this situation.
Treading softly to soothe his feelings, Dawn said, "I'm not competing with you, Thomas." Her plan would be more difficult to pull off without the boy's help. "I'm trying to prove to you that I can do what I say, but I can't do it alone. I need your help."
Thomas looked her up and down. He stuck his hands in his pockets and made a great show of turning his back and walking away. He stopped, walked back and tilted his head as if in deep thought.
"Aw, come on. Sara goes with us sometimes. She never got in ta trouble," David begged his brother.
Sara started to speak, but Dawn looked at her and shook her head in warning.
"Sara grew up on the streets, Davie. She knows 'ow ta behave herself. I don't think I want ta be put into a position of protecting a new female." Thomas stopped his pacing and straightened to his full height.
Dawn knew he intended to turn her down. She took a quick step forward and Thomas did exactly what she expected. As he took a step back, he involuntarily put out a hand. She again snatched his arm and twisted, but this time, she added a small maneuver and he landed face down on the ground with her straddling his back.
"Come on now! This is gettin' a bit wearin' on a fella. If ye wasn't sneakin' up on me, being a woman and all, ye wouldn't be able ta put me down and ye knows it too!" Thomas beat the ground dramatically with his free hand. "Tell 'er to let me up, Sara. And tell 'er not ta do this again."
"Don't you see, Thomas? I will go dressed as a boy," Dawn said. "Then you won't have to protect a girl." She released his arm and stood up. She offered him a hand up, but he looked at her in disgust and pushed himself up.
"I'm not fighting back 'cause you're a girl." With sharp jerking motions, he brushed his ragged clothes. "Girl or boy, it don't much matter. As a girl, I won't say what could happen to ye, but as a boy, you'd have ta prove yerself. And nobody would be easy on ye for bein' a girl either 'cause nobody would know."
Sara stepped forward. "Tom, I'm asking you as your sister. Please help Dawn. She's a good friend to me and she needs our help."
Thomas scratched his head and looked at David. David grinned like a lovesick puppy and Thomas groaned. He pursed his lips and dug a toe into the soft dirt.
"Well, I guess tha two of ya need to start talkin' and explain what this is all 'bout," he acquiesced with obvious displeasure.
***
Dawn paced angrily in her room. Raven had returned earlier in the afternoon. In that controlling angry way of his, he had informed her she was to go to Manor Oaks, his country estate. She was to stay there until she could return to the colonies on the Golden Lady. "Ugh!" She stamped her foot on the plush pile rug. Frowning at the rug, she complained aloud, "You can't even kick up a good cloud of dust in here."
Of course, the Ladies Gaylord and Montgomery were happy to accompany her. She wasn't upset with them. For the last several hours, she'd been all but forgotten in their hustle and bustle to prepare for what would only be a short visit. Luckily for her, these civilized people were so unorganized. Her whole village could have been packed up and on the move before the dear old ladies could decide which carriage they wanted to take. Lady Montgomery was especially particular about every item. Dawn could have kissed her for being so slow.
> She heard the great clock at the end of the hall strike midnight. Her hostesses must be asleep and Sara would be at her door soon. No sooner had the thought passed than she heard a light tap on her door. She hurried and opened the door with a jerk, flinging it wide. A quick look in both directions of the hallway satisfied her that no one else was about.
She pulled Sara in. "Did you get everything?" She asked in a harsh whisper as she shut the door.
Sara laid her bundle on the bed. "Yes, but..."
"No time to argue about this," Dawn cut her off before Sara could go through her long list of reasons why Dawn should not embark on her latest plan. "Just help me get ready, please. I know you don't understand why I must do this. I suppose few white people could."
Dawn thought of her father and her heart ached to see him again.. .to see him, her mother and her village. Her throat worked as she fought back the tears that threatened to flood her eyes. She covered her pain by busying herself with spreading out the bundle. Some day, she would visit, she told herself. But she knew the village would never again be her home. Pushing the pain down deeper, she reminded herself that the choice had been hers to make. Her heart would not allow her to make any other. To help Raven, she would pay any price.
"Raven means more to me than anyone or anything." Her voice cracked, but she continued inventorying the contents of the bundle. Someday, she thought, Raven will find himself and then he will make his choice as well.
Sara stood very still and spoke softly, "I hope I've brought the right things for you."
Dawn glanced at Sara's face. She could see understanding in Sara's eyes. "Oh, Sara." She reached out to squeeze Sara's wrist. "You have done very well. These are perfect for our trek to the docks."
Without another word, Dawn stripped and turned to Sara, who was taking too long. "You must move faster, Sara. Here, let me help you." Sara had no choice but to overcome her shyness at having a lady help her to undress and then dress again. Both were soon dissolved in giggles as they helped each other pull and tuck and tie.
In less than thirty minutes the two young women stood before Dawn's mirror dressed as orphaned waifs. Dawn's ragged loose-fitting britches and shirt concealed her curves with the help of a tightly secured band about her chest. Her bare feet would have felt better in a pair of warm moccasins, but having grown up in the Appalachian Mountains, she knew that the damp chill would not be a problem for her.
"Please, milady," Sara begged.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "I understand you feel that you must call me that in the presence of others. But not here, not when we're alone. And not ever if I had my way," she implored with much feeling. "We're friends, remember. My name is Golden Dawn. My friends and family call me Dawn." She took hold of Sara's hand. "You are a good and brave woman, Sara. I am honored to count you among my friends."
Sara's eyes misted. "And you are my friend as well."
The young women embraced each giving the other the moral support to continue the adventure they had so carefully planned.
"We must hurry." Dawn wiped two fingers across Sara's wet cheek, smudging the dark soot they had smeared on their faces. "Oh, my," she exclaimed with a giggle. "I think that helped your war paint. Maybe I should add a little water to mine."
"You look properly dirty," Sara proclaimed with a chuckle. She glanced at the window. "We must hurry. My brothers are waiting."
Dawn opened her window and tossed down the large bundle. "I've reinforced the trellis. We should have no trouble climbing down." With that remark, she scampered out the window and down the trellis.
With a sigh of relief, Sara followed her down quickly. Once they were both safely on the ground the two women hurried out of the yard and headed toward the wharf.
Staying in the shadows, Dawn noticed the lack of activity in the upper class neighborhood where the Ladies lived. This changed as they reached the rougher area of the wharf. Sara put out a hand to halt Dawn. Just ahead of them Sara's brothers stepped out of the shadows. They each nodded and then turned to set out in a quick steady pace.
Dawn noticed Sara falling behind them. Though the distance from Grosvenor Square to the wharf was no problem for Dawn, it was enough to cause Sara difficulty. "Tom, Davie, slow down a little so that Sara can keep up with us."
The boys exchanged knowing looks and grinned. "I thought you girls would 'ave trouble. Are you sure you want ta do this, sis?" Thomas asked in a superior tone. They walked back to where Sara and Dawn had stopped.
Sara bent forward and rested her hands on her knees as she breathed deeply. "Yes we do, Tom. Now quite trying to show off. This is important to my friend."
"Oh, all right then. You two stay close to me and Davie. Four is a good number. We should be able to move 'bout without much trouble. This way then."
"I ain't seen you around 'ere before." The small party stopped as a heavily accented voice called to them from the dark shadows of an alleyway they had just passed.
The four turned slowly. Three young men stepped into the light of a street lamp. Dawn had noticed them crouching in the shadows when they passed. She was surprised they had allowed the four of them to pass into the shadows while they were in the light.
Tom swaggered bravely as he led his group up to the others.
"Who is this one, Tom?" The largest and obvious leader of the small band pushed rudely at Dawn's shoulder. Sara pressed close to Dawn as she slipped her fingers around Dawn's wrist in warning.
"Hi Steve. This 'ere is Da...Donald. 'He's new. Came in ta London with his ma and pa, then they just up and died on 'im. I decided ta take him in, I did. Show him the ropes ye might say. I 'ave warned him about the orientation."
As if on cue, Steven pulled an impressive knife from his pocket and waved it before Dawn. The others pulled back and encircled the two.
"There's no need ta use a knife, Steve. I'd like ye ta give 'im a chance." Tom tried to reason with the other young man.
Steve's mouth twisted in a cruel grin as he crouched down and extended his arm, as if to tease the newcomer before the strike. "This Donald is a bit too soft lookin' ta suit me, Tom. He's goin' ta have ta prove his mettle."
Almost before Steve finished his little speech, Dawn kicked out. The knife dropped from Steve's numbed fingers. Before he could recover, Dawn had her blade pressed threateningly at his throat.
"I guess 'e proved his mettle fast enough, huh, Steve?" David asked pointedly, then let the grin drop from his face as Tom and Dawn flashed him a warning glare.
Dawn released Steven, who stood only a fraction taller than her.
"He's ok." Steven stepped away from his captor with a proud strut. "I was being easy on him like ye asked, Tom, but don't ever ask me ta do it again."
Tom slapped Steven on the shoulder. "I thank ya, too. You're a good man, Steve."
***
The Bow Street Runner watched from his hiding place among smelly piles of discarded articles as the small group moved down the street. Standing up, he wiped his hands along his pants legs, then brought his hand to his face and sniffed.
"Ah, bloody hell," he grumbled at the offensive odor that clung to his skin.
He held out his hand and stared after the retreating gang. "Nasty smelling wharf rats. If I had me way, you'd all be picked up and dumped into the Thames ta be drowned with tha rest oh tha rats." He spat at the ground then moved after them, careful to remain hidden among the shadows.
Chapter Eight
Raven sipped his tea. He had not found the peace he sought in the Montgomery kitchen that morning. The large warm room, with its marvelous mingling of aromas, the bustling about of Cook, and the constant rambling chatter of Lady Gaylord and Montgomery, usually created a place of great comfort and contentment for him. Most days these informal gatherings were a special time of fun and sharing for the Montgomery family. Raven had always felt honored to be included. Today, however, no one would meet his eye. Yes, something was definitely amiss here. He took a slow sip from his cup and contemplated the rest
less tension that dominated the kitchen.
Mrs. Bean, affectionately called Cook by everyone in the household, fumbled with a large spoon. It dropped to the floor with a loud clank. Raven noted that Cook's happy chatter was awkwardly absent. As she bent down to retrieve her spoon, she stole a hurried glance at Raven, then looked away. Quickly setting the spoon aside, she touched a pot handle and then jerked her hand away from the hot surface. With a mumble that Raven could not quite make out, she snatched a towel and continued her duties of preparing the fresh vegetables and other ingredients to be used in the day's meals.
Lady Montgomery frowned as she touched her napkin to the corner of her lips. "Cook, are you quite all right today?"
"Oh, yes mum. I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"Well, we don't want you to become ill, dear." Lady Gaylord patted the table in front of an empty chair. "Come, sit down for a while."
"Oh, Lady Gaylord, I couldn't..." she glanced again at Raven.
"Nonsense! If we all started our mornings in the dining room like normal people, you would feel comfortable sitting down whenever you felt the need. Come now, I insist." She patted the table again.
Mrs. Bean smiled widely at Lady Gaylord's remark. "This family has always started its day in this room, and I have always enjoyed being a part of that." She wiped her hands on her apron. "It's just that I have a lot to do and I am a bit behind. Please, pay no mind to me, Milady." With that, she returned to her work.
Lady Gaylord turned her troubled eyes to Raven. He raised a shoulder to indicate that he knew nothing.
"How is that little granddaughter of yours? I haven't seen Theresa today." Lady Gaylord's gaze darted about the kitchen as if in search of the child, then turned toward the door leading to the garden. "Is she outside playing? I don't hear her anywhere."
Lady Montgomery's actions were in perfect imitation of Lady Gaylord. "You're right, Victoria. I don't spy her anywhere. I thought something felt out of place this morning."
Cook dropped another spoon.