Her hand slid over his. Though her touch held no more weight than a feather, the warmth of her lingered on his skin and spilled into his veins.
“I will pray for you, too. Please do not forget to send a letter when you reach your destination so I can be assured of your safety.”
Her earnest plea vanquished his resolve. Desire outweighed all logic. His hand went to her shoulder, and then slid down to twine around her waist. The crutches fell to the ground as he drew her against him. She did not resist and their bodies fused together. His lips touched hers and the sweetness drove him half mad.
The loud crack of a whip startled him. They broke apart. The two Zimmer brothers stood glaring at them.
Edwin cursed himself. He should have guessed the men would look for the first opportunity to retaliate.
“Cousins?” Zeb sneered.
Obadiah gathered up the ends of the whip in his hands. “I never kissed my cousin like that.”
Edwin went numb inside. Giving way to his foolish passion created a dangerous situation. He moved to shove Agnes behind him, but she refused to budge. She had more fire in her eyes than the hot charcoal in the forge.
“Your own cousin married a stranger from Delaware so she would never have to be associated with you again,” Agnes spat out with defiance.
A spurt of panic shot through him. She was antagonizing the two men who more than likely shot that drunken man in the shed. “You must remember I am her mother’s cousin, once removed.” His attempt to soften her words did no good, for with a quick motion Obadiah let the whip fly, the end of it wrapped around Edwin’s bad leg. Obadiah yanked on the leather.
Edwin crashed onto the hard dirt path. The shooting pain radiating through him threatened to leave him senseless. By chance, his hand landed on a rock and he clutched it in his bandaged fist.
Zeb and Obadiah hooted with evil glee.
CHAPTER TEN
Agnes narrowed her eyes while her hand slid inside her pocket to clasp her knife, but reason warred with her reaction. The weapon would do little good against the two men if they wrested it away from her. Setting her mouth in a grim line, she kept the small blade in its place and moved toward Edwin.
“Jonas, attack!” Margaret’s yell came from behind the bushes on their right.
Startled, Agnes turned at the sound of her sister’s strident order. Their massive pig ran at Obadiah before he had time to aim his whip. Jonas let out a loud squeal before he crashed into the man. Obadiah hit the ground hard with the impact. All two hundred and fifty pounds of the hog stamped upon the man as he lay with his face in the dirt.
His brother laughed, but not for long. With one powerful movement, Edwin lifted his arm and threw a rock at Zeb, hitting him at the base of his skull. He crumbled to the ground, stunned and insensate.
Jonas grunted, picked up the whip with his teeth, and trotted toward the bushes with a happy grin. Margaret came out of hiding and wrapped her arms around the pig’s neck.
“You’re the smartest pig ever!” She led Jonas to Obadiah. “Guard!” she ordered the pig and pointed to Obadiah’s prostrate form.
Jonas nodded, grunted, and sat down beside Obadiah, placing his front feet on the man’s back. Margaret gave him an apple.
With her whole body shaking, Agnes stared at the fallen men. “What are we to do?” She wrung her hands together. She had no doubt they would strike back in a far more deadly fashion as soon as they woke from their stupors.
“Do you have any rope?” Edwin asked.
“I’ve a length of it in the forge.” Agnes picked up the crutches with her trembling hands and handed them to him. He gave her fingers a warm squeeze. Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back. They were safe. For now.
“I know where the rope is,” Margaret piped up. “I’ll get it.” She gave Edwin the whip. “You can use this, too. Would you teach me to throw a rock like you did?”
“I would be honored to give you instructions in rock throwing if you showed me how to train a pig.” He nodded solemnly.
Margaret laughed as she skipped off toward the forge.
“Now I understand how David felt when he brought down Goliath. Jonas deserves a medal. My hat’s off to you, old boy. I apologize for thinking of you as a delicious baked ham.”
The pig grunted in reply.
Disturbing thoughts filled Agnes with dread. “Those men will stop at nothing.”
Edwin nodded. “I don’t doubt they murdered that poor drunken sot in the shed.”
Agnes bit her lip. Knowing right from wrong had become impossible. “The Zimmers are members of our local militia and the man who was killed was a Loyalist.”
“They cannot take the law into their own hands. They should be stopped before they do any more harm.”
“Due to the current state of affairs, they may never be arrested or even questioned.”
“Is the only measure of a man in these colonies dependent upon whose side he’s on?”
“We are at war. You can trust no one. Even the disaffected are suspect. Many do business with the Tories, for it is profitable. Those of us who refuse to trade are robbed. As obnoxious as the Zimmers are, the Tories fear them.”
“They bullied you and your sister, a woman and a child, and you are on their side. They are the lowest of ruffians and should be treated as such.”
“If an inquiry is requested…” She dared not risk saying more for the two men might rouse at any time. Nevertheless, she knew Edwin understood her, for his mouth tightened into a thin line.
Helping him rise, she dusted the dirt from his clothing. What glorious strength he had in his sinews. Her fingers longed to linger along the hard ridges.
“I must change your bandages again.” The wound on his leg lay exposed, for the bandage had shifted and the yarrow had fallen away. The linen strips covering the burns on his hands were smeared with dirt.
He stood tall with the crutches under his arm and gazed at her with his wondrous eyes, but one brow rose higher than the other. “We must be more…circumspect in our behavior.”
She took in a sharp breath of astonishment. She had not kissed him! He had kissed her! Making a small moue with her lips, she tasted the flavor of him on her tongue. Yes, she should have shoved him away or slapped him, but it had been wonderful to be in his arms. She had never realized the delight a kiss bestowed.
Yet, nothing had really changed. He would soon leave her. A small frisson of panic spread through her.
Margaret came running toward them with a long length of rope wound into a large circle. Behind her the miller followed with his wagon.
“Good day to you, Miss Agnes.” The miller’s genial face was wreathed in a smile, as always. “Miss Margaret tells me you’ve need of some assistance.”
Agnes bit her lip. “The Zimmer brothers attacked us.”
“They were furious since we prevailed upon them not to hang the drunken Loyalist,” Edwin added.
The old miller shook his head. “A sorry business indeed.”
“Do you think the sheriff would arrest these men for attacking us?” Agnes asked. “Or should I appeal to the captain of the militia and insist on disciplinary action? For certainly, they cannot be following orders.”
The miller pulled on the brake and jumped down from his seat. “I am headed out to Colts Neck to deliver flour to the captain’s wife. Might as well load those two in the wagon. I can drop them off at the same time. The captain should know what to do with them.”
Agnes breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I fear their reckless behavior will grow further unless it is checked.”
“They appear to have no moral compass at all,” the miller agreed.
The Zimmer brothers woke as the knots were tightened on their hands and feet. They proceeded to swear in a most distressing manner. Agnes’s cheeks burned hot, for she had never heard such vulgar, coarse phrases.
“A gentleman does not use foul language in the presence of a lady,” Edwin growled.
The wicked men let fly even more florid language.
“Would it be possible to render them insensible again?” Agnes asked. She did not want Margaret to hear such horrible expressions.
“I fear our only recourse is to use a gag,” Edwin stated.
The miller produced an empty flour sack. Ripping off a length of the burlap, he and Edwin ended the furious hollering of the two miscreants.
Edwin braced himself against the wagon. He and the miller hoisted the men into the back.
Once that task was accomplished, the miller dusted his hands and doffed his hat. “I am deeply humbled to be able to assist you, Miss Agnes.”
“I appreciate your help, Mr. Withersby. Those men have no compunctions and I do fear they would have injured my cousin.” She caught the glowering scowl that Edwin shot her way.
“Edwin knocked out Zeb with a rock,” Margaret put in. “He’s going to teach me to throw rocks like that.”
“It is most inappropriate for a girl to learn to toss rocks.” The miller’s brow furrowed.
“As it is for a woman to work in a forge. In your opinion, of course.” Agnes smiled as she said it.
The miller’s eyes narrowed. She noticed the wrinkles in his face. Why did Aunt Sally think she would agree to marry an old man? He had more money than most people in these parts, and he had plenty of flour, but she did not care about those things. She enjoyed her work. She would not give it up.
“A woman’s place is in the home where her gentle touch is appreciated, restoring everyone with her sweet ways and loving words.” The miller’s amiable countenance returned as his platitudes continued. “Women should be protected. I have always sheltered my family. They have never had a moment’s stress.”
Agnes wondered about that. Why had the miller’s home been left unscathed by the Tories?
“Colleen was murdered at home. From what I’ve seen, a woman in this part of the world should do all she can to defend herself,” Edwin commented. “If these two brutes are supposed to provide protection to the community, they failed most abominably.”
“I promised to deliver them to their captain.” Mr. Withersby put his hat back on his head. “Furthermore, if appropriate action is not taken, I will endeavor to do what is necessary to ensure they are punished by the law, for they are a menace to society. I vow they will never come near the lovely Miss Agnes again.” He put a finger in the air and shook it with vehemence.
“W-why, thank you,” Agnes stuttered, startled by Withersby’s unexpected zeal.
“We are in your debt, sir.” Edwin made a graceful bow.
“It was my pleasure to be of assistance to such a gentleman and his beautiful cousin.” The miller bent forward slightly in what was not a bow, but more of a deep nod.
Still, Agnes blinked at the dramatic proceeding and decided a quick curtsey might be in order. “We are grateful, Mr. Withersby.” She still did not like his attitude towards women, but he had done them a great service in taking the Zimmers off their hands.
Jonas grunted several times and then trotted off toward the barn. Margaret gave a merry laugh and followed the pig.
“She treats that animal like a pet dog,” the miller said as he climbed back up onto the seat of the wagon.
“We never had a dog,” Agnes sighed. “Besides, Jonas is a good deal smarter than any dog I know.”
Edwin laughed. “I would rather have Jonas by my side than any common dog. He weighs more.”
The miller’s light chuckle signified only slight amusement. “Your family is most unusual. I suppose I shall have to get used to our differing opinions.”
Agnes doubted his rigid, old-fashioned views could change.
He waved, released the brake, shook the reins, and left a cloud of dust behind him.
“He still intends to woo you.” Edwin sighed.
Agnes stamped her foot. “I will not marry him. Did you notice the creases in his face? He is well over fifty!”
“Still, I would feel better knowing you were protected from lawless ruffians.”
Agnes’s spirit sank deep within her. She hated to think about Edwin’s departure, but she had to face reality. He did not belong here. It would be best for him to leave. For his own safety.
“The war should be over soon. Father and Uncle Fitz will return and build another house. All will be normal once more. Except for…Colleen.” Agnes choked on the name. The Irish woman had done so much for her and her family that Agnes felt as if she had a gaping hole in her heart.
She glanced down and noticed the shadows. The sun had risen high in the sky and she had accomplished nothing. She glanced toward the forge. Her work would help to ease the ache inside her.
* * *
The next day, Edwin asked Hobart to look at the boat at the inn. It needed to be transported to the river somehow and Edwin hoped Hobart would have some ideas about how to accomplish the task.
Edwin’s swollen and painful knee made the short walk take much longer, but Hobart appeared to be a patient man and in no hurry to get back to his chores.
Once they reached their destination, Hobart took one look at the skiff leaning up against the barn and shook his head. “Nein.”
“What if we borrow someone else’s ox to help?” Edwin asked.
Hobart shook his head again.
“It’s less than a mile to the river.” Edwin had not traveled the distance. Agnes and Margaret told him.
“Nein.” Hobart shrugged.
“If I had a wagon?”
“Ja. Ox und der wagen. Gute.”
“It can’t weigh more than a cannon.” Edwin ran his hand along the boards of the skiff.
“Ja.” Hobart nodded.
“The miller has a large wagon and two horses. Do you think the miller’s team could carry the boat to the river? I can ask him.”
“Nein. Nein.” Hobart shook his head and rubbed his forehead. In a low voice, he said, “Miller schlecht.”
“What is schlecht?
Hobart pointed to his heart and whispered, “Schwarz.”
“Does he have a bad heart?”
“Nein.” Hobart put his finger to his lips. “Herz schwarz.”
Edwin had no idea what Hobart wanted to tell him, but he had an awful feeling about it. After all, the miller intended to marry Agnes and he had Aunt Sally’s permission to court her.
With his leg aching, he hobbled to a nearby chopping block and sat. He wondered if he would ever be able to walk in a normal manner again. He realized he had been very fortunate. Some men had their legs amputated. Many died afterwards. Still, the throbbing was with him day and night.
“I wish this pain would end.” He tried to rub away the agony.
Hobart patted his shoulder. “Ich werde dir helfen.” The hired hand went into the inn and a few minutes later came out with a mug of ale.
“Drink,” Hobart ordered in English.
Startled by his command, Edwin smiled, took the ale, and guzzled down half of it in one swallow.
“Gute.” Hobart nodded.
* * *
The sound of a drunkard’s attempt at singing, with the words slurred together, startled Agnes. She looked up from her work. Hobart walked toward the forge holding Edwin upright.
She eased the hot iron into the water and ran out to meet the pair. “What’s happened? What’s the matter?”
Hobart laughed. “Drink!”
“Drink!” Edwin echoed. “Eine, swein…”
“He’s drunk? How did he get drunk?” Her mind reeled in confusion.
“Ist gute!” Hobart smiled. “Leg ist gute.”
“He can’t stand at all!” How could Hobart think this was good?
“Leg ist gute.”
Edwin gave her a lopsided grin. “Pretty, pretty Agnesh.” The potent spirits on his breath nearly knocked her over.
“Why did you do this?” she asked. Frustration and fear surged through her.
“The boat ish heavy.” Edwin nodded. “Too big.”
; Hobart lowered Edwin to the ground under the willow tree. “Ha! Leg ist gute.”
“Leg ish gute!” Edwin laughed. He sighed, lay in the grass, and closed his eyes with a contented look on his face.
Hobart patted her shoulder. “Besser.”
Edwin started to snore.
Hobart chuckled and walked away.
Agnes stared at Edwin. Since he had no money, Hobart must have given him the drinks. While the liquor may have alleviated the pain in Edwin’s leg, she had no doubt that Edwin would wake up in a terrible temper, with a headache, and be irascible for hours on end.
Her father had gotten drunk now and then, when he had the money to spend. Afterwards, once he got over the headache, he spent days in a melancholy mood. During those times, Colleen whispered to Agnes and Margaret that he was thinking about their sainted mother.
“Agnes!” Margaret called. “Aunt Sally said you must come for dinner.”
Agnes glanced up. Margaret walked up to the willow tree with Jonas trotting along beside her.
“What’s happened to Edwin?” Margaret asked.
Jonas squealed and backed away from Edwin’s potent breath.
“Hobart got him drunk. He thought it would remove the pain in his leg.” Agnes sighed. “And it will, for a while.” In the meantime, he lay helpless. At least, right now, he wasn’t talking about his company or screaming in delirium.
“Can we wake him up?” Margaret frowned.
“We should let him sleep.” She never drank strong spirits, but for some the potent liquor did appear to ease their suffering. However, she had doubts about leaving him alone.
“Do you want Jonas to watch over him?”
“I guess that depends on Jonas.”
“Jonas thinks he smells bad.”
“Yes, he does.”
“Edwin cannot protect himself.”
“Indeed, he is helpless.” She bit her lip as her troubled soul whirled with anxiety.
Margaret pulled two apples from her pocket and held them up. The pig sat at attention with his eyes focused on the apples. “Guard.”
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