Part Twelve
by Paula B and CJ
Late December 1776
Just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Victor Galindez steered the small boat near the shoreline. «The last of the guns for the Continental Army. They have paid well every shipment, but I wonder if they can continue to do so? The British and their troops are everywhere. Things do not look good for these patriots, and I have heard rumblings of dissension among the troops. No matter how much I sympathize with their cause, my business may need to take me elsewhere.» He bent low beneath the overhanging branches, watching carefully for any signs of redcoats camped along the water.
«Just around the next bend.» Victor eyed the banks. «This is the most dangerous area. I may find redcoats waiting at the church, but I never know until I make this last turn. By then, it is too late to turn back. Will it be soldiers? Or will it be her?» Victor remembered the first time she met him there. «I was so shocked to see a woman. But she has been fearless. I wonder what she does with the guns?» It had never crossed Victor's mind to wonder about the guns' destination before. «Perhaps I shall ask her.»
Reverend Turner waited for him among the trees. Victor glanced at the church, where Cordelia came around the corner in the wagon. She let the horses make their way to the riverbank. When they stopped near the water, Cordelia nodded quietly to both men as they began to unload the guns. She watched the men, wishing she could help. «They would just try to stop me. At least Albert and his men will have the guns they need.»
Galindez hoisted the last of the guns into the secret compartment. He glanced at Cordelia, who sat pensively on the wagon. «She seems in another world.» Finally, he spoke to her, "The guns are ready, senora. Are you all right?"
Startled, Cordelia swallowed before she responded, "I'm fine." She handed Galindez a small bag of gold. "This should cover everything. Is there a way for me to contact you if we should need more guns in the future?"
The question seemed to surprise both Turner and Galindez. The Spaniard nodded. "Send someone down the Mississippi River to Spanish territory. You may even find me in one of the French settlements there. I am known along the river; you can leave a message for me, Mrs. Wallace. I will remember your name."
Cordelia smiled, "Then you should remember this one: Chegwidden." Cordelia blushed and glanced at Reverend Turner.
Grinning at Galindez' confusion, Turner said quietly, "Mrs. Wallace became Mrs. Chegwidden last night. It is her new husband and his men who will use these guns."
"Married? But --" Galindez broke off mid-sentence.
Turner nodded and said, "Chegwidden is a good man. He left for battle right after the wedding."
Suddenly understanding, Galindez nodded. "No wonder you are distracted, Mrs. Chegwidden," he smiled. "I am sure he will return to you safely. He has good reason to do so. And I shall remember your new name if you should need to send me a message." He bowed his head slightly when he finished speaking.
"You must be careful on the road. The redcoats are everywhere," Turner warned Cordelia.
"You are riding alone, senora?" Galindez asked, shocked at the thought.
Cordelia nodded.
Taking a look over his shoulder at his boat, Galindez spoke, "I will ride with you. I wish to learn more about this army that I am supplying with guns. And I will protect you along the way."
«These men. Every single one of them wants to take care of the poor, feeble women.» Cordelia didn't feel like arguing and she knew there was no time to waste. "You should hide your boat first. No sense leaving clues for the redcoats."
With Turner's help, Galindez covered the small craft with branches. He took a blanket from the boat, then climbed into the back of the wagon. "If the redcoats stop you, tell them that I am sleeping off a drunk. That way my accent will not give me away. Say I am your brother. "
Cordelia nodded and lifted the reigns. Galindez settled into the bed of the wagon.
"Take my horse. You may use it to flee if you are caught. It's a fast horse," Turner said. "I bought it from Miss MacKenzie's father just before he died." He brought the horse from the barn and tied it to the wagon before they set off down the road.
20 December 1776
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oakton
Mac woke contented. Clay’s arm was firmly around her waist and his nose was buried in her neck. His hardness pressed against her bottom, and she sighed. And as it had each morning for the past three days, her euphoria was jarred from her because she knew he might leave today if Cordelia returned with the guns.
Their time together had been poignant. Days had been spent with Porter and Clay introducing her to her new home. They were all rather surprised that there was no fallout over their escape from Reverend Nelson’s church.
Sturgis Turner had become an almost daily visitor. He and Bobbi were spending more and more time together. Bobbi was just beginning to show, and surprisingly, Lauren Singer had begun to baby the housekeeper. Her attitude toward the rest of the household hadn’t changed much, but Bobbi only had to ask for something once and Lauren immediately dropped what she was doing and raced for it. «Perhaps the girl might work out after all.»
"Oh." Sarah sighed as his hand moved over her belly seeking and capturing her breast. She gasped as he rolled the nipple between his thumb and finger. Wiggling her bottom she teased his manhood until he rolled her over onto her back and captured her lips in his.
"Good morning, Mrs. Webb." He smiled when he released her.
She giggled, keeping the fear at bay a little longer. Tracing her finger down his cheek she sighed. "Good morning, Mr. Webb." She groaned as his lips found her breast. "Clayton?"
"Hmmmmm."
"Should we be doing this – in the morning I mean?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well, if it’s okay then, please don’t stop what you’re doing."
It wasn’t just the time of day but the way he was making love to her that surprised and pleased her. Slowly he moved down her body, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. The early morning light clearly showed her his destination and she blushed with shame and delight at the way his exploration made her tingle. Bucking wildly as wave after wave of wonderful sensations washed over her she begged him to enter her. When he did she met his intense gaze knowing he was memorizing this act for when he left her. It almost cooled her ardor, but his thrusting was doing wonderful things to her. The tears she shed were brought on by a variety of emotions, but the only ones she spoke of were her tears of joy. "Oh darling. I do love you."
He smiled and then groaned as they heard the noises in the house grow. "I love you too. Will you breakfast with me?"
"Of course. Here or downstairs?"
"In mother’s room if you don’t mind, darling."
She nodded. "Let me put on my dress."
"No. Here." He stood and brought her nightgown and robe. "This will be fine. It’s just the three of us." He failed to mention that dressed in a nightgown she couldn’t follow him out into the lane when he left to meet the others.
Breakfast was somewhat strained but Porter strove to set a light tone and Sarah followed suit. They had just finished their coffee when Bobbi Latham rushed in. "There’s a wagon comin’ from town, Mr. Webb. I cain’t tell but there’s jes’ one rider and the driver."
Clay stood and kissed his mother on the cheek. However, when he started to follow suit with Sarah he found that she was already at the door of the bedroom. "You best go see if it’s her, Clayton. I’ll change and make sure that there is food for them." Before he could say anything she was gone.
He gritted his teeth but ran down the stairs. He didn’t bother to call for a horse but ran down the lane. He hadn’t gotten far before he spotted the drays and a man on a fine stallion. He jumped up onto the seat next to Cordelia. "Was there trouble?"
"None." She smiled.
"Why?" He jerked his head toward the rider.
"Ah. Victor Galindez, this is Mr. Clayton Webb." The two men dipped their heads at each other but neither said anything.
Clay returned his attention to the woman. "Cordelia?"
"Mr. Galindez was worried that there might be trouble on the way and offered to return with me," Cordelia spoke so softly that Webb barely heard her.
"What happened?" Clay insisted.
"Nothing, senor." Webb turned his attention to the rider. "Truly nothing. But I have seen and heard things this trip. I want to see for myself if this is to remain profitable for me."
"What have you heard?"
Galindez shrugged. "That things are not going well. That your soldiers, such that they are, are ready to quit. That perhaps, even though Spain has no love of either France or England, I might do better selling to the French. They will still fight the British, both here in America and perhaps elsewhere."
They were just pulling up to the house and Porter was standing at the front door waiting for them. "Mrs. Chegwidden, I am glad to see that you have returned safely."
Cordelia let Webb help her down from the wagon. She stretched her back and neck. "I’m glad to be back Mrs. Webb."
"A bath, perhaps?" Porter offered.
"Oh no, Mrs. Webb. There’s no time. We need to get to Glascow to pick up the guns."
"We?" Clay snapped. "That wasn’t the plan, Cordelia." He heard and ignored the hiss of warning from Galindez. "Remember, Chegwidden and his group went to Valley Forge to meet with Washington. You were going to tell me where the guns are hidden on the farm and wait here with mother and Sarah and look after Tess."
"I changed my mind. I’m going," Cordelia stated with finality.
Before Webb could continue Galindez spoke up. "It’s no use, senor. The lady is very stubborn. I offered to bring the guns and allow her to remain in Philadelphia. But Senora Chegwidden refused." He shrugged. "The women of this country are like that."
"Some are. Some keep their word," Clay snarled.
"Stop it, Clay. I’m going. Now get your supplies and let’s go. I’m the only person who knows where the guns are at my farm. The British never found them; I doubt that you could."
"Very well, madam." Clay turned and saw Sarah standing in the doorway. She was dressed for traveling. Actually, she was dressed the way he had first seen her in Tess’s hospital. "NO!" His roar frightened the horses. Cordelia had to struggle to control them. Galindez started for the reins but Sarah was there before him.
"There, now. Did the mean old man scare you?" she soothed. The horses calmed immediately and before either man could say anything she hopped up onto the seat next to Cordelia. "Can I ride with you up here?"
Cordelia struggled to keep the triumphant smile from her face. "Of course. Coming, Mr. Webb?"
"Sarah, get down from there right this instant," Clay snapped, hands on his hips, jaw jutted out.
"I’m going with you Clayton. Don’t argue in front of strangers." Sarah stared straight ahead, her outright defiance surprising them all.
Webb sputtered. He looked to his mother for help but she was smiling proudly at her daughter-in-law.
"I thought you were going to stay and look after my mother," he insisted.
"You said that wasn’t why you were marrying me, Clay. Did you lie?" Sarah finally looked down at him.
"Damn it. No. You can say such a thing after…" He stopped himself before he embarrassed them both.
"Don’t worry, Clayton Webb. I’ll look after them." They turned and saw Tess standing there. It was the first time since they had brought her to Oakton that she had come downstairs. Bobbi and Lauren had kept her to her bed and when Turner had come he checked her bruises and tightened the bandage supporting her cracked ribs. The bruises on her face had turned a vivid greenish yellow.
"Wonderful. And who, madam, will look after you?"
"Don’t you worry ‘bout that, Mr. Clay. The Reverend and I will manage jes’ fine. Miss Sarah got as much right to finish this fight as you do. Now go on. The general needs them guns." Bobbi brought down a large traveling bag and handed it up to Sarah who put it in the back on top of the tarp covering the boxes of guns.
Lauren came down with a large basket. "I packed some food for you." She smiled up at Sarah. And then dropped her voice. "Don’t worry none. I’ll watch out for all of them. Specially Mizz Webb."
"Thank you, Lauren." Sarah was touched though some part of her knew that the girl was angling for the housekeeper’s position.
The ride to Cordelia’s farm was tense. The two women whispered back and forth but each time Sarah said anything to Clayton he ignored her completely. In fact, he seldom rode close enough for her to say anything. Instead, he and Galindez rode together ahead of them. It took nearly three hours to reach the farm. By the time they did both women were freezing cold.
"I should have brought a blanket." Sarah shivered next to Cordelia.
"I could have. I don’t know why I didn’t." Cordelia replied.
"Yes, you do. When did you really plan on coming with him?" Sarah watched as Clay studied the deserted farmhouse below them.
"Not until we arrived at Oakton. Sarah, the thought of just sitting and waiting was more than I could bear. I want to be with Albert, but it is more than that."
Sarah nodded. "I know. These past months when I marched with the men were some of the best of my life. I don’t know if I can do want he wants me to, Cordelia."
"Sarah." Cordelia reached for the cold hand next to hers and gripped it tightly. "You do love him don’t you?"
"More than I could have imagined. I was always drawn to him but I never thought a man like him would ever want a woman like me."
"What kind of woman are you, Sarah? You seem to be exactly what he wants."
Sarah snorted. "When I do what he wants."
Cordelia looked up, saw the subject of their conversation staring back at them and smiled. "Oh, I don’t know. He looks pretty miserable right now."
"Oh, he’s just cold. That’s all." Sarah refused to look at her husband of three whole days.
"Well here he comes." Cordelia whispered.
Sarah straightened in the seat and prepared to meet his fury.
"Cordelia, the farm still appears to be deserted. The farmhouse looks untouched. I suggest we stay there tonight, get up early and leave for the rendezvous point at first light. Is it possible to get the guns in the dark? Or will we need light to accomplish our mission, madam?" There was still anger in his voice, but Sarah could hear the fear and weariness there too. She longed to reach out to him like she had the horse and soothe away his fears, but she knew he would have to work out those fears on his own.
Cordelia urged the team forward. "We can get them tonight, but don’t even think about leaving us here tomorrow morning, Clayton Webb."
"No, madam. I fear it would be too dangerous." Webb looked at both women and softly swore. "Damn it. You’re freezing. Did you even bother to look and see what Bobbi packed for you?" He eased the horse along beside the slowly moving wagon and reached for the satchel.
"Don’t." Sarah slapped his hand away. "I’ll look." She stifled her groan. A thick blanket was the first thing she pulled from the carpetbag. She pulled it around herself and Cordelia and refused to look at him.
Cordelia saw the look of pain flicker across Webb’s face before he pulled the horse away and galloped up to rejoin Galindez as they made their way down the hill.
"Hold," Galindez called softly. "Look!" He pointed.
"Damn it. Where…why?"
"Perhaps they just started it," Galindez supplied to explain the smoke suddenly curling up from the chimney. It was a tiny curl, swiftly dissipated by the rising wind.
"We’ll have to check it out." Webb rode back to the wagon. "Wait here."
"Why?" Sarah hissed, but Cordelia touched her arm.
"I see it, Clay. But they can’t be redcoats. There are no guards or horses."
"Remember, Cordelia, there was a time when you worried about other enemies than the British." Webb whispered softly before rejoining Galindez.
The two men tied their horses to a dead tree and carefully made their way down the path. Galindez cut to the back of the house and Clay approached from the front.
Cordelia and Sarah stood off to one side. They had tied the wagon to a fence post and followed the men. Sarah wished for her pistol but wasn’t going to let Clay go into danger alone. Cordelia wasn’t about to stay in the wagon by herself.
They had just reached the corner of the house when they heard the doors at both ends crash open. At Clay’s "Hold or I’ll shoot," they were surprised to hear a frantic female scream. Cordelia and Sarah hurried in and found Clay standing over a cowering young woman.
"Gloria?" Cordelia whispered and ran forward.
"Oh, Miss Cori," the girl wailed. Sarah came up behind Clay and gently pushed his gun arm to his side. Together they stood and stared as Cordelia took the girl into her arms. Just then Galindez entered from the back of the house.
"What is it then?"
Cordelia soothed the young woman and pulled her to her feet. "This is Gloria Rice. Her family lives in the next valley. She used to come in and help me. What are you doing here, Gloria?"
It took several moments for the girl to regain her composure but finally she told her haunting story, all the while clutching at Cordelia. Almost without thinking, Webb slipped his arm around Sarah. Galindez came and sat on a footstool across from the two women, completely enthralled.
"I-I-I saw you leave. I thought for sure that the redcoats had runned you off but it didn’t seem right. It wasn’t like you to jes’ leave everthin’, so I come in and saw that you didn’t take nothin’ I figured you’d be back so I told pa I would stay here til you got back. Pa thought I was touched but I knowed you'd be back, Miss Cori." Gloria sniffled through her story barely sparing a glance at Clay and Sarah but occasionally sparing a brief smile for Galindez. "I wait till the wind picks up 'fore I light the fire. I know that trackers and such kin spot it, but I did wait til it was really cold."
Cordelia patted her hand. "Now, now. It’s all right. I’m grateful for your concern."
"Oh, it wasn’t nothin’ miss. You and Mr. Braxton was always kind ta me. Least I could do. I didn’t eat much. Caught some rabbits and such. But I kept the place real clean, I did."
"Lord, child. You must be starved. You couldn’t have caught much these past weeks."
Sarah spoke up, "I’ll go and bring the wagon down and bring in the basket." She hurried out the door and didn’t notice Clay following her. He didn’t stop her until she had untied the lead of the wagon.
"Sarah." He reached for her shoulders.
"Don’t, Clay. I know you are horribly disappointed that I didn’t obey you…"
He spun her around, reclaiming her arms. "Disappointed? No. Scared to death, but never will I be disappointed in you, love. I don’t want you hurt."
She sniffed and shook his hands off her. "Aye. But it’s well and good for me to sit and worry about you." She tugged at the reins and led the wagon to the front of the house.
Webb just shook his head and went to gather up the two horses, muttering to himself until he returned to the growing warmth of the cabin. There he found Galindez building up the fire and Cordelia and Sarah going through the food basket.
After they ate Cordelia told Gloria to go to bed. The girl went to the back of the house and Galindez followed her into the small kitchen. She pulled out a thick pallet and began to settle herself.
"Wait and I’ll light the fire here, senorita."
"You talk funny," she said as he began to pile kindling into the pit.
"I am a Spaniard, senorita. From Castile."
"We don’t know no Spaniards. What’s it like?"
"Like, senorita? Castile?" He sat on the hearth and stared at the pretty blond before him. His tastes normally ran to the dark haired beauties of his home country but this girl with her delicate features and thick blond hair touched a cord in him. "Oh the sun is always shining there, the flowers are…"
"…are beautiful and you can tell her all about them later, but now I need your help getting the guns." Clay snapped at him from the doorway. "Come on."
Together they went to a room with a huge fireplace in between large bookshelves. Cordelia ran her fingers behind a row of books then pushed the bookshelf back. It opened only enough to allow someone to enter a small cavern in the rock fireplace. Rough stairs led them below to a larger cavern. Clay studied it carefully before entering and then, holding a lighted candle high, studied the room filled with guns. "Incredible." They began to carry the guns out to the wagon. Sarah stood there calming the horses. Clay started to demand that she return inside but bit his tongue and just went back for more guns. By the time they were done they were both panting from the exercise. Sarah picked up the reins and led the horses to the barn.
"You two go on back. I want to brush down the horses and make sure there is hay and water for them. Cordelia is melting some ice now."
Clay didn’t say anything but returned later carrying a large bucket and leading the two other horses into the barn. Sarah had found a lantern and lit it and was busy pulling hay down from the rack with a long pitchfork. He reached for it but she jerked away. "I can do this Clayton; probably better than you. Go on back to the house."
Instead he set to work on the two stallions. Pulling the saddles and blankets off he began to brush their coats. He heard rather than saw her begin on the other two. They worked in silence for nearly an hour before she led her two to one stall and he led his two to another. After making sure that each horse had their fill she turned to find him leaning against a stack of hay bales. "You’re right. You do that very well," he said
"You did okay." She started for the door but he reached out and pulled her to him. "Don’t," she whispered as he buried his face in her soft neck.
"Sarah, please." He sighed and held her tighter.
"Please what, Clayton? Please go home? Please stay and play my housekeeper? Please ignore everything that you have fought for these past six months?" She pushed away from him and in the lantern light he could see her eyes were bright with tears. She hit her chest with her clenched fist. "I was a good soldier, Clayton Webb. I marched side by side with all the other men. I shot better than half of them. I saved Colonel Chegwidden’s life. Me, Clay!" She punctuated each statement with her fist. "How am I different? Because I’m you’re wife? That may very well have been a mistake."
"So after three days you’ve decided you really don’t love me," he whispered.
"No," she whispered back and sank to her knees in the trampled straw. "No. That’s the worst of it. I do. But I know you cannot love me. You want someone like Allison Krennick who is pretty and wise in the ways of society. Oh you and I believe in the same things, but…" Her speech was cut short by his lips on hers. He pulled her up and into his arms. She tried to fight him but he held her too tight; his lips bruised hers but she responded as if were to be the last time.
When he finally had to breathe, he still held her tight. "Don’t ever say that again. I would sooner die, hanging from a tree than hear that. I love you Sarah Webb. I married you. Do you think I would do that lightly? If so, why am I not married to Allison Krennick? Answer me, Sarah."
It took her a moment to catch her breath, but when she did, she smiled slyly at him. "Because you would be bored to death."
He threw back his head and roared with laughter. Pulling her back until he could sit upon one of the bales of hay he settled her on his lap until he could compose himself. "Yes, madam. I suppose you are right. But more's the point. I never loved Allison Krennick. She never once made me feel like you make me feel."
Sarah sniffed and tried to stand but he just held her by her waist. "But you did…"
"Don’t Sarah. What I did…don’t. I swear this. You are my own true love."
"But will it be enough, Clayton? I don’t know if I can be the lady of your manor. I…"
"Then love, we will find a good housekeeper and you shall find your own way. Perhaps, when this is done we will raise the finest horses in Pennsylvania. You and I, my darling."
She looked into his eyes and knew he meant what he said. Still, she knew she would have to compromise. She would have to take over the running of the house. She sighed. "You know I have never seen eyes such as yours, Clayton Webb."
"My eyes? Pray madam, I have dreamed about your eyes for weeks."
She slapped at him. "Liar." She smiled but his face grew very serious.
"Yes, Sarah, I am a liar. It often keeps me alive."
"Clay…" She tried to tell him she hadn’t meant it.
"But this I swear, darling, I will never lie to you. I trust you with my heart and my very soul. Do you believe me?"
In answer she brought her mouth to his. Delicately she nudged her tongue past his lips and caressed his tongue with hers. He groaned at her boldness and ran his hands up and down her back. "Clay." She groaned and stood up. He watched in awe as she pulled at her clothes.
"Sarah? Darling, it’s very cold," he cautioned but made no move to stop her.
"Then you had better warm me, don’t you think, Mr. Webb?"
He gulped and looked around the dark recesses of the barn. It was very well made and kept most of the wind out. He found a stack of blankets that the redcoats had missed in their haste and picking up the pitchfork pulled even more hay down from the rack. When he was done he turned and his breath caught in his throat. "God. You are so beautiful, Sarah."
She smiled and walked up to him. She quickly divested him of his coat, jacket, shirt and pants. "Lie down, Clayton." He did as she commanded and she turned her back to him and bent down and reached for one booted foot. The sight of her made him groan. Peering over her shoulder at him she smiled and tugged. When the second boot was off he quickly pulled down his long underwear and reached for her, but she slapped his hands away. "Lie still. You will find me a quick learner, Clayton."
She knelt before him and lowered her lips to his. He caressed and touched her but made no move to take control. Rising up she studied him for a moment. "I think you find, dear husband, that women are the equal to men in several respects."
He gasped and she began her attack. Quick feints at his lips, long leisurely assaults on his neck. As she moved further south, she ran her hands along his chest, mimicking his ministrations on her just that morning. "Sarah!" he rasped as she nibbled on his nipples. Kissing his stomach she moved lower and his eyes grew large as her tongue delicately called his cock to full attention. He gulped but couldn’t keep his hands from soothing her hair. "Darling," he cried, as she tentatively tasted him as she had seen him taste her. "Please, Sarah." He tried to close his eyes but he couldn’t bear to not look at her. He knew he was close and he doubted, for all her adventurous spirit this night that she would truly appreciate what was to follow. "Darling, please. I need to be inside you, very soon." His speech was ragged at best, and she heard something in it that gave her pause. Crawling up, she straddled him and waited. He took himself in hand and guided his cock to her entrance.
Slowly she lowered herself and it was she who closed her eyes in ecstasy. Saying not a word she began to move on him. Reaching up he finally began to pleasure her. Grasping her breasts he began to knead them, pinching the nipples drawing long low mews of pleasure from her. He watched in fascination and growing need as she undulated on him. Drawing her down he demanded a kiss, his tongue seeking hers. He began to thrust up into her. She arched back, nearly falling backward as her orgasm triggered his. As he shouted out his release he was only vaguely aware of the horses snorting and whining around them.
She fell forward into his embrace, chuckling. "Oh dear. I think we’ve upset them."
Pulling one of the harsh blankets over them he nuzzled her ear. "They understand. After all, what we do is the most natural thing in the world." She fell asleep on top of him and he drew more hay and blankets to insulate them. He was loath at that point to dress and go out into the cold.
Back at the house, Cordelia stared out the back window and sighed. She hoped that they had settled their differences. "Oh Albert, I wish you were here with me now."
She turned and found the Spaniard just inside the kitchen doorway. She started to say something but noticed he wasn’t looking at her at all, but at the woman sleeping by the hearth. She was just passing by him when he whispered. "I’ll stay and make sure the fire doesn’t go out."
She pointed to a wide-back rocker in the corner. "That is the most comfortable chair in the house, Mr. Galindez. Good night."
"Good night, Senora Chegwidden."
23 December
They woke clutching each other. Mac couldn’t bury herself deep enough in his embrace. She was cold. But his arms held her tight warming in her in more ways than she could imagine. Sighing, she struggled up. "Just not in ways that matter at this point."
"Excuse me?" He chuckled.
"I’m cold." Her teeth were chattering and even the blanket he drew around her wasn’t helping enough.
"I’m cold too, but if you hurry I’ll try and hold this around you," he offered.
Stepping away from him, she quickly found her undergarments. "Don’t, it will just make me move faster." She barely beat him as he too began to search for and throw on his clothes.
He peeked outside and shuddered. "It snowed again last night. We might as well saddle up the horses and the wagon.
She nodded but ground out, "I’m eating before we leave."
"I promise, darling."
She kept looking at him waiting for him to suggest she and Cordelia stay here. But though she could tell he was very tense, he didn’t say anything but encouraging sounds to the horses. She started to open the huge doors but he stopped her. "Wait a moment." Before she could round on him, she heard something rip. By the time she turned around she saw him sheathing a knife at his waist and holding out a blanket that he slit in the middle, providing an opening for her head. "I know you can’t wear it when the fighting starts but until then?"
"Thank you," she whispered. Leaning forward she captured his lips in hers. He pulled her to him and sighed plaintively when they parted. "I love you, Clay."
He sighed yet again and agreed. "I love you too, Sarah."
They found the warmth of the house almost intoxicating. Gloria didn’t seem to think anything was amiss but neither Galindez nor Cordelia would meet their eyes. Cordelia pulled Sarah back into her bedroom. "Are you daft! I was afraid you were going to freeze to death out there. Why didn’t you come back here? I would have given you my bed."
"It was fine, Cordelia. Much, much finer than many a night when I had to lie next to Rabb or Tiner praying that neither would reach out for me to keep warm. She blushed and looked away. "Clayton kept me very warm, and very safe."
"And what will he say when you insist upon going this morning?" Cordelia studied the other woman for a moment. "Or did he convince you to stay?"
"No. He said no more on the subject." She smiled sadly. "No much anyway." Clearing all thoughts of the future from her mind she eyed the heavy wool dress Cordelia wore. "Are you wearing that to Trenton?"
"I have nothing warmer."
"No, if you wear a dress, they will not let you near the boats. And we will have to cross the Delaware by boat."
"But what…wait." Cordelia fell to her knees at a large chest at the foot of the bed. For just a brief moment Sarah saw misery and pain skirt across her new friend’s face. Taking a deep breath, Cordelia unsteadily pulled open the trunk. "These were Braxton’s. He wasn’t that much taller than I. Perhaps this will do?" She looked up at Sarah, blinking the tears from her eyes.
"Yes." Sarah tried to swallow the lump in her throat. This simple act gave her the resolve to continue to fight along side Clay no matter what arguments he threw at her. "Yes, let’s find something very warm."
In the end, Sarah was able to discard the heavy cumbersome blanket. Cordelia found a warm coat for herself and a cape that would serve Sarah very well. Together they rejoined the men. Clay looked them both over and sighed yet again. But he just pointed to the bowls at the table. "Eat. We leave in an hour."
December 25
Late afternoon
South and West of Trenton
It took them two long days to reach the rendezvous point. They stopped only when necessary. Galindez and Webb created a small space in the wagon where one person could sleep in extreme discomfort. Both men stayed in the saddle as long as they could but Cordelia and Sarah nagged them into a few hours rest each day. They would tie the horse to the back of the wagon while the other rode point. Sarah offered to scout ahead but hadn’t pushed the issue. Her victory at coming with him had been bittersweet at best and she dreaded opening the argument again.
Webb left them to find Washington and Chegwidden. He returned within the hour and motioned Sarah and Cordelia to jump down. "Go find someplace where the men won’t notice you. For God’s sake, stay out of Chegwidden’s sight. I swear Cordelia, if he spots you I won’t get between the two of you."
"I know, Clayton." She sighed and she and Sarah moved away from the wagon.
Webb hoped no one would recognize him before he found Chegwidden. So far as most people knew, he was a Tory, and a Tory in the midst of the Continental Army wouldn't settle very well. «I won't fare much better with Chegwidden if he finds out that Cordelia is here.»
The men parted to let the wagon through. A few asked if he had food. «I only wish I'd thought to bring some.» Webb kept his eyes open, looking for one of Chegwidden's men. «They will be near the front, if I know Chegwidden. He's not one to sit on the sidelines.» He spotted a youth who looked familiar, "Tiner, isn't it?"
The boy nodded.
"I'm looking for Colonel Chegwidden. Where will I find him?" Clay asked.
Tiner pointed. "He went back that-a-way. General Washington wanted to speak to him. If'n you go that direction, you can't miss the General's tent."
Webb turned the horses and guided them toward the first tent he could make out. It was, indeed, Washington's. Webb pulled the horses to a halt, climbed down from the wagon spoke a word to the sentry and silently slipped inside the tent flap. Washington sat at a table with a few trusted confidants, Chegwidden among them. The men turned to look at him. Quietly, Webb said, "The guns are here."
The men nodded. Washington stood before addressing Webb. "There is one more thing I need you to do. We need you to make one more reconnaissance run before the battle begins."
Webb joined the men at the table, peering closely at the map. He avoided looking at Chegwidden, fearing that the Colonel might ask him about Cordelia. He concentrated intently on the plan as General Washington laid it out.
The boats were sturdy and wide; twenty men huddled in each. It should have been a smooth crossing, but a storm kicked up and the journey was filled with terror. Cordelia longed to show herself to Chegwidden. Longed to cross with him, but she knew that he would never capitulate the way Webb had for Sarah. Of course Webb wasn’t particularly happy with Sarah. He had taken command of the boat in which she and Sarah and 17 exhausted militiamen braved the heavy waves and the occasional onslaught of ice floating down the river. Ten men, five on either side pulled at the oars. She and Sarah clutched the heavy muskets that Clay had thrust at them just before leading them to the boat.
Clay strained to see through the snow and the fog. He was freezing. He was furious with both women. But mostly, he was nearly paralyzed with fear. Fear that his wife of less than a week would die, or see him die. Fear that the woman he had vowed to Chegwidden he would protect would somehow die. They had both promised him they would hang back and cover the flank. He had pulled Sarah aside and got her word that she would watch out for Cordelia. "She isn’t a soldier like you, Sarah. She’s brave, just like you, but I need your word that you will protect her." Fortunately, Sarah had no argument for him and had grudgingly agreed.
Galindez kept an eye on the rowers. He had heard stories of parts of this country that were very similar to his beloved home. He vowed to find such a place and spared a thought to the golden hair woman they have left back at Senora Chegwidden’s home.
Sarah’s teeth chattered and she pulled the heavy wool cloak around her shoulders. Several of the men had eyed it hungrily. She had no doubt that one or two would dog her steps praying that if she fell they could pull it from her. She didn’t feel less about them for that. She just wished there were some way to give it away without starting a fight. As warm as she was in it, she knew it would be cumbersome once the fighting started.
"Ho." The soft warning floated across the bow. Clay motioned for two men to jump overboard and pull the boat up the bank. By ones and twos the boat emptied, Cordelia and Mac somewhere near the middle. The snow was coming down even heavier now and there was little way to avoid getting wet. Most of the men didn’t have boots, some wore cobbled shoes but many wore moccasins that barely came up past their ankles. Sarah even saw several who had wrapped their feet in layers of cloth.
Silently they crept through the cold night. Chegwidden kept an eye on his men. The guns had come in handy; there was little doubt of that. «Hopefully, if we're lucky we will get more from the Hessians.» He silently prayed that they would find other supplies as well.
Webb carefully made his way down the embankment. They needed information before they could continue. He hid behind a bale of hay and carefully surveyed the scene ahead of him. A spyglass told him all he needed to see and he crawled back through the bracken and snow to report.
25 December 1776
Trenton
6:00 AM
Washington listened carefully and then gave his orders to his colonels. "Chegwidden, take a small band and see if you and Captain Webb can get to Colonel Rall. Perhaps if we capture the commander, we can avoid costly bloodshed."
From their vantage point, Cordelia and Sarah watched in horror. They had been hastily assigned to help with one of the few cannon they had brought across. Sarah was stacking the small round balls next to the gun and Cordelia was managing to carefully arrange the thin sticks that would be used to light the powder. The small fire pit was ready to be lit with the flint. A boy perhaps 11 or 12 waited nervously to perform the very important task. It was Cordelia’s hiss of surprise that brought Sarah to the front of the cannon. "What?" she whispered.
Cordelia didn’t bother to say anything. She pointed to the four men making their way from haystack to haystack. "What is he doing?" There was no mistaking the tall man leading the party.
Sarah spotted Clay immediately and making sure that the pile of cannonballs was adequate, she picked up her rifle and carefully moved forward toward a small knoll. Cordelia looked around wildly, found a musket and quickly joined her. "Can you shoot that thing?" Sarah hissed.
"Sarah MacKenzie, there was many a day when I shot our supper." Cordelia snapped, never taking her eyes from the four men.
Sarah looked at her with surprise and renewed respect. "Sorry. I wonder where the patrols are?"
"It’s so cold maybe…look they’re inside." As if it were a command, all hell broke loose. Muskets blended with shouts and orders. Cannonballs exploded and men screamed. Smoke from a thousand muskets and cannon joined the slowly lifting fog. Sarah and Cordelia took careful shots throughout the surprisingly short battle, but both kept their eyes scanning the melee before them, praying for a glimpse of their men.
"There!" Cordelia cried and stood and pointed toward the center of the compound. Sarah rose in time to see Webb and Rivers pulling a man through the smoke. Just behind them she saw Rabb being half carried, half supported by Samuel Ryan.
"Oh no." She breathed and without thinking ran down to them.
Cordelia hung back watching with relief as Albert came into view. Her relief turned to horror as she saw a man, dressed in military pants and an undershirt, bootless, step behind him and raise a rifle. Her scream alerted Albert; her well-placed shot saved his life. Stunned, he turned to see his would-be assassin fall. He looked back up the hill and even though she was dressed in Braxton’s old clothes, even though none of the men in the boat had paid her any attention, she knew immediately that he recognized her. Even from a hundred yards away she could see the fury on his face. She braced herself for him to stalk up to her. Instead, she saw him round on Clayton Webb. She had no way of knowing what either man said, but the next thing she knew the spy was flying through the air. Cordelia saw Sarah reach him. Most of the camp heard the Colonel’s bellow, but Sarah ignored him and helped Webb to his feet. Even from that far away Cordelia could see the blood stream from Webb’s broken nose.
Chegwidden was put in charge of marshaling whatever armaments they could find. It was a tidy haul and took several days. They didn’t need to worry about distributing the boots and warm clothing of the dead mercenaries. By the time they got around to that, bodies had been stripped and men who had never worn anything warmer than moccasins were walking around in leather boots. Washington detailed Chegwidden to take most of the guns back toward Philadelphia. Webb rode in the back of one of the wagons with Rabb, Sarah and Cordelia. Chegwidden ignored them all.
From the back of the wagon, Cordelia glared at her husband. «Damn that man! How dare he sulk like that!»
Albert caught her stare and without speaking, moved his horse ahead. Cordelia watched him settle near the front of the column. She scanned the crowd around them and finally found Ryan. She beckoned to him, directed the wagon to stop and demanded, "Mr. Ryan, I would very much like to ride that horse for a while. Would you mind riding in the wagon for a bit?"
"There's no sidesaddle, ma'am," Ryan stammered.
"That's just fine, Mr. Ryan. I'm dressed as a man. I can ride astride like one, too." She grinned at the man then teased, "Perhaps better than some."
Ryan sighed and climbed down from his horse. «No good can come of this, but my mother taught me manners. I'll not say no to a lady's request.»
In a moment, Cordelia climbed onto the horse and made her way to her husband's side. Without looking at her, he growled, "Not now, man. I want to ride alone for a bit."
"And I want to ride with my surly husband," Cordelia retorted. "Although, given his distemper at the moment, most people would consider it ill-advised."
"It wouldn't be the first time you chose to do something ill-advised," Albert grumbled.
Cordelia eyed him coolly. "And where would you be right now if I hadn't? I don't think it's so ill-advised after all."
"You could have been killed, Cordelia," Albert barked.
"You would have been killed if I hadn't come. I would be a widow for the second time in less than four months," Cordelia whispered.
Albert didn't respond.
"I'm glad I was there, Albert. I'm glad you're alive to come home to me, although I could stand for you to arrive in a considerably better mood," Cordelia continued.
"If anything had happened to you --" Albert began.
"But it didn't," Cordelia protested. "And I would have felt the same if anything had happened to you."
"I am a soldier. You knew the risks," Albert hissed.
"All too well. But Albert, you must understand, I am an independent woman. If I hadn't been, you would never have met me. Marrying you changed my name, it didn't change who I am. I have no intention of becoming a soldier like Sarah, but I will fight for my country and the things I believe in any way I can." Cordelia sighed. "But I'd rather not fight you."
Albert cleared his throat. "I need to know you're safe, Cordelia. I don't need to be worrying about you while I need to be concentrating on something else."
"Then don't. But don't confuse being at home with being safe. The redcoats have killed many people in their own homes, or dragged them out to be executed later. These are dangerous times, even for those who do not belong to the military. You can't know that I'm safe, Albert. Not any more than I can know that you are safe." Cordelia clutched the reins in one hand and reached out to her husband with the other. Albert gripped her hand as they rode in silence for a moment, then Cordelia whispered, "And I am still glad that I came to the battle. I would rather have you alive and ill-tempered than dead."
Albert looked at his wife without speaking. «She rides astride as well as any of my men; better than some. She looks so beautiful, even in those britches and boots. How could anyone have thought she was a man? But then, we all believed Mac was a man. I suppose we see what we expect to see.» He let go of her hand and touched the braid that hung far down her back, his fingers following the pattern of her twined hair. "When did you learn to ride astride?"
"My grandfather taught me, much to the dismay of my mother. She insisted that ladies never ride astride, but I liked to ride fast. I still do. I enjoy the rhythm of the horse's pace and the wind against my face. Braxton kept the riding horses mostly for me; he preferred to travel in the carriage unless he needed to travel fast," Cordelia grinned as she spoke.
"Who taught you to shoot?" Albert asked.
Cordelia laughed out loud. "My grandfather, again. He taught me to shoot when he taught my brother. I was a much better aim than Conlan. My grandfather bragged about it, but it made my mother rather angry. She said that no man would want to marry a woman who rode horses and could shoot better than he could. My grandfather read with me, too. The same books he read with Conlan. He taught me Greek and Latin and we read the classics together. Mother said that was no way to educate a girl, that I would be too argumentative." She glanced at Albert, then said, "I suppose she was right on that one point."
Albert grinned, "That it wasn't the right way to educate a girl?"
"Not that. She was right that I might be argumentative. But it never bothered Braxton. It shocked my mother when he chose me over several more demure ladies. He was rather bookish; he appreciated the fact that I was educated in much the same way he was. It amused him that I could shoot and ride. Then with the recent turn of events, he was actually glad since he knew I would be able to defend myself." Cordelia paused then asked quietly, "Do you regret your decision, Albert?"
"Regret what decision?" Albert echoed.
"Do you regret marrying me?" Cordelia whispered.
Albert stared at her, then burst out, "Good god, no!"
Cordelia smiled with relief and Albert continued, "I'm not used to women who ride and shoot, and I'm certainly not used to women who are as independent as you, but we have years for me to become accustomed to such things. I suspect that this new country will need strong, capable women as much as it needs strong, capable men."
"So you aren't angry any more?" Cordelia murmured.
Albert was silent for a moment then said, "No, I'm not angry." A broad smile crossed his face, "I'm quite happy to be alive and married to such a beautiful, ingenious woman."
Cordelia blushed.
Albert teased her, "Do my compliments make you blush?"
Her face growing increasingly red, Cordelia shook her head.
"Then what is it?" Albert asked.
"You left right after our wedding. This will be our first night together as a true married couple." Cordelia paused, then placed her hand against her husband's thigh. "I am looking forward to it," she whispered.