“No, it’s definitely green too - but hopefully you’ll find it a little bit more pleasing to the eyes.”
“You don’t have to go out of your way to be nice to me,” she admitted, sitting down. “I am truly appreciative that you rescued me. You saved my life, Alden. I will be forever in your debt for your kindness.”
“It was nothing that any other person would have done.”
“But they didn’t,” she protested, “and that is why I would be honored to help you finish your mission… as a friend.”
She saw him swallow and slightly choke, quickly washing down his food with some water from a nearby pitcher. Coughing a few more times, he nodded and patted on his chest.
“Excuse me – I didn’t mean to cough quite so much. Of course, I would appreciate your help. It might be easier to travel with a more plausible story – as friends.”
They finished eating in awkward silence before Madeline gave a massive yawn, stretching her arms. Obviously they were taking shelter in the small house and she almost asked if it was his home but there were no personal touches anywhere. In fact, most of it was quite barren. It was cozy enough from the evening air.
“Take the bunk in the room. I will sleep out here by the door so we aren’t surprised during the night unexpectedly.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Getting up, she nodded and slipped away into the other room, shutting the door behind her. It wasn’t two seconds before she heard a knock behind her. Opening it, she saw Alden was holding the package with an unsure expression on his face. She’d forgotten the package he’d brought her.
“You forgot something.”
“Oh! Thank you – my apologies.”
“Certainly. You are tired, and this isn’t much. Good night, Madeline.”
“You as well, Alden.”
Madeline awoke the next morning to the sunlight streaming in the small barren bedroom. She’d been so tired that she’d collapsed into the bed, ignoring the nagging thought that Alden had slept there in the past. It was like everything was catching up with her and she was beyond the point of collapse. She was fed, remotely clean, and felt safe in his care. He’d been good to her – much better than others had been as of late. There was something in his eyes that made her want to trust him. Spotting the package, she guiltily looked at the door and hoped that he hadn’t expected her to open it right away. What if he’d been waiting for her to say something or comment on it – and she’d gone to sleep?
Embarrassed, she slowly tugged the piece of twine and tried to unwrap the brown paper that hid the spongy item inside. As the paper fell back, Madeline stared at the massive amount of fabric, dumbstruck.
The riding habit’s waistcoat was made of green silk and linen. Tiny flowers ran along the seam, hand embroidered with the greatest of care. It was truly stunning and must have cost Alden a small fortune. Clenching the fabric in her hands, she stared at the closed door, unsure what to do next. She should thank him but part of her wondered if he even realized what he’d bought. Perhaps his vision was worse than she realized – but then again – wouldn’t he have balked at the expense of such an outfit? Had he truly meant for her to wear such fine clothing? Maybe this was just a loan of an outfit and she was making too much of it?
Shedding her own filthy clothing, she slowly donned the breathtaking outfit and marveled at how a new dress made her feel almost normal, like the nightmarish horrors were but a distant memory. Glancing down, she saw the chafe marks on her wrists and thought about her family. That ate at her, praying that they were alright and had managed to seek aid. Was her home even still there or had it been reduced to a pile of ash?
Glancing down at the clothing on her, she gave a little swish to see the large skirt flow around her. She felt such gratitude once again towards Alden and how kind he’d been – maybe he would take her back home or find a runner so she could get word to her family.
“Oh!” Madeline exclaimed, jumping at the sound of a knock at her door. She happily opened it, intent on giving her thanks and pressing for his help once again. If she could just find out that they were okay, she would happily help the man who’d been so very kind to her. Opening the door, Madeline sucked in her breath at the sight of him.
Mercy! Alden was even more handsome in the shadows of the early morning glow streaming in softly. His disheveled state had his hair curling slightly onto his face and a shadow of growth on his strong jawline. There was a heady masculinity to him as he stood there with the collar of his shirt open and a jacket hanging loosely open.
“You look…” he began and cleared his throat, flushing as he looked away. “The green flatters your eyes. I don’t need glasses to see that.”
“This is too much. You are too kind and generous. I don’t know how I can repay you. Maybe when I am returned home, my papa could compensate you for such kindness you’ve shown towards me.”
“Not everyone dislikes the French. I think there is a part of me that wanted to show you that us Colonials aren’t the savages they make us out to be.”
“I already knew that when you carried me away from their camp,” she admitted, “but on that note? I need to find out what happened to my family. Can we go back to Manhattan?”
“I think that is a bad idea. They are going to be crawling with redcoats now that the maps are gone, along with their last remaining hostage. It’s too dangerous for you.”
“But my family?” she whispered painfully.
“I can send a rider from White Plains – once we deliver the maps to General Washington. I’m not unfeeling, Madeline, but we need to uphold an obligation that I swore to first. I promise we will find out what happened to your family.”
Nodding, she looked away. It wasn’t the answer she’d wanted – but the truth of his words made her realize she would simply have to be patient. He was right. The two of them had disappeared with a map she had yet to see. He’d confessed it was hidden on his person and he would protect it at all costs. So far, he’d been straightforward with her – it wouldn’t be much longer.
“Shall we go?” he asked softly, holding out his hand to her.
Madeline nodded and lay her hand in his. The sooner they were parted with these mysterious maps, the quicker he would return her home. So why did the idea of never seeing Alden again suddenly hurt? Maybe she should have jumped at the offer he’d made, instead of throwing it back in his face so recklessly.
They rode for hours on end. Madeline tried not to notice the way it made her feel holding onto his waist as they rode. At one point, she got tired and leaned her face against his back, breathing deep of his scent. She liked the way he smelled fresh with a tinge of cedar clinging to his jacket. The riding habit he’d bought her had been such a blessing. The material had been lined for the cooler weather and he’d given her his coat, while donning the redcoat himself.
“I won’t make you a target while we ride,” Alden had said stubbornly, holding the black woolen jacket out to her, “nor will I have you catching a chill.”
She’d wrapped herself in the jacket and sighed deeply, blushing at the daydream that crossed her mind. He was wrapping his arms around her, telling her how lovely she was, and what a blessing it was to have stumbled upon her. Shaking her head, she swept away the thought. They would separate in White Plains. He would leave with the army, and she would write to her family for aid. There was no place for a woman near the fight that was sure to come – and they both knew it would be horribly frowned upon by others. If a woman could bring bad luck to a ship on the open seas, what would it do to an army on the move?
“Are you hungry?” he asked suddenly, breaking her train of thought. Her stomach gave a mighty growl at that moment, causing him to chuckle. Her fingers that rested on his stomach memorized the pattern of his laughter, making her flush with an unknown feeling.
“Very much so.”
“I’ve an apple hidden away if you want it,” he offered.
“What about you?”
&nb
sp; “I can wait until we get to camp.”
“We could split it?”
“Aye, we could.”
Digging in his pocket, Madeline hung on as the horse decided to remind them both of where they were at, and who was carrying them along. She listened as Alden crooned to the horse, promising an extra ration of feed and an apple as soon as he had another. She was touched by his whispered words as he leaned down towards the horse.
“We’ve got to take care of our girl, Madeline – just a little farther up the road and I’ll find you something, Zeus. I promise.”
“His name is Zeus?”
“Yep,” Alden said, clearing his throat. He must have realized that she’d heard his words. “He is lightning-fast on a flat parcel of land and has a white line down his forehead. Zeus has rescued me on a few scrapes I’ve had to free myself from.”
“Hopefully none today?” she mused and nodded gratefully as Alden handed her the ruby apple from his pocket. It was tiny, with a few soft spots where it had been bruised. It certainly wasn’t anything that would prevent her from assuaging the rumblings in her stomach. Guiltily, she took a bite and closed her eyes happily at the crisp tartness that hit her tongue. Holding out the apple towards Alden, she was surprised to see him hesitate. Had he changed his mind since she bit into the apple?
Instead, he took her hand and guided it to his mouth. He moved to take a bite of the apple very near where she’d bit off a large piece. Catching her breath, she watched fascinated as his lips touched the skin and his white teeth disappeared into the crisp flesh of the fruit. A line of juice ran down her wrist, tickling the skin and wetting the fabric of her sleeve. Shocked, he brought her hand up and kissed away the drip where it crossed over her pulse that was beating rapidly. Yanking her hand from his, she stared at him.
“You are very forward, sir,” she whispered, feeling desire pool in her belly.
“I’m not sorry either,” he admitted brazenly, glancing over his shoulder at her. The heat in his eyes made her already blushing face feel like it was on fire.
“It was most inappropriate.”
“I couldn’t help myself. When you dangle something delicious in front of me, how can I not taste of it?”
“You could have taken hold of the apple yourself and had a bite.”
“I wasn’t talking about the apple.”
“Oh,” Madeline breathed softly, feeling her heart hammer. The moments that passed quietly between them seemed almost to be ticked off perceptibly, but it was only the clip-clop of the horse’s steps on the dry, dirt road. Or was it her heartbeat pulsing away in staccato?
“Finish the apple, Madeline. Camp is just ahead,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence. Glancing away from Alden’s profile, she saw he was right. There were tents everywhere off in the distance and for a moment, she wondered if it was the British due to the sheer amount of people she saw – and then smiled.
No, it certainly wasn’t the redcoats.
Tattered clothing, woolen uniforms, and tricorns were everywhere – signs of their militia. That angry pride and patriotic zeal were vibrant on their faces as they looked up to see a man on horseback approaching with a redcoat on.
“Alden! Take off your jacket!” she ordered in a hushed voice, realizing that he was suddenly the target that he’d mentioned earlier. Instead, he raised his hands up in the air peacefully.
“Hang on to my waist, Madeline,” he ordered softly, “I’m clenching my knees to keep from sliding off ol’ Zeus but if he goes into a gallop for some reason, I’ll fall for sure.”
Madeline swung both arms around his waist obediently and lay her face against his shoulder blades eagerly. She heard the crisp crackle of paper when she sidled up against him to hang on, realizing the maps he’d mentioned were tucked into his clothing between their bodies.
“You there! Hold!”
“My name is Alden Knox. I’m a colonist and here to see General Washington,” he said loudly, his voice echoing under where her cheek lay. Gosh, she admired how steadfast and certain he sounded.
“Nobody sees the general – certainly not some turncoat in crimson!”
Madeline felt her temper surge as she realized that this brave man that had rescued her, taken care of her, was now attempting to protect her as she cowered behind him. Looking around, she saw men standing there glaring at them with muskets trained on them threateningly.
“Lay down your arms!” she cried out angrily, and felt Alden start in surprise against her. “Do you hear me? Do not point that weapon upon an unarmed woman and a man loyal to you – for shame!”
“Barnes, step aside and let this man through before his little patriot runs you down,” a voice said nearby, causing Madeline to look to her left instead. A tall man stood there with his hair pulled back in a queue, tied with a piece of cloth. His garments looked quite unassuming until he turned, revealing a glorious cape trimmed with gold braid. The epaulets upon his shoulders had been covered with fabric but as his cape shimmered down around his body, they glinted brightly in the afternoon sun.
“Welcome Knox – I trust you retrieved what we discussed?” General Washington said evenly and then turned to bark out an order. “Someone please go and fetch this young lady a warm cape or blankets. We need to return this man’s coat to him and burn this ruddy atrocity on Mr. Knox’s shoulders. I too would have given your charge the warmer, and safer, of the two jackets had I been in your shoes.”
“General Washington, may we talk in private?” Alden asked.
“Have you dined yet today? I will have your horse tended to immediately.”
“Thank you sir – and no. Madeline needs to have nourishment.”
“You haven’t eaten either, Alden,” she interrupted, realizing that she was going to be sent off to have a meal with strangers while they talked alone. She didn’t want to be dismissed from the person who’d promised to keep her safe until she was reunited with her family – nor did she want to say goodbye yet.
“Both of you may join me then as I was about to sit down for my evening supper,” General Washington commanded, nodding, as he held out his hand.
They followed silently, and Madeline grew quiet at the look Alden gave her. She wasn’t sure if he was upset or angry with her for speaking out. His expression spoke volumes though, telling her to be silent.
Entering the tent, she was surprised to see a few pieces of furniture nearby. She was offered a chair while the General walked around a nearby table. Several others entered the tent, bringing in pieces of what looked like meat and root vegetables. She could smell the cooked rutabaga and turnips in her bowl. There were no thick, rich gravies like she’d seen the British soldiers eat. No, they were struggling and she was truthfully grateful to be warm and fed at this point. She knew others did not eat as well as they were going to this evening. Times were hard and getting more difficult all the time.
Madeline strained to make out the whispers between Alden and the general. He stood there with his shoulders thrown back as the man he was serving looked on him proudly. She felt herself blush as Alden dug out the maps he’d taken from under his shirt, revealing a bit of skin just before the fabric covered him again. They laid the maps along the table and the general studied them silently, barely whispering things that sounded incomprehensible to her.
“Hartsdale… Haslet… grenadiers…”
Alden wasn’t looking at the map and when he did, she could see him squinting. He kept backing away from the map, remembering how he’d looked at her just last evening. As she was about to say something, another man walked up and offered him a small case.
“Consider it a gift from me for a job well done,” General Washington said.
Madeline smiled brightly and dashed away a tear as she saw what was inside the case. Alden opened the small box and held up a small pair of spectacles that were designed to perch on the nose. She watched him, her heart nearly bursting with unspoken emotion as he put them on and wrapped them around his ears. His face looke
d completely stunned as he suddenly looked down at his hands, grinning – and then to the map on the table. He glanced all around, picking up objects and studying them.
“How did you know?”
The wonder in Alden’s voice was her undoing.
Madeline dabbed at her eyes with her napkin, sniffling. He glanced at her, frowned, and then looked over the spectacles before his face exploded in joy. The glasses were for seeing things close up and he was discovering how to use them, looking through and above the lenses.
“A good friend of mine wears them and treasures them for nearly the exact same reason. He cannot see close up either. It’s a shame to have a brilliant mind stifled by something that is so easily remedied.”
“Thank you so much, sir,” Alden said, extending his hand. He shook the general’s hand and kept smiling, before a small laugh escaped him. “I can see so much more now than ever before.”
“We must leave in the morning at once. It’s no longer safe here. We need to reinforce Chatterton Hill at once.”
“Of course, sir.”
Madeline returned to finishing her meal when a man came rushing into the tent, surprising them all. She saw both Washington and Alden reach for their pistols, nearly choking on the last bite of her meal as she swallowed.
“Sir! The British are advancing on us.”
“From which direction?”
“The right, sir.”
“Let’s go,” General Washington said grimly. “The time for planning is over. Get your charge to safety, Knox. This is no place for her. Take her to the hill and stash her away safely.”
Chapter Six
Madeline was already on her feet when Alden grabbed her arm, nearly running with her in tow. There was no reason to ask what was going on; she knew first-hand that the redcoats would wash over this land like a tidal wave, leaving a sea of bodies in their wake. Instead, she picked up her skirts and ran to keep up with Alden as he dragged her along.
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