Well, I didn’t know that you were going to get shot.
You just told me I was supposed to!
Did I? Weird. Guess I should have warned you.
Emeline’s jaw dropped open at the circular way Eve’s mind worked. Are you nuts?
No, just really busy with a hectic schedule. Even the rich and famous get misplaced sometimes and I just pick them up, she said with an exaggerated pinch, and plop them down where they are supposed to be.
Wow. Just wow.
I am pretty impressive, Eve said, preening.
You are something all right, Emeline agreed.
You still need me? she asked and then poofed into nothingness. The wood dropped backwards and flattened instantly like a stretched rubber band being snapped. The knotholes she had for eyes had obviously been manipulated, because they were no longer present.
I guess not, she thought with a sigh as she watched William from a distance.
Dr. Warren was polite and offered to have them rest in his home until William was ready and able to leave. Emeline did not want to stay in the dank home that the doctor had. It was obvious he was not here much and did not spend time cleaning. She wanted to be in their home that was warm and inviting – and clean!
“Samuel, can you use a wagon to get William home and then smuggle the guns back out?” Emeline asked carefully. She didn’t know how they would react to a woman giving a suggestion in this time period.
“Yes!”
“No!”
Both exclaimed quickly. Samuel looked pleased at the devious thought whereas William looked downright horrified by the suggestion.
“Emeline, they will be watching everyone and we can’t take that chance,” he argued.
“I don’t think you will have much of a choice,” Sam countered. “You’ve been here several hours already and there is already movement. Soldiers are going in and out of the houses. I just hope the guns are hidden well or you might not have to worry about that wound.”
“They are under the planks of the floor,” William said with a resigned sigh.
“So, if they go into the cellar, they cannot look up and see them?”
“No, I built shelving up to the joists and made a hidden compartment. I used old wood so it looked original. I didn’t want to raise any suspicions,” he said with a tired, sly smile.
“When we load up the rifles, let’s do it late in the evening. We’ll make sure that they are covered with blankets or furniture.”
“Emeline, there is no ‘we’ on this. I will not have you participating if we are caught,” William countered firmly. “It’s a brilliant idea, and I thank you for it - but you will not be helping.”
“Fine, you two strong, healthy men lift up those guns out of the floor, quickly,” she stressed, “And I will keep a lookout.”
“Three men,” Dr. Warren chimed in. “And that sounds like a good idea to me.”
“Do not encourage her,” William bit out. “She is a headstrong woman.”
“Aye, she is,” Dr. Warren agreed appreciatively, patting William on the leg. “You are a blessed man.”
“Yes, I am,” he said aloud, meeting Emeline’s eyes. She smiled widely, knowing that the idea of a woman helping them stuck in his old-fashioned craw. If she was to be a part of his life, in this time line, then she would be a part of the fight in some fashion or another. There would be no waiting idly at home for her, no. She would introduce him to how she thought their marriage should be.
A partnership.
Chapter 8
They ended up waiting another day before attempting to retrieve the guns and return them to their home. William had been exhausted and pale from the blood loss. Emeline had dealt with nausea and a headache from the butt of the gun hitting her head. Neither was in any condition to be performing stealthy maneuvers in any fashion but they felt time was of the essence. They were all on edge, awaiting the next incident.
A knock at the door caused all of them to jump warily expecting it to be soldiers. Instead, it was a young boy. He looked to be about ten years old, but his eyes were hard and aged. Passing out pamphlets and flyers, he quickly moved down the street to spread the word. The rough paper was a calling for justice for the people that had died. A depiction of the massacre held all their attention. War was coming and the townsfolk were rallying.
Pulling the wagon close to the building, they put several bags of feed in the back along with several blankets. The padding had a dual purpose. Not only would it help cushion William on the bumpy cobblestone road, it would function as a way to cover the guns as they came out of the house. Tensions were high and it was obvious as they rode slowly through town. Word was spreading fast that the soldiers had been asked to move from town to barracks a distance away. It was denied by Governor Hutchinson, who claimed he did not have the authority to order the move. Instead, even against protests, soldiers were being housed in town in an attempt to quell any uprisings.
Many soldiers were seen in the surrounding businesses and as wagon left the main roads, they were sparsely spread in order to keep a watchful eye. They would have to be extremely careful in their movement as to not attract unwanted attention. Pulling the wagon around the side of the house away from the street’s view, they entered the side door. It was such a relief to be back in their own lodgings. It felt like home. With an appreciative sigh, Emeline let that brief peace wash over her. She curled her arm around William as if to help him walk.
“It’s the same for me, love,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head. “I am better now,” he countered, looking embarrassed at the attention she was giving him.
“I just want to help,” she mumbled.
“I know you do. But I’m not a boy either,” he chided gently. “Besides, you offered to be the lookout. Your post will be down the street, if you see a soldier…”
Emeline cut in, “I will yell ‘bee’ and dance around,” she offered excitedly.
“Bee?” he laughed. “Okay. Men, the key word is bee. If Emeline yells that she sees a bee, hide the guns.”
At their laughter, she felt her cheeks get hot. “It’s a good idea without yelling something obvious like ‘the Redcoats are coming’.”
“That works, too,” Samuel countered with a grin, wiping the laughter from his eyes. “Bee, soldier, Redcoat? All, will alert us, milady.”
Making a face, she walked off towards the main road in order to take her place. Standing there, she could almost imagine how pleasant it could be to live peacefully if you eliminated the threat of war or the occupation of the soldiers. Children playing, women walking together chatting and men strolling along the walkway in the crisp air. She was glad they had waited till late in the day because the wooden houses and buildings cast long shadows that would hide them. The faint clops of horses’ hooves made a rhythmic sound that lulled her nerves. Staring down the road, she jumped as she felt a tap on her shoulder. Whirling around, she came face to face with a soldier.
“BEE!” she yelped and quickly smiled nervously at the soldier.
“Mistress, are you lost or stung? It’s quite cold out to have a bee present.”
“Silly me! I must have suspected a bee as I was lost in thought,” Emeline fibbed. “How may I help you, sir?”
“I might have asked you the same,” he said with a smile. “Perhaps we think alike?”
Eww, creeper! He reminded Emeline of the leering smiles the guys had on the beach not too long ago as they looked at her in her bikini. It was the same, dirty, lecherous look that made her feel almost naked.
“Perhaps,” she said simply as she stepped backwards, hoping to turn his back towards the activity happening not thirty feet away. She could see the shadows quickly moving in the dim light and was certain that they were trying to cover the precious cargo as fast as possible.
“Might I walk you home or are you waiting for someone?”
“I was actually hoping to catch a firefly,” she said with a syrupy smile, playing stupid. If it was t
oo cold for bees, it would be too cold for fireflies, too, but she had to have some excuse to stay out here until the wagon rolled past. Hearing the hooves approach, she resisted a sigh of relief.
“Good doctor, Samuel,” she said dipping low in a curtsey.
“Mistress Spencer,” Dr. Warren said easily, tipping his hat. “I have just finished my visit with your husband and he requests your presence.”
“Why thank you, kind sir,” she responded quickly and turned to walk past the soldier.
“I will walk you,” he offered again, this time in a firmer tone.
“Of course,” she announced amicably. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
As the wagon pulled away, Emeline smiled pleasantly at the soldier who held out his arm politely. Placing her hand delicately on his forearm, she allowed herself to be guided to the door. Slowly walking, she wanted to give William plenty of time to replace the plank boards on the floor and cover them. The last thing she wanted was for him to be caught in the act of subterfuge.
“Just a moment,” she said lightly. “I have a pebble in my shoe.”
“Of course,” he agreed, standing firmly and waiting for her.
Emeline tried to pull her shoe off, but to do so would involve pulling her skirt upwards a hair and showing leg. A massive no-no in this time period. Instead, she stood for a moment pretending to adjust her foot. This only resulted in a raised eyebrow from the soldier.
“Better?”
“Yes, thank you for your kindness,” she gushed as she grasped the door handle. Much to her surprise, William opened the door and stared at the duo.
“Wife,” he said bluntly. “Is there something the matter that you have pulled this gentleman from his duties?”
“He offered to walk me home to you husband,” she said politely, catching William’s tone. “I lost track of time and it was dark out.”
“Sir, I was but helping your lovely wife home so she was not accosted,” the soldier cut in smoothly. “May I enter or be of service to you? The city is not safe after the townspeople attacked some of the soldiers. Surely you would want to show your loyalty to the king by allowing me the courtesy of guarding your home for the evening?”
“Of course,” William answered easily in a firm tone. “We owe the king many thanks and your offer is truly generous. Wife, would you be a dear and fetch two tankards of ale?”
“Certainly,” she said trying to keep the confusion out of her voice. What was going on? Did the soldier suspect something was happening? Emeline put her head down and left the two men at the doorway. She heard their footsteps come inside as she silently poured the two large cups and tried to listen to their conversation. She could barely make out a word! They were either speaking softly or not at all. As she walked back into the room, she heard the large soldier make a comment that made her heart plummet.
“My services are always available to loyal subjects to the crown. I would like to search the house in order to make sure that is the case,” he offered smoothly. “We wouldn’t want your lovely wife to be unsafe, would we?”
“You are welcome to search my home, if you feel the need to. Wife, if you will head upstairs? This fine officer and I need to have a discussion,” William said calmly, without looking at Emeline. He simply stared ahead at the soldier, not breaking eye contact. “If my loyalty is in question, I would like to assure you that you will find nothing here.”
“I have no doubts.”
Hands shaking, Emeline nodded and made her way up the steep stairs. Once upstairs, she pressed her ear to the floor trying to hear them. Hearing nothing, she got up and silently padded across the room to search it for any weapons. She was scared. Something was wrong and she couldn’t put her finger on it! She could hear their voices but couldn’t determine what was said. Could the soldier have seen them loading the guns? Hearing footsteps, she yanked open the drawers and cabinets, looking for a gun. She heard the thud of a door shutting and banging, making the hair on the back of her neck stand and her heart skip a beat.
“Will?” she called out as she heard footsteps on the stairs. “William? What is going on?”
Peering over the steep railing, Emeline almost fell at the sight that greeted her. William was not on the stairs but the tall, creepy soldier was. “Where is my husband?”
“He is currently occupied, Mistress,” he said quietly.
“Where is he? I can hear banging,” she questioned, backing away across the floor as he stepped into the room.
“Your husband is locked in the cellar until I can fetch shackles to have him arrested for treason,” he said simply, removing his jacket. “You see, it’s our belief that he has been helping the uprising and the wagon he was loading is on its way to an ambush. The crown is loyal to those who prove themselves loyal in return. If you are a traitor,” he said, spitting the word, “traitors are dealt with severely. You, my dear, have the option to be loyal to the crown or you may join your husband,” he offered, unbuttoning his pants.
“You have got to be kidding me,” she whispered aghast, scrambling away indelicately until she bumped into the large chest that held her things. “You won’t touch me! My husband will kill you.”
“He won’t touch me because he will be dead. Hanged as a traitor, for all to see,” he explained.
“No! He is a good man. A great man!” she began and swallowed her words as he yanked her ankle, dragging her violently across the floor towards him. She felt splinters digging into her flesh that was revealed as her skirts snagged across the planks. Trying to get back to her feet quickly, she was knocked back down.
“He is a traitor to his country!” the soldier yelled, striking her across the face. With his large body, he wrestled her to the floor yet again, pinning her. “You are, too, apparently, if you won’t show your loyalty willingly.”
“No! Never!” she screamed and spat in his face. She tried to arch her body up off of the floor. “Get the hell out of my house!”
“It’s King George’s house and will be confiscated by the crown,” he growled, wiping his face, grasping both her hands in one of his. The muscles in her arms burned as she tried to yank them free from his hand. Twisting, she freed her leg from where he had pinned her.
“No! This is the Spencer house, you mark my words!” she said angrily, kicking at him. “Get away from me!” Screaming loudly, she cried out. “William!”
She fought against the Redcoat, struggling as he yanked her skirts farther upwards. This was so opposite from the tenderness she had seen from William. She had been blessed to be paired with a kind, strong, loving man. She could have been paired up with a monster like this! This man was brutal, hateful and wrong. So wrong!
“All of this,” he said with a nasty smile, grabbing her foot midair with his free hand, “is property of the king!”
“Your king can kiss my ass and this country goodbye!” she screamed at him, yanking violently, trying to free her limbs. She was not anyone else’s woman! She was William’s! Emeline heard a massive roar that made her blood run cold.
“You will remove your hands from my wife, NOW!” she heard William shout behind them. The soldier’s surprised expression and the intense look on William’s beloved face would be burned in her mind for a long time. The soldier was pulled from her bodily and thrown down on the flooring nearby. Emeline yanked her hands free and jerked at her leg that he still held tightly. Pivoting on her bottom, she swirled around quickly yanking her skirts down at the same time. She gave a massive kick towards his angry face in retaliation. Her leg vibrated as it made contact with his jaw, causing a hollow thud that shook her teeth.
“You will pay for that! You will both hang as traitors!” he screamed, wiping the blood from his lip as he sat up quickly in an attempt to get away from her flailing legs.
“She is my wife, my property and you will not touch her!” William roared possessively, clenching his fists to keep from striking the soldier. “Emeline, get downstairs now!” he barked.
“She c
annot run away! I will find your traitorous whore and hang you both!” he spat towards William. Emeline saw him fly in a rage towards the soldier. His fists made hollow, sickening thumps as they made contact repeatedly with the man’s face and stomach. She stood there shocked at the aggression on William’s face. He had been so tender and peaceful towards her. This was terrifying and animalistic.
“Will?” she whispered and realized he could not hear her through his anger. “Will, we have to leave.” Still no response from him as he continued to pummel the limp soldier. Seeing the soldier’s blood pouring from his nose and mouth as he curled into a ball protectively, she knew she had to do something, else William would kill him.
“Will, you are scaring me. We have to leave!” she said again, this time reaching out to touch his beloved head. He reeled backwards, his fists raised. He hesitated mere seconds before realizing it was her and not another Redcoat. She saw the recognition sweep into his eyes as he put his bloodied fists down.
“Emeline? Are you okay?”
“Yes, are you?” she whispered, touching his face.
“No one will ever harm you,” he swore.
“I know, my fierce warrior,” she whispered tenderly, cupping his cheek and looking up at his tortured eyes. “I’m safe and no one hurt me. We’ll have to leave here.”
“No,” he said thickly, shaking his head. His shaggy, dark hair was curling as he had broken a sweat from exertion at beating the soldier. “This is our home, our land. He will have to leave.”
“You can’t kill him,” she argued softly, trying to calm him down. He sat there, staring at her as he took several deep breaths. “He will just come back and with more soldiers. We can start over again elsewhere.”
“I will not run from him or anyone else,” he countered and hesitated when he heard footsteps below. They stared at each other knowingly as they realized it must be more soldiers arriving to arrest them.
“I love you,” she whispered lovingly. She took several deep breaths, just needing to breathe in his essence. Breathe him into her. The scent of sandalwood, sweat and sawdust tickled her nose. She never realized how much she would miss his very being until this moment. “I love you more than I ever realized I could love someone. If this is it, I need you to know how I feel.”
Handfasted to You Page 11
