Jack nodded. “But you intended all along to sell your wife, did you not?”
“Yes, of course. But the timing added some silver to my pocket.”
“Mayor Shrewsbury?”
“The same. So, can I have my horse back?”
“One thing about being a scout. We don’t trust anyone. You’ll find your horse tethered to a tree by the clearing. You know the place?”
“Ought to, I live not a hundred yards from the spot.”
“Very well. In the meantime, if I come across a young lady I’ll assume she’s your daughter. What shall I tell her?”
“Tell her to get her ass home.”
“Done, sir. Good luck to you.”
“And you, sir.”
Chapter 15
As Jack approached George and Marie’s home, he stopped his horse and whistled loudly. Within seconds he received a welcome whistle in return. The family gathered round. Johanna wore an angry expression on her face even as she cradled Rugby in her arms. The boys were chattering away about something, and George and Marie seemed puzzled. Jack looked at Rose.
“Can you really fly?”
All eyes had turned to Rose. She curled her lips into a humorless smile and said, “Is it the end of days, Henry?”
The way she said it sent a chill down Jack’s spine.
Marie grabbed the boys by their shirts and dragged them to the house, kicking and screaming.
“Henry,” said George. “She’s our daughter. We’ve brought you in and trusted you. What are your intentions?”
Jack said, “You know nothing of the ambush at Sinner’s Row?”
“What ambush?”
“You’ve heard no word of
“Of course not. Where have you gotten your information?”
“From the lips of a dying man.”
Johanna, less angry now, said, “Henry, what is this about?”
“My men are being hung one by one at Sinner’s Row. My ship is about to be attacked.”
“Your men? Your ship?” Johanna said.
George looked at the two girls.
“Henry’s a privateer,” he said.
Rose’s face grew animated. “I
George’s face went white. “Could that possibly be true?”
Johanna had a different reaction. She seemed to be putting something together in her head. After a moment she said, “
Rose said, “Do you wish to ravish us, Jack Hawley?”
“Of course not!” Jack said. “Why would someone your age even think to say such a thing?”
“I’m an old soul, Henry. I’m sure George has told you that.”
Indeed, George, who’d been known to exaggerate, had told Jack that Rose didn’t appear to age like their other children. She looked the same four years ago when he found her as she did today.
“What are your intentions, Henry?” George said. “I mean, Mr. Hawley.”
“George, we go way back. I like to think we’re friends. I can see you might not have heard the news since the soldiers came from the north. But you’re either with us or against us, and I’ll respect which it is. But you need to cast your lot now, for time is running out on my men.”
“I’m with you Henry,” Johanna said.
“My family stands at your service,” George said.
“And you, miss,” Jack said to Rose. “Tell me truly. Can you fly?”
Chapter 16
Jack started a smoke fire while George gathered all his weapons into saddlebags and tied them to four horses. Johanna put Rugby in a basket and tied it to her saddle.
Jack said, “Where’s Rose?”
They looked around the yard. And when their eyes returned to the place they’d started, Rose was standing there, a scant four feet away.
“God’s blood!” Jack swore.
Rose had rubbed gunpowder all over her face and rimmed her eyes with bright red paint. She stared straight
