Part Thirteen
by Paula B and CJ
29 December 1776
Philadelphia|
Roberts' Blacksmith
Bud Roberts used the bellows to create a small inferno. «If only I could do something more. I know this keeps my family safe, but if only I could join the fight. Even my little brother is a soldier while I sit here at home waiting like the women.» He pounded his fury with the mallet against a white-hot piece of iron. He barely heard his wife's panicked voice.
"Bud, Bud! There you are. We must do something, we must help Mrs. Webb!" Harriet called as she entered the smithy.
Bud turned, but had no time to speak as his wife continued breathlessly, "It's that horrible Sydney Walden. She found out that Tess Coulter is there with Mrs. Webb. She's told the British and they have sent a platoon of redcoats with her to take them in. She's out for blood because of that nasty boy of hers. She blames Clayton Webb. I heard her telling the soldiers that she wants to kill Mrs. Webb herself; that they are not to touch her or Tess Coulter. We must do something, Bud. We must help Mrs. Webb and Tess! The redcoats are on their way now!"
"Indeed, we must. Where did you see them?" Bud asked.
"They were gathered between here and town," Harriet began. "The soldiers are on foot. The officer in command is on horseback and Sydney Walden is riding in a carriage."
Bud nodded. "I can round up what men are left. On horseback, we can still beat them there. We can go through the fields so that the redcoats won't expect us." He was already moving toward the stable to saddle his horse. "Go inside, Harriet. Don't let them know anyone is here. If they found you and wondered where I was, they might suspect that I have gone for help and take it out on you."
Harriet watched her husband ride away. «There must be something more we can do.» She walked back to the house to check on the baby. «If only there were someone to watch him. Then I could ride out and warn them. It would give them more time to get ready.» She watched the sleeping child. «Or I could take him with me.»
After searching the house for appropriate swaddling, Harriet wrapped it around her body and the baby's, tying her child to her breast. «Thank god he's still young and small.» She stepped cautiously out of the cabin. Not seeing any redcoats, she rushed to the stables, taking one of her husband's saddles and placing it on a horse. She led the animal to an overturned bucket, and using it as a step, climbed awkwardly onto the horse. Once again, cautiously, she eased open the door of the barn. The redcoats were still out of sight as she urged the horse to the road and raced toward Oakton.
29 December 1776
Outside Philadelphia
Clayton Webb had no idea what Cordelia had said to Chegwidden, but the content didn't matter. The fury that emanated from the big man disappeared, and that made life easier for all of them. The couple rode together, talking quietly. Chegwidden even managed a smile or two as he spoke to his wife. "Look at them," Clay nodded in their direction as he spoke to Sarah. "It's hard to believe that he's the same man."
"Shhh, Clay. You need to rest," Sarah chided. "And if I were you, I'd find something else to concern me besides the Chegwiddens. If you go meddling, the Colonel is liable to break something besides your nose." She eyed the bloodied bruise that covered her husband's face. His nose and both eyes had turned a dark, shiny, purplish-grey color.
"What part are you worried about him breaking?" Clay grinned as he teased her.
With an exasperated look, Sarah said, "Any part, you fiendish man." She leaned over him for a gentle kiss.
Occupied with his wife, Webb failed to see the blacksmith arrive.
Bud was worried. Because most people were unaware of the Webbs' true loyalties, only a few had joined Bud for the fight. Those few trusted Roberts implicitly, if he said Webb was really a patriot then it was true. Besides, it was a chance to fight the British.
Bud's relief at his luck, running into Chegwidden's band on the road, made him smile. "Colonel Chegwidden, sir, you have arrived in good time for one more fight," Bud called to his friend. "The redcoats are on their way to Oakton. Sydney Walden seeks revenge for her son's death. She blames Clayton Webb."
At the sound of his name, Webb listened intently. He rushed the driver of the wagon ahead, moving up the column to Chegwidden's side. The Colonel was already rounding up twenty of his best men to fight. "I will come, too. Let me have the horse, Cordelia."
"Clayton, you're injured," Sarah pleaded.
"This is nothing serious," Webb said, brushing her away. "And I'll not let other men fight for my home and family without me."
Cordelia let the wagon pass then brought the horse behind it. As she climbed into the wagon, Webb leapt into the saddle. Sarah watched without speaking. She understood her husband's need to fight.
Nodding to Ryan, Chegwidden said, "You take the column. Make sure the women are safe." He glanced at Cordelia then added, "Of course, if you give these two guns, they can probably take care of themselves. But keep an eye on them anyway."
After Webb and Chegwidden galloped off, the driver of the wagon jumped down to confer with Ryan. Sarah looked at Cordelia, winked and took the reins.
"Mrs. Webb!" Ryan’s bellow should have alerted their husbands, but Sarah and Cordelia ignored the frantic yelling. Sarah whipped the horses and they moved faster than they had since leaving Trenton.
"Are you okay, Mr. Rabb?" Cordelia shouted to their other passenger.
Rabb moved his injured leg, grimaced but then grinned. "I’ll be fine, Mrs. Chegwidden. Damn, Mac! You can handle those horses!" he called with glee. He had been feeling very low after the bullet had blown through the fleshy part of his leg and out the back. He would be fine, but his ego was bruised. He had wanted to march back to Oakton and swing Tess into his arms. Now he was just worried that he wouldn’t make it back in time at all. "What guns do we have?"
Cordelia was having trouble staying upright, but she managed to throw off some blankets. "The muskets we used at Trenton. There’s powder and shot."
"That will be just fine, ma’am." Rabb smiled at Cordelia’s worried look. "Don’t worry ma’am, I don’t think he’ll hit me. It wasn’t like I could stop you anyway."
Cordelia just smiled back and hung on for dear life.
Harriet was frantic. The baby was as good as gold, but she was afraid that she might be hurting him. She really hadn’t considered what it would feel like with the child wrapped to her, but she ignored that now as she rounded the bend. She could just make out the entry gate leading into Oakton. She saw two tiny figures up ahead. As she drew nearer she saw they were Bobbi Latham and Reverend Turner. «Oh dear, I hope we can save them all.»
Bobbi noticed the rider first, but it was Turner who recognized Harriet Roberts’ panic. "Get Tess and Mrs. Webb!" he ordered his wife.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Harriet cried as Turner helped her down from her horse. "You have to run and hide."
"Why? Come inside Mrs. Roberts." The baby added his distress to the general melee as Mrs. Webb and Tess Coulter came out onto the porch.
"Dear me, Mrs. Roberts? What ever is the matter?" Porter demanded as she helped the overwrought woman onto the porch.
"We have to run. They’re coming. That awful woman, Sydney Walden is bringing a squad of redcoats. They were right behind me. The only reason they aren’t here…"
"They’re here." Turner pointed down the lane. "Quickly, you know what we discussed."
"No!" Bobbi cried. "I won’t leave you."
"You must, Darling." Turner touched his wife’s cheek and then kissed her quickly. "Go. Take Mrs. Webb…"
"You’ll take Mrs. Webb nowhere." Five people whirled around and saw a terrified Lauren Singer being held with a musket to her head. The British officer standing behind her grinned evilly. "Well, well, well. Mrs. Webb, your servant." He spat as redcoats began to file from behind the house around the sides of the building to surround the porch.
Porter walked over to Lauren and reached out for her. "Let her go, Major Brumby. You have us, obviously. The child has nothing to do with this."
"She’s your servant, just like this blackamoor. Servants pay the price for the employers’ treason." He started to reach for Bobbi, but the reverend stepped between them.
"Leave my wife alone."
Almost carelessly, Brumby’s gun arm swung out and the gun caught Turner on the cheek, sending him flying off the porch.
"NO!" Bobbi screamed and ran to her husband.
Singer took the opportunity to run to Porter’s arms. Brumby started to raise his pistol and point it at the pair on the ground when the carriage carrying Sydney Walden pulled up in front of them. "Hold!" Sydney cried. "Don’t kill them, we can sell them in Maryland."
Porter Webb stepped forward and glared into the madwoman’s eyes. "You can’t sell either of them. They are both freeborn."
Sydney cackled. "I can do whatever I please. And, Porter Webb; it will please me to see you die!" She jerked her head at Tess Coulter. "And you, witch, you know the penalty for witchcraft?"
Tess didn’t say a word. She stood rigid next to Harriet who was clutching her wailing son to her breast.
"Shut that brat up." Sydney shrieked. But before she could do or say anything further, a soldier came running up.
"Sir! There are horses coming this way."
"Well, man, set up a perimeter. Hold them off," Brumby snapped and turned his attention to Sydney. "We’ll have to be quick about this."
"No! I want what’s due me. Kill the others, but Porter Webb and Tess Coulter will be burned as witches."
"Are you insane, madam? We don’t have the time."
"You have the soldiers! Make the time!"
Brumby just shook his head and called, "Collins! Bring three men and their muskets."
"No!" Sydney screamed when she realized what Brumby was planning. She reached down into the carriage and pulled out a musket and aimed it at the British soldier. "No, I say. They will be burned at the stake like the witches they are."
Brumby’s men stood around, unsure of what to do. Bobbi held her husband to the ground, not allowing him to move and call attention to himself. Tess clutched at Harriet trying to urge her to move behind Brumby into the house. Porter and Lauren stood side by side.
Shots could be heard down the lane but it was the shouts from the back of the house that drew everyone’s attention. Brumby whirled in time to see Tess push Harriet toward the door. Reaching out, he grabbed Tess and put his musket to her head. Harriet froze, afraid that any movement on her part would result in Tess’ death. One of the soldiers stepped forward to hold her.
"Hold it right there, witch. Collins, take Mrs. Webb and put a gun to her head. You, girl, join the others there on the ground." He pulled Lauren out of Porter’s grasp and hurled her to fall at Turner’s feet. Singer scuttled up and knelt at the reverend’s other side, sparing a brief, fearful hug for Bobbi. "Palmer, do the same to the woman and her brat."
The redcoats numbered 20, but they could not stand the wrath of Chegwidden and his men, who had arrived on the scene in a fury of hooves and dust. Webb, looking like a nightmare, burst through the last of Brumby’s men and pulled the reins sharply in front of the soldier. "Let them go. It’s me you want."
"No, not really. But I’ll take you too. Get down or your mother dies, traitor."
Carefully, Webb got down from his horse. He knew Chegwidden wouldn’t let anyone escape and he knew that Brumby knew this. He only hoped he could save the lives of the women being held hostage.
Chegwidden dismounted and came to stand beside Webb. "Major?" he asked almost conversationally. "Since when does the Crown wage war against helpless women?"
"Helpless! That’s a bloody laugh." Brumby threw his head back and roared. Tess took the opportunity to bend and twist, digging her elbow into the soft flesh of Brumby’s groin and doubling him over.
Stumbling away, Tess tried to run toward Chegwidden but Sydney aimed her gun at her. "Don’t move…" Anything else she was going to say was lost as a shot rang out. She clutched her side and dropped the gun. The two British soldiers looked around and saw a man in blacksmith’s garb standing at the corner of the house.
Porter reached down and bit her captor who roared with pain. Webb was on him like a shot and Chegwidden was able to pull Harriet out of the clutches of the other British soldier.
Bud Roberts ran up to his wife on the porch. Hugging her and the child to him, he led them to the safety of the group of men from Philadelphia, gathered just to one side of the porch. The rest of the soldiers from Chegwidden’s column gathered around the front porch. Chegwidden and Webb quickly dispatched the two soldiers and Chegwidden pulled the prostrate Brumby to his feet. "You’re my prisoner, Major."
"I don’t think so, sir." A knife flashed but Chegwidden broke the man’s wrist and then for good measure knocked him across the porch. Two men reached down and quickly tied the major to the railing.
Panting, hands on his knees, Webb looked up at his mother. "Are you all right?"
"Now I am." She sighed, hugged him briefly and hurried down from the porch to where Turner lay on the ground between his wife and Singer.
Webb looked up at Chegwidden’s curse. "Now what?"
"Look."
Webb looked to where Chegwidden was pointing and groaned. "Damn it. Do you think either of them will ever stay where we tell them?"
The two men stepped off the porch and approached the wagon. Both of them stood there with their hands on their hips glaring up at their wives. Chegwidden spoke first, with a deceptively calm voice. "You are well, madam?"
Cordelia blushed. She didn’t know what to say so she just let him help her down from the wagon. "Albert?"
"Yes?"
Cordelia gulped and blushed some more. She had expected bellows of anger she didn’t know how to react to this fearful calm. "Is everything all right?"
"I don’t know, Delia. Do you think you could check the prisoners and see if my men did a good enough job?"
Even though he was furious, Webb sighed and took Chegwidden’s lead. "Sarah." He reached out his hand to help her down.
Sarah looked from Cordelia to Chegwidden and back to Clay before climbing down off the wagon. Instead of walking away as Cordelia had done though, she stepped into his embrace and kissed him passionately. Clay fought to keep his anger, but he soon gave up and wrapped his arms around her, returning her kiss.
Chegwidden walked over to the wagon and helped Rabb down. Tess pushed through the milling people and rushed to him. "What happened?"
"Nothin’ Tess. Really, it’s just a little wound. The bullet went clean out."
"You come upstairs right this minute. I want to take a look at it."
"Yes, ma’am." Rabb grinned and hobbled after the woman he would make his wife. «If I can talk her into it.»
Chegwidden took his anger with Cordelia out on the last of the redcoats. "Well Mr. Roberts, sir? What shall we do with these prisoners?"
Bud, his arm still around Harriet, stepped forward to consider the question. "We will need to send word to Valley Forge. Someone will come and take the men to the barracks we have set up." He glanced at the prone figure of Sydney Walden. "I don’t know what we will do about her, though.
Chegwidden snarled. "Oh, I’m sure that we will find a jail cell in Philadelphia and a judge willing to try her for treason against the new Republic." He turned and began to shout orders to his men.
All had underestimated Sydney’s condition it wasn't until Sarah cried, "Look out!" Then they realized their mistake. Webb attempted to push Sarah away and reach for his musket at the same time. Twin shouts rang out, glass exploded, and all turned in time to see Sydney slump back on the ground, the bullet in her head shattering the evil grin of triumph that had rested there moments before. Cordelia stood just behind Chegwidden, the musket she had carried with her off the wagon hung from her hand, the smoke rising in the cold misty air.
A startled "Holy Mother of God," drew their attention to Roberts who was staring down at the body of Major Brumby. "I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself." He breathed. Webb and Chegwidden climbed the steps to the porch and looked down at the large shard of glass that had exploded from the parlor window to imbed itself into the redcoat’s jugular.
It had taken Tess a few minutes to get Rabb to take off his bloody pants and long johns so she could work on his wound. He'd had to strip off his shirt to get the long johns off, which left him naked, save for the sheet he'd used to try to cover his body. He'd blushed red as a heifer the whole time. Then they heard two shots ring out.
"Who fired that shot?" Rabb jumped from the bed, wincing as he dragged himself over to the window. From all appearances, it looked like the Colonel's wife had fired the shot, for she was holding a smoking musket. Rabb shook his head. In his excitement, Rabb had forgotten his embarrassment.
"What is it? More redcoats?" Tess asked, enjoying the view of Rabb's bare rear end.
Rabb shook his head. "The woman who called you a witch is dead. And that British Major, too it looks like," Rabb said as he watched them drag the bodies of Sydney Walden and the redcoat off the porch.
"Then hie yourself back into this bed. You needn't be up walking around on that leg," Tess ordered him. "Now." She pointed to the bed.
Rabb turned, still oblivious to his nakedness, faced Tess and grinned. "I'll make you a deal, Miss Tess. I'll get back in that bed and stay there until you tell me to get up if'n you promise to marry me as soon as things settle down. Reverend Turner's right here."
Tess blushed, her eyes widening as much at his proposal as at his revealed manhood. She offered Rabb a shy smile. "You hardly know me, Harmon Rabb. How can you be so sure that I'm the girl for you to marry?" Inwardly, she chided herself. «I've seen plenty of naked men in my hospital. Why does this one make me blush?»
"I know that I've never seen a woman so beautiful. The first time I saw you, I thought you were an angel. I've never thought that about anyone before. And you're brave and smart, too. I know what I know, and I'm sure you're the one." Rabb swallowed, waiting for her answer.
"You promise to do what I say?" Tess asked.
Rabb nodded eagerly. "Anything you say."
"All right, then. Now, get in that bed and stay there." Tess stood with her hands on her hips and waited for him to move.
"Reverend Turner! Reverend Turner!" Rabb called from the window. "Get up here quick! And bring everybody with you!" Suddenly aware of his lack of clothes, he raced to the bed to cover himself before anyone arrived.
Webb raced up the stairs, entering the room with his pistol drawn. "What's wrong?"
"Nothin's wrong," Rabb smiled. "We just need Reverend Turner for another weddin'."
Tess lowered her eyes and blushed some more and Rabb beamed from the bed as everyone filed into the room. "I reckon I need a best man and Miss Tess here needs someone to stand up with her, too. Colonel, I've promised not to get out of this bed, but would you stand up for me, sir?"
Albert agreed and moved to stand at the far side of the bed.
"Tess, is this what you want?" Porter asked cautiously.
Tess nodded, "Yes, ma'am. I didn't know he was gonna go hollerin' out the window for everybody to come right up here, but I do want to marry him." She glanced at Sarah. "Mac, would you stand up with me?"
"I knew she was gonna ask you, Mac," Rabb teased. "Otherwise, I would've asked you to be my best man, even if you ain't really a man." He turned to Chegwidden and stammered, "No offense, sir."
Mac had already moved to stand beside Tess. "Of course I will. It's an honor."
The vows themselves were brief, but the congratulations took more time. The couple was surrounded as soon as Turner pronounced them 'man and wife.' The couple hadn't even had a chance for a kiss. Finally it was Tess who shooed everyone out of the room, saying, "I need to tend my husband's leg."
Rabb lay back in the bed, a blissful grin on his face. Then Tess pulled back the covers, placed a pan under his leg and poured alcohol over his wound. Rabb screamed like a bobcat. "Still think I'm an angel, Harmon?"
Smiling again, Rabb gritted out, "You will always be my angel, Miss Tess."
"I think being as you're my husband now, you can call me Tess," she giggled, wiping the wound before wrapping it.
Rabb gulped, then asked, "Tess, do you think it might be all right…I mean…could we…could I kiss you?"
"I think that would be just fine, as soon as I tie this bandage," Tess murmured. She knotted the cloth then tucked the ends underneath. Only then did it dawn on her that this naked man on the bed was her husband. She'd seen naked men before, plenty of them. She'd always just ignored them the best she could. But she was married to this naked man. She'd delivered babies many times, and had occasionally been called upon to help with some animal husbandry. She knew what was expected, and she could tell from that tented sheet that it was expected pretty soon.
"How 'bout that kiss, now, Tess?" Rabb grinned and patted the space beside him on the bed.
Tess stood and walked to the other side of the bed, where Rabb had placed his hand. She sat down beside him, lifting her feet up on the bed. She turned to face him, curling her body into his, lifting her face to his while she waited for him to kiss her. He wrapped his arms around her, one hand supporting her head as he kissed her, his tongue parting her lips. Tess liked the feel of his body pressed against hers, the hardness of him. She began to kiss back. She melted into him.
Rabb brushed his hand against the buttons on the back of her dress. He began to slip them through the buttonholes. Once he'd finished, she helped him lift the material over her head. Next came her pinafore, then her pantaloons, leaving her only a simple shift. She shivered and Rabb realized that she was cold without a blanket to cover her. He lifted the covers from the bottom of the bed, forming a tent over the two of them in the cold December air before he lifted this last covering from his wife.
Glancing uncertainly at her husband, Tess waited for his response when he saw her body. She was afraid he would be disappointed, but instead, he whispered, "You are so beautiful." Then he kissed her again, his bare skin pressed against hers. When he kissed her breasts, she was breathless as her nipples rose into taut peaks. He stroked her body, his hands roving over her stomach, down her legs. Then he brushed softly against her sex, gently probing one finger inside to make sure she was ready. She arched against his hand and he inserted another finger and rubbed his thumb against her clit.
It made him nervous. There weren't many girls on the frontier. His first experience had been with one of the loose women Rivers and Ryan introduced to him. He'd been embarrassed, but she had been patient. She'd taught him what to do. It seemed to be working so far. Tess sighed as he parted her legs. He ran his fingers over her thighs and shifted to move in-between them. He winced as the pain stabbed through his leg.
Tess saw it. She knew what she needed to do. She kissed him, hard, the way he had kissed her the first time. The force pushed him against the bed. He lay still as she straddled him, rubbing against him. He moaned as she covered him with her wetness then enveloped him. He slid inside, sighing as the tightness created the most amazing sensations. His hands reached for her hips and he thrust gently, then with more force. She leaned over him, kissing him and he whispered, "My angel," before he cried out. Tess clung to him, relishing the heat that filled her body, flowing through every nerve.
"It was not at all what I expected," Tess murmured.
"I'm sorry," Rabb stammered.
"That isn't what I meant. I was afraid. I thought it would hurt." Tess blushed then lay beside him.
Rabb grinned. "I believe," he whispered, "That you could convince me to stay in this bed a very long time."
The troops were too tired to go on, so Porter Webb made them welcome on her property, where they set up overnight. Cordelia persuaded Albert to accompany her to her home, where his troops would follow within the week.
Porter pleaded with Cordelia and Albert to stay, but Cordelia insisted and Albert acquiesced They took fresh horses from the Webb's stable and left while there was light in the sky.
"There may still be redcoats out along the road. Be careful," Clay warned.
"Cordelia can shoot them for me," Albert called back with more confidence that he felt. «Why is she so anxious to leave a safe place?»
They rode along empty roads. While the wind was bitter, they saw nothing more dangerous than a fox. It was dusk when they arrived at the house. They found it empty, but as Cordelia led him through her home they noticed that a fresh fire had been laid, ready for lighting, in each fireplace.
The house surprised Albert. It was enormous. The emptiness inside broke his heart. «She wasn't exaggerating when she said they destroyed everything.» A few chairs and a rugged table in the warming kitchen were all that remained downstairs. Only the bedroom upstairs was untouched. Albert wrapped his hand around the finely carved cherry bedpost, appreciating the smooth surface of the polished wood. A large desk and a bookshelf stood at one end of the room, and a dresser with a mirror lined another wall. A tall chest and a wardrobe stood on either side of the fireplace. At the foot of the bed was another chest. Two chairs were placed near the fire.
Cordelia lit the fire. «Gloria must have gone home to stay with her father.» She turned to Albert and whispered, "Alone with you at last, my love."
Albert lifted her and carried her to the bed. "So this is why you wanted so much to come home," he said as he placed her gently on the feather mattress.
Smiling, Cordelia pulled Albert onto the bed with her. Without speaking, she ran her fingers lightly over his jawlinejaw line and then kissed him. She pressed her body against his. Albert reached behind her to loosen her braid, letting her hair fall over her shoulders. He began to unfasten the buttons of the shirt that Cordelia wore, his lips curled in teasing laughter. «How could she hide that delicious body in a man's clothes?» He began to peel away the layers, revealing her breasts, watching the flickering glow of the fire color her pale skin. She lay still, letting his warm hands heat her cool flesh. Her skin prickled at his touch. His fingers traced her breasts causing her nipples to stiffen and her aureole to take on a deep coral color.
One of his hands strayed to release the suspenders that held up her trousers. Albert paused long enough to reach even lower, pulling off the sturdy boots she had worn as part of her battle dress. It made him shake his head, even then, thinking about her going into battle, but by now he knew better than to bring it up again. He caressed her feet, then his hands trailed up her legs and he began to shift the trousers over her thighs, past her knees, and finally completely off, leaving her completely naked.
"No pantaloons?" Albert grinned.
"The lace wouldn't fit under the trousers; it made funny bulges," Cordelia giggled. She pointed to Albert's erection as it strained against his trousers. "Are you wearing lace pantaloons, Colonel?"
Albert raised his eyebrows, and then stood. "Would you like to find out?" he asked as he bent low and lifted one foot to remove his boot, then lifted the other foot, balancing with a hop as he pulled off the second boot. He loosened his suspenders and let his pants fall to his ankles, then stepped out of them as he climbed back onto the feather bed. Cordelia began to unbutton his shirt, tugging it off and flinging it away from the bed. She felt his body press against her and reached for his shoulders, caressing his bare back. She felt his muscles tense as he held his weight off her body and thrust inside.
Wrapping her legs around him, Cordelia lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. When they made love before, feelings of guilt had plagued her. But now, she loved him with wild abandon, her body arching against him in pleasure. «He is my husband.» Her mind could barely put the thought together as her lips traced the contours of his face, her tongue alternately caressing and exploring as she met his mouth in a greedy kiss.
With every muscle taut, Albert reveled in her slick wetness. Her hips circled to his rhythm, drawing him in over and over. He shifted, dragging his cock over her clit; their bodies grinding together in a passionate frenzy.
Deep in her solar plexus, the shivering began. Cordelia gasped as the tremors passed on each nerve ending, reaching every extreme of her body in a fiery spasm of ecstasy. Her body reverberated with pleasure, her muscle contractions causing Albert to shudder with the power of his own climax. His voice filled the night just as he filled her with his essence.
Albert held Cordelia as they lay together in the darkness without speaking. In the cold, Cordelia shivered, and Albert shifted in the bed to lift the blankets over them. She rested peacefully, her head pillowed on his chest. He listened to her soft, steady breathing, but he could not sleep.
«How soon will I have to leave her to return to the west? How long will it be until I return to her? And if I do not return…» Albert shook his head as if that would remove the thoughts that filled his mind. «The redcoats have commandeered this house once. They could return, and this time, she would be alone.»
The morning light filled the windows. Albert watched as the sun rose in the sky. The light did not wake Cordelia; she rested peacefully in his arms. He made no attempt to wake her, wanting to savor every moment of her in his arms. With his eyes, he traced her features, memorizing every detail. «She has become the reason I fight. No longer is it simply that I am a patriot, fighting for my country. Now I have a wife, a family. Before I see her again, I could be a father. Though I am loath to leave her, I know I must fight.»
The morning sun glittered on her hair, but still Cordelia slept. Without waking, she clung more tightly to Albert. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I love you."
February 1777
A rural farm outside Glascow, Maryland
The men arrived and began to set up camp, but Cordelia brought as many as possible into the house. It was warmer for the men, and won her a place in their hearts. Albert knew they whispered in awe about her ability to shoot and of how she and Sarah MacKenzie Webb had joined them in the Battle of Trenton. The men carried the water and the firewood, not allowing "Mizz Chegwidden" to lift a finger.
Once Rabb healed, he and Tess joined them as well. Cordelia followed Tess on rounds with the wounded men. Tess taught her how to care for different types of wounds and injuries and how to keep records to check on the progress of the men. The two women began to develop a fine friendship.
Cordelia sent several of the men into Philadelphia to purchase more flannel. She was making shirts for as many of them as possible. She had Tess and the serving girl, Gloria Rice, helping her, and the girl had rounded up a few of the other servants as well. The house began to run smoothly as everyone worked together.
Albert knew his men needed the rest. The journey to Philadelphia had been grueling and the battle had been hard on them. The journey west with the guns would be long and hard. He sighed thinking about leaving Cordelia, but he knew there was no way she would want to leave this fine house for the wilds of the west.
It relieved Albert that Galindez seemed so taken with Gloria. The Spaniard seemed determined to stay and marry the girl. «Perhaps they might live with Cordelia. It would be much safer than her staying here alone.» He brooded more and more about the future. «Once I leave, how long will it be before I see her again?» He was determined to leave his wife with some furniture. He found the woodshop in the barn and struggled to make some chairs, two small tables with drawers and a chest. It was good exercise and it cleared his mind.
The barn door slammed. Albert covered the furniture; he wanted it to be a surprise. Cordelia was putting a saddle on one of the horses when she spotted Albert. "Care to join me for a ride?" she asked. He nodded, joining her and reaching for another one of the saddles.
They readied the horses and as Cordelia climbed upon a large chestnut stallion, Albert noticed that under her dress she wore a trim pair of man's pants. He grinned when she sat astride.
Noticing his expression, Cordelia asked, "It doesn't bother you, does it? It's so much easier to ride this way, and the horse can run so much faster."
"It doesn't bother me at all," Albert said as he vaulted onto his horse and they rode out of barn. "And I suspect it would not matter much if it did. I have come to accept that you have a mind of your own. Riding astride is the least of my worries when it comes to your willfulness."
"My willfulness. Is that what has you brooding alone in the barn these days?" Cordelia asked the question playfully, but she did want to know why he seemed so distracted of late.
"It isn't that at all. I do worry about you. My men and I will be leaving soon. You will be alone. I worry about your safety." Albert sighed. "It comforts me that Galindez seems to want to stay. Perhaps he and Gloria will stay with you in the house. It would be safer."
Cordelia smiled slyly. "I am certain they will stay in the house. When we leave, it will be theirs."
«When we leave…» Her words raced through Albert's mind. «When we leave…She is planning to come west!» He stared at her. "Cordelia, you know the westward route is difficult? And that I have no fine house, just a cabin?"
"I know, Albert. You have told me of your home in the west. I have no reason to doubt your veracity. I have made difficult journeys before; I am not afraid. In the west, I will be nearer to you and perhaps I will see you occasionally. I know if I were to stay here, I would not see you until after the war," Cordelia said softly.
"You would want to come west?" Albert asked in disbelief. "You would leave all of this?"
"You would have me stay?" Cordelia asked.
Albert paused thoughtfully. "I would have you happy. The frontier is a lonely place, and while I will see more of you there, I will be gone much of the time until this war is finished."
"I suspect I will be plenty busy. Tess would like to open a hospital. She'll need help. She's already been teaching me. She says that when spring comes, she'll show me the plants to use for healing as well." Cordelia waited for Albert's response.
After a moment of silence, Albert said, "Are you certain that you want to go? That you want to leave everything behind?"
Without hesitation, Cordelia answered, "There is nothing here for me, Albert. You are in the west, and I would be where you are, even if I do not see you often. At least I will see you more than I would if I remained in Maryland. And I will be doing something worthwhile, helping Tess, not just waiting for you."
Albert nodded, smiling. "Then I suspect you should begin choosing what you want to take. Some of it will need to stay here. We can send for it later, but you will have to make do with as little as possible at first." «And I can stop making furniture that we cannot take with us.»
"How long will it take to reach your home?" Cordelia asked.
"It took us three months to travel to Philadelphia. It is not an easy journey," Albert said quietly. "There may be redcoats along the way, as well. That would slow us down."
Cordelia smiled, "I will have three more months with you before you leave me to fight. That is more than I can ask." Bracing herself on the horse, she leaned into Albert and kissed his cheek. He rode without speaking, but Cordelia could see him swallow. "I like to ride fast," she whispered. "Gallop with me."
March 1777
A rural farm outside Glascow, Maryland
Victor startled awake as Gloria shifted in his arms. He ran his fingers through her golden hair. «My wife.» He could barely remember the wedding the night before. Gloria had insisted they marry before Cordelia left for the west. Reverend Turner had agreed to marry them, but Mr. Rice, knowing that Victor was a Spaniard, had dragged in a priest from Baltimore. Victor remembered what happened after the wedding, though. He grinned at the memory of pleasures he and Gloria had shared in their wedding bed. It, like the house, had been a gift from the Chegwiddens. Such generosity had stunned the newlyweds.
His wife sighed and opened her eyes. Victor kissed her, his lips crushing hers. Gloria wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. She felt him, hard, pressing against her. Already, she knew what that meant. She rubbed her sex against his cock, covering it with her wetness. He moaned low and flicked his fingers over her breasts, then rolled between her legs and thrust. She felt him pulsing, his shaft dragging over her clit with each movement. Their hips grinding together, their bodies meshed in the pale morning light. Gloria tilted her head, crying out. She watched Victor's eyes as she felt him shudder inside her.
They lay together quietly as the sun rose. Gloria touched his body, exploring every surface. "They'll be leavin' today," she whispered.
Victor nodded.
"It's hard to believe that this house'll be ours." Gloria looked around as if she feared the walls might fall in on them. "It's so big and empty."
Victor smiled, "Perhaps we shall fill it with children." He could hear the soldiers stirring outside. They had already begun to take down their camp the night before, leaving only the barest necessities standing. Chegwidden had told him that they wanted to get an early start. With regret, Victor said, "We should help them. I would rather stay here with you, but I know you want to see them leave, so we might as well help."
They dressed quickly and joined the troops. Chegwidden directed the men as they secured the tents and supplies. Cordelia and Tess watched as the men loaded the few pieces of furniture Cordelia had chosen to take; the bed, the small chest and the large chest and her rocking chair. The men brought the feather ticking downstairs and Cordelia instructed them to leave the feathers in burlap bags and fold the ticking so it would take up less space. Albert stepped in, ordering the men to leave the mattress intact. Cordelia gave him a puzzled look until Rabb appeared with a covered wagon. The men placed the mattress inside along with some bedding. Cordelia smiled, knowing she would appreciate the soft bed before the journey was over.
"Will we see the Webbs before we leave?" Cordelia asked.
Albert nodded. "We will pass through Philadelphia on our way west. We can stop, but only for a short time."
They walked through the house together, Albert watching as Cordelia glanced into each empty room. They made their way upstairs and in the bedroom, Albert whispered, "We will send for the rest, and any one who comes west will bring whatever they can."
Cordelia nodded, "I already have everything I need. I am leaving behind only memories."
Albert followed Cordelia down to the warming kitchen, where she stopped him. "Wait for me here. There is one more thing I must do." He watched as she slipped out the back door and walked to a large maple tree. She dropped to her knees and seemed to struggle with something on the ground. Only when she stood did Albert realize these were the graves where Braxton and the child lay buried. The crosses had fallen and she had righted them. Victor and Gloria joined him before Cordelia made her way back to the kitchen.
When Cordelia saw them, she whispered to Gloria, "Plant some flowers for me, will you?"
Gloria understood immediately and nodded.
Cordelia sighed softly, and then flashed a brave smile at her husband as she took his arm. "I'm ready to go, Albert."
"Will you ride with me for a while?" Albert felt certain this would please her.
"Perhaps it would be better if I rode in the wagon with Tess," Cordelia said meekly.
Surprised, Albert asked, "Are you feeling ill?"
"I feel fine, but Tess is not well this morning," Cordelia replied.
"Well, keep her away from the men. It won't do for them to get sick. And you should take care as well." Albert gave her a look of concern.
Cordelia laughed. "I hardly think the men could catch it. As for me, I believe I had it first, and Tess had nothing to do with it. I should say the blame lies with you."
"I have not been ill, " Albert said defiantly.
"No one is ill, Albert. Tess needs to rest and I suspect I shall as well, but it is not illness. There are merely two more in our party than you realized," Cordelia smiled playfully at her husband as she watched the realization transform his face.
"Babies? Both of you?" Albert could barely speak. He led Cordelia to the wagon and lifted her into it. "You will tell me what you need?" he stammered in shock. "I haven't had much cause to be around ladies in a delicate condition."
"I already told you; I have everything I need," Cordelia whispered, kissing his cheek. "But I believe I will rest until we arrive at Oakton." She sank into the feather mattress and fell asleep almost instantly.
March 1777
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oakton
Sarah watched from her upstairs window as her friends set off heading back west. A small part of her wanted to go with them. She didn’t think she would be happy in this regal house. «Oh, Porter is a darling and after all the commotion, it looks like Lauren will be a passable housekeeper, but she would bear constant watching in case she falls back into her old ways.» Reverend Turner had moved Bobbi’s few possessions into the small wagon he brought from town, and the going away was tearful. Sarah smiled briefly as she remembered the talking-too Bobbi had given Lauren. «"Girl, don’t make me come back here to straighten you out. You’ll do jest fine and if you need my help with anything, you know where to find me."
"Yes, ma’am." Was the only response in the surprisingly demure young woman.» Sarah thought back to her first meeting with Lauren Singer and remembered how slovenly the child had dressed. «Now, with the prospects of a position of real respect, Lauren is walking around dressed sedately with her hair pulled back in a tight bun.» It didn’t hurt that Porter had brought in a new girl to scullery and Lauren had someone to boss around besides John, the groom.
"You will miss them very much, won’t you dearest?"
Sarah turned to her mother-in-law, fighting to keep the tears at bay. "A little. I just hope that I can do what needs to be done here and not embarrass you or Clayton."
Porter entered the room and came to stand behind Sarah. "Embarrass us? Dearest, how could you ever embarrass us? We are from simple stock, Sarah. My father was a not-very-successful lawyer and my mother came to this land as an indentured servant. I married Neville for love and I loved him till the day he died, even though we disagreed upon the path that this country should take. You saved my son from a life of loneliness or worse, from a loveless marriage. You do love him, don’t you, Sarah?"
Sarah turned back to the window and hugged herself tightly. "More than I ever thought possible. That’s why I’m not sure that I will be right here. He deserves someone who…"
"He needs someone who will love him. Who will tell him when he is wrong and who will stand up to him when you are right." Porter hugged her tightly. "My son loves you very much, Sarah. But he senses your reservations and it is making him worry that you don’t love him after all."
"Oh bosh!" Sarah snorted, remembering their lovemaking. But then she grew somber. Perhaps the incredible sex they had together wasn’t a sign of lovemaking to Clayton. But she remembered their night in the barn and knew he loved her. She sighed. "Porter, I just don’t know what I shall DO here. As my father’s helper I worked with horses. He wasn’t very particular about the small set of rooms we had, but I kept it clean. He usually ate at the tavern and I tell you, I cannot cook and I have no idea what to tell Singer to cook."
"Well my dear, if you will give it a chance, I’m sure you can learn. And, as for horses?" Porter gently tugged on her daughter-in-law’s arm to pull her out of the room and down the stairs. "Why Clayton and I always wanted to breed horses, only Neville never saw the profit in it. I think with your help, we might succeed very well indeed – once this awful war is over."
Clay stood next to the fireplace in the parlor. Sarah could see his pensive look as he stared into the flames. She felt Porter gently push her forward and heard the doors firmly close behind her. "Clayton?"
«He looks scared. Just like he looked that one night when he knew he would have to leave me. Only he didn’t leave me then and I must make him know I shan’t leave him now.» Walking up to him she met his tremulous gaze and reached for him. He reached out like a drowning sailor reaching for a lifeline. Pulling her to him he stilled whatever she was going to say with an all-consuming, heated kiss.
When they finally parted he sighed, "Sarah, please. Don’t leave me."
"Leave you? You silly man. I married you. I will never leave you. I don’t know if there won’t be days when you won’t want me to leave, but you will be the one who will have to ask for that."
"Never!" He kissed her again, this time pulling her down on to his lap as he fell to the couch. Holding her tightly he kissed and nipped until she was squirming with desire. Gazing into her lust filled eyes he swore, "I will never ever ask you to leave me."