Less Than a Gentleman

  While Jacob strode off to a room on the right, Caroline approached the table and set the basket down. Thomas picked up the bowl and tossed the water out the back door.

  Without a word, she emptied the basket. Betsy had packed bacon and sausage, sandwiched between two tin plates. Wrapped in a thick cloth, the biscuits still felt warm. She located a jar of peach preserves and some silverware. Thomas was so close with his bare arms and chest, she kept her eyes carefully focused on what she was doing.

  He set a jug and two pewter mugs on the table. “Would you like some cider?”

  “Yes.” She took a deep breath, reminding herself why she had come. “I heard something important last night. I should have told you immediately, but I was . . . distracted.”

  With a smile, he filled a mug, then handed it to her. “What is it?”

  “Matthias Murray Thomas is wanted for treason. The British have put a price on his head.”

  Thomas’s smile faded. “How did you find out?”

  “I was watching through the peephole. Captain Hickman has one of the handbills on his desk.”

  Thomas paused with a mug of cider halfway to his mouth. “Did you see the handbill?”

  “Not close up, but I saw him show it to Jane. She refused to tell him anything. Can you get word to Matthias?”

  Thomas nodded and took a drink. “Anything else?” He sat at the table and bit into a piece of bacon.

  Caroline sat across from him. “Agatha Ludlow must have informed Hickman that Matthias is Jane’s son. Hickman was tormenting Jane at breakfast, telling her to select a hanging tree for her son.”

  “Bloody bastard,” Thomas whispered.

  Caroline leaned closer. “Will Matthias listen to you? How well do you know him?”

  “Well enough.” Thomas smiled slightly as he cut up the sausages. “I hear he’s a marvelous fellow.”

  Jacob snorted as he came back into the room. “Here’s a clean shirt.” He draped it over the back of another chair, then went to his desk.

  Caroline drank some cider. “You must convince Matthias to leave the Carolinas.”

  “He’s not the type to run from danger.” Thomas popped a slice of sausage into his mouth. “Nor will he leave his mother to face danger alone.”

  “But if he’s far away—”

  “No.” Thomas lifted his mug for a drink. “He’s a soldier. He’ll obey his orders no matter what.”

  She groaned. “Then it is true? The man is mule-headed?”

  “What?” Thomas plunked the mug on the table. “I believe the correct term here is brave.”

  She crossed her arms, frowning. “I heard he’s as stubborn as a jackass.”

  “What?” Thomas rose to his feet.

  Jacob chuckled.

  “Who the hell—” Thomas started, then glared at Jacob. “I see. Very clever.”

  She noticed a scar on his left shoulder that appeared fairly recent. “How did you injure your shoulder?”

  “An accident.” Thomas sat down and stuffed more sausage into his mouth.

  He was being deliberately vague, blast him. Caroline stood. “I should be going now. You will pass the news on to Matthias?”

  “Aye.” Thomas ripped open a biscuit. “Meet me in the orchard tonight.”

  She blinked. Was he intending to seduce her there? “I—I don’t believe I can.”

  “Why not?” He spread peach preserves on his biscuit.

  She cast a wary glance at Jacob, and lowered her voice. “I’ve been giving our relationship a great deal of thought, and you were right about the timing being wrong. I intend to keep spying with you, but that is all.”

  “Caroline.” He stood. “Don’t—”

  “I’m sorry.” She dashed to the front door.

  He caught up with her. “Caroline.”

  “I cannot lie with you under an apple tree,” she whispered.

  “I agree.” He gave her a wry look. “We have no apple trees. But you have your choice of peach, pear, plum, or crabapple. Of course I’d like to try all four.”

  She snorted. “And it doesn’t occur to you that I might . . . bear fruit? We have to be sensible. I have no home now. I’m only staying at the Great House out of Jane’s kindness. And the redcoats could kick us out at any moment.”

  He took hold of her shoulders. “I would take care of you.”

  “How? You’re living in secret. And you’re a spy. You could be captured—”

  “I know the timing is bad. We—we’ll slow down. We don’t have to stop.”

  She blinked back tears. How could she admit how little control she had whenever he kissed her?

  “I’ll be in the orchard at sunset, by the peach tree that was struck by lightning,” Thomas announced.

  She groaned inwardly. “I have no idea where such a tree is, and I don’t intend to look for it.”

  “Jacob can take you.” Thomas glanced over at Jacob, who was working at his drop-leaf desk. “You know which tree I’m talking about?”

  “Aye,” Jacob replied.

  Caroline sighed. “I am not meeting you there.”

  “Then you’ve agreed to give up spying?” Thomas smiled. “I’m meeting my contacts there tonight.”

  “What?” She narrowed her eyes on Thomas. “Very well. I’ll be there.”

  “What is this?” Jacob’s examined a paper on his desk.

  “Oh, that’s mine.” Thomas retrieved the paper. “ ’Tis the schedule for the supply shipments. Another barge will be arriving tomorrow. I intend to steal it.”

  “Steal it?” Caroline strode toward him. “Can I help?”

  “No.” Thomas gave her a stern look. “The partisans will help me. You’ll have no part in it.”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “I will not be pushed aside. I’m just as good a spy as you are, Thomas Haversham. You’ll see.” She pivoted and marched out the door.

  In the fading twilight, Matthias spotted two figures approaching through the orchard. His cousin Richard was a tall man, but even so, his form was dwarfed by the larger man beside him. It had to be Major Munro.

  “Promise me you won’t squeal,” he whispered to Caroline.

  The dying rays of the sun lingered golden red in her curls, distracting him from his train of thought. Good God, she was beautiful. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her all over.

  She gave him a skeptical look. “Why would I squeal?”

  He frowned at her. To hell with her wish to cease their relationship. It was true the timing was wrong, but that didn’t mean he could simply extinguish his desire like blowing out a candle. If anything, the flame was burning hotter than ever.

  “We’re not that far from the Great House and the guards,” he explained. “We have to be quiet.”

  She huffed. “Do you think I’m dense, Thomas?”

  No, he thought she was magnificent. The war wouldn’t last forever. He would wait. And never give up.

  “Is Francis Marion coming?” Jacob leaned against a nearby peach tree, studying the men in the distance.

  “No. ’Twill be my courier Richard and—” Matthias stopped when Caroline gasped.

  “No squealing,” Matthias warned.

  “My father?” She turned to Matthias. When he nodded, a smile blossomed on her face that stopped his heart for a second.

  “Thank you!” She kissed his cheek, then dashed through the trees headed for her father.

  Matthias sighed. She wouldn’t thank him when she realized his true purpose for inviting her here. He couldn’t make her stop spying, but her father could. One word from Major Munro and Caroline’s days of espionage would be over.

  The huge Scotsman broke into a run. He caught his daughter in his arms and spun her about, her feet off the ground as if she were no older than Charlotte. With a laugh,
Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck and held tight.

  At first Matthias smiled, but slowly a hollow feeling seeped into his pores. Would he ever see his father again? If he did, it wouldn’t be a happy reunion like this. He couldn’t recall his father ever embracing him.

  He glanced at Jacob. Had Father been affectionate with him? Had they laughed together on their stools, side by side, in the workroom?

  Jacob observed the reunion in the distance, his face harsh with emotion. “In case you didn’t know, our father is dying.”

  Matthias blinked. He waited for a sense of loss to affect him, willed it to happen like the dutiful son, but nothing. Nothing but cold, hard anger toward the man who had betrayed his wife and used his power as slave owner to force young maids to his bed. “I guess you’ll get your wish that he rots in prison.”

  Jacob pushed away from the peach tree. “That’s all you have to say? Are you that eager to inherit the land? And the slaves? Hell, you could even own your own brother.”

  Matthias gritted his teeth. He should have never come back to this godforsaken place. “What makes you think I want any of it?” Without another word, he strode toward his cousin.

  “Are you all right?” Richard asked, slapping him on the shoulder.

  Matthias winced. “I’m fine. Where are your horses?”

  “Simon is nearby, guarding them in the woods.”

  Matthias motioned to where Caroline stood, still in her father’s embrace. “May I introduce Caroline Munro?”

  “I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Munro.” Richard bowed and flashed Matt a smile that conveyed his approval. “My cousin has been singing your praises.”

  “Indeed?” Caroline wiped tears from her face. “Thomas is your cousin?”

  Frowning at his cousin, Matthias shook his head. Then he extended a hand to Caroline’s father. “Thomas Haversham, sir. I am pleased to meet you.”

  “Haversham, ye say?” Jamie Munro crushed Matt’s hand in a brutal handshake.

  Matthias figured his smile looked more like a grimace. “Yes, sir.”

  “And who is yer friend behind you?” Munro asked.

  Matthias glanced over his shoulder, surprised that Jacob was still there.

  “You must be Jacob.” With a smile, Richard shook Jacob’s hand. “I’ve always wanted to meet you.”

  “You’re . . . Richard? The cousin?” Jacob asked.

  “My parents would be happy to meet you,” Richard continued. “You should come for dinner.”

  “I . . .” Jacob withdrew his hand. “I don’t usually leave the plantation.”

  “Jacob, is it?” Jamie stretched out a hand. “I’m Major Munro, Caroline’s father.”

  “How do you do?” Jacob shook his hand.

  Matthias glanced at the sky. The last of the sunlight was fading away. “We should take care of business. Major, could I speak to you in private for a moment?”

  Jamie Munro looped an arm around his daughter. “Why in private, Haversham? Ye wouldna be keeping secrets from my daughter now, would you?”

  Matthias could feel the man’s eyes focused on him, sharp as daggers. He took a deep breath. Caroline would hate him for this, but he couldn’t allow her to jeopardize herself. “Your daughter has taken a foolish notion into her head, sir.”

  Caroline gasped.

  Matthias continued, “She believes she should be allowed to spy upon the British. I have forbidden it, of course, but she refuses to obey.”

  “I see.” Major Munro tilted his head to look at his daughter. “Is this true, lass, that ye refused to obey such an order?”

  Her gaze dropped to her feet. “Aye.”

  “That’s my girl.” Jamie kissed the top of her head.

  Matthias’s mouth fell open.

  With a grin, Caroline hugged her father. “Thank you.”

  “My daughters can make their own decisions,” Jamie announced.

  Matthias found his voice. “Sir, it is far too dangerous.”

  “Ye think my daughter doesna ken it is dangerous? Do ye think she’s lacking in intelligence, then?”

  “No. But I will not allow her to endanger her life.”

  “Ye know it is dangerous, lad, but ye do it all the same. Why should Caroline be any different?”

  Matthias gritted his teeth. “She is a woman, sir.”

  “Aye, and I’m certain ye’ve noticed it on more than one occasion.” Jamie released his daughter and moved closer. “A word of advice, laddie. Ye’re treadin’ on slippery ground here. Ye should start back steppin’ fast before ye drown yerself in a bog.”

  Matthias lowered his voice. “Sir, I’m trying to take care of her.”

  “Why?”

  Why? What did the major expect? An admission of love? A lump in Matt’s throat choked any hope of a response. God help him, he did love her.

  Jamie leaned closer and whispered, “Are ye courting my daughter with a pack of lies, son?”

  “I’m not courting her at all.” Matthias raised his voice so Caroline could hear. “Your daughter has made it clear that there will be no relationship between us other than friendship. Isn’t that so, Caroline?”

  “Yes, it is,” she whispered.

  Thank God he couldn’t see her expression in the dark. It was painful enough just to hear the words.

  “Do you have any news to report, Ma— Mr. Haversham?” Richard asked.

  “Yes,” Matthias replied. “A new shipment of supplies is scheduled to arrive by barge tomorrow. With the help of a few partisans, I believe we could lighten their load.”

  “When do ye want to do it?” Jamie asked.

  “ ’Twill have to be tomorrow night,” Matt replied. “They’ll leave the next morning.”

  Richard muttered a curse. “Impossible.”

  “Aye,” Jamie agreed. “Marion is taking half the group to Georgetown for a raid tomorrow night. Richard and I will be taking the rest to Lenuds Ferry on the Santee. We canna afford to lend you any men.”

  Matthias paced away, dragging a hand through his hair. “I don’t see how I can do it on my own.”

  “Ye’re no’ alone,” Jamie replied. “Ye have two good helpers right in front of you.”

  Matthias spun around. “No! Caroline and Jacob will not take part.”

  “I’ll be glad to help,” Caroline said.

  “I will, too,” Jacob added.

  “There. Ye have yer team.” Jamie extended a hand to Matthias. “Good luck.”

  How had he lost complete control? Matthias shook the Scotsman’s hand in a daze. Jamie Munro hugged his daughter, then left with Richard.

  “All right,” Caroline said in a breathy, excited voice. “What is the plan for tomorrow night?”

  “You’ll be safe in your bed asleep.” Matthias stalked back toward Jacob’s house.

  “No, I won’t,” she answered. “I’ll be helping you.”

  Matthias picked up his pace, ignoring her.

  Caroline snorted. “Who made you the leader, anyway? Jacob and I will do it together. Right, Jacob?”

  “I believe we could.”

  Matthias pivoted to face them. “You will not.”

  Caroline edged around him and kept walking. “Did you hear something, Jacob?”

  “Bloody hell.” Matthias clenched his fists and followed them to Jacob’s house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Thursday, September 28, 1780

  “If one of those soldiers touches her, I’ll kill him,” Matthias muttered as he squinted through the telescope. From his vantage point, across the river and high in the branches of an oak tree, he could see the entire scene.

  Jacob waited at the base of the tree, hidden behind some bushes. As planned, they had spent the day building a raft and preparing a false cargo. Then they had sailed the l
aden raft across the river and hidden it behind a thick clump of cattails.

  That afternoon, three British soldiers had arrived with the supply barge, increasing the number of soldiers at Loblolly to six. Captain Hickman would not be a problem. Thanks to Agatha Ludlow, he would not be venturing from his bedchamber tonight.

  Still, the Loyalist captain was taking no chances. He had ordered all five of the remaining soldiers to stand guard throughout the night. As the sun slipped over the horizon, they built a fire.

  Right on schedule, Caroline sauntered toward them, a jug of rum in each hand. The soldiers scrambled to their feet, and she smiled at them. The setting sun blazed off her red curls.

  Matthias gripped the telescope tighter and cursed softly. “I should never have agreed to this.”

  “ ’Twas an excellent notion, drugging them,” Jacob whispered from the base of the tree. “Much better than your plan to capture them all and tie them up.”

  “We could have done it.” Matthias watched Caroline sit at the soldiers’ campfire. The men pushed and shoved, each vying for the honor of sitting next to her.

  Jacob snorted. “They have us outnumbered. Besides, an overt attack would cause trouble for your mother. ’Tis much better to do this secretly.”

  Matthias agreed in theory. The soldiers would never admit that they had fallen asleep while on duty. And the next morning, the supplies would appear untouched. The barge would continue its journey to Cornwallis, the soldiers unaware they had been robbed. Still, it was bloody annoying to watch Caroline flirting with the enemy.

  The soldiers guzzled down the rum that Dottie had laced with her sleeping potion. One of them passed a jug to Caroline. Her laughter carried across the river, jolting his nerves. There were five of them. They could gang up on her.

  She lifted the jug to her mouth. He hoped she wasn’t swallowing any of it. He had urged Dottie to make it very strong, hoping the soldiers would pass out quickly.

  With the sunset, the pink-tinted clouds faded to murky gray, but the campfire lent enough light for him to see. The men continued to drink. Their voices drifted across the river as they entertained each other with bawdy songs. One by one, they toppled over.

  Relieved, Matthias climbed down the tree. “Let’s go.”